The Tristesse Grief Center

🌟 A Huge Thank You to 2024 Space Sponsor MESA! 🌟 We are incredibly grateful to MESA for their generous sponsorship of a coubseling room at The Grief Center. This supportive space plays a crucial role in providing comfort and healing to individuals and families navigating their grief journeys. Your commitment to our mission makes a significant difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you, MESA, for your unwavering support and for being a vital part of our community! 💙

Today marks 22 years since The Tristesse Grief Center opened its bright red door to the Tulsa community, offering a place of hope for those navigating the complexities of grief. In 2002, The Grief Center began in a cozy house in Downtown Tulsa, originally named “The Tristesse Healing Hearts Grief Center” in honor of Tess, a vibrant teenager whose light continued to shine even through her battle with cancer. Inspired by Tess’s resilience, her mother, Laura Gonsalves, embarked on a mission to provide support for others like her, who found themselves navigating grief with limited resources. What started as a team of three, offering counseling and support groups grew from serving 100 clients in its first year to becoming a beacon of healing for thousands. Laura transformed her personal pain into a powerful purpose, building a community where loved ones could be grieved and celebrated, where stories could be shared, and where healing could truly begin. When reflecting on the past 22 years of The Grief Center's growth, Laura Gonsalves stated: "On the second anniversary of my daughter Tristesse’s death, The Tristesse Grief Center opened its doors and two mothers walked into my arms, one who lost her daughter two weeks and another, twenty years, before. Time was meaningless. We felt the pain we shared and found such comfort and hope in our sharing. Twenty-two years later, thousands who have lost family or friends have since passed through those doors to find understanding, compassion, guidance and hope at the Grief Center. I am so grateful to the Tulsa community for recognizing and supporting all of us who struggle to find our way when we are lost." As we celebrate 22 years, we remember Tess’s spirit, which continues to inspire our work, and we honor the families and individuals who have trusted us with their grief journey. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this story—together, we have built a legacy of empathy, understanding, and hope. Here's to many more years of healing hearts. ❤️

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Blue Sky Bank and Wendy and Gentner Drummond for their incredible support in sponsoring our Family Group Room at the Tristesse Grief Center. This space has become a vital resource for our community, allowing us to hold family grief sessions and various support groups, including our Suicide Loss Group and Spouse Loss Group. Your generosity profoundly impacts families, helping them navigate their grief journeys together. Thank you for being champions of healing and hope in our community! 💙

Join our team! https://lnkd.in/eiBUR_c3

This is it! Our Be the Spark campaign supporting Camp Erin Tulsa is wrapping up this weekend. Your contribution can make a world of difference for kids facing loss. Visit https://lnkd.in/g__E6qaV by June 30th to join us in lighting their path to healing and hope.

At Camp Erin Tulsa, our campers find healing and connection in a supportive environment. Now until June 30th, support the Be the Spark campaign to help us continue providing these empowering experiences for Oklahoma youth facing loss. Visit https://lnkd.in/grh4-eqN to contribute.

Thank you to ONEOK, Inc. for sponsoring Camp Erin Tulsa in 2024! Together, we're making a lasting impact on young lives. We are beyond grateful for your dedication to our cause!

On the final night of Camp Erin Tulsa, the Hope Floats Luminary Ceremony unfolds. As dusk settles, campers gather to honor their person by placing luminaries in the water. Each flickering light represents the person lost, the memories shared, the love that endures, and the resilient spirit of these campers. The Be the Spark campaign funds opportunities for healing like these by supporting programs at The Grief Center, including Camp Erin Tulsa. Visit https://lnkd.in/grh4-eqN to join us in supporting Oklahoma youth facing loss.

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, standing in solidarity with our community to recognize this profound historical moment. Let us embrace this day with reverence, gratitude, and a commitment to continue the journey toward equality and justice for all.

Today, we're honored to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the New York Life Tulsa Office, a longtime supporter of Camp Erin Tulsa! Your dedication has touched countless lives, providing comfort and hope to children navigating loss. Thank you for standing with us in making a meaningful difference. Thank you New York Life Insurance Company foundation and Eluna