“Thirty-four years ago I was President Elect of the Junior League of Fort Wayne attending the annual ALJI conference where the Junior League of Cincinnati made a presentation about Fernside, a children’s grieving center they’d help establish.
A LEGACY LASTING BEYOND A LIFETIME BY RENÉ ROBERS, JLC PRESIDENT The Junior League of Cincinnati’s vision statement includes, “Partnerships with the community strengthen our ability to make an impact on the lives of those we serve.” Our President, René Robers, recently received an email that embodied this statement in a very special way. The note read:
As my friend’s daughter, Erin, had died 6 months earlier, I approached one of the women who presented to learn more about the possibility of opening a center in Fort Wayne. The JLC said, ‘We’ll help you. I’ll give you everything we have.’ And she/JLC did - including introducing me to Rachel Burrell, the founder of Fernside. I brought the idea of a children’s grieving center back to the JLFW and their response was – “let’s do this!” The League stepped up in a big way initiating a feasibility study. When the study determined that a center for grieving families was a necessity and not just be a luxury for our community, the League donated 3 years of funding and amazing volunteers. Thirty years ago in September 1993, Erin’s House for Grieving Children opened its doors with Fernside as a major inspiration. This never would have happened if it hadn’t been for the Junior League of Cincinnati doing what we do best – identifying a need, addressing the issue with well trained volunteers (let’s face it – no one runs a meeting better than a Junior Leaguer!) and making change happen. Today, Erin’s House is thriving with a great slew of volunteers, board, staff and ever-evolving programming. As a 30-year volunteer with the 10-13 year old kids, I see healing happen whenever I facilitate. So, thank you Junior League of Cincinnati for helping make Fort Wayne a safe place to grieve the death of a loved one. And please know, whenever anyone asks, or I’ve made a presentation about Erin’s House, I have told the story about that AJLI conference so many years ago where the Junior League of Cincinnati gave an impactful presentation and a generous offer to help. On a personal note, after Erin died, I remember her mom Gail saying she was worried no one would ever remember Erin lived, inhabited this earth for almost 6 years. While there was nothing I could do to take away her family’s pain or reverse the awful tragedy, I/JLFW could do something about making sure everyone knew Erin Farragh lived, her life had meaning and continues to impact this world. The Junior League of Cincinnati was the beginning of that journey. On this 30th anniversary of the opening of Erin’s House I thank you. All my very best, Tracie Martin”
4 Fall / Winter 2023