Although there are valuable professional counseling opportunities and helpful programs in the Waukesha area public and private schools, there is a significant need for peer-support groups provided to children in our community who need a safe place to meet, express their feelings and work through the grieving process with others experiencing the loss of a loved one (death, divorce, separation, abandonment, deportation, incarceration and military deployment).
In October, 2009, a group of concerned individuals representing six Waukesha churches and two funeral homes began meeting to address this community need. By April, 2010, this community-based group established Healing Hearts of Waukesha County, Inc. which offers a guided peer-support program for children and significant adults in their lives who are dealing with grief.
The supporting membership continues to grow to reflect our community. As of Summer of 2018, Healing Hearts has 25 Supporting Partners!
Listen to our story!
Mission Statement
Healing Hearts of Waukesha County is a community-based organization whose mission is to serve and support grieving children and their families.
Celebration of Hope 2016
Participants describe how the Healing Hearts program involves peer-to-peer support, age-appropriate curriculum, and special projects. “It’s a fun, heart-warming place where you can express your feelings.”
What Do Kids Have to Say?
What would you tell a friend about Healing Hearts?
- It helps you with your situation.
- It’s awesome!
- On your worst day, you can look forward to Healing Hearts. It gives you a bit of light.
- Things kept deep inside can come up.
- Even if you are having a bad day, you feel better.
Contact Us through this form. We’ll respond to you via email
[contact-form-7 id=”600″ title=”Contact form 1″]
Supporting Partners
American Legion Auxiliary (D.J. Martin Post #8)
Ascension Lutheran Church*
Cesarz, Charapata and Zinnecker Funeral Home*
Church and Chapel Funeral Homes*
ComForCare Home Care
First United Methodist Church*
Gethsemane United Methodist Church
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Oconomowoc
Krause Funeral Homes
Oconomowoc Breakfast Kiwanis
Pewaukee Kiwanis Club
Randle-Dable Brisk Funeral Home
Redeemer United Church of Christ, Sussex
St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Church
St. Francis Episcopal Church
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church & St. Luke’s Child Life Ministries
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
St. Mary Catholic Church*
St. William Catholic Church*
Salem United Methodist Church*
Southminster Presbyterian Church*
UMC EL BUEN Samaritano
Waukesha Kiwanis Early Risers
Waukesha Noon Kiwanis
* Indicates Founding Member
If you are interested in becoming a supporting member, please contact Melissa Minkley, Executive Director.
262-751-0874 or mminkley.hhwc@nullgmail.com
Board of Directors
Board meetings are held the 1st Monday of the month, 9:00 AM, at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186
Officers
President – Marquita Cooper, Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home
Vice President – Courtney Stangl, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
Secretary – Jill Thurow, Gethsemane United Methodist Church
Treasurer – Bob Vrakas, First United Methodist Church
Board Members
Paul Becher, Salem United Methodist Church
Cathy Brisk, Randle-Dable Brisk Funeral Home
Claire Beutler-Cruise, Redeemer United Church of Christ
Liz Kendellen, St. William Catholic Church
Sue Remfrey, St. Marks Lutheran Church
Karen Thimmel, First United Methodist Church
Dave Wolken, Redeemer United Church of Christ
Janet Yahnke, St. John Neumann Catholic Church
Staff
Melissa Minkley, Executive Director
Morgan Griffin, Program Director
Cheryl Printz, Executive Assistant