My Nonprofit Reviews

My parents divorced when I was 4. Both remarried by the time I was 9, but my dad died unexpectedly when I was 12. I felt like the only kid who has ever lost a parent at that young age. My friends didn't know how to talk to me, what to say. I felt very alone. I ended up making a lot of poor choices in my life not long after my dad died.

In 1997, I had the worst year of my life. To make this shorter, I had two major surgeries...one on my heart and one on my brain. after the second surgery, I had a very strong feeling to do something to benefit others. I needed to live my life no longer for just the benefit of ME. I heard an ad on the radio for Calm Waters Center for Children and Families and thought how amazing an organization this must be. I wished something like it was around when I was 12...I sure could have used it. A week later, I heard an ad for them saying they were in need of caring volunteers. I called immediately and said I want to help but am not a therapist, counselor, or even have a background in that. They told me, "Don't worry, we will train you as a facilitator and you will be with an experienced facilitator in your groups".

I went through training in February 1998 and started my first groups in August 1998. I only work with teens, because I believe they have the toughest decisions at this point in their lives that affect who they become. I know...I went through that!

I have been facilitating teen groups in both grief and divorce since 1998. Calm Waters Center for Children and Families is an incredible organization, and I am truly blessed to be a part of it.

Stuart

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