Submitted
The Center for Life Experience (CFLE), which has provided grief support services to Hays and the surrounding area for 24 years, is closing its office in Hays.
However, even though the office at 103C E. 27th St. is closing effective Oct. 28, the nonprofit organization itself will remain open until after the first of the year.
The nonprofit 501(3)c Center has been one of the few such organizations in Northwest Kansas to offer grief support programs for both children and adults. Some of those programs will continue, said Linn Ann Huntington, who serves on the Center’s Board of Directors.
“The center is closing because of an alarming drop in individual contributions over the last year,” Huntington said. “The board pursued other operational models to try to keep the organization afloat, but, unfortunately, we were not successful.”
One of the services that will continue is the center’s grief support group.
“Two of our support groups have decided to merge,” Huntington said, “and that combined group will continue to meet, just in a new location.”
The group will begin meeting at its new location, the Hays Senior Center, 2450 E. Eighth St., beginning on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It will continue to meet there the third Thursday of every month.
The group welcomes any adult who has lost a child of any age, including miscarriages and stillbirths. While many members are parents, the group also welcomes grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, etc.
The group also welcomes any adult who has lost another adult in their life, such as a spouse, parent, sibling, friend, etc.
“Dr. Kate McGonigal, who holds a Ph.D. in sociology, has agreed to continue as the facilitator for this group on a volunteer basis, and we are very grateful to her for that,” Huntington said.
McGonigal teaches in the Sociology Department at Fort Hays State University. Among the classes that she teaches is Death & Dying.
Another traditional event coming up is the “Healing Hearts Memorial Tree Dedication,” which will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Hays Public Library.
“At this event, grief support group members place ornaments on a special Christmas tree remembering children they have lost. Each child’s name is read aloud, and it is very poignant to see the ornaments honoring each child,” Huntington said.
The public is welcome to attend this event. Individuals may simply watch, or they may bring their own special ornaments to remember a child they have lost. The group will provide a free ornament to anyone who wants one, she said.
CFLE will continue to operate until after the first of the year because it is still in the process of paying off some debts, Huntington said.
“We are expecting some pledged funds toward the end of this calendar year and the first of 2025, so CFLE will continue to operate until then,” she said. “We will have some last-minute legal things to do, such as filing our 2024 tax return before we can officially dissolve.”
She added, “The board would like to thank all of the CFLE donors, volunteers, group members, paid staff, group facilitators, and other board members over the years,” Huntington said, “especially our current Executive Director Laura Allen.” Her last day with CFLE will also be Oct. 28.
“The board has been blessed to work with some wonderful individuals who care very deeply about the center’s mission, helping people navigate their own journeys through grief.
“Losing a loved one is something we all experience in our lives. Grief is not something we ever get ‘over.’ It is a journey that we get through,” Huntington said. “I speak on behalf of the board when I say it is our hope that those wanting the comfort that a grief support group can provide will seek out the one that is continuing to meet.”