Wayfinder Family Co.
Supporting children, families, and organizations navigating change, grief, and loss
Grief education & consulting for children, families, & you…
Wayfinder Family Co. is a compassionate resource dedicated to supporting caregivers and parents navigating the complex journey of helping children through grief. We understand the profound emotional challenges of supporting grieving children and provide essential knowledge, resources, and community support. Our mission is to empower families by fostering resilience, understanding, and hope during one of life's most challenging experiences.
For Community Helpers, Educators & Professionals
For professionals, schools, and nonprofits seeking comprehensive grief education and support, Wayfinder Family Co. offers specialized training, curriculum development, workshops, and educational programs. We provide tailored resources that enhance organizational capacity to support grieving children and families, transforming grief literacy across educational, community, and professional environments. Our approach equips professionals with innovative strategies to create supportive, understanding spaces that honor individual grief experiences.
Meet the Founder
Jessica Porte is a compassionate grief educator and consultant who has dedicated her career to supporting diverse communities through their most challenging moments. With over 13 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she founded Wayfinder Family Co. to create meaningful, person-centered solutions for children, families, and organizations navigating complex emotional landscapes.
Driven by a deep commitment to human resilience, Jessica brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal empathy to her work. Her approach integrates scientific strategies and design thinking, drawing from her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master's in Leadership Development. Certified in Psychological First Aid and trained as a Lego® Serious Play® facilitator, she develops innovative tools that help individuals and communities transform grief, substance use challenges, foster care transitions, and profound personal losses.
Jessica's professional journey is characterized by a humble dedication to building leadership from the ground up. She’s an active member with organizations like the National Alliance for Children Grieving, International Crisis and Stress Foundation, and the Coalition for Grieving Students. Her work extends beyond traditional support methods, focusing on creating adaptive, resilient systems that honor each individual's unique experience.
As a first-generation Filipino-American based in Southern California, Jessica understands the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusive support. She volunteers with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and serves as the Backstage Children's Director at Hālau Ka Lei Kukui Hi'ilani USA Mainland Extension, reflecting her commitment to community and cultural connection.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Jessica finds joy in family life, spending time with her husband, twin children, and two rescue dogs. Her personal and professional paths are united by a fundamental belief in human potential—that with the right support, tools, and understanding, individuals and communities can navigate even the most profound challenges with grace, strength, and hope.
Family & Community Services
-
![]()
Circle of Care Program - Substance Use Loss
Illinois Statewide Program Suporting Substance Use Related Death and Loss . Trainings, directory, and resources
-
![]()
Consulting
-
![]()
Brick by Brick
Family & School Groups using Lego® Serious Play®
-
![Me.You.We. Family-centered Education Program]()
Me.You.We. Family-centered Education Program
“Jessica is a safety net you hope you never need, but will be so grateful you have it when you need it most. Jessica responded to my message about the unexpected news of our loved one with a comforting landing space. Not only did Jessica give me support, she quickly and easily used metaphors to teach me how to support my children. In just 15 minutes, she equipped me with skills that empowered me to handle the conversations with my children at a level that was appropriate for them. A situation I was scared to tell them about turned into a 'normal' experience for them because I had the skills. Seeing their grandma sick turned into a race with my son vs. his grandma's "chair car," and my daughter saying, "let's decorate your new chair like a parade, grandma." Jessica - thank you for giving me the skills that empowered me to provide my family with a safe space that allowed us the ability to navigate difficult times. "
- Jennifer Hintzsche, PhD, Founder of PherDal
GetGritty Podcast with Jaz & Jess
Grit by definition, are the particles that create traction and movement. Think of the exterior of a road or mountain and how those crevices are your leverages moving forward, and sometimes, they cause you to fall back.
This metaphor in life is a dynamic experience and GRIT is part of what helps us grow and it can be wildly uncomfortable… sometimes painful.
GetGritty is where we explore the many challenges in life and how grit makes us adaptable and more resilient humans. Hear the stories that build strategies and perspectives that help the parent, friend, professional, and friend.