Family Centers honors three volunteers

On April 28, Family Centers recognized three volunteers who have given a combined 45 years of service to its Den for Grieving Kids program.

Family Centers President Bob Arnold presented Susan Evans, Jim Linden and Gerry Male with the Ray of Hope Award before a packed house at the Woodway Country Club in Darien during the agency's Center for HOPE Luncheon.

The event, which supports the critical illness and bereavement counseling services Family Centers offers through The Den for Grieving Kids and the Center for HOPE, featured a keynote address by best-selling author Anna Quindlen.

"If you were to ask Susan, Jim or Gerry, they would likely tell you that they get more than they give," said Arnold. "But we know that as a result of their efforts, hundreds of children and parents devastated by loss have found their way to a better place."

For the past 15 years, Evans, Linden and Male have each been coming to The Den twice each month to facilitate discussion groups during the program's "Nights of Service."

Having been touched by the death of a loved one themselves, they regularly draw on their own personal experiences to help Den families cope with the pain associated with grief.

Evans lives in Greenwich, Linden is a Shelton resident and Male lives in New York City.

A program of Family Centers, The Den for Grieving Kids is now in its 17th year and provides a safe, caring place for children, teens and families to explore their feelings about the loss and begin the journey toward healing. Bi-weekly evening support groups meet at Family Centers' Greenwich offices, and a student support groups are offered in 12 schools across Fairfield County.

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. The agency is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit www.familycenters.org for more information.