A Safe House

Erin’s House fills a vital role in supporting grieving children

Tabitha Ervin
Of Fort Wayne Ink Spot

The mission of Erin’s house is to provide support for children, teens, and their families who have suffered the death of a loved one. Erin’s House was established in 1993 and has served 1000s of young people over the years all over the community.

Erin’s House is a beautiful facility filled with a variety of rooms and spaces used to serve grieving children through various programming. I recently spoke with Erick Baker, the community program director. This position is newer at Erin’s House within the last two years and Erick’s work has been phenomenal so far!

Tabitha: Tell me about your role

Erick: My role takes on programs mixed with outreach. I get to take services into areas where people may have not heard about Erin’s House beyond our north campus.

Tabitha: How do you achieve that?

Erick: I work with youth at various organizations in a variety of ways including Villages of Hanna with the J29 team, Euell Wilson Center and individual families. I’ve also met with the Boys and Girls Club, Youth for Christ, Bridge of Grace, and Community Harvest. With these organizations or families I provide some of the following:

• Education on children’s grief.

• Awareness of grief programs at Erin’s House.

• Programs for children and teens that we can take to their organization.

• And leave them with a supply of resources-grief related material to give to families.

So I basically provide services that Erin’s House provides on-site and out in the community to those who may not be able to travel to our building.

Tabitha: How did you get connected to Erin’s House?

Erick: I started as a volunteer and the Executive Director, Debbie Meyer had applied for a grant through the New York Life Foundation to start a new program for the southeast region of Fort Wayne. They approved the grant for $100,000 and the funding for this new position. I feel like we found each other and created roles together to meet the need for grief support services in our community.

Erin’s House has an amazing executive director, staff team, group of volunteers, and board members that make up this amazing organization! We are all really dedicated to serving all children and teens everywhere.

Tabitha: Tell me how you do it and what you feel the impact has been so far?

Erick: I attend community events to talk to people and hand out our information to get more awareness about Erin’s House into the community. Once people recognize what we do and discover they need support with our programs, we get connected.

Since I have been in this position I feel like more adults, teens and children are aware and impacted in a positive way with grief support. People have become more open to grief support. The conversations seem to be changing with youth and the message feels like it’s received. Children have responded well and want to be a part of the programming. The connections I have made at these organizations and community are getting the kids excited to talk about Erin’s House.

Tabitha: Why do you think that is?

Baker: I like to bring the energy and I want to know the kids, give them a voice, let them talk about grief, and listen. I want kids to feel comfortable discussing grief or challenges with grief and emotions.

Tabitha: And how do you do this?

Erick: Sometimes there is an activity or a story to help kids focus on grief and the memories of the people they miss. The activity helps them think positive thoughts about the person they are grieving. We’re giving them coping skills that they can use for a lifetime.

Tabitha: Fun fun fun!

Erick: I make it fun to replace bad or sad memories that they may have of their person. They are able to share in a safe and trusting environment. I want them to remember the good memories and things they used to do together.

For more info, if you or your organization is interested, please contact Erick at Erin’s House:

Erick@erinshouse.org

260-423-2466