The Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief
The goal of the Baptist Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief is to provide a safe environment for children, teens, and adults to explore and express their feelings related to the death of a loved one and learn to thrive in a world without that special person.
Meet Angela Hamblen Kelly
Angela Hamblen Kelly, L.C.S.W., is the Executive Director of the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief with Baptist Memorial Health Care. Angela is a licensed clinical social worker trained specifically in the field of death and dying. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from The University of Memphis and graduate degree in Social Work from The University of Tennessee. She developed and directs the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief in Collierville, Memphis, and Jonesboro – the only comprehensive grief centers in the Mid-South that provides free grief counseling for children, teens and adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. As a part of the grief center, Angela also developed and directs the Camp Good Grief programs for children and teens. After the tragedy of September 11, Angela served as a consultant to Schneider Children’s Hospital in Long Island, NY where a program modeled after Camp Good Grief was developed. She also assisted Hospice of Central Peninsula in Alaska develop a children’s grief camp modeled after Camp Good Grief. Angela is the author of What’s So Good About Grief, Anyway? Angela has also developed several grief activities for children that have been published for other professionals to use in practice. Angela is a recipient of several community awards, including: Top 40 Under 40, Health Care Hero Finalist, An Angel in Our Midst, and 50 Women Who Make A Difference.
About the Grief Center
In 2005, the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief opened its doors to serve children, teens and adults who face the loss of a loved one and are trying to cope with the ensuing grief. As the first comprehensive grief center in the Mid-South to provide year round bereavement services, we have served thousands of people. Our master’s degree-level counselors are specially trained in grief issues and dedicated to providing comprehensive bereavement services to all ages. Programs include one-on-one counseling, support groups and bereavement camps. As community needs continue to increase, we are excited to announce expanded services at the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief, Milla’s House in Midtown Memphis. All services are completely free to clients as the Center is fully supported through the generous donations of individuals, foundations and corporations.
For more information please visit the website.
About Camp Good Grief
In the wake of tremendous emotional pain and upheaval, grieving children are expected to perform as well as behave in school and at home. To help children who have lost loved ones, Camp Good Grief started in 1999 as the first bereavement camp in our area. The camp serves children from all areas of the population. Some campers experience loss from multiple deaths, and the majority of these are sudden and traumatic. The most common deaths are heart attacks, followed by murder, cancer and suicide. Camp is a "normal" place for children. Therapy sessions are sandwiched between pizzas, popsicles and play; and our campers have FUN! Our work will continue with comprehensive on-going bereavement counseling services year-round. But camp is a special place.
For more information please visit the website.
