A Unique San Francisco Support Group for Children’s Grief “Josie’s Place”

Patricia Murphy at Last Year’s Fund Raiser

More than a year ago I became aware of Josie’s Place, a San Francisco Bay Area support group for children and teens who have lost a loved one. The founder, Patricia Murphy, lost her own mother when she was a child. Through the course of her personal struggles and life-long healing, Patricia created Josie’s Place in honor of her mom whose name was Josie. Patricia started Josie’s Place to provide children with grief support (all while holding a full-time job) and over the years her support group has slowly grown to become a treasured San Francisco Bay Area resource.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Patricia, her staff members and some of the bereaved children and their families. Patricia’s homespun warmth and ability to help grieving children came across in the most sincere way possible. Today I’m reaching out to you, our readers, to inspire you to make a donation to Josie’s Place, a most special support group for children’s grief.

For those in the San Francisco Bay Area, I encourage you to attend this year’s lovely annual fund raising event entitled “Hope Springs”. It’s an evening of food, festivities and fundraising with a silent auction event in support of Josie’s Place. Be prepared to be delighted, meet some of the children and their family members as well as have your heart strings pulled at this truly grassroots fund raiser!

Children at Josie’s Place

Josie’s Place needs your support. Their programs are vital and growing, and the need for funding has grown with their expanding programs. They need YOU to help ensure that they continue to thrive. All of the money raised with this event will go directly towards strengthening the community, so that no child has to grieve alone. Details for the Hope Springs event are:

Saturday, April 27th 2013
6:00-9:00pm
First Unitarian Universalist Society of SF
1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco

• If you cannot attend the fundraiser consider donating to Josie’s Place today.
  
• Read our past blog interview with Patricia Murphy regarding Josie’s Place providing in grief support to children and their families.
• Josie’s Place is in need of supplies such as dress up clothes, crayons, construction paper, glue sticks, clay, and other items from their much needed wish list. Contact them or donate here.