The Welcoming Room
Designed to be "welcoming" to children, and lovingly gifted by
the Dylan Lissette family in memory of Casey Sheridan, the Welcoming Room is the first room a child enters when visiting Olivia’s House. This large
area is often the best place for our program ending “hand shake squeeze”. Our
“Giving Tree” mural, designed and painted by Brett Greiman, reflects donors
from the community who have made Olivia’s House possible.
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The Lending Library
The Michael and Jane Rice Lending Library boasts a very extensive collection
of resources pertaining to grief and loss. From CDs and DVDs to books and
magazines to classroom teaching units, the public is welcome to sign out
materials for two weeks at a time. The fireplace and comfortable sofa
call everyone’s name to curl up and read one of the many wonderful books on the
shelf!
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The Family Room
Lovingly gifted by The Sweet Charities our Family Room is designed to
remind all children that they are a part of a very large family. By having them
sign their names in week seven of our program, on the picturesque mural painted
by Brett Greiman, they officially become part owners of Olivia’s House.
This room offers our program team a special place to meet with families
while learning about our many services.
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The Serenity Garden
Our garden is designed to relax and welcome folks into the back of our
center. It serves to provide a place for rituals to remember their loved ones.
The bubbling fountain and children's rock garden all bring a sense of peace
intended for each family. The garden was lovingly gifted by Lynn and
Hannah Stambaugh in memory of husband and father, Dane.
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The Miniature World
Designed to facilitate the grief work of young children whose vocabulary
is limited, this beautiful room holds great energy! Decorated to resemble a
“tree fort”, the miniature world, complete with two large sand trays, allows
for young children as well as older ones to share their stories. This
special one of a kind room, once a vault, was lovingly gifted by the Frank
LeCrone Family.
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The Café
The Café is a special place for the adults who accompany their children
to our programs. Sponsored by the Pannebaker Funeral Home, Kristin and
Mike Neumann have made it possible for everyone to enjoy a warm beverage, or a
cold drink during the evening’s gathering.
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The Creativity Suite
The Sweet Charities are the proud sponsors of our special art area for
the older children in the program. It is a calm space complete with
a computer and flat screen television wired to the internet. It functions
as a creative space, complete with a closet of art supplies. It will also
serve as a space for grief workshops and trainings for volunteers.
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The Middle School Room
The farm mural painted by Charlotte Yealy, depicts the role horses play
at Olivia’s House in creating a sense of safety and security after trauma! Our
equine therapy work has shown great results with the many children who have
participated. Our dear friend and former Vice President, Wendell LaPrairie's family gifted this room to Olivia's House in his memory. He will live on in the laughter that fills this room on program nights! |
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The Elementary Play Area
Equipped with grief-related toys and games, the play room serves our
youngest mourners, whether they are preschool or elementary school age, and
facilitates grief-work through play. Whether they are enjoying the doll
house or the fire house, all the children are able to share their grief stories with our staff. The mural, painted by Dirk Shearer, is a favorite of the children. The Play Room was
lovingly gifted by the Eckert and Noel Families.
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The Elementary Art Area
Gifted by the D.J. Hart family in memory of his mother, this room is an
extension of her life...Terry was an art teacher and more importantly, an
artist. Her energy is part of this space with her favorite quote on the
plaque that dedicates this room in her memory.
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The Teen Suite
Designed to embrace the needs of grieving teens who are often up all
hours of the night doing their grief work, we created a 24-hour diner themed
room just for them! A local hotspot, “The Tropical Treat” donated the
hamburger sign hanging in the window to help them realize that their work is
important and they need a special space. The kitchen, complete with a
coffee bar and refrigerator full of soda and snacks sets the tone for teen
grief support! The Teen Suite was loving gifted by the Don Smith Family.
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The Art Hallway
Lovingly gifted by Dr John Hart in memory of his wife Terry. As an
art teacher, she was very aware of how art helped children deal with all of
their emotions!
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The Confessional
A fully equipped recording studio was designed to give all children a
safe place to share their thoughts without anyone responding. The room is
designed for the video Companion to know what is said, while giving the children
permission to keep their thoughts private. Learn more about The
Confessional by clicking here. The Confessional was sponsored by Utz Quality Foods, Inc. in memory of the F.X. Rice Family. |
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