National Grief Awareness Day, observed annually on August 30th, aims to educate people about grief and create space for those experiencing loss. The journey through grief can be isolating and overwhelming, making the support of nonprofits that specialize in grief counseling and resources invaluable. Kate’s Club is one such nonprofit that we are fortunate to have in the Atlanta community.
Kate’s Club empowers children and teens, their families, and young adults facing life after the death of a parent, sibling, caregiver, or someone important to them. The organization builds healing communities through recreational and therapeutic group programs, education, and advocacy. Since its founding in metro Atlanta in 2003, Kate’s Club has served thousands of individuals who are grieving, through both in-house and outreach services. There are many ways to support Kate’s Club, including various volunteer opportunities. As part of our monthly volunteer projects, the Brownieland Team signed up for Kate’s Club Adopt a Meal Program, providing and serving dinner for Kate’s Club Orientation Night.
Another way to show support is by participating in the 2024 Kate’s Club Memory Walk. The Brownieland Team participated in the 2021 Memory Walk, which placed special emphasis on everyone in the Kate’s Club community who had been affected by COVID-19. This year’s theme is “A Walk to Belong” and will be held on November 10th at Blackburn Park in Brookhaven. The event invites Kate’s Club members, families, and the broader community to celebrate and honor those in their lives who have passed away, all within a supportive environment. The walk includes entertainment, memorial activities, a short walk, and a meal. Stay tuned for the registration link at katesclub.org/events.
Courtney Krygiel, Director of Development and Marketing at Kate’s Club shared this story as part of her reflection on the impact of the Memory Walk and the supportive community that Kate’s Club provides to children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling.
At the end of the first Memory Walk that I led in 2018, a teenage boy came up to me, gave me a hug, and said, “Thanks for the day.” You don’t always think of a teenage boy doing something like that. But at Kate’s Club, you don’t have to be a cool teenager or fit into a stereotypical box of what you think you’re supposed to be. You have a community here that is different from the world outside of Kate’s Club.”
Find out more about Kate’s Club and how you can get involved here.
Brownieland Pictures 