Hey Froggy family! As moms, we know that parenting comes with moments that test us in ways we never imagined. Today, we’re sharing something close to our hearts that every parent in Michiana should know about.

The Reality No Parent Wants to Face

Picture this: You’re juggling work deadlines, soccer practice, and dinner prep when life throws you an unimaginable curveball. Whether it’s the loss of a grandparent, a family friend, or heaven forbid, someone even closer—suddenly you’re faced with helping your child navigate grief while you’re barely keeping it together yourself.

If you’ve been there, you know that “time heals all wounds” feels like the most hollow advice in the world. And if you haven’t been there yet, consider yourself blessed—but also consider bookmarking this post, because grief touches every family eventually.

A New Beacon of Hope in Our Backyard

Right here in Goshen, something beautiful is happening. Ryan’s Place has just opened their permanent “Home for Healing Hearts” at 1566 Regent Street—and it’s unlike anything our community has seen before.

This isn’t just another counseling center. Think of it as a place designed specifically for how kids actually process big emotions. There’s an art room where your normally chatty 10-year-old can express what words can’t capture. A “tornado room” where your teen can safely let out those explosive feelings that grief brings. Music and theater therapy spaces where healing happens through creativity, not just conversation.

Why Our Kids Need Spaces Like This

Here’s what we learned that might surprise you: grieving children often feel completely isolated from their peers. While other kids are worried about TikTok trends and who they’ll sit with at lunch, your grieving child is grappling with existential questions that would challenge adults.

According to grief counseling experts, each child’s grief journey is as unique as their fingerprint¹. Some kids get angry. Others go quiet. Some ask a million questions, while others seem to pretend nothing happened. Ryan’s Place gets this—and they’ve created specialized programs for different age groups that meet kids exactly where they are.

The Part That Will Make You Cry (Happy Tears)

Here’s what sets Ryan’s Place apart from other grief support services: everything is completely free for families.

Let that sink in for a moment. When you’re dealing with loss—often unexpected loss—the last thing any parent should worry about is how to afford help for their child. Ryan’s Place removes that barrier entirely through community support and volunteers who believe no child should grieve alone.

How You Can Help (Even If Your Family Hasn’t Needed Their Services)

Every year, Ryan’s Place serves hundreds of children, teens, and families in our area. Their work is funded entirely by donations from people like us—working parents who understand that supporting grieving families strengthens our entire community.

Your support helps:

• Keep all services free during families’ most vulnerable times
• Maintain those specialized healing spaces designed just for kids
• Train volunteers who provide peer support (because sometimes kids need to hear from other kids who “get it”)
• Educate teachers and healthcare workers about supporting grieving children
• Reach more families who desperately need this support

Even small contributions make a real difference:

• $25 provides art supplies for therapy sessions
• $50 helps maintain the specialized activity rooms
• $100 sponsors a child’s participation in support groups
• $250 helps train new volunteers
• $500 supports facility maintenance for these healing spaces

Why This Matters to All of Us

As parents, we’re often the first line of support for our kids. But sometimes—and this is hard to admit—we need backup. We need experts who understand child development and grief. We need people who can offer our kids what we can’t: perspective from other children who’ve walked this path.

Ryan’s Place isn’t just serving grieving families—they’re strengthening our entire Michiana community by ensuring no child faces loss alone.

Taking Action

Whether you’re in a season of loss right now or simply want to support other families in our community, here’s how you can get involved:

Learn More & Donate: Visit ryansplace.org to explore their programs and make a donation that directly impacts local families.

Volunteer: They’re always looking for caring adults who want to make a difference in children’s lives.

Spread the Word: Share this information with teachers, coaches, and other parents. You never know who might need these resources.

Keep Them in Mind: Bookmark their website and remember them when your workplace is looking for local charities to support or when you’re choosing where to direct end-of-year giving.

A Final Thought

None of us plans for grief, but all of us will face it. Having resources like Ryan’s Place in our community means that when the unthinkable happens, our kids don’t have to navigate it alone.

As Earl Grollman, a renowned grief counselor, reminds us: each person’s grief journey is unique². Ryan’s Place honors that truth while providing the one thing every grieving child needs most: the knowledge that they’re not alone.

Ready to make a difference? Visit ryansplace.org today. Your support helps ensure that no child in our community has to face grief alone.

What local organizations have made a difference in your family’s life? Share your thoughts in the comments—we love highlighting the amazing resources right here in Michiana!

About Froggy 102.7: We’re more than just your favorite music—we’re your neighbors, supporting the causes and organizations that make Michiana a better place to raise our families.