Home | Lauri S. Bauer Foundation For Sudden Loss

Lauri Bauer Foundation / Top Golf Event Is Now Open

Friday, August 8th, 2025 at Top Golf Schaumburg. Please join us for an incredible evening on Friday, August 8th at Top Golf in Schaumburg. The night will be filled with golf, food, drinks and tons of fun. Even if you are not a golfer please join us for the festivities.

1 in 5 children will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18

One of out every 20 children aged 15 and younger will suffer the loss of one or both parents

70% of teachers currently have at least one student in their class(es) who has lost a parent, sibling or close friend in the past year

50% of children surveyed who lost a parent within the last year, give their school and teachers a grade of "C" or lower when asked if they "help me deal with my loved one’s death"

Grieving children want to be reassured that there will always be someone to take care of them

Our educational services include: Crisis intervention • In-Service Training Educational Workshops

Our In-School Support Group Program educates school clinical staff to better understand the needs of grieving students in the school setting

"The positive impact you have made on our staff and students is more than you will ever know"

– Waukegan H.S. Social Worker

"The more I see you the better I feel"

– Teen student from the Lauri Bauer/Barr Harris Evanston office

"By the way, I truly respect the work you all do - I always refer to your facility"

– Lake County Pediatrician

Grief is not a problem we are trying to fix for a child; it is an experience they are living

Grief doesn’t care how long it’s been

Our support of "Hands Together, Heart to Art" has allowed over 500 children, most from financially challenged circumstances who have experienced the death of a parent, to attend this camp program

Last year, our School Outreach Program provided services to 60 schools in Cook and Lake Counties

Last year our School Outreach Program benefited almost 2,500 students

The average fee per session collected at our Grief Centers is only $15.00

Almost 100 people have attended our "Hand in Hand" grief support group, for those 55 or younger who have lost a spouse within the last two years

The Lauri Bauer/Barr Harris Grief Centers held over 1,400 one to one professional patient therapy sessions last year

Our grief centers treated patients last year due to losses from murder, incarceration, gun violence, abuse, domestic violence and drug abuse

Our grief centers treated patients last year due to losses from illness, deportation, deployment, adoption, divorce and change of guardian

Both our Deerfield and Evanston Grief Centers see a significant number of children who are being raised by grandparents

Our Grief Centers see children ages 2-22 and receive referrals from social workers, pediatricians’ offices, hospitals, Police Departments and Homeless Shelters

"Given the number of children we serve and the high level of need among our students, your program is essential to providing the skilled therapeutic services our children need"

– Chicago Public Schools Executive Director

Because of our support, over 150 children have attended Camp Kangaroo, a camp for children 5-13 who have suffered the loss of a parent

2016 Foundation Video

Understanding, Preventing, and Coping with Teen Suicide

Sigma Alpha Mu’s Annual Ball at the Hall