Fall 2015

150 N. Radnor-Chester Road, Suite F 130 • Radnor, PA 19087 • Phone: 610-687-5150 • Fax: 610-687-5120 • Web address: www.PetersPlaceOnline.org

Comfort. Hope. Healing.

THE MISSION OF PETER’S PLACE is to provide safe and supportive environments for grieving children and families and to act as a community resource to foster understanding of the effects of death and grief.

Norene Miller came to Peter’s Place with her two children following the death of her husband. This is her family’s story.

From a Peter’s Place Family June 24, 2012 was a beautiful summer Sunday.

The morning started out perfectly.

My husband, Dave, and I planned to have a family day out back in our pool. Dave went to the gym and I started to get the kids up and moving. It never dawned on me how quickly things could change.

A few hours later, I received a phone call from the police. Soon after, l delivered the heartbreaking news to our family and two children that after leaving the gym, Dave had a heart attack and passed away.

In the swirl of everything I was experiencing and having to deal with, I got a lot of advice: some good, some not so good.

One piece of advice I received from several people was to check out Peter’s Place in Radnor. I reached out to them in July and brought my children to the Center for a tour. Katie, then 11, and Joe, then 7, wanted nothing to do with it. They didn’t want to do anything that would make them feel more different than they already felt. At the time, Peter’s Place fell into that category.

When we arrived at Peter’s Place and met the staff that were there waiting for us, everything changed. The two staff members were spot on with my kids in knowing how to approach them and make them feel comfortable. My kids became interested and engaged. By the time we left Peter’s Place that day, they were telling me they could not wait to start in September.

Katie and Joe insisted on attending Peter’s Place for four semesters. Despite lots of homework and other activities, they so eagerly

Norene, Katie, and Joe Miller

looked forward to going to Peter’s Place. I was amazed at how happy, energized, and calm my children would be afterwards. Katie described Peter’s Place as the one place where she felt safe and unstressed. She could forget about her worries and be with others who understood.

Several people had described Peter’s Place to me as a place that “saved” their kids or their family. I remember thinking that was a bit dramatic. Now, having been through it, I would say that is an accurate statement!

Peter’s Place volunteers and staff members are amazing and make such a difference for kids and their families. My children and I owe a lifelong debt to Peter’s Place and I am honored to be able to tell you how much good they do!

Weaving Memories, Weaving Our CommunityEach year, Peter’s Place serves hundreds of children and families at our Center in Radnor and in schools throughout our community. Every visitor that comes through our door is welcome to participate in our own “community weave” at Peter’s Place. Visitors are invited to write a message or a wish, or share a memory, and weave them through a burlap mesh tapestry on display in our play area. With each ribbon, the fabric is strengthened and made more beautiful—much like the community at Peter’s Place.

Peter’s Place by the Numbers

During the 2014-2015 Program Year:

339 grieving children and their adult caregivers were served through 21 Peer Support Groups at our Radnor Center.

18 adults were served through Ryan’s Hope, our on-site, eight-week peer support group for parents grieving the death of a child as a result of substance abuse.

221 children were served through 34 school-based groups, held in schools in Delaware, Philadelphia, and Chester counties.

110 children received support through a Postvention at a local school this year, following a death in the school community.

104 adults participated in 13 Caregiver Support Seminars offered in the community.

503 professionals participated in training programs, indirectly serving 4,278 adults and 12,224 children.

Since coming to groups at our Radnor Center:

84% of children and teens feel less alone.

69% of children and teens say it is easier to talk about the death with others.

85% of parents and caregivers feel better equipped to talk to their children about their grief.

Since participating in a school-based group:

88% of students feel better about themselves.

64% of students reported being able to focus more at school.

65% of students say it is easier to talk about the death with others.

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce that in less than a year, Peter’s Place will celebrate its 15-year anniversary. This coming anniversary year will not only be a time to celebrate, but also a time to reflect on how we have served our community over the years.

Since its founding in 2001, Peter’s Place has been a grassroots, community effort.

From our humble beginning, and thanks to the hard work of our board, staff, and volunteers, we have seen the number of children and families we serve each year grow. Over the past decade, we have served over 2,500 children and caregivers through peer support groups at our Radnor Center, offering our participants the unique chance to share and express their grief in a caring environment. In 2008, we took our model out into the community, offering support groups in schools in neighboring towns and bringing help to children that may not otherwise have access to support.

In 2012, we launched a research project with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to discover and address special concerns related to sibling grief. More recently, we began an exploratory pilot project in partnership with New York Life Foundation to reach out to underserved families in the City of Chester.

In addition, we work with schools following the death of a student, teacher, or faculty member. Over the years, we have held hundreds of workshops and facilitated community conversations to help grieving families begin to heal.

But our work at Peter’s Place has only begun.

To paraphrase author Seth Godin:

“ It’s not going to happen tomorrow, or the next time: it will happen because we show up. We settle in. We become part of the fabric of the community… When we consistently over deliver…day by day, that’s how we change the world.”

As we move into our 15th year, we endeavor to continue learning, innovating and collaborating to serve children and families at a time when they need us most. We are committed to staying deeply involved as an essential service, woven into the fabric of our community.

Thank you for continuing to walk with us.

