Childrens Grief Center of New Mexico, Inc.

We want evaluations to show that participants are experiencing improvements in their overall health and wellbeing. Each individual grieves differently, so we know that participants are not all in the ‘same place’ in their grief journey when completing evaluations. Evaluations are given to peer support group participants in May and December of each year in order to closely monitor program effectiveness. Evaluations measure both emotional and physical improvements in participants. After a year of CGC support, at least 85% of young people and adults will report various improvements in their health and wellbeing; including: feeling more prepared to face daily responsibilities at home/school; improvements in physical pains; improvements in ability to manage grief reactions; etc.

Objectives:
1) Participants will apply the healthy coping skills gained during their time in group to the rest of their lives, rather than turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms to mask painful emotions. 2) Serving the mental health needs of an individual lessens the chance that a tragic loss will result in other losses-such as loss of job, home, etc. At CGC, individuals can get the help they need so that they are mentally prepared to fulfill their obligations and continue on a healthy path as they find their ‘new normal’. 3) Serving the mental health needs of New Mexicans leads to a healthier future and economy for our state.

Grief, when not properly supported and assisted, can harmfully impact mental and physical health. Further, children grieve differently than adults. We offer a wide range of free, age-appropriate grief support services throughout the year for bereaved families, with our core program being facilitated Peer Support Groups offered to young people ages 5-25 and their caregivers. In order to serve kids and families living too far to attend our regularly held programs in Central NM, Camp Corazón was created in 2013 for kids living in rural communities throughout our state.

Support Groups give the grieving young person an opportunity to tell their story. By integrating their trauma and recognizing their own healthy coping techniques, and doing this alongside a group of their peers, who share a common struggle, young people can begin to heal and manage their grief. While children are in group, their caregivers have the opportunity to participate in group as well, because they are often grieving the same death their child is. “The Children’s Grief Center has saved our life. It is the most healing experience for a grieving family.” -46 year old woman

As the only organization in Central NM focused on providing support services for grieving youth and their caregivers, CGC is addressing a critical gap in health services offered to New Mexicans. Since 2001, we have been committed to providing specialized, effective grief support services at no cost to children and their caregivers in our communities. Our services are rooted in industry standard best practices and CGC's program staff have over 60 years of combined experience in developing and implementing quality programs for youth; with nearly 30 yrs dedicated specifically to serving the needs of grieving families. CGC provides tours and/or information to those who are interested in learning more about CGC programs and outcomes.

CGC was entirely volunteer-led until receiving a grant to hire its first staff person in 2005. Since that time CGC has grown exponentially, serving hundreds of grieving families annually. We entered into a long-term lease in 2011 which has allowed us to increase the frequency of support groups and provide specific, theme-focused family workshops including Back-to-School Boot Camp, Grief in the Holidays, etc. in Albuquerque's North Valley. Services began at our satellite location in Rio Rancho in 2007. In December 2020, we moved into the new permanent home for our programs - the Center for Hope and Healing! This move allows us to serve more people and create new support groups and programs to respond to the growing and changing needs we see in our communities. We serve a growing number of families each year and will continue to do so at no cost, to provide critical support to grieving New Mexican children and families.