PORTLAND — Grief is a natural response to loss, and the only way out is through it.
It’s an ethos that guides the remarkable, life-changing work of the Center for Grieving Children as it accompanies Maine children, teens, and families on journeys of hope and recovery at no cost. Last year alone, the organization served over 3,700 individuals through their peer support groups, grief education, and community outreach.
The work and impact of the Center inspired Norway Savings Bank to make a $2,500 donation to the organization in late 2024, but a desire to do more remained.
In addition to phone and email support and webinars, the Center provides peer support groups for children ages 3-18 and their parents and caregivers; young adults ages 19-30; and bereaved parents and young widowers/partners.
“Our volunteer facilitators dedicate their efforts to ensuring that the Center remains a safe space for people to gather in difficult times. They return to our groups each week to listen, acknowledge, and provide comfort. They are the heart of what we do at the Center, and we are so grateful for them,” said Gretchen Johnson, executive director of the Center for Grieving Children.
“We asked the Center for Grieving Children if there were other ways we could assist beyond the donation. In building that connection, we discovered videos to help recruit facilitators for these support groups would be a great help to them,” said Melissa Rock, marketing director SVP at NSB.
Finding support group facilitators to hold these peer support groups can sometimes prove difficult, as many people instinctively feel they aren’t trained for such a task.
NSB met with Center leadership to organize a video project that could reach potential facilitators. The bank, after interviewing current facilitators at the Center, edited and produced videos that explain the Center’s training process and illustrate how that process has supported and enabled people from all walks of life to successfully contribute their time and talents to the Center’s mission.
“Norway Savings made the process so easy and enjoyable. They came to the Center and then delivered these beautiful videos that explain how people can volunteer at the Center, the training we provide, and how rewarding being a Center facilitator truly is,” said Emma Walker, director of philanthropy for the Center for Grieving Children. “This idea and project are already making an incredible impact on our work. We’re so grateful for NSB’s financial contributions, of course, but also for going the extra mile to capture the stories of our facilitators and bringing them to the community.”
Without volunteers in the vital role of facilitator, these valuable peer support groups couldn’t function.
“I was nervous coming into it,” said Christine, one of the facilitators. “But this experience has helped me become the person I always knew I could be and wanted to be. I love having new facilitators come on board and just grow the community.”
“Those people who are considering becoming a facilitator, I highly suggest you just do it,” said Dale, another facilitator. “You won’t regret it. It’s just that type of atmosphere. You’ll wish, like I did, that you did it earlier.”
“I would say come and give it a try,” said Stephen, also a facilitator. “I’ve been here a long time and the reason is the sense of community here in the organization. To feel connected in that way is really an amazing experience.”
Finding new and creative ways in which to truly help nonprofits with their missions is as fulfilling for NSB as it is for the recipients themselves.
“Helping people experiencing profound loss to find resilience is just one of the extraordinary ways the Center for Grieving Children makes a difference each day,” said Dan Walsh, president and CEO of Norway Savings. “To get to know some of the staff and find how we could utilize our resources to assist them beyond a check warmed our hearts. Making a hands-on impact and playing a small role in helping them grow is a great feeling.”
To donate, volunteer or discover other ways to offer support for the Center, visit www.cgcmaine.org/get-involved. To learn more about the Center’s services and how to receive assistance, call 207-775-5216 or email [email protected].