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The Thread That Connects UsJune M. Bretz, MS Executive Director

“ I wanted to be part of this group because I really missed my mom and was scared to talk about it. ”— a child served by Peter’s Place

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Peter’s Place Institute for Grief Education and AwarenessGrief and death are a part of life. Their effects touch us all at some point, yet many people feel uncomfortable and unprepared when it happens. In our death-avoidant and grief-avoidant culture, many children and adults alike are often without the support they need to heal.

Peter’s Place Institute for Grief Education and Awareness was formed to act as a community resource to foster understanding of the effects of death and grief. Our goal is to heighten social sensitivity to—and diminish the social discomfort with—grief and people who are grieving. We hope to better equip professionals to support, care for, and empower grieving children, families, and communities.

Through the Institute, our staff offers innovative educational opportunities both for professionals and community members on topics related to death and grief. The Institute consists of three main programs:

• Community Seminars/Workshops• Professional Trainings• Continuing Education for Professionals

(Psychologists, Social Workers, School Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals)

Peter’s Place provides programming on many topics upon request, tailored to the needs of your organization. Our team can travel to your location, host a training session at our facility, and provide distance learning opportunities.

For more information, please visit our website at www.PetersPlaceOnline.org or call us at 610-687-5150.

Community Seminars

August 2014• How to Support Grieving Kids and

Ourselves? (City of Chester)

October 2014• How to Support Grieving Kids and

Ourselves? (Mastery Charter Schools, Pickett Campus)

• Grief after Violent Death (City of Chester)

November 2014• Grief after Addiction-Related Death

(Trinity Presbyterian Church)

• Managing Grief during the Holidays (City of Chester)

December 2014• Remembrance Ceremony (City of Chester)

April 2015• Talking to Children about Death

(Mothers and More, Delaware County)

• From Mourning to Joy (City of Chester)

Continuing Education for Professionals

February 2014• Supporting Grieving Students at School:

A Panel of School Social Workers and Guidance Counselors

May 2015 • Healing from the Violent Death of Friends,

presented by Celeste Johnson, Ph.D.

2014-15 Education & Awareness ProgramThe Peter’s Place Institute for Grief Education and Awareness had its early beginnings as the Joseph McBride Professional Development Series. Our educational and awareness efforts have grown and developed, thanks to the hard work of our many volunteers and experts, and through the generosity of our corporate, foundation, and individual supporters. The Institute provided the following programs between July 2014 and July 2015.

Professional Trainings

July 2014• Introduction to Child Bereavement (Mental

Health Association of Southeastern PA)

August 2014 • Adolescent Bereavement, Bereavement

Overload, & Supporting Children after Trauma (Radnor School District)

September 2014• Introduction to Child Bereavement

(Family Services of Montgomery County)

• Consultation Service (Cuddle My Kids)

October 2014• Supporting Grieving “Tweens” at School

(Welsh Valley Middle School)

• Grief and Groupwork with Children/Adolescents (Eastern University Graduate School of Counseling Psychology)

• Introduction to Child Bereavement (West Chester University Graduate School of Social Work)

• Adolescents and Grief (Widener University Graduate School of Social Work)

November 2014• Supporting Grieving Children at School

(Centennial School District)

• Introduction to Child Bereavement All-Day Seminar (Northeast Suicide Prevention Council)

January 2015• Introduction to Child Bereavement

(Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research)

• Introduction to Child Bereavement (ActionAIDS, Inc.)

• Introduction to Child Bereavement (Mastery Charter Schools)

February 2015• Introduction to Child Bereavement

(Crozer-Chester Medical Center)

• Introduction to Peter’s Place (Widener University Undergraduate School of Social Work)

April 2015• Introduction to Child Bereavement

(Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research)

• Introduction to Child Bereavement (Chestnut Hill Graduate School of Counseling)

• Introduction to Child Bereavement (Villanova Graduate School of Counseling)

June 2015 • Engaging Caregivers and Parents in School

and Community Based Bereavement Support Programs (National Alliance for Grieving Children Annual Symposium)

Photo: Natasha Esguerra, Natasha Esguerra Photography

Oak $10,000 or more

Joan & James H. Bromley Elinor & James Buck

The Ethel Sargeant Clark Smith Memorial FundThe Marilyn & Charles Krehbiel Gift Fund

The Lily FoundationLeigh & John MiddletonThe New York Life Foundation

The Scholler FoundationThe Stone Family Charitable FoundationSurplus Metals CorporationThe Barra FoundationThe Charter FoundationThe Triumph Group Charitable Foundation

The Zisman Family Foundation

Sycamore $5,000-$9,999

Elia BuckJohn and Robin Burch Unitrust

Linda & John CummiskeyThe Genuardi Family Foundation

Janet & Dominic Genuardi Celeste & Richard Ill Michelle & Nicholas Karalis The Larsen Foundation

Joanna McNeil Lewis Elizabeth R. Moran

Jennifer & Edward O’BrienElizabeth RorerUnited Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey

The Rosemary Haggar Vaughan Family Foundation

Lee & Andrew Walsh

Walnut $2,500- $4,999Susan & Walter BuckleyLiz & Kevin CahillAnne & William Curran

Nancy & Glenn DeverThe Dolfinger-McMahon FoundationErnst & Young

Eleanor & Gilbert Godin Lisa & David Mallach

The Mary Daly MacFarland Foundation

Jane & Robert McNeilPeter MeyersThe Neighborhood League Shops Foundation, Inc.Kerry & Mark SophoclesThe Becket Family FoundationThomas J. Paul, Inc.

