Precious Gems Supportive Services (PGSS) is a community based {(501© (3)} organization which provides grief, loss and transition support within vulnerable populations. The populations targeted are children, the elderly and ethnic minorities; however, all that request assistance receive services.

Description:
PGSS wants to make difference in the lives of underrepresented individuals, especially children. There are a few grief assistance programs in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties; however, the few that exist focus on loss through death only. Our grief/loss program encompasses more than death as we have incorporated additional types of losses into our program. Our facilitators are ethnically diverse and represent the various populations that we serve. Our program goes directly into the neighborhoods and communities that we desire to serve, thus eliminating many barriers and increasing a comfort level for those populations who do not normally seek mental health support services.

History:
Precious Gems Supportive Services (P.G.S.S.) was originally formed in 1995 to help children with homework and to provide mentoring services. However, we noticed in working with the children, there were other "issues" which needed to be addressed before homework help could begin. The "issues" revolved around grief and loss. Though loss of a parent through divorce/separation and loss of friends by relocation caused great anxiety for the children, the primary cause of increased stress was loss due to death. These revelations lead to the restructuring of PGSS to focus on bereavement support and death education for children.

Contact person: Rita Milburn-Dobson, President, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (215) 887-3820

Address:

231 South Easton Road Third Floor Glenside, PA 19038 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.preciousgems.org

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes