Calm Waters December 2019 Newsletter
Calm Waters News and Updates
News 9 Donation and Upcoming Story
Local TV news station, KWTV-News 9 and their star meteorologist Jed Castles, attended the last Divorce support group of the year and surprised Calm Waters with $800 of supplies they'd identified from our Amazon Wish List .

A Calm Waters story should air on News 9 the evening of Wednesday, December 25, a.k.a. Christmas! Stay tuned!
A Special Calm Waters Thank You
to the Ward Family
Calm Waters would like to acknowledge the bravery and generosity of Amberly Ward and her son Ethan. The Wards were grief group participants this past year and Amberly agreed to share their grief story in the 2019 Calm Waters annual year-end fundraising campaign, which is 81% to the campaign goal, and almost $1,000 has been given to Calm Waters in honor of The Ward Family!

You may have have seen the above photo in your mail box, on Facebook, Instagram and in a few past Calm Waters emails. At first, Amberly was unsure about sharing her family's trauma in a group setting, but after attending the first night of her Calm Waters grief support group, Amberly’s fears were immediately put to rest when she saw a difference in Ethan's face. The sad boy she'd come to know had hope in his eyes again! Click here to read about Amberly and Ethan's grief journey.

Thank you Amberly and Ethan for sharing your story so that Calm Waters can help future children and families on their grief journey.
Grief and Divorce Support News
When do support groups begin again?
To begin or return to a FREE support group, please register online before January 10, 2020 . Support group intake and orientation is scheduled as follows:

Grief Support Group Orientation - Monday, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m.

Divorce Support Group Orientation - Thursday, Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m.

Intake and Orientation is the opportunity for each family to complete required paperwork, meet the Calm Waters therapists and volunteers and tour the Calm Waters facility before support groups begin in late January, 2020.
6 Ways to Navigate Grief Through The Holidays
What should you do if you or a loved one is knocked over with a Christmas-sized wave of grief? As OKC's grief experts, we want to acknowledge that this time of year can remind you of your losses, and that's okay. Our in-house therapists have created 6 tips to help you navigate grief through the Holiday season .
Calm Waters Events
2 Chances to Become a Volunteer
Group Facilitator
Calm Waters is in need of five new volunteer facilitators for the January through June 2020 support group sessions.
Monday, January 6, 2020, 5 to 9 p.m.

Friday, January 10, 2020, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

at Calm Waters
4334 NW Expressway, Suite 101
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Ph: 405-841-4800

F or more information about becoming a group facilitator, please call 405-841-4800 or email our Program Director, [email protected] .
Calm Waters Fundraising News
Boeing Employees Grant $6,500 to Calm Waters
THANK YOU BOEING!

For the seventh time in 15 years, Boeing employees have voted to give Calm Waters a grant from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Oklahoma City. This year's very generous donation totals $6,500 and will fund grief and divorce support groups at our Center and in OKC metro-area schools.
Balliet's Fashion Show Raised $2,500 for Calm Waters
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, Balliet’s, a high-end women's clothing, make up and accessories store , hosted a private shopping event that raised over $2,500 for Calm Waters Center for Children and Families. Tickets were $50 and 20% of the evening's proceeds were donated back to Calm Waters.

The fashion show models were staff, board members and women who are close to the Calm Waters mission. The funds raised will directly provide grief support for children and families in grief. Thank you Balliet's!
The Models
Elizabeth Clinton, June 2019 keynote speaker for Calm Waters' Ripples of Hope breakfast fundraiser
Erin Engelke, Calm Waters Executive Director
Shawnae Robey, J.D. and Calm Waters Board Member
Cynthia Martel, wife of Calm Waters Board President, Dan Martel
Beverly Stuart, friend of Cynthia and Dan Martel
Amanda Miller, J.D. and Calm Waters Board Member
Calm Waters Volunteer Spotlight
Ceilidh Imes

“When I was very little my uncle died and I felt as if his death was my fault because his health issues started with a common cold that he'd contracted from me. I really struggled with this burden and it took me years to overcome this belief. As I know through experience, sometimes a child will isolate or blame on themselves during a death or a divorce. This is what happened to me, but if I'd have had Calm Waters, maybe it wouldn't have taken as long for me to process my guilt and grief." 

Ceilidh, pronounced "Kay-leigh" is a Calm Waters grief group facilitator for children and teens and is a full-time student at the University of Central Oklahoma, pursuing a degree in psychology.

After graduation, Ceilidh wants to be a private practice child therapist and help teach children mental tools and skills need to be well-rounded and happy adults.

We are so grateful a college honors class sent you to Calm Waters for volunteer hours, and that you've remained a dedicated volunteer for three years!
Laura Hunt

"My dad died in April 2018 and I felt like no one understood what I was experiencing, except for people who had also lost a parent. When I learned about Calm Waters' need for volunteers, I wanted to help in any way I could. It made me happy that Calm Waters is a safe place to discuss death and divorce because it is so helpful to be reminded you are not alone. I am so happy to find this place to volunteer."

We are too, Laura. Thank you for your dedicated volunteer service!

Laura, in addition to volunteering as a Teen grief group facilitator at Calm Waters, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a child counselor with LaLuz Organization, and has a Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. H er husband's military career took them all over the country, but they now call Oklahoma home.

Thank you Laura for "wanting to remind other people that going through hard things changes you and that it is okay."
Calm Waters Board News
Farewell, Hayley Moore
In sincere appreciation of your commitment, board service and leadership of Calm Waters, thank you to Hayley Moore, past board president, for your dedicated 4 years of service to Calm Waters. We will miss you!
Welcome, Belinda Willis
"I, like many others, have experienced significant, life-altering losses in my life. With those losses came heartache, loneliness and the feeling that my world would never be the same. Allowing Calm Waters to help during this grief journey can provide the support needed to feel whole again." - Belinda Willis, returning Calm Waters Board member and Bank of Oklahoma VP.
Planning Your Legacy| Calm Waters
We would be deeply honored if you would remember Calm Waters in your will. For more information, please email Erin Engelke, Calm Waters Executive Director.
Calm Waters Center for Children and Families | 405-841-4800 | Calmwaters.org