Faith Kids Welcomes Families for an Evening of Healing and Joy

On a crisp March evening, the doors of Forefront Living (FL) opened to welcome 19 children and 13 parents for Faith Kids. Faith Kids is a free monthly support group funded by the Forefront Living Foundation for children ages 3-18 who have lost a loved one. The March session offered a space of comfort and understanding with help from four dedicated volunteers.

Tierney Titus, CCLS and Children’s Bereavement Program Manager, led the evening with gentle guidance. She shared, “It is a great privilege to lead Faith Kids and the Children’s Bereavement Program. A parent once told me, ‘It takes a village to raise a child, thank you for helping to rebuild our village.’ Faith Kids is a place where everyone can come as they are. We share tears, frustrations and sadness, but also laughs, joyful memories and hope. I love being able to create a space for everyone to share in this community together.”

The evening began with a warm family-style meal, giving families a chance to sit together and enjoy a few moments of normalcy. After dinner, children gathered in small age-specific groups where they could share their feelings and experiences in ways that made sense for them. Meanwhile, adults joined a concurrent support group to explore their own grief, talk about their child’s journey and find connection with other parents or caregivers who understand the challenges of raising children through loss. The session concluded with a brief ceremony honoring the loved ones who have passed, giving families a moment of reflection and remembrance.

During this session, Tierney also shared updates about changes coming through FL’s growing partnership with VNA. Parents expressed heartfelt gratitude that the Children’s Bereavement Program remains a steady source of support, community and friendship for both themselves and their children.

Faith Kids meets the second Thursday of each month during the school year from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The next sessions are scheduled for April 9 and May 14. Families interested in attending can contact Tierney Titus at (214) 601-1233.

by Wendy Van Bemmel