Message from Kate | Kate's Club Staff | Our Unique Approach |
FAQs | 2008 Board of Directors
"I was 6 years old when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Six years old and the only thing I knew about cancer was that it startedwith a “k.”Just as I had mistaken the alphabet, I had mistaken the severity of this illness. My family was very protective of my brother and me, and as a result, shared little information with us about the status of my mother’s health.
On Thursday, April 25, 1991 my family, my life, my character would forever be changed. I was twelve years old, and in the middle of Ms. Kerewich’s Social Studies class when the fateful call came over the intercom from the office. I knew right away that it was over. For the night before, I had rushed home from my little league softball game to jump in my mom’s arms only to find an empty bed. I knew that moment sitting at that desk, looking at my friend Kyle in desperation, hesitating to move a bone in my body that it was over.
And her life was over. She had struggled six longs years with the deadly disease, fighting through treatment and remissions, fighting not for herself but for my brother and I. And as her struggle was ending, my life was beginning. Numb by the instant change in my life brought on by this loss, I was not able to assess the power of this tragic event on my surviving family. I turned one direction, my brother another direction, and my father another. Not because of the absence of love, but rather the presence of sadness and grief and guilt.
The direction I turned was toward sports and activities. I surrounded myself with friends and with activities, everything from basketball to band to school and community clubs. I was involved and that allowed me to find the hope and assurance I needed that I was a survivor. This activity, unfortunately, did not fill a spiritual void that I now realize was lost throughout most of my childhood.
My involvement with a bereavement camp in Virginia led me to discover this spiritual healing by bringing me comfort amongst others who had experienced this loss. Although I was a counselor at this camp, I was able feel and see the benefit of bringing peers together that had shared this experience. I became aware of this vital element of support that I did not have as a child, and the need to bring it to children during the most influential time of their young life.
So now, more than fifteen years after the death of my mother, I find my passion in life lies deep in helping others grieving the loss of a loved one. Every corner in life is a new opportunity to have a positive, exciting experience; the wealth of those experiences is measured by the people who surround you during them. We all have our challenges but it is us who strive for victories that flourish throughout life."
– Kate Atwood, Founder
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Our Staff
Kate Atwood, Founder
kate@katesclub.org
Carmen Giles, Director of Operations
carmen@katesclub.org
Evyn Wade, Program Manager
evyn@katesclub.org
Kimmy Yon, Development Director
kimmy@katesclub.org
Contractors
Laurie S. Hooker, LCSW
Edna Bacon, ATR
Beth Coyle, NMT, MT-BC
Our Unique Approach
The Kate’s Club approach is based on four cornerstones, all of which support our purpose of providing grieving children and their families with an environment where they can re-engage in life and turn a potentially debilitating loss into a growth opportunity:
Fun: Laughter really is the best medicine. We all need it; and children who have lost a loved one are no different. Providing them with an opportunity to laugh provides them with an opportunity to live.
Community: Death and grief are not openly discussed in American society. Providing children with a peer group of other children and mentors that share this experience rebuilds a fundamental social foundation currently not being provided in many communities, including Atlanta.
Safety: People don’t share unless they feel safe. Kate’s Club is focused on creating a healing environment where participants find comfort in sharing when they are ready.
Long-term: Children who lose a loved one are at greater risk for development of behavioral issues two years following the loss than they were immediately or one year after the loss. Recognizing that grief is a long-term issue and not an event, Kate’s Club provides long-term support to children as they continue to face the challenges of life after a loved one has died.
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FAQs
Who is eligible to participate in Kate’s Club?
Kate’s Club is open to all school-aged children and teens living in the Metro-Atlanta area and surrounding counties who have experienced a death of a parent, sibling, or caregiver at some point in their lifetime.
How much does it cost?
We do not charge a fee for the support services offered at Kate’s Club.
How long after the death does the family need to wait before calling?
A family can call and start the process for participation as soon as they are ready.
What if a child/teen needs private therapy?
Kate’s Club does not provide therapy or private counseling. We have a list of referral therapists who counsel children, teens, and/or adults with grief issues.
How do I get my child/teen started?
The Steps for participating in Kate’s Club are as follows:
1. You'll need to complete an application. Send an email to evyn@katesclub.org or call 770-618-4474 for an application.
2. Mail the completed and signed application back to Kate’s Club when you and your child/teen feel comfortable to move forward.
3. Attend the next scheduled Cookies with Kate, open house program held monthly at the Clubhouse.
What happens at “Cookies with Kate”?
Our open house, Cookies with Kate, is an informal orientation for new families joining Kate’s Club. There will be introductions, paperwork, a tour of the facility, a short video, and of course cookies. This is an evening for you and your family to get comfortable with Kate’s Club before joining one of our support programs.
How long is a family expected to participate in Kate’s Club?
We believe in the uniqueness of the intensity and duration of grief for each individual and family. Children/teens choose when to start and when to stop attending.
Is there a long waiting list?
No. If space is not available at the time the application is received a phone call will be placed to the family and with consent, the interested child will be placed on our waiting list. Immediate needs of the family will be discussed and Kate’s Club will make every attempt to refer your family to an alternative community resource that meets your child’s need until further direct service can be provided by the organization.
Where can I write to Kate's Club?
Kate’s Club
P.O. Box 11805
Atlanta, GA 30355
Is there a Kate’s Club near me?
Unfortunately, Kate’s Club is located only in Atlanta, GA. However, several similar organizations exist around the country. Check out our list of National Directory of Grief Support Services to find support near you.
How is Kate’s Club funded?
Kate’s Club is fully funded by corporate gifts, private foundations and individual donors. Our participants are not responsible for paying a fee so we rely heavily of donations of all sizes. Click here to make an online donation.
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2008 Board of Directors
Chair of the Board
LeighAnn Costley, CPA
Deloitte Tax, LLP
Directors
Greg Abel
Tailfin Marketing Communications
Allison Griffin Bittel
Cushman & Wakefield
Merrill Boone
Kaiser Permanente
Craig Caldwell
Cosmopolitan Concierge
Glenn Caracappa
Halpern Enterprises, Inc.
Susan Grubb
Porsche Cars North America
Bo Heiner
Octagon
Lisa Heskett, CPA
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Rhonda Hudson
The Treasure Box, School of Etiquette
Beth Jansa
Leadership DeKalb
Ryan King
Hope-Beckham, Inc.
Adam Klein
Printpack
Jill Lerner
Jim Weinberg Lifestyles
Julie Lewis
Georgia Department of Education
Katie Long
Tatum Levine & Powell, LLP
Andi Stein
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Vicki Vickers
AT&T
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