Janine & Jeff Yass

Chestnut $1,000- $2,499

Susan Ahn Julie & James Alexandre Melissa & Paul Anderson Rebecca Bradbeer

Dede & Tony BrownSusan & Robert BurchCommonwealth Capital, LLCAlex & Nicholas DelviscioGloria & John DrosdickElliott-Lewis CorporationMary & Richard Emrich

Susan & Robert FaheyFox and Roach Charities

William HainesAnne & Matt HamiltonSusan & Peter Henson

Kevin HigginsLynne & Harold HonickmanGraceann & Jack HoopesIsoliteJohnson & JohnsonJoseph M. Cahill, LLC

Netchen & Ed KaierDavid KornblattMichelle & Karl KrietschNancy LaffertyLianne & Todd LofgrenThe Lubert Family FoundationWilliam LynchChristine & David Martinelli

Wendy & Wade McDevittElizabeth McGettiganDarcy & Jeff McGroartyJennifer & Matthew McKenzieJoan Montezemolo

Karen & Scott MoonSally Brown & Richard MorsbachEileen & Scott MyersNE Suicide Prevention Initiative Gail & Arthur Pasquarella

Denise & James Paul The Pennsylvania Trust Company

The Pew Charitable Trusts Robin & Glenn Pew

The Pfizer FoundationThe Powell Family Foundation

Kristen & Bob PracharRe-Steel Supply Co., Inc.

Bryn Smythe & Jack ReubenAnne O’Neill & Bruce RobinsonKrista & Bryan RogersThe Rorer FoundationSaul Ewing, LLP

Kathy & Gerry SchaafsmaMarjory C. SchwertnerPatricia StokesJean & Don Trembley

United Way of Gloucester CountyRobert UrquhartVoya FoundationJenny & John WardEileen Wawrzynek

Lisa & Lars Williamson

Willow $500- $999

Frances & Francis AbbottBannard P. AckermanThe Addis GroupAnonymousSandra BaldinoAmy & David BarrickmanScott BeaumontKristin & William BecketBeneficial Bank

Ilene & Steven BermanChristine & Wade BerrettiniDana & Jeffrey BersteinBarbara & Clark BlynnLeslie BowesColleen & Patrick BrinerKathryn BrinerThe Burke Family FoundationJoseph M. CahillLaura & Richard ClarkKimberly & Andrew ConradLisa CooperCordell & CordellRuth Ann & John CowlesBeth & Patrick Coyne

Alexandra & Peter CummiskeyCustomers BankJohn DohertyMichael DolanKathy & Roger Early

Ann T. FieldLawrence F. Flick, IVChristina & Lance Funston

Elizabeth & Vincent GilpinGingy’s, LLCGlaxoSmithKline

Leila Gordon Jane & Jeffrey Hall Christine & David Hartzell

John J. HeuerCheryl & Todd IllKaren & David Ix

Judith & Jarrett Kling Carlyn Miluski & Micah Knapp

Jenny & Brandon KnoxKim & William Kontes

Judy KrischkerLetizia Amadini LaneMarcia & William MartinMeredith & Brian McCormickJames F. McGuckin, Jr., MDAndrea McLeanElaine & William McMahonLeslie & Fritz MezgerChristopher MorrisRenee & Louis MorsbachNina & Carlton NeelBeth & James Paterno

Daria & R. Anderson PewRimerman Family FoundationTina & Michael RogersFrances & Jonathan RorerJudy & Jeff SchnyderNancy & Charles SchwertnerMichelle & Daniel ScolnickCarla Ojha & Ratna ShekharHarpal SinghThomas P. SontagMary Strenk

Lisa & Steve Sugarman

Carol & John Teeter Lee & William Warden Joanne & Raymond Welsh

Joan White Cynthia & Daniel Wolcott

Boofie Younkin

Birch $250-$499Bobbie & F. Scott AddisGrace & Thomas AshtonBaptist Church of The Great ValleyJennifer & David BarnhartLois BelberMary Jo & Sean BellewCarolyn & Nils BerglundKristen BlockMegan & Peter BossJune M. BretzBristol Myers Squibb FoundationJean & Stuart BrownKathleen & Kevin BuchiBonnie BuckwalterThe Andrea Cavitolo FoundationDenise ChaplinAngela & Jim ClarkEmily & Matt Clifton

Debora L. ClowerLeslie & Steven CorenWendy & Paolo CostaJodi & Pete CunniffeSheridan & Thomas DohertyLinda & Scott EvansGabrielle & Jeff EversAnne & Adam FischerChristina & Philip FogliJoe Forcine

Lauren & Daniel FormanEverett Frank Legacy Foundation, a fund of the Chester County Community Foundation

Janice Gault & Jim VanderCynthia & Peter GiamalvaStephen GitterGoldman, Sachs & Co. Robert GoodKimberly Gresh-NardoneEvelyn GroomeJames H. GruganChristina HackJoanie & Robert HallVanessa & Sam HalpertClaire & Clayton Hardon

Louise & Harry HillCristy & Mitchell HollinStephanie & Daniel IngersollKenneth JabbourMargaret & Craig JohnsonJano JusufKenneth W. Kilbride

Laura & Roman KoropeyDonna & Peter LaveranSharna LiggettLincoln Financial Distributors Caroline & Brian LinzStefanie Westphal Lucas & Christopher ThompsonManaged Care ConsultantsLynda & Jim MansfieldMary Elizabeth McAndrewsGeorge C. McFarland, Jr.Laureen McGloinAdy McGowan

