Sometimes, you just want to hear someone say, “I get it. I’m right there with you.” Longing for that understanding and comfort is real in many situations, but especially when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Since 2013, Good Grief of NW Ohio has helped bridge the isolation that many may feel after suffering the loss of a significant loved one by providing peer support.

Making the journey on their own

Operating solely on donations and corporate contributions, Good Grief of NW Ohio concentrates on providing peer support for children ages five through 24 years old; and also their caregivers. According to Managing Director Dorothy Mockensturm they do not offer counseling or therapy; rather groups are formed by age and give children a chance to be with others who are sharing in similar feelings and experiences. The idea is to create a space to help the children make the journey on their own; in their own time, in their own way, according to Ms. Mockensturm. There is much comfort in knowing you are not alone.

The programs run every other Tuesday. “Our services are always free of charge,” said Ms. Mockensturm. A typical evening begins with a community dinner at 6p.m., followed by peer group sessions for either an activity or simply a time to share with one another. The evening wraps up about 8p.m.

Monthly open houses provide a peek into Good Grief of NW Ohio

According to Ms. Mockensturm, the idea is to provide the children and young adults with a safe place for them to be. However, when children have already gone through so much, stepping out of their comfort zone can seem scary. Good Grief offers monthly open houses that provide families an opportunity to see what it is all about in a non-threatening atmosphere.

One Wednesday a month anyone may stop in to talk with volunteers, hear more about the program, and expose the kids to the various activities available to them such as art projects and other activities. The next two open houses are scheduled for Wednesday September 14, 2016 from 4p.m.-5p.m. and on October 12, 2016 from 12p.m.-1p.m. Arrangements can be made for other times as well.

Volunteer/donor opportunities

Much of Good Grief of NW Ohio operates with the help of volunteers.  Support group facilitators need to be at least 20 years old, and program assistants must be at least 16 years old and enjoy working with children; as they are there to help facilitate crafts, play time, etc. In order for the services to remain free of charge for those families who have already been through so much, donations are always needed; be it monetary donations, providing a Tuesday evening meal, or even gift cards to help them provide the Tuesday meals, crafts, and much more.

Help support this organization during the Wings of Hope Fundraiser
6-7:30pm| Wednesday | September 21 | $75
Carranor Hunt Club | 502 E. 2nd St., Perrysburg
Good Grief of NW Ohio | 7015 Spring Meadows Dr. W.
419-360-4939 | goodgriefnwo.org
Karen Zickes is the mom of three active children and freelance writer who
resides in Holland, OH
She can be reached in c/o [email protected]

Joshua McDowell, a local Toledo father, recently wrote the book Accidental Dad to openly talk about the struggles of being a single father, especially those battling the courts for custody.  Joshua fought for six years to get custody of his son and said he wanted to provide hope and encouragement to other dads out there. We recently caught up with Josh about being a single dad and how he’s doing things his way.

What has surprised you the most since you became a dad and regained custody of your son?
I think what surprised me the most is having full custody in today’s age because only 4% of dads in America have custody.

What do you enjoy most about being a father?
On the day my son was born, I held him in my arms and promised him a better life than what I had. I enjoy each day God gives me to spend with my son. I love doing the things with him that I wish my father would have done with me as a kid, like throwing the ball around, going on trips together, riding go carts and fishing.

What’s the hardest thing about being a single dad?
For me, the hardest thing about being a father is trying to balance my time with him. I’m not perfect. I have to work to pay the bills. My son sometimes has a hard time understanding that.

Do you have any advice you’d share with other single dads out there?
My advice for the dad’s out there is to never take away your love for your child. Even if you’re fighting with their mother. Never take away your love because your child has done nothing wrong.

Where can folks get a copy of your book, Accidental Dad?
My book is available online in 140 countries worldwide and available to read at the Toledo Public Library.

After six years of court battles,
Joshua McDowell finally gained custody of his son, Alex.
Since then, McDowell has spoken out about
the struggles many single fathers face.

Rachel Richardson, director and CEO of Art Corner Toledo, lives and breathes art. Since 2010, she has coordinated more than 20 mural projects, bringing beautiful art to Toledo’s public places. In addition to her work life, her homelife is similarly guided by the arts.

In 2009, she met now-husband Yusuf Lateef, artist and co-founder of Radiant City Arts, an arts education group. Since they both create and work in the art world, it’s no surprise that they first connected through art. Richardson explains their chance encounter, “We met at Bozarts… Bozarts will forever go down in our personal history as where we first met.” Since then, Rachel and Yusuf married and have one little girl together, Naima, 11 months old.

Advocating change

While Rachel has always been involved with the arts— she is a talented singer and writer— but art was not always her profession. Her previous work with Independent Advocates (IA), a social change organization that “provides comprehensive court advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, community education to young people about healthy relationships, and training to professionals about the dynamics of domestic violence,” led her to a career in the arts.

“I realized how often artists and advocates came together for a cause, and I wanted to create something very visual that called attention to that. The collateral effect would be to promote nonprofit organizations around Toledo. Many [of the murals organized by ACT] are connected to local humanitarian or nonprofit organizations,” Rachel explains.

The “Toledo Loves Love” Mural (at Adams and 13th) is connected to Equality Toledo and was created to promote marriage equality. Back in 2012, when the mural was designed, same-sex marriage had not yet been legalized in Ohio.

Rachel’s personal favorite is the mural at the corner of Adams and 11th, across from the downtown library: a white background with a black line drawing of a woman. Judy Dilloway, the original artist, a close friend of the family, passed away in 2006, and Maura Amato adapted her design to create the mural. “The entire family got involved; it was a very sentimental affair,” Rachel recalls.

A creative home

Rachel and Yusuf strive to expose Naima to the world of art.  “We take Naima with us everywhere; she has been incorporated into our lifestyle. When Yusuf has a performance or a show, she goes. If I have meetings [for ACT], I can usually bring her with me. That’s one of the nice things about Toledo; I know most of the people I work with, and they are very supportive, so they don’t think it’s a drag to bring her along.”

Since the couple lives close to the Toledo Art Museum, they frequently visit, and Rachel extols the kid-friendly activities there. “[The Art Museum Family Center] provides opportunities to paint, draw and make collages. The museum does baby tours every few months…. There are just so many opportunities there.” Rachel also takes Naima to Positively Portable Preschool, led by teacher Denice Rokicki, for early exposure to reading, songs, and movement.

“When she is older, we will give her every opportunity to create art. I will encourage her to play music, and Yusuf will teach her how to draw,” Rachel adds.