Help Brooke’s Place continue its mission at Legacy of Hope Breakfast

Brooke’s Place will hold its 12^th annual Legacy of Hope Breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14.

This year’s Legacy of Hope Breakfast is presented by Valeo, audiochuck, and The Willard and Anne Levin Foundation and will take place at the Ritz Charles, 12156 N. Meridian St., Carmel. Guests will enjoy a complimentary breakfast, hear from speakers and Brooke’s Place representatives, and make a difference in the lives of children living with grief.

For more information about the 12^th annual Legacy of Hope breakfast, to register, or to donate, please visit brookesplace.org/events/2024loh.

November is considered Children’s Grief Awareness Month. It spotlights children’s grief and honors families experiencing grief during the holiday season, which is often difficult to navigate. For this reason, the Legacy of Hope breakfast is held in November and celebrates the 25 years of service that Brooke’s Place has provided to those who need it most.

At the event, Brooke’s Place’s very own Carol Braden will be honored with the 2024 Legacy of Hope award. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and started at Brooke’s Place in 1999 as a Graduate Intern. She was instrumental in launching the therapy services program in 2008 and the BP8 short-term grief support groups program in 2015.

Today, as the Clinical Director of Programs & Services, Braden draws on the knowledge and empathy she gained while serving thousands of children and families living with grief. She co-teaches facilitator training, conducts continuing education workshops for professionals, and represents Brooke’s Place at various local conferences.

This year’s speakers include Audra Ames, an Ongoing Grief Support Group facilitator and Brooke’s Place donor, and Clare Wright, a current Brooke’s Place Kid. They will speak to guests about their grief journeys and experiences with Brooke’s Place.

“In February 2021 my husband Scot tragically died in a military aviation training accident,” Ames said. “Scot was the absolute best of us – selfless, driven, vibrant, kindhearted, and humble.”

At just 24 years old, and before they could even celebrate their first wedding anniversary, Ames was suddenly widowed. She says she believes in the importance of sharing her grief journey and finding her purpose within her pain. She emphasizes service and uplifting others. She wants everyone to know, “Your grief is welcome here.”

Brooke’s Place has been providing grief support services since 1999. Brooke’s Place provides support groups, therapy services and community education to empower children, teens, young adults and their families to thrive in the midst of grief. Since its inception, Brooke’s Place has provided services to more than 24,000 individuals. For more information, please visit brookesplace.org.