Susan McGrory Jane & Joseph Miluski

Tinie & Larry NotisOLB Foundation Annette & Don ParkerPediatric Associates of Paoli

Eve & Leo PierceBear PrattKimberly & Joe PrattKaren & Bruce RodioCaroline RogersMichele RussellEileen & Jack Ryle

Judith & Daniel SherryW. Polk SmartBarbara Stroud

Mary TagueKelly & Vince TagueToshibaWilliam TrotterTruistUnited Way of Delaware

Andrea VigliottiVolpe Express, IncChristopher R. Waite

Carolyn WalterJolly & Joseph WatermanMegan L. WernerDana & Jim ZdancewiczLiz & Scott Zelov

Maple Up to $249Margaret & Timothy AbellLaura AbramsonCameron AdamsBarbara AlberRuthanne AlbertsAllstate Giving CampaignMichelle & James AlvareAmazonSmileAnonymousCynthia & Pierce ArcherVincent ArpaDebbie & Jim AshtonMary & Peter AustenRume Joy AzikiweFrank BaerElizabeth & Thomas BalderstonLaura BalinHeather BarcioThe Barrett FamilyMaryann BarsonLaura BedrossianJanet Beiswenger

Kathleen & Jay BellwoarKathy BeplerMeryl & Stephen BerlinerElizabeth & Daniel BernickDebby BevitzElin BierlyLynn & Peter BigelowDeborah & Robert BirbeckWilliam BittnerNicole BlaisseGary J. BobstJohn E. BoehmkeGretchen BondHaley & Ryan BonnerMaura & Jeff BoogayRichard C. BoothbyJennifer & Richard Boucher

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2014-2015 DONATIONSDonations received July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015

Peter’s Place is ever grateful to all of our contributors who make our programs possible.

The Sequoia leaf is used to recognize donors who have contributed to Peter’s Place for 5 or more consecutive years. We would like to thank these donors for their continued support.

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Carol & Jim BouyeaAnne BrancatiGary E. BrennerRebecca & Joel Brenner

Catherine & Benjamin BreskmanLamya BroussardBruce BrownElizabeth BrownFraser BrownEileen & Jeffrey BrownDaniel BuckwalterKimberly Buckwalter

Lisa BuraksElizabeth CalderaroAvery CarterLaurie B. Chamlin

Carol M. ChouKathleen ChristensenNicholas ChristosKathleen CiampaSusanne CianfaroMark Anthony CipolloniIrene & Thomas ClapperJames W. ClarkMaryann ClarkLinda ClementSuzanne & Leo CoacherElizabeth & Clinton CochranJill CohenMarcia & Greg ColemanMichael ColleluoriTiffany CollierJoseph T. ComasBarbara CrawfordMarion & Joseph CucinottaRobert J. CurryLibby & Dave DalrympleTheresa D’AmicoClaire & Gary DanielsAnita DeaseyFrances DeckerAnthony G. DevalerioSusan DeverAnne DeweyKenneth L. DickensKaren & Ian Dickson

Anne C. DillonFrederick DittmannJohn DommelJoanne DoughertyVirginia & Richard DoyleEleanor DudaJane & Timothy DwyerChristopher B. EbmeyerNicholas EganEisenberg, Gold & Cettei, PCLisa EllisSusan Rita EllisAndrew EllnerSusan & Bruce Endy

Karen & Charles ErnstSymone EvansAnthony R. FareroElizabeth & Chris FarrPaul E. FeilkeKate FellHugh FerryCharles FinchEdward P. FinkMary S. FinocchiaroRachel FlickerRobert Flitter

Lisa & Michael Fogel

Tara FontaineLaura Ann FordMichele Christine FordPamela ForrestalAaron FoxGeorge FoxKaren FranksKyle FrayJoan FredericoPaul J. FreetMona FrestaLeslie & Mark Frisina

Lawrence A. FullertonCaroline GagliardiRoseanne GaleJudy Zeigler GalgonNancy GardnerGeraldine GeckleLaurie Geiger

William D. Gericke Ann & Carl Gersbach

Kathy Geschke Sandra A. Gilson

GoodshopRita & Timothy GosnearLinda Goss

Michael GreenblattVito A. GriccoHarry Groome, IIIStephen GrossGretchen & Tim GuttmanYonas W. HabtemicaelPatricia HafnerJane HagyMelissa A. HalpinCasey & John HamblettDorrance H. HamiltonRachel HancockCourtney HannElizabeth Hanna

Cynthia HansenJudy Weir HansonEdwin J. HarmonElisabeth HartwellKristen & Rick HartzJames HayesKimberly HeffnerBrooke HeloskieHolly & Timothy HenryAnn & William HigginsMalinda HillJoseph HinesJennifer HoelscherAmy & Andrew HolzapfelChandler HoopesElizabeth & Charles HottensteinMindy & Henry HousmanSarah IllAndrea JannettiAverill JarvisJoAnn & George JenkinsLaurie JensenJoyce & Al JeuellMarketa JohnsonJames F. JudgeDavid JustiAndrea KalacznikKathleen KamenDiane M. Kasacavage

