The program for the Seward Rotary Club’s noon luncheon on Wednesday, August 08, 2018 at the Jones National Bank and Trust Auditorium was introduced by Rotarian Rev. Lyle Schoen, who introduced the leadership of “Mourning Hope” Grief Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The grief center is one of 100 in the US and one of two in Nebraska. Presenting the program were Sandi Fabry- the Community Outreach Coordinator for Lincoln’s Mourning Hope Grief Center and Kate Holman, the Advancement Chair for the Mourning Hope Grief Center.
A power point presentation featured the background of the Mourning Hope Grief Center, serving children, teens, young adults and families who have lost a significant member of their family. The emphasis is supporting grieving children in the greater Lincoln area.
The grief center was founded in 1994 and the closest out of state grief center is “Judy’s House” in Denver. They shared statistics on death and families and the range of problems.
They spoke on ways to help grieving children. Services include group work, with a ten week program for family grief service, a six week family grief service and four week grief program for adult grief. School support includes an eight week peer support group and grief kits.
The center offers special events and holiday activities, a resource library, grief resources and community training of volunteers.
No fees are charged for the services and funding comes from individual and corporate donations, foundations, and the United Way!
The educational approach is based on the teachings and philosophy centered around Dr. Alan Wolfelt, who is one of the foremost authorities in the US on managing grief and death education.
The Mourning Hope Grief Center is located next to Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln at 4919 Baldwin Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska 68504, phone 402-488-8989. They can be contacted at hope@mourninghope.org.
Questions and answers followed as the program concluded.