Newsletter Spring 2011

All of us at Mary’s Place are so proud to celebrate 15 years of providing support to children, teens and families who are grieving a death. From our beginning, we have maintained the principles that we adopted from the Dougy Center, the first center for grieving children established in the
United States:

• Grief is a natural reaction to death in both children and adults.
• Within each individual is the natural capacity to heal oneself.
• The duration and intensity of grief are unique for each individual.
• Caring and acceptance assist in the healing process.

This consistent and ongoing philosophy, along with your support, has allowed us to be a place of hope and healing for those who come here as well as a resource to the community. Last year 129 children and families participated in our programs. As always, it is your support that allows us to provide an atmosphere for our families to express their grief and commemorate their loved ones.

As you will read in the article “Charlie and his dad,” Mary’s Place has had a significant impact on the life of Gene and Charlie Keen. Since Mary’s Place opened its doors in 1996, so many stories like this one have been told. I wish you could be privy to more of these stories. But I hope, that in reading this one, you will understand how important your support is and how you have made a difference in the lives of the many families who come here.

Support comes in many forms. Many of you donate through this newsletter. Some of you send stamps or items on our wish list. For some, attending our fundraising functions, such as our Wine Tasting or Gala, has become an annual occurrence. Maybe you bought a Mary’s Place heart in February or donated your time as a volunteer or board member. For whatever form your support takes, we are truly grateful and we know that without you, we would not be here.

So as we celebrate 15 years, we celebrate all of you. We look forward to the next 15 years in which we all work together to provide for families a place in which their grief is accepted, shared and validated.

We are truly blessed!
Warmly,
Lisa Peluso
Executive Director