Susan & David Kaslow Howard Kaufold

Jeanne & Mike Keenan Glenna LaSalle Keene

Maureen KellyPatricia KellyShawn KellyDavid Andrew KernCynthia KienzleAlexandra & Jonathan KingJane KirschSusie & Peter KleinBillie KnappSpencer KoelleDouglas Joseph KolerBruce KothmannSharon KrasnoffLara & Peter KrawchukChristine LambertCarol LanciaKathy & Mert LandayArthur LaneyElisa M. LangMichelle & Jim LapidesSusan LaskinSusan & Rex LawsonConstance & Richard LaymanKevin M. LeahyJohn LeddyG. David Lee

Maurice LeeSusan & Walter LenhardMark LetnerSean LewisKaren M. LilleySylvia Russianoff & Frank LinguitiGabrielle LipkinHilary M. LopezDawn MacadamsPatricia & Scott MackayMargaret & James MacKenzieKenneth W. MacNealMelissa MaisonetJoseph MalloyNajada MandiTrudy ManionLaura MantonPhillip MarizelliLaura & Samuel MarshallNorberto MartinezSusan MatusiakWendy MauchlyCynthia & Stanley MauldinJeanne & John MayMarianne & Jim MazziottaDaniel J. MazzochettiAlberta McAviney

Deborah & Joseph McCabe Grace C. McCollum

Kathleen McCullenRuth Dever McDonelLisa & Michael McDugallMegan McGowanDaniel J. McKennaLizann McLaughlinJames Brian McManusSharon & John McNamaraKaren McTamney

Robert C. Mickle, Jr.Torie MieleMaryellen & Dick MillsMary K. MiluskiTheresa Hyer-MitchellAnthony J. MongeluzoCarol A. MontgomeryJenn MoonKim Mooney-Doyle

Anita MoranShawn & Robert MoreyChet Eugene MorleyBetty MorseWinifred MossKristina MozeskyAmanda & Jacob MuchHelen Mulvany Deb MurphyJames J. MurphyKeith E. MurrayAnthony R. NataleKenneth NeborakIlene & Randy NeedlesJoann NeumannSuzanne Hunter Nicholson Diane Nocito

Barbara & R. Barrett NooneBradley C. NorfordEtta Lee NurickEmy & Jerry O’ConnellLauren O’ConnorMary O’NeillBenjamin James PalladinoDee & Jody PallanteCeleste PaolizziPaula Parsons

Leigh PartridgePATTAN StaffEdward M. PaulPaypal Giving FundAnne & Frederick PetersJoan PewJoseph John PigliacelliMary T. PiombinoCarryl E. PlattErica PlotegherMary Flowers & Roger PlourdePodiatry Care Specialists Barbara & Bruce PowersLisa E. PrinceElizabeth A. ProctorChristopher PronchikLori & John PumoLinda ReddingTom RendulichCharles Rich

Maridel & David RippyJoseph RivelloSuzanne Robert

Karen RodgersRobert RohrbergerRichard J. RossStephen T. RothTammy R. RubensteinEric RugartMichelle RuppertLeanne & Daryn RushAndrea & Daniel RussonielloJennifer & Michael SalaJean Marie SappAngel SaysayRaymond ScarboSusan L. Scauzzo

Heidi & Spencer ScharfMelissa Catherine SchartmanKathie Scheffer-CollinsAnne & Bob SchusterSally & Robert SchwabeBarbara Schwartz

The Seifert FamilySara SeskerCheri & Michael Settanni

Jennie & Jay SewardKeven ShanahanMark SheehanKathie & Craig J. Sheffler-CollinsMindy ShieldsJennifer ShropshireJamisen ShrutChristine SimmsSteven SimmsCharles SingerAnn R. SmithDebra SmithDenise SmithGary Francis SmithWayne SmithCatherine SolomoneJane & Joseph SomersAnn SparkesPam SpitzScott H. SpitzerBrigid L. SpollenDonna, Norm, Matt & Eric StahlheberJames Staples

Emilie & James SteigerwaldRoy A. SteinJohn F. A. StevensApril StevensonGlenna StewartSteven D. StoferMargaret StoryNorette SwygertDamien TaleseMario A. TassiEfrem T. Teklegiorgis

Elizabeth TenaglioKatrina Z. TerrellJesse TerrySusan & James TiedeTom TraunTrinity Presbyterian ChurchJennifer TuberosaRosemary F. TuckerLoretta & William UnterkoeflerLori & Alex UnterkoeflerEvelyn ValdiviesoGerry Van ArkelTracy & Mark Van Der Zwan

Irene & Andrew VecchioneVictim Services CenterLynn & David VideonDerek VogtMitchell WaddellDinorah O. WalkerLiza Marie WalkerKevin M. WalshGretchen & Patrick WalshEd WardPenelope P. WatkinsAnn & Maurice WeintraubChris & Chad WelshMargaret & Ted WerstlerShanna N. WesterferSusan & William WheelerWilliam Penn School DistrictWendy WolcottAmanda L. WoodGeorge WoodSusan Young

Peter’s Place makes every effort to recognize all of our contributors. If your name is listed incorrectly or omitted, please notify us and the correction will appear in the next newsletter.

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TributesCarol H. Axelrod

James M. Buck, III

Liz Cahill

Carl Deakins

Janet Deatrick

Nancy Dever

Dionysus

Kate England

Eleanor Godin

Penny Hull

Ava Lord

Jane McNeil

Salimah Meghani

Anita P. Moran

Tony Morelli

Mary O’Neill

Robin Pew

Bryn Smythe

Marilyn Sommers

Jesse Lee Morton Stefanowicz

Rebekah Stefanowicz

Connie Ulrich

John Ward

MemorialsSkyler Baffa

Frank Baldino, Jr.

