Did You Know?

• Families have come to us from over 60 towns in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
• The duration and intensity of grief is different for each individual.
• We have a Young Widows and Widowers Support Group, with members as young as 27 years old.
• Our families have experienced the loss of their loved one through illness, suicide, homicide, or accident.
• The youngest child in our program is 3. The oldest is18.
• Children experience grief in doses, grieving in spurts.
• 20% of 16-year-olds have lost a parent.
• Our children have lost a parent, sibling or our Teens a may have lost a best friend.
• Last year 129 children and families attended our support groups.
• We have a lending library that is open to the public. It includes books on grandparent loss, infant loss, pet loss and much more.
• Caring and acceptance assist in the healing process.
• Children have participated in our groups for several months to many years. The average length of time they attend a group is 2 years.
• Children will revisit their grief at different stages of development.
• Past participants are welcome to return to a group if they feel the need.
• Grief is life-long.
• We estimate it costs $1500 to support a child for a year.
• Mary’s Place has 4 part time employees whose combined budgeted hours total 58 a week.
• We rely on 16 Volunteer Facilitators in our support groups.
• Individuals and companies volunteer throughout the year to work on various tasks and events.
• There is not now nor has there ever been a waiting list for any of our programs.
• All of our groups are ongoing and open-ended.
• We meet throughout the summer.
• We are a resource to the community. We offer support and education to schools and businesses.
• Grief work is hard work. It is exhausting for both body and mind.