To register for the 2026 Kate’s Club Memory Walk, visit the Memory Walk event page.
When Kristen’s mother wanted the house cleaned quickly, she had a quick solution.
“Just throw it all in the closet. No one will know,” Kristen recalled her mother saying.
As a child, Kristen did not understand why her mother would choose that over cleaning everything properly. Now that Kristen is navigating parenting while grieving, the memory has taken on a different meaning.
“Sometimes you just have to make those calls that don’t sound the best or aren’t by the book. You’re just trying to survive,” Kristen said.
Looking back, Kristen sees those moments as examples of her mother doing her best while raising three children. At the upcoming Kate’s Club Memory Walk, Kristen will walk in memory of her mother and the other important people in her life who have died.
“She was just a really awesome influence in our life and a great example of a mom, a realistic example of a mom,” Kristen said.
Finding a Personal Connection to Kate’s Club
Kristen first heard about Kate’s Club through a previous nonprofit position. She knew the organization had a positive reputation, but she did not yet understand its programs or how personally relevant its mission would become.
After Kristen had her daughter, Hallie, she decided to stay home with her. One year later, Kristen’s mother died.
“We had my mom’s funeral on my daughter’s first birthday,” Kristen said.
When Kristen later learned that Kate’s Club was expanding to Athens, she saw an opportunity to become involved. She began volunteering when the Athens programs started in September 2023. She joined the organization as a contractor in May 2024 and later became the full-time Northeast Georgia Program Coordinator.
The position allows Kristen to provide grief support for children and families in Northeast Georgia who are experiencing something she understands personally. Kate’s Club has also become part of her family’s grief journey, as both of her nephews participate in its programs.
“It’s not a job that I do. It’s a part of my life and my family’s life,” Kristen said.
Honoring Her Mother at Memory Walk
Kristen attended her first Memory Walk in Atlanta in 2024. She saw it as a way to bring her family together and make room for conversations they had not always felt comfortable having.
“Like many families, grief was not something we talked about. It was just something that we were told to move on from,” Kristen said.
Kristen attended with her husband, daughter, sister, nephews, brother-in-law, and aunt. Together, they made buttons displaying photographs of the people they wanted to remember. Different relatives honored Kristen’s mother, her grandparents, and other family members who had died.
“It was a really cool way for us to think about the number of people that we’ve lost and how their impact is a part of us,” Kristen said.
When Kristen arrived, she was surprised by the size of the gathering. Seeing the tents, activities, and people she had never met reminded her of how common grief is.
It also rained during the event, which felt fitting to Kristen.
“It was raining the first time I went, which kind of checked out because a lot of times that feels like grief,” Kristen said.
During the walk, Kristen’s family created memory placards featuring photographs, names, and images connected to the people they were honoring. Afterward, the placards became part of their home. Kristen’s daughter still keeps a picture of herself with her grandmother on her dresser.
The activity allowed remembrance to continue beyond a single day.
Feeling Seen and Supported
For Kristen, saying her mother’s name alongside other grieving people felt validating.
“My grief is worth it, and other people care about my grief and understand what it’s like to have it impact all the things in your life,” Kristen said.
She left Memory Walk feeling cared for and motivated by the work of Kate’s Club. The experience showed her how an event could be intentionally designed for grieving people while still leaving room for family activities, connection, and joy.
Kristen wants people who feel uncertain about attending to know that Memory Walk may not be what they expect.
“It’s not as sad as you think,” Kristen said.
There is space for tears, but no one is required to share more than they feel comfortable sharing. Participants can decide how they want to remember their person and how involved they would like to be.
“It just builds that community where you feel safe and comfortable,” Kristen said.
Families who need additional guidance can also explore Kate’s Club’s free grief resources for children, young adults, parents, caregivers, and professionals.
Bringing Memory Walk to Northeast Georgia
After attending Memory Walk in Atlanta, Kristen knew families in Northeast Georgia deserved an experience closer to home.
“Families need to experience this and not have to drive to Atlanta,” Kristen said.
Kate’s Club held its first Watkinsville Memory Walk at Thomas Farm Preserve in 2025. Kristen was encouraged by the volunteers, community organizations, and support from the City of Watkinsville that helped make the first event possible.
This year, the Northeast Georgia Memory Walk will take place at Wire Park. Kristen hopes its location will introduce more people to Kate’s Club and the importance of grief support, including community members who may encounter the event while shopping or spending time with their families.
She also hopes the event will raise funds that allow Kate’s Club to reach more children, serve more schools, and expand its programs. Just as importantly, she wants Memory Walk to build awareness during Children’s Grief Awareness Month.
“It’s not just a one-day thing. We’re giving them the tools to carry it forever,” Kristen said.
Learning to Carry Grief in Community
Kristen hopes Memory Walk helps people understand that grief is not something they must overcome or leave behind.
“We have to learn to live with our grief,” Kristen said. “It’s not something that we get over. It’s not something that we want to move past. It’s something that we want to learn to carry.”
When asked to describe Memory Walk in one word, Kristen chose “community.”
“You’re not alone,” Kristen said. “You don’t have to do this alone, and you shouldn’t do it alone.”
Register to Walk and Support Grievers
Memory Walk is a Kate’s Club event where children, families, young adults, and community supporters can walk in memory of people in their lives who died while surrounded by a community of support.
On Sunday, November 8, the Atlanta Memory Walk will take place from 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. at Blackburn Park in Brookhaven, Georgia. Learn more and purchase tickets for the Atlanta Memory Walk.
The Watkinsville Memory Walk will take place from 2–5 p.m. at Wire Park in Watkinsville, Georgia. Learn more and purchase tickets for the Watkinsville Memory Walk.