Fisnik Bardulla

Ed Barrett

Robert Duane Benson

Deidre Bowers

James J. Bowes

Charles Boyer

Brian E. Breskman

Bernice Brown

Meg Burdick

Matthew Chaplin

Joyce Chirgwin

Lillian Conetta

Peter Deakins

Michelle Deasey

Joseph Fresta

Garret Gallagher

James W. Gilson

Ray McLean Gordon

Kelly Greberis

Jennifer Greenblatt

Terri Gresch

Amy Haines

Ethan Halberstadt

Matthew Hancock

Katherine Hoopes

Tracy Elizabeth Hottenstein

Justin Ingerman

Eddie Kaier

Michael Keene

Gerard P. Kelly

Stephen Knapp

Ann Laub

Philip Graham Lee

Mary Daly MacFarland

Douglas Manton

George Marzelli

Vince McCall

Matthew McGloin

Antonia McLean

Ryan Monaghan

Rosemary & Robert Montgomery

Peter Morsbach

Mary Mulvany

Cayman Naib

John K. Partridge

Amy Perrone

Richard

Roselle Roth

Grace Russoniello

Maurice Ryle

Rick Samaha

Gertrude Schimmel

Emily Schuster

Herb Seifert

Chris Smythe

Dr. Michael Solon

Jack Staples, Jr.

Trent Stetler

Peter Thomas

Pearl Twiner

Angie & Peter Vottima

Neil Welsh

Pearl Willner

Gifts Made in KindACAC

Academy of Natural Science

Reverend Frank Allen

American Helicopter Museum

American Museum of Natural History, New York

Ann Decker Design

Arden Theatre

Arnold’s Family Fun Center

Artful Framer

Auto-Zone

Pauline Avicolli

Bagel Factory

Barbour

Barre 3 Berwyn

Barre 3 Rosemont

Barrickman Design Group

Beauty Reflections

Kristin Becket

Boing Bounce Rentals

Brandywine River Museum of Art

June M. Bretz

Joan Bromley

Liz & Kevin Cahill

Camden River Sharks

David Campli

Emily Capizzi

Chadds Ford Winery

Chili’s Bar & Grille

Christopher’s, Malvern

Club La Maison

Coco Blu

Pascal Collard

Cottage Flowers

CVS

Day Spa by Zsuzsanna

Sue & Ira Disman

Dell Donahue

Dutch Wonderland

Natasha Esguerra

Facials by Freonie

Erin & Thomas Fillippo

Rachel & Bryan Forcino

Frames & Company

Free People

Christina & Lance Funston

FXI

Janice Gault

Giant, Exton

Giant, St. David’s

Gingy’s Boutique

Eleanor & Gilbert Godin

Gourmet Gift Baskets

Grand Limousine and Transportation

Gretz Beer Company

Hand and Stone Massage, Wayne

Hands-on House Children’s Museum

Healing Hands Massage

Heigh Ho Jewelry Co.

Historic Philadelphia

Home Depot, Downingtown

Home Depot, Frazer

Illuminating Hearts Inc.

Innerscapes

J. McLaughlin, Wayne

Jimmy’s BBQ

Jules Thin Crust, Wayne

Michelle & Nick Karalis

Kate Spade

Keen Restaurant

Kramer Portraits

Lang’s Lawn Care

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs

Lilly Pulitzer

Lithe Method

The Little House Shop

Little Nest

Longwood Gardens

Louella

Lucy the Elephant

Making Music

Mama Palma’s Gourmet Pizza

Mary Kay

Kristi McKenzie

Jane McNeil

Merion Cricket Club

Merion Golf Club

Morris Arboretum

National Constitution Center

Neiman-Marcus

New York Skyride

New York Yankees

Opal Designs

Out There Outfitters

Palm Beach Tans

Paolo’s Pizza

Denise & Jim Paul

People’s Light & Theatre

Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia Curling Club

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Rock Gym

Philadelphia Zoo

Pizza Hut

Polished Spa

Bob Prachar

Primo Hoagies, Exton

Betsy Proctor

QVC

Radnor Hotel

Reading Fightin Phils

Red Box

Rita’s Water Ice, Frazer

Rittenhouse Hotel

Roundtop Mountain Resort

Judy Schnyder

Shaving Grace, Exton

Kerry & Mark Sophocles

Michael Sophocles

Spring Mill Bread Company

Starbucks, Exton

Starbucks, Paoli

Steve & Cookies

Stitch Haus

Strasburg Railroad

Subway

Sweet Freedom

Terrain

Terrain Garden Cafe

Thirty-One Bags

Thomas J. Paul

Thunder Hair Salon

Tiger Shop

Tribe Fitness

Two Paper Dolls

Tyler Arboretum

UnderArmor

Walmart

Walter J. Cook Jeweler

Wayne Sporting Goods

Wegmans

Westin Philadelphia Hotel

Wharton Esherick Museum

Wheeler’s Clover Mill Repair

White Dog

Whole Foods, Wayne

Winterthur Museum

Woodmere Art Museum

Wynnewood Station Fitness

Yards Brewing

YSC Sports

Liz & Kevin Cahill

Kerry & Mark Sophocles

Janine & Jeff Yass

PINE SPONSORS

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CEDAR SPONSORS

Lin & Jim BuckSusan & Walter BuckleySusan & Robert BurchJoseph M. Cahill, LLCCommonwealth CapitalLindy & Jack CummiskeyElliott-Lewis CorporationSusan & Robert FaheyEleanor & Gilbert GodinIsoliteJohnson & JohnsonDebra & David KornblattAllison & Jonathan LubertChristine & David MartinelliJane & Rory McNeilJoan MontezemoloEileen & Scott MyersPennsylvania TrustAnne & Bruce RobinsonMr. & Mrs. Gerald B. RorerKathy & Gerry SchaafsmaLee & Andy Walsh

