LEXINGTON, Ky. — Dealing with loss is a difficult to handle and it can be an even greater challenge for kids.

Engaging in conversations and getting to know children is one of Nan Sellin’s favorite parts as a volunteer with the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families.

“For me, many more, you know, I’ve had more grief and different people passing away. But as for the children, they haven’t really experienced that yet,” Sellin said.

In two years, Sellin said she’s seen a difference in kids with the center’s peer-support groups.

“It was so wonderful to see him go from not being able to talk to anybody and just not open up at all to now he has literally joined the service and came back in his uniform. And it just gives you cold chills to know that you were a little bit a part of that possibly,” Sellin shared about one child she worked with. 

While its work is highlighted around the holidays and for Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November, the center works with people daily.

Since its start, the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families has offered free services for those age three to 18 across the state who need support. In two years, it has gradually expanded its reach to kids and adolescents in multiple counties. Working with trained professionals, it provides 24 in-school support groups.

 Executive Director Leila Salisbury said expanding the center’s services is critical.

“Eleven percent of our kids in Kentucky will lose a parent or sibling by the age of 18. So this is a lot of our kids. And I think, you know, that’s the advocacy piece. We just don’t realize how many kids with loss are out there,” Salisbury explained. “Our work is dedicated to improving their experiences and outcomes, making a hard road a little bit less hard in any way we can.”

Salisbury said they have many goals for the center, each one dedicated to the healing of children and families.