Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young People

Brooke’s Place Needs Volunteers So Children, Teens & Young Adults Can Grieve

Writer / Kelly Young
Photography Provided by Brooke’s Place

Brooke's PlaceCOVID-19 has greatly impacted the number of volunteers needed for Brooke’s Place to help children and families grieve gracefully. The nonprofit, which was established two decades ago, provides ongoing community support programs for children grieving the death of a loved one. The increased need for care and the decrease in volunteer facilitators has left many families on a waitlist.

Brooke’s Place is a safe place for children, teens and young adults to grieve after experiencing the death of a loved one because at Brooke’s Place, they believe no child should grieve alone. The Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) from Judi’s House shows that 1 in 12 Hoosier children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18. That startling statistic does not account for aunts, uncles, grandparents and caretakers. Take into effect the unexpected death of a loved due to the coronavirus or violence, and the numbers and need are high.

Brooke’s Place strives to transform grief into hope. No matter the situation or loss, Brooke’s Place works to ensure kids don’t have to grieve alone. According to Hilary Bercovitz, Outreach Coordinator for Brooke’s Place, there aren’t a lot of other options for children to grieve.

“We know the gravity of the issue and the impact that the death of a loved one can have on a young person,” Bercovitz says. “We are all too aware that without help, these children can be impacted by incarceration, change in their mental health, and substance abuse.”

Volunteers are the backbone of Brooke’s Place. With a staff of just nine people, Brooke’s Place relies on its volunteers to help empower teens in the midst of their grief. Before COVID hit, Brooke’s Place had 130 volunteers in place. Now, they have just 60.

There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at Brooke’s Place, but the greatest need right now is as a Support Group Facilitator. These special volunteers provide a safe and supportive environment for children, teens and young adults to grieve.

“I had such an impactful first night,” shares Michelle Taylor, a new volunteer. “You can read so much about someone’s heart if you look into their eyes.  What I saw in the two precious kiddos I had the privilege of spending time with was sadness, uncertainty, and maybe confusion of what was happening to them. What COVID has given me is the opportunity to see the heart through the eyes. I was deeply moved by their ways and communication. That was just the first night!”

No counseling background is required, and the commitment is just eight hours monthly. Brooke’s Place provides the training, which is currently being held virtually.

Brooke's Place“People automatically assume it’s a sad place to work or volunteer, but there’s a lot of joy and connections that happen here,” says Katie Harting, Brooke’s Place Advancement Manager. “Our volunteers tell us that they get a lot out of the session – sometimes they feel like they’re getting more out of it than the kids in the group. It’s a very rewarding volunteer experience.”

Volunteers are required to go through an interview, background check and 16 hours of online training. Harting says the training helps volunteers learn to actively listen, be present and to be supportive of a child who is grieving.

“We help volunteers understand developmentally where the kids are in their grief,” Harting adds.

Programs and events may continue to look a little different in 2021 and beyond, but Brooke’s Place remains committed to helping every single child, teen and young adult walk through their grief journey safely.

“We don’t want anyone to suffer in silence,” Bercovitz says.

Brooke’s Place was named for a young girl whose father died in the American Eagle Flight 4184 plane crash over Roselawn, IN., in 1994. Keenly aware of the need for on-going support for Brooke and other children like her, Pamela J. Wright, a licensed family therapist, prompted the initial discussion and effort to develop a grieving center in Indianapolis. In 1999, 41 young people attended the group’s first program. Since then, Brooke’s Place has served 20,000 children, youth and teens through its various grief and loss programs and camps.

To volunteer, or to donate, visit brookesplace.org or call 317-705-9650. Brooke’s Place is located at 8935 North Meridian Street, Suite 200 in Indianapolis.

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