FIR SPONSORS

The Addis GroupBarbourBeneficial BankIlene & Steve BermanBarb & Clarke BlynnLesley & Chris CooperCordell & CordellMr. & Mrs. Peter J. CummiskeyCustomers BankKathy & Roger EarlyLawrence F. Flick, IVJane & Jeff HallKevin HigginsThe Honickman FoundationAndrea & Warren KantorKim & William KontesLainey & Trip McMahonKaren & Scott MoonRobin & Glenn PewKristen & Robert PracharTina & Michael RogersSaul EwingNancy & Dutch SchwertnerStockton Real Estate Advisors

The Triumph Group Charitable

Foundation

PRESENTING SPONSOR

FEATURED SPONSOR

Joan & James Bromley

SPRUCE SPONSORS

On Saturday, May 9, 2015, Peter’s Place hosted our 3rd annual Evergreen event at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore. Guests joined us for dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions, helping us raise more than $140,000 to make Peter’s Place’s programs possible! We are grateful to our Event Co-Chairs Liz Cahill and Kerry Sophocles, our Evergreen Committee, our Sponsors, and all of our volunteers and donors for making the evening a great success! Thanks to our Evergreen 2015 Sponsors!

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Chairs Kerry Sophocles and Liz Cahill

Weaving Common Threads

Peter’s Place Thanks Our Community Supporters!Thank you to Eaves boutique and to everyone who stopped by on November 12, 2014, for a fabulous Gift of Giving shopping event with a portion of sales benefitting Peter’s Place!

Thank you, Alex Barcio, for making more than 1,200 ribbons in recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Day in November 2014 and for raising money for Peter’s Place!

On Saturday, March 14, 2015, singer/songwriter Jesse Terry and his back-up band for the evening, Daventry,

performed a concert to benefit Peter’s Place.

In April, Illuminating Hearts, Inc., chose Peter’s Place to benefit from their monthly collection drive and delivered memory boxes, art supplies, games, and many more supplies for groups at our center and in schools.

The Carol H. Axelrod Memorial Blood Drive hosted a successful drive on May 12, 2015, supporting Peter’s Place and helping to raise awareness for children’s grief support.

Peter’s Place received a meaningful gift this spring when Carl Deakins chose to build a Memory Board

for helping children and families at Peter’s Place honor and remember loved ones.

Peter ’s Place was one of two nonprofits that shoppers could support through the Whole Foods Market Devon’s Nickels for Nonprofits Program this spring. Thank you to Whole Foods and all who chose to donate!

Gingy’s in Malvern and Stone Harbor donated a portion of sales from their Hope Dress this summer to Peter’s Place!

Sue & Carl Deakins

We Become Part of the “Fabric of Our Community”

Reaching Out In ChesterIn 2014, Peter’s Place was contacted by the Mayor’s Office of the City of Chester, and given an opportunity to work with city leaders to take a role in community-wide effort towards addressing grief in the city.

This community has experienced great struggles in recent years due to poverty, drugs, crime, and violence: 39.9% of children live below the poverty level; the violent crime rate is seven times the national average; and the homicide rate is thirteen times the national average.

Grief is a part of daily life in the City of Chester.

The Mayor’s office conducted a needs assessment and began community conversations around the issue of grief and loss. Data suggested that much of the violence in Chester is due to unidentified, unresolved and/or unattended grief.

About Our EffortsPeter’s Place has had a presence in Chester since 2009 through our school-based peer support groups. Best stated in the words of a local school counselor:

“ … Many of our grieving students have never been given the space to talk, feel supported, and learn about their grief. The students are literally overflowing with emotions that have been suppressed and ignored, and their school life suffers. The validation and self-awareness that the children gain from Peter’s Place is a tremendous piece of their ability to heal and move forward.”

However, regardless of our success with school groups, several vital questions remained: Can we really help the child without helping the parent/caregiver? We support the children one hour a week

with our support groups, but how can we also positively affect their environment the rest of the week?

The one thing we are confident about: we can, and should, do more.

Last summer, Peter’s Place launched a program in collaboration with Chester community leaders to increase Peer Support Groups and look for innovative ways to support parents and caregivers. We also began offering new workshops and forums enabling conversations — in schools, the workplace, community centers, faith-based organizations, and more.

By engaging the care providers and by helping community members to identify healthy coping mechanisms, we believe that we will have a positive, long term impact. Chester is a strong and resilient community, and like an individual, has its own innate ability to heal. Given the chance to address their grief, receive support, and understand that they are not alone, they can and will heal.

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You can make a difference as a Peter’s Place volunteer!Volunteers are an integral part of the success of Peter’s Place, and we value their commitment and contributions of their time, talent, and knowledge. We are expanding our volunteer program, and need your help.Opportunities for volunteers include:

• Office Volunteers to help with a variety of administrative tasks

• Community Volunteers to help spread the word and represent Peter’s Place at events

• Virtual Volunteers to assist with online research—from the comfort of your own home!

