From the CEO:
Putting the Good in Grief
Dear Friends and Community Members,
 I recently facilitated one of our 6-9 year old groups. It was Jen's first night. She told us about her dad and then shared what it feels like to "walk in her shoes." At the end of the group, she told us how happy she was to make new friends that night. When the children returned to their parents, one of Jen's new friends ran to get her mother so she could introduce Jen. She picked-up Jen and hugged her. Her mother's eyes brimmed. Happiness. It can feel unattainable, but when it returns, if only for a moment, the world stands still and things look like they might be okay. In 2013, the happiness that accompanies a Good Grief friendship was experienced by the more than 500 children, teens, and their parents that participated in our programs. We also reached approximately 35,000 children by educating adults through our workshops. Every year, Good Grief serves more children than the year prior. As we continue to grow and work to ensure that no child in New Jersey has to grieve alone, I am thrilled to introduce ten new members of our Board of Directors. These talented leaders will help Good Grief keep its programs free and accessible for this generation of children and the next. In a few days, you will receive an e-mail announcing an exciting event on June 1st. We will be asking you to help us raise awareness and advocate for the children of Good Grief. Together, we are going to change how children are cared for and supported. Together, we can provide happiness and hope. In Community,
Joseph M. Primo, MDiv.
Chief Executive Officer
- Your support allows us to provide our programs to families for free
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From a Mother's Perspective
"Laughter is a gift, especially in the presence of people who understand." - Hillary, a Good Grief Mom
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Good Grief's Board of Directors Good Grief welcomes ten new members to its Board of Directors, one of which is a Good Grief dad. The new members of the board are listed below with an asterisk. We are grateful for such a wonderful leadership team! Patrick Sullivan - Chair, Managing Director, Morristown Financial Group Leigh Porges - Vice Chair, Founder, Onegift, Inc. Sean Leonard* - Treasurer, President, The Leonard Group, LLC Julie Kampf - Secretary, President, JBK Associates Bob Anderson, Esq., Lindabury, McCormick and Estabrook, P.C. Douglas Blagdon,* MBA, DB Capital Advisors, LLC. Robin Bogan, Esq., Pallarino & Bogan, L.L.P. Mark Cremonni,* Sr. Vice President of Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch Sal Gentile, Managing Director, ICG Ted Grover,* Owner, ESG, Inc. Willis Goodmoore,* Esq., Lawyer, Practising Law Institute Shelly Haley,* Owner of End of Elm, The Depot Gift Shop and Paradise, a Lilly Pulitzer Store Linda Hough,* MBA, CPA Jennifer Leonard,* Sr. Vice President of Human Resources, PDI Robert Meirowitz, M.D., President, Princeton Radiology Associates Judy Roman, CEO, AmeriHealth New Jersey Robert Savino,* Principal, Prism Advisory Group, LLC Jim Topor, Senior Director of Global Staffing, Celgene Corporation Gladys Williams,* EdD, Behavioral Health Specialist Francesca Travisano - In Memoriam - A Good Grief Founder
Interns
Fairleigh Dickinson Interns: Jacqueline Savino and Michael Donnelly. They will both earn a B.A. in Psychology. Jacqueline and Michael participated in Gg's facilitator training in January and are great additions to our team of facilitators. Both interns have strong communication skills and experience in leadership roles. Michael served as the Senior Vice President of the Inter-Greek Council and Vice President of Event Planning for his fraternity, Alpha Kappa Lambda. Jacqueline is also involved in Greek Life and served as a Vice President of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.
Rider University: Keyana Reamer will earn her BA in Psychology. Kayana participated in Gg's facilitator training in January. She supports younger students as a resident advisor and is an active member of Rider's African American Student Union and Multicultural Club, Women's Center, and Psychology Club.
New York University: Ravi Jha will earn his BA in Politics and Communications. Ravi participated in Gg's facilitator training in January. He has worked on political campaigns as a radio host in India. He has held leadership roles with the YMCA and the NYU Model UN and has done volunteer work with grieving children in India.
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Good Grief in Princeton Celebrates Its 1st Birthday!
 One year after opening, Good Grief in Princeton has already served 100 participants in its programs with the help of 27 trained volunteers. Princeton families come from 29 towns and, on average, most come within a 20 mile radius of Princeton. As we work to serve families within a 45 mile radius, we already see and know how great the need is in the Princeton area. We celebrated our first birthday on February 28th at the Nassau Inn. Many thanks to all those who have supported this important work in and around Princeton. Special thanks to the Nassau Inn, The Ivy Inn, Wegmans, and Rick Decker Photography for helping us celebrate a wonderful year!
