Healing Hearts with Compassion and Support
At Olivia’s House, children and their families are never alone as they cope with many forms of loss and grief. Comprised of caregiving professionals and volunteers whose mission is to support those in need, bereavement services are available to all at no cost.
These services include peer-support group bereavement education, one-on-one bereavement counseling and professional mental health and trauma therapy referrals and more. Additionally, the Lending Library at Olivia’s House – the largest collection of grief and loss counselling resources in the continental U.S. – is also available.
Materials from the library benefit the York and Hanover communities, where Olivia’s House maintains its two locations. These resources are also shipped across the nation to support families in need everywhere.
Along with bereavement services and the Lending Library, Olivia’s House offers specialized social activities to enable families to stay connected once their educational programs are completed. Each location also boasts a garden center: The Healing Garden of Hope, and The Serenity Garden.
Each garden is designed to provide a space of relaxation, peace and sanctuary to help children cope with grief. Louis Appell, Jr. was a firm believer in the serenity of garden spaces and the mission of Olivia’s House, which prompted him to pledge support through the Power Mill Foundation to maintain the gardens.
We have been blessed by our relationship with the Powder Mill Foundation. Like a parent, the organization is always open to learning of our needs and supporting our mission in whatever way they can. Mr. Appell’s kindness and love of our community is largely reflected in the mission of Olivia’s House, and we knew instantly that our partnership was special. When a child walks through our door for support after a loved one dies, they are met with unconditional love. This was Mr. Appell’s way as well. He loved his community and he reached his hand out unconditionally, as he helped each and every one of us.
Leslie Delp, Founder and Bereavement Specialist at Olivia’s House
At Olivia’s House, we will always be here for the communities of York, Hanover and beyond to provide comfort in times of uncertainty – that is what we do, it is our devotion. The generosity of the Powder Mill Foundation has helped us preserve the beauty and tranquility of our gardens, and ultimately our mission of healing all who enter them.
K.C. Delp, Executive Director at Olivia’s House
