The Center for Grieving Children, Maine

05/27/2026

We’re glad to share this upcoming event from our friends at The Kita Center! Listening Without Fixing on June 13 is an interactive, family-friendly gathering focused on practicing presence, connection, and supportive listening. 💚

Listening Without Fixing (formally called "Listening Centered-Care") is an interactive gathering for families and community members focused on connection, presence, and learning how to better support one another through life’s hard moments, simply by listening.

Saturday, June 13, 2026
114 E Shore Drive, Acton, Maine
10 AM - Noon

This event is good for all ages, but especially engaging for kids ages 8 or older.

Together, we will:
• Read and reflect on a beloved children's book
• Explore what meaningful listening actually looks like
• Participate in hands-on storytelling and connection activities
• Practice listening without rushing to solve or fix
• Spend time connecting in community and nature

Please register at https://forms.gle/DbE24A73XNiCPPLr5

This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Parking is available on-site. Please note there is a short walk from the parking area to the Kita Commons where the event will take place.

05/27/2026

💚 Volunteer Spotlight: Gina Platt 💚

Gina trained as a facilitator at The Center in 2022–2023 and returned in the Fall of 2025 as a permanent facilitator. She now leads one of our Thursday evening adult groups, bringing deep empathy, thoughtfulness, and care to the space she holds.

Gina was originally drawn to The Center by a desire to give back after experiencing the deaths of her husband, father, and grandparents. Having found profound support in a bereavement group herself, she felt called to hold space for others navigating loss. She deeply values The Center’s commitment to creating environments where people can share openly, feel freely, and be met exactly as they are.

Gina is especially grateful that The Center supports grieving children as well as adults, honoring emotions that are often overlooked. She believes that exploring feelings such as regret, guilt, or anger can help illuminate the many ways grief shapes our lives—including the quiet, unexpected moments when it surfaces.

Thank you, Gina, for your compassion, insight, and the steady presence you bring to participants and fellow facilitators alike. 💚

05/21/2026

What a night to remember! Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a special Center Night at the S**o Drive-In last Friday. It was a joy to gather under the stars.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible host and team for creating such a welcoming, joyful space for our community.

We’re also deeply grateful to our generous sponsors. This fun-filled, memorable night wouldn’t have been possible without your support.

To everyone who came out, thank you for bringing the best energy! From parking lot games and fireside s’mores to sweet treats and smiles with Slugger, the evening was filled with laughter, connection, and so many memorable moments.
We are so grateful for this amazing community. 💚

05/12/2026

We had a beautiful visit from former participants today. This incredible group organized a donation drive in honor of their sister, Frankie, who passed away in 2020. Today, on her birthday, they stopped by to drop off items they collected from our wish list, along with some extra thoughtful surprises.

We are so touched by their kindness and generosity. It's such a meaningful and beautiful way to honor their sister.

Happy Birthday, dear Frankie ❤️

05/11/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming six incredible volunteers from Liberty Mutual Insurance, who traveled from across the region to support the Center.

They spent the day transforming our outdoor space—trimming plants, raking leaves, clearing debris, and preparing the gardens for the spring and summer seasons. Thanks to their hard work, the grounds look beautiful, and we’re deeply grateful for the time and care they gave.

A special thank you to Kim, Caryn, Melissa, Lauren, Mike, and Matt for your dedication and effort. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Liberty Mutual Insurance for their continued support of the Center and their commitment to volunteerism in the community. 💚

05/05/2026

🎬Movie Night is Almost Here!
We’re counting down to Center Movie Night at the S**o Drive‑In on Friday, May 15 at 7pm, and it’s shaping up to be a homerun of a night!
Bring the whole crew for an evening under the stars featuring:
🔥 Activities and family fun
🍫 S’mores and snacks
🎟️ A raffle with some great prizes
🐶 A special appearance by Slugger from the Portland Sea Dogs
🍦 Plus, the Ice Cream Truck rolling in with sweet treats!
We’ll be watching The Sandlot, soaking up the drive‑in magic, and celebrating our incredible community—made possible by our generous sponsors!
Tickets are per car with pay‑what‑you‑can, tiered pricing: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=591f3071-11b1-468e-b37f-35210a6295fd&envid=p-z-F89KlHj0GiiiJ8_FCFvg&zone=usa
Mark your calendar, pack the car, and join us for an unforgettable night of movies, memories, and community. We can’t wait to see you there!

05/01/2026

💚 Volunteer Spotlight: Kristina Lore💚

Kristina has been a Thursday Night facilitator at The Center since 2023 and currently co facilitates in our Littles Group. She brings warmth, creativity, and deep care to each week, holding space for both grief and play while helping Littles express big feelings in tangible ways.

A former participant herself, Kristina’s connection to The Center began at just four years old through the TLC program. After earning her graduate degree in social work from the University of Maine and gaining experience in the field, she felt called to give back in a more community centered way. She shares that The Center allows her to truly show up as herself and values the strong sense of connection among facilitators and participants alike.

Thank you, Kristina, for the compassion, presence, and heart you bring to The Center. 💚

04/30/2026

When we show up, hope grows. Your gift supports our volunteers who show up every week to hold space for our Center participants and community. 💚
Please consider making a gift to our Spring Appeal today: https://www.cgcmaine.org/event/springappeal/

04/30/2026

The Center for Grieving Children is seeking a passionate AmeriCorps member to join our Intercultural Peer Support Program!

From September 2026–August 2027, the Collective Loss & Community Engagement Specialist will work alongside Center staff, student interns, and community volunteers to support members of our intercultural community through meaningful peer support programming.

Interested in learning more or applying? Visit https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=129391 for full details and visit https://goodwillnne.org/workforce-services/americorps/positions/public-health-americorps-youth-engagement-maine-2/ to apply today!