Kate's Club Ambassador Program
Ambassadors represent a select group of Kate’s Club’s most engaged, active and dedicated supporters. Ambassadors can be Buddies, donors, former board members, member guardians, former KC members who are now adults, and/or volunteers who are uniquely committed to furthering the mission of Kate’s Club.
Each Ambassador serves a leadership role in ways that best fit their individual interests and skills. In addition to making a financial contribution to Kate’s Club, Ambassadors lead special event sub-committees; lead special projects; offer pro-bono professional services; and/or volunteer as a Buddy for a minimum of six shifts or at Camp