Whether you can contribute once a week or once a month, you can make a difference!

For more information or to complete the Office/Community Volunteer Application, please visit our website at www.PetersPlaceOnline.org/volunteer.

“ It’s incredible to have Peter’s Place be a part of our school community. The students would absolutely not have access to the kind of quality/caring/necessary services you provide. ”— school social worker

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How You Can HelpWith no fee charged to the families we serve, Peter’s Place relies on the generous support of our community. Interested in helping? Here are a few ideas:

Make a GiftYour gift to Peter’s Place today can make a difference in countless tomorrows, and gifts at each and every level are appreciated! Wondering what your donation to Peter’s Place can do?

• $4,000 helps keep Peter’s Place in a low income school for an entire program year

• $1,160 sponsors a family at Peter’s Place for a program year

• $680 provides snacks for groups at our Center for a year

• $330 provides a package of crayons for each child in our school-based groups for a year

• $100 sponsors one child in a school-based grief support group

Gifts by check or credit cardPlease make checks payable to Peter’s Place and mail to:

Peter’s Place150 N. Radnor-Chester Road, Suite F 130Radnor, PA 19087

Credit card donations can be made by calling 610-687-5150 or online at www.PetersPlaceOnline.org.

For information about making a gift of stock or appreciated securities, please contact Peter’s Place at 610-687-5150 ext. 4.

United WayTo designate Peter’s Place as the beneficiary of your United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey gift, indicate Donor Choice #14576. For other United Way agencies, please write in our name and address.

Leave a LegacyBequests are a wonderful way to make a gift that will last beyond your lifetime. By naming Peter’s Place as a beneficiary in your will or trust, you will ensure that grieving children and families receive support for years to come.

Memorialize or Honor Someone There are opportunities to honor or memorialize someone special to you by making a gift to Peter’s Place. For more information, please call 610-687-5150 ext. 4.

Peter’s Place Board of Directors

Andrew Walsh, Esq., ChairJames H. Bromley, TreasurerGeorge Bodenger, Esq.James M. Buck IIILinda Cummiskey, MSSEleanor M. Godin William H. Haines IVMarcia Martin, Ph.D., LSWJane A. McNeilKaren K. Moon, LCSWJames K. PaulRobin Marzelli PewRobert PracharBryn Smythe

Peter’s Place StaffJune M. Bretz, MS Executive Director june@petersplaceonline.org

Tony Morelli Jr., MSS, LSW, CT Director of Off-Site Programs tony@petersplaceonline.org

Kimberly Nelson, MSW, LCSW Director of On-Site Programs kim@petersplaceonline.org

Andrea McLean, Director of Development & Communications andrea@petersplaceonline.org

Leila Gordon, MBA Finance Manager gordonbusinesssolutions@verizon.net

Lene Larsen, PhD CHOP Sibling Project Coordinator lene@petersplaceonline.org

Denise Paul, MA, CT, CPLC Group Specialist denise@petersplaceonline.org

Katherine Paul, MSW, LCSW School-Based Group Facilitator katherine@petersplaceonline.org

Paula Bickelman Ryan’s Hope Outreach Coordinator paula@petersplaceonline.org

Jaimee Mark Office & Volunteer Coordinator jaimee@petersplaceonline.org

Melissa Trexler, Development & Communications Coordinator melissa@petersplaceonline.org

“ Having the knowledge that I am not alone in my situation has been a great source of comfort. It’s wonderful to be with people who can relate to my life and experiences as a sole parent and widow. ”— a parent served by Peter’s Place

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDSoutheastern, PAPermit No 287

Peter’s Place150 N. Radnor-Chester RoadSuite F 130Radnor, PA 19087

Upcoming EventsFriday, November 6th, 2015 Professional Development Training – Peter’s Place, Radnor, PA Sign up for the latest in our Professional Development Series, “The Neurobiology of Grief: What the New Science Tells Us about Loss and How We Heal.” Mental health professionals can register online at petersplaceonline.kintera.org/profdev.

Thursday, November 19th, 2015 Children’s Grief Awareness Day Show your support by wearing blue and helping to spread the word!

Saturday, November 21st, 2015 Forget Me Not – The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA A new event co-created by Peter’s Place and CHOP, Forget Me Not focuses on the unique needs of bereaved siblings. Activities throughout the day will help children express themselves and memorialize their loved one, and help parents and caregivers learn about their child’s grief. This special event is generously funded by the Stone Family Foundation. For more information about Forget Me Not, contact 610-687-5150.

Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 Giving Tuesday After a day of thanks and two days for deals, join Peter’s Place for #GivingTuesday. Visit www.PetersPlaceOnline.org or call 610-687-5150 for details.

Peter’s Place150 N. Radnor-Chester Road Suite F 130 Radnor, PA 19087Ph: 610-687-5150 Fax: 610-687-5120www.PetersPlaceOnline.org

Connect with Us

DID YOU KNOW…?

Founded by the Monaghan family in 2012 in memory of Ryan Monaghan, Ryan’s Hope is a facilitated

eight-week peer support group specifically for parents grieving the death of a child related to substance

abuse. It provides a safe and supportive environment where parents can offer each other guidance, hope,

understanding and healing. Contact Kimberly Nelson, Director of On-Site Programs, at 610-687-5150 ext. 1,

for additional information or to register.