Crissy Hunt says -

When people ask me what type of volunteer work I do, I say, “I help children who have had a parent die”. Then comes the inevitable response…a big frown and a sigh. I know most people are reacting to the loss but I can’t help but to respond with a smile. I work for an amazing organization that provides a place for children to have a voice. It’s a place for healing after experiencing the death of a parent. Our House is a place for children to come for comfort and support. When I learned of this organization I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the name. I thought, how appropriate, because healing should really begin at home.

My story begins over twenty years ago. I was a young child that so greatly longed for a place like Our House. When I was just six years old, I woke up to find out that my father and grandfather were both hit and killed by a truck. I was horrified and in shock. Many times I had nightmares and pictured their last moments in my head. I also struggled for many years in a home where no one talked about death. Throughout my childhood, no one even mentioned my father’s name. It was as if he never existed. Although it hurt so badly at the time, I figured that people thought that it was just too difficult for me to talk about. Maybe, they thought, it would cause me more sadness to think about my dad.

For so many years my grief never had a chance to be expressed. It got shoved down into a dark hole that grew deeper and deeper inside of me. Grief seemed to follow me around like a black cloud, and my soul never really seemed to get nurtured. As I grew older, I realized that talking was healing.  And although I had many layers of grief to shed, the process was liberating.

After my personal healing, I knew that no one should have to go through such tragedy alone. That’s when I decided to volunteer. My pain became my motivation. Many times tragedy seems so senseless to others but now I have found a reason. I know I can turn my pain into someone else’s healing. Everyone needs to feel grief and a place to really experience their pain. If grief is not expressed, the death of a parent can lead not only to great sadness and loss, but also children can grow up to have problems with self-esteem and anger. A dozen other problems can follow. As adults, we need to nurture and help these children so that they may have a chance at a better life.

Our House provides a place for children to have a sense of community and to see that they are not alone. We build a great deal of trust within our groups so that everyone feels safe. Whether it’s creating a beautiful drawing of their last memories together or writing
a letter to their parent who has died. Children play games and answer questions about memories of their parents. We teach them that it’s OK to talk about death. And when they are ready to leave Our House, they will be able to take home many cherished memories. They will have amazing artwork and writing that they have created to memorialize their parent. Most of all, they will have the skills they need be able to begin their journey of healing at home.

Our House is just one of many phenomenal charities to choose from. In my search for volunteer work, many friends were recommending one charity or another. But when it came down to it, I had to choose what experience meant the most to me personally. I encourage everyone I know to volunteer. Choose a charity from your heart and you’ll see that even if you can only give a little you’ll get so much in return.

Sincerely,

Crissy Hunt