Love’s PEAK: Providing Empathy and Assurance for Kids
When families are facing serious illness or loss, compassionate, expert care makes all the difference.
Mountain Valley’s Love’s PEAK (Providing Empathy and Assurance for Kids) Pediatric Program provides comprehensive pediatric hospice care, palliative services, and kids grief support, walking alongside children and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.
“Our work in pediatric hospice care begins with listening,” says Dr. Glenn Golaszewski, Mountain Valley’s medical director and lead physician for pediatrics. “Each child and family has unique goals, fears, and hopes. Our responsibility is to honor those and provide care that supports comfort, dignity, peace, and quality of life.”
Hospice for children with serious illness
Mountain Valley offers hospice for children and young adults up to age 21 through the Love’s PEAK program. Families can receive hospice or palliative support at any stage of serious illness, whether they are pursuing curative treatments, comfort-focused care, or a combination of both.
“Pediatric hospice care is not about giving up—it’s about showing up,” Dr. Golaszewski explains. “We focus on symptom management, emotional support, and helping children live as fully and comfortably as possible, while supporting the entire family.”
Care is delivered by an interdisciplinary pediatric team with specialized training in both medical and emotional support, meeting families where they are—often in the comfort of their own homes.
Kids’ grief support after the loss of a loved one
In addition to medical care, Love’s PEAK provides kids’ grief support for children who are coping with the death of a parent, sibling, or other loved one. These services are offered alongside Mountain Valley’s broader grief support programs and are designed to be gentle, age-appropriate, and family-centered.
“Children experience grief differently than adults, and their needs often change as they grow,” says Crystal Hardin, assistant director of family services and leader of the Love’s PEAK program. “Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing space where children feel seen, heard, and supported—where they can express their feelings without fear or pressure.”
This free grief support helps children build understanding, resilience, and connection while families navigate loss together. We also offer annual grief camps to provide children with an opportunity to come together with guidance from our team to share their stories, remember loved ones, and learn coping techniques.
“Grief doesn’t follow a timeline,” Crystal adds. “We remain present for families for as long as they need us.”
Free grief support and care without financial barriers
Love’s PEAK is largely funded by generous community donations, allowing Mountain Valley to provide pediatric hospice care and free grief support to families regardless of their ability to pay.
“Philanthropy makes this program possible,” says Leigh Anne Groves, senior vice president of philanthropy. “Because of donor generosity, families never have to choose between financial stability and compassionate care for their child. Every gift directly supports children and families when they need it most.”
Donations help ensure that no child is turned away and that families receive expert care, emotional support, and grief services without added financial stress.
Those interested in supporting Love’s PEAK can learn more or give on our donation page.
Walking with families, every step of the way
Through pediatric hospice care and free kids grief support, Love’s PEAK exists to remind families they are not alone.
Dr. Glenn Golaszewski
“It is a privilege to care for children and support families during these deeply meaningful moments,” Dr. Golaszewski shared. “Our goal is always to lead with compassion, presence, and respect.”
The Love’s PEAK pediatric program stands as a promise of care, comfort, and connection—for every child, every family, every step of the journey.
