Wednesday, January 20, 2010
With a heartfelt "Merry Christmas," Don Fortenberry, President
of the Hospice Ministries Executive Board, presented Isabel Cordua,
Executive Director of the McClean Fletcher Center, and Mary Ann
Lefoldt, Advisory Board President, with a small gift wrapped
package. Inside, resting on a puff of cotton, was a bright future.
Pulling a key out of the box with a puzzled look on her face,
Lefoldt turned to Fortenberry for an explanation.
"While working with you last year as honorary chairman of the
Heartstrings Gala benefiting the McClean Fletcher Center, Gerald
Cotton, Executive Vice-President of Baptist Health Systems, heard
you express a need to relocate your office to a larger facility to
better meet the needs of your clients. Baptist Health Systems is
pleased to make that dream come true by donating a 4000 square foot
building located at 12 Northtowne Drive to Hospice Ministries with
the intent that it be used by the McClean Fletcher Center," he said
with a grin.
"Although the building requires renovation, it is the hope of the
administrators at Baptist Health Systems that this will allow you
to relatively quickly expand the grief support services you provide
to children, adolescents, and their families who have experienced
the death of a loved one."
That was two years ago. The Harrell Contracting Group in Ridgeland,
MS volunteered its services as the contractor on the improvement
under the supervision of the project manager Thad Crosby. Finding
subcontractors for the project was not difficult, said Tom Black,
vice President of Harrell Contracting Group. Many have offered help
because of their personal experiences. Others felt it was just the
right thing to do, even in a recession, Black said.
"The outreach has been beyond our expectations in these tough
economic times, " he said. Adco Electric of Jackson donated all the
electrical work on the building, said Andy Hardin, company vice
President. "It is probably the scariest thing a kid can think
of…losing a parent," he said.
His family has not been touched by the type of grief that those at
the center have, he said. But it made sense for Adco's owners to
help. "We're just in the same boat everyone else is (economically),
he said. "You feel strongly in giving back to people that need
it."
The McClean Fletcher Center helps an average of 100 children each
year and has more than 30 volunteers. The new two story building
will offer counseling rooms, a game room, a playroom and gathering
place for adult caregivers. The Center now also has a new kitchen
and dining area. "The center feeds the children while they are
there, and the kitchen will really help. Food is comfort, said
Isabel Cordua, the McClean Fletcher Center Director. The McClean
Fletcher Center, a subsidiary of Hospice Ministries, began offering
grief support for children, adolescents, and adult caregivers in
November of 1999. Support groups are led by staff and trained
volunteers.
"Our role is to companion and walk beside them as they go through
the grieving process," Cordua explained. "By placing those that are
grieving with others their own age that are experiencing similar
situations they realize they are not alone. This environment
encourages age appropriate expression of their feelings," Cordua
said.
Physical expression of feelings is also encouraged. "We have a
tornado room that is padded for those that just want to hit
something," Cordua continued, "or other outlets of expression are
available through art, puppets, a game room, or even a "hidey-hole"
where a child can just be alone with his or her thoughts." Each
group meets bi-weekly, and requires 5 to 6 volunteer
facilitators.
"Due to limited space, our services are sometimes limited," Lefoldt
said. With this very generous gift from Baptist Health Systems we
can serve more clients and expand the activities we are able to
make available to them."
Lefoldt noted that a support group has recently been formed in
Indianola. The McClean Fletcher Center is based in Jackson. Other
services provided include educational in-services on children and
grief, crisis intervention as requested by organizations,
businesses or schools, support groups within schools, churches, or
other offsite locations, and educational materials. All services
are free of charge.
"We are so appreciative of this very generous gift that will allow
us to expand our work," Cordua said. "The greater Jackson area has
been tremendously supportive, and we hope that will continue. Our
annual fundraiser, Heartstrings Gala, is scheduled
for Thursday, February 18th at the home of Jordan and
David Goodwin located in beautiful Woodland Hills. The fundraiser
will, as always, feature delicious food, drink, music, and a
fabulous silent auction. For more information about the services
provided by the McClean Fletcher Center or the Heartstrings Gala
call 601-206-5525.
