Grieving Children at Seasons Centre is a registered charitable organization, incorporated in 1995.  We are located in Barrie although our services are accessible to all who wish to attend.  Our vision is founded on the belief that every child deserves an opportunity to grieve in a supportive and understanding environment. 

Our mission is to provide child-directed evening programs within peer-to-peer groups in a comfortable 100-year-old home for children, teens and their families grieving the death of a loved-one; supporting them as they adjust emotionally.  We have 45+ volunteers, referred to as ‘buddies’, who undergo training prior to supporting our kids within these groups.  As well we have a dynamic volunteer Board of Directors.  A significant portion of our volunteers have participated at our agency for much of our eleven-year history.

To better understand the type of warm-hearted and very caring people who volunteer with us, I would like to share a recent exchange with one of our buddies.  She was responding to an invitation for an appreciation event to be held during Volunteer Week.

“You are so very thoughtful in thanking your supporters and volunteers…it is my privilege and pleasure to be associated with the Centre and I do appreciate everything you do for us.  Thank you!”

Tracie H.

I glibly responded that I was unclear what exactly we did for our volunteers, that it was really the other way around, wasn’t it?  Tracie wrote back:

“Sue, what you and everyone at the Centre first of all do for we volunteers (at least, in my opinion, for ME as a volunteer) is offer an opportunity and a place to provide whatever care and concern we can for the children to whom we provide our support services – so don’t ever question that!  So…having said all of that…THANK YOU for thanking us.  We do this from the heart, because we care and because we want to make a positive difference in the lives of these children and their families.  

Tracie H.

This note speaks volumes not only to the wonderful people who directly care for our children, but to the equally terrific hundreds who do so indirectly through their financial contributions and labour in support of the operation of the Centre itself.

Reflecting on the fact that volunteers also receive rewards from their efforts, Tracie has reminded us that in volunteerism, everyone benefits!

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”   –  Mahatma Gandhi