13th Annual Volunteer of the Year Award - 2017
Our Winner Is
Toni Parise - The Center for Grieving Children
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Top Left: Susan Giambalvo - Director of Programs & Operations at The Center for Grieving Children, Toni Parise, Anita Chandler of Altrusa Portland
Learn more about Center for Grieving Children at: https://www.cgcmaine.org/
Here's what you should know about the 2017 Volunteer of the year!
Toni was nominated by Sara Asch, the organization's Bereavement Services Coordinator, in honor of the fourteen years of dedicated service she has provided to the Center for Grieving Children, including being a peer group facilitator, mentor, trainer, advocate and go to volunteer. Toni has provided consistent and loving support to children who have experienced the death of someone close, helping to create a safe, predictable, nonjudgmental environment where children feel free to explore their feelings.
Toni was instrumental in helping to establish the Sanford program that serves Southern Maine. She traveled for two years from Portland to Sanford to mentor new facilitators and provided a steady hand and deep insight from her years of experience. She is also a regular volunteer at the organization's fund and friend raisers. Toni is beloved by her fellow volunteers and highly valued by the Center.
Toni was accompanied to our May 2017 program meeting by Susan Giambalvo, the organization's Director of Programs & Operations. The organization is celebrating its 30th year of service.
The Center for Grieving Children's mission is to provide loving support to grieving children, teens, families and the community through peer support, outreach and education. The Center was founded in 1987 by Portland, Maine resident Bill Hemmens, following the death of his sister. In trying to find help and support for his niece Erin, Bill recognized that children need peers and caring adults to support them through their grief, because death profoundly affects every aspect of their lives.
Toni was nominated by Sara Asch, the organization's Bereavement Services Coordinator, in honor of the fourteen years of dedicated service she has provided to the Center for Grieving Children, including being a peer group facilitator, mentor, trainer, advocate and go to volunteer. Toni has provided consistent and loving support to children who have experienced the death of someone close, helping to create a safe, predictable, nonjudgmental environment where children feel free to explore their feelings.
Toni was instrumental in helping to establish the Sanford program that serves Southern Maine. She traveled for two years from Portland to Sanford to mentor new facilitators and provided a steady hand and deep insight from her years of experience. She is also a regular volunteer at the organization's fund and friend raisers. Toni is beloved by her fellow volunteers and highly valued by the Center.
Toni was accompanied to our May 2017 program meeting by Susan Giambalvo, the organization's Director of Programs & Operations. The organization is celebrating its 30th year of service.
The Center for Grieving Children's mission is to provide loving support to grieving children, teens, families and the community through peer support, outreach and education. The Center was founded in 1987 by Portland, Maine resident Bill Hemmens, following the death of his sister. In trying to find help and support for his niece Erin, Bill recognized that children need peers and caring adults to support them through their grief, because death profoundly affects every aspect of their lives.