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The Center for Grieving Children

2022 Goals

Our vision is that all children and families in Maine will have access to grief support at no cost for as long as necessary. We want every person to know about the Center’s services so that no child has to grieve alone.

Goal 1: Provide high-quality, direct-service grief-support programs for children and their families.

Goal 2: Support schools, workplaces and agencies by offering crisis response services and grief-related education and training.

Goal 3: Maintain and expand in-person and virtual program offerings to accommodate current and new participants.

Goal 4: Lead community response to challenges and emerging needs related to supporting grieving children and families.

Goal 5: Meaningfully recognize the volunteers, donors and business sponsors who keep the Center’s services free for families.

Fundraising Events / Opportunities

After a year of virtual events and webinars, we look forward to a season of thoughtfully planned opportunities to safely gather with supporters in-person. On October 14th, we will hold a fall reception at River Winds Farm & Estate to thank individuals, foundations, and Corporate Partners who supported the Center through this incredibly difficult year. We also look forward to holding our annual LOVE Gala on Friday, February 4th, 2022. More details to come!

Additionally, our Corporate Partner Program provides local businesses great visibility and employee volunteer opportunities! Depending on the giving level, year-round partnerships include recognition at our events, webinars, conferences, and tailored communications. Beloved business supporters can also donate a percentage of sales or create their own customized fundraiser! Many opportunities available!

Giving Opportunities

Gifts to the Center keep our services free for children and families during the most difficult losses, changes and challenges imaginable.

  • Individual Donors and “Friends of Hope”, our monthly giving program to spread giving throughout the year.
  • Corporate Partners invest in a relationship with great returns for businesses, employees, the community and the Center.
  • Contributions are made to the Center in memory or honor of a loved one, or to mark a special occasion or company milestone.
  • Bequests leave a legacy of support, by joining the Bill Hemmens Society, ensuring our services will be available for children and families for years to come.
  • Giving on Children’s Grief Awareness Day – Nov. 18, 2021
  • Giving on #GivingTuesday — Nov. 30, 2021

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are at the heart of the Center’s service and work throughout the community.

  • Program Facilitators make a weekly commitment to our peer-based grief support groups for children and their adult family members. The Center provides excellent training and ongoing support.
  • Event volunteers help make our fundraising events successful. We welcome individuals and groups of employees to assist at our events.
  • Office volunteers assist with a variety of projects on a one-time or ongoing basis.
  • Employee volunteer groups can hold their own fundraiser to benefit the Center or complete special projects in collaboration with the Center.

Leadership

Anne Heros, Executive Director
Mark Pettingill, Board President: President & CEO, Patrons Oxford Insurance

Board officers

Mary Larkin, Board Past President: Diversified Communications, USA

Mike Wilson, Board Vice President: Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, S2G Maine, LLC

Kevin Chase, Board Treasurer: Audit Manager, Baker Newman Noyes

Robert Baldacci, Board Secretary: Consultant, Baldacci Consulting Group

Board Members

Kathy D. Baker: Rental Manager/Agent, Kennebunk Beach Realty, Inc.

Sandra Bagwell, MD: Director, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Maine Medical Center

Matt Brucker: Human Resource Consultant, SHP Management Corp.

Jenilee Bryant: Marketing Director, Two Lights Settlement

Brian Cho: Head of Corporate Planning & Strategy, WEX, Inc.

Maureen Clancy: Language Access Coordinator, Portland Public Schools

Doug Currier (at large): Partner, Verrill

Peter DeWitt (at large): Head of Talent Marketing and Community Relations, IDEXX

John Holland: Retired, Former Director, Sappi Fine Paper

William Kany: Senior Vice President, Director of Legal & Government Affairs, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution

Thomas Kelly: Vice President, Finance, Hannaford Supermarkets

Lyndsey Kerkela: Human Resource Consultant

Sara McLaughlin: Accounting/Finance Consultant

Rob McPheteers: Vice President of Strategic Development, EnviroLogix

Francis Mesina: Managing Partner, Registered Principal and FINRA Arbitrator, New York Life Insurance

Diana Nelson: Principal, Black Fly Media

Jeannine Pendergast: Senior ESOP Client Advisor, Spinnaker Trust

Noah Petrucci: CF A and Portfolio Manager, HM Payson

Jack Yao: Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, MEMIC

At a Glance:

Established: 1987
Employees: 14
Annual revenue: $1,037,135

Top funding sources

45% Individuals
33% Events
20% Grants
2% Other

Contact

555 Forest Ave.,
Portland, ME 04101 (207) 775-5216

893 Main St.,
Sanford, ME 04073 (207) 775-5216

https://www.cgcmaine.org
https://www.facebook.com/cgcmaine
https://www.instagram.com/cgcmaine

Awards / Accolades

2021 7th annual Red Sox Foundation IMPACT Award: 1st place in Maine 2019 Maine Education Association’s Human and Civil Rights Award

Mission Statement

The Center for Grieving Children provides a safe space, loving peer support, outreach, and education to grieving children, teens, families and the community.

Service locations

Peer support groups are typically available weekly in Portland and Sanford, and online to serve rural Maine families with Center training, education and crisis response available to schools, workplaces and other organizations throughout Maine