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becomes The Circle of Hope
As Good Grief grows and reaches more families in more communities, we have transitioned our Hope League into The Circle of Hope. When we started the Hope League in 2007 we had one Night of Support. We are now in Morristown and Princeton, we now have six Nights of Support, we currently provide 96 groups per month, and we also offer La Noche de Los Amigos (a program specifically for Spanish speaking families). We have come so far, yet there is still so much more we can do. There are more children, more families, more towns, and more opportunities to serve those needing Good Grief. Grief knows no boundaries, but within our Circle there is hope.
Sponsor a Child
Full Year Sponsorship - $1,200 or $100 per month for 12 months
Half Year Sponsorship - $600 or $50 per month for 12 months
Circle of Hope
Compassion - $5,000 per year for 3 years*
Support - $10,000 per year for 3 years*
Community - $15,000 per year for 3 years*
Isabella's Circle
Isabella was our first participant back in 2007. Isabella, her sister, and their mom became part of the Good Grief family and part of our circle. Isabella's story is our first story. Members of Isabella's Circle pledge at least $25,000 per year for three years.* A donation to Isabella's Circle will provide support to Good Grief's Peer Support Program Growth, Direct Education, Programs, and Community Awareness Campaigns.
Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
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Upcoming Events
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT . . .
Coming soon. Read "A Word with Will" below for more. Stay Tuned!
Winter Event Highlights
Good Grief in Princeton's 1st Birthday
Thanks to all who helped us celebrate our first year of support in Princeton!
Holiday Luncheon
Many thanks to the Fairmount Country Club Ladies Luncheon, which raised more than $12,000 for Good Grief on December 4th.
Chatham Athletic Boosters
Thank you, Chatham Athletic Boosters Club! They raised $10,000 for Good Grief in January.
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 Want to Tell the World About Good Grief?
Invite your community, neighbors, friends, and family to learn about what makes Good Grief special. Our 75 minute presentation is filled with powerful stories and helpful information. We do not solicit funds.
Below are upcoming dates:
Morristown:
Monday, March 24th at 12:0pm
Friday, April 11th at 12:0pm
Monday, April 28th at 6:30pm
Tuesday, May 13th at 12:00pm
Thursday, May 29th at 12:00pm
Monday, June 9th at 6:30pm
Princeton:
Thursday, March 13th at 5:30pm
Tuesday, March 25th at 12:00pm
Tuesday, April 8th at 12:00pm
Thursday, April 17th at 5:30pm
Thursday, May 1st at 5:30pm
Tuesday, May 13th at 12:00pm
Thursday, May 29th at 5:30
Tuesday, June 10th at 12:00pm
Thursday, June 26th at 5:30pm
Register for a Tour by clicking HERE!
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 A Word with Will Will is Good Grief's youngest volunteer. He is at Good Grief on a daily basis. When he is not refilling paint jars, stuffing envelopes, or helping with programs, he is our in-house jester. He is a funny and insightful kid and he always asks great questions.
A Word with Will helps us tell you our story, as Will interviews the staff, volunteers, and kids of Good Grief. Click HERE to read Will's interview with Dara Rush, Gg's Event and Marketing Coordinator. It's an event teaser . . .
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Facilitator Training in January  In January, we trained 18 new volunteer facilitators. Welcome! The facilitators will create a safe, empathic, and supportive group for children and families to rebuild their lives. Want to make a difference in the life of a child or teen? Join our Good Grief family. We hope you'll join the more than 120 facilitators who make a difference each month! To become a volunteer or enroll in our next facilitator training, please e-mail us at [email protected] |
 A Book Featuring Good Grief " . . . a must read!" - Kate Braestrup, New York Times Best-selling author Children have long been called the "forgotten mourners." Now they don't have to be, as you learn how to speak to children about grief in What Do We Tell the Children?. This book will help you support children and develop a better understanding of why Good Grief is so important to its families. Good Grief's CEO tells the story of Good Grief's children in a book that is being called a sensitive and funny "must read" about the power of love. Help us spread the word! Coming soon: The Invisible Tattoo by Good Grief families and an Activity Book and Reader's Guide for What Do We Tell the Children?. Read reviews and BUY today by clicking HERE!
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Putting the Good in Grief
with compassion, support, and community
38 Elm Street | Morristown| NJ | 07960
12 Stockton Street | Princeton | NJ | 08540
www.good-grief.org
908.522.1999
609.498.6674
100% of our programs are free to families
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