Event info: https://e.givesmart.com/events/bGX/
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OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center marks its 25th anniversary this year. OUR HOUSE reaches individuals, families, organizations, and communities in need when someone dies, guiding people through the delicate process of grief. Serving thousands of children, teens, and adults every year, OUR HOUSE relies on trained volunteers and expert guidance as one of the most unique support centers in the country, subject of an Emmy-winning film, and recipients of a 4-star rating with Charity Navigator.
A number of events are lined up for 2018 to mark OUR HOUSE’s auspicious milestone: the RUN FOR HOPE 5K walk/run will welcome hundreds of participants to walk in honor of remembering their loved ones, and is scheduled for April 29. Later in the fall, the annual House of Hope Gala (October 6) and Night for Hope will continue to foster awareness and community building.
But perhaps most notable is the program Camp Erin, run twice every summer, which gives grieving children ages 6-17 the opportunity to bond with others in a safe, playful setting. Camp Erin was the subject of “One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp,” the HBO documentary that was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program in 2014.
In addition to Camp Erin and the annual events, OUR HOUSE offers three core programs year-round: grief support groups for adults, children, and teens, run by trained volunteers, are available at support centers across the southland; OUR HOUSE also offers educational seminars, intensives, and programs for medical and social work professionals; and on-site grief response brings OUR HOUSE’s experts to community locations where grief might extend to coworkers, neighbors, or others impacted by death.
OUR HOUSE trains volunteer group leaders with a three-day seminar, and are always welcoming laypeople into the fold, regardless of their own background or connection to the programs. This reflects the ongoing commitment to the original impulse of founder JoAnn Lautman, inspired to start a support group after a young parent in her community died suddenly, leaving a grieving spouse, small child, and circle of friends emotionally shattered. By empowering people to help each other, OUR HOUSE makes connections between those who are willing to give their guidance and sympathy with those who are suffering the devastating loss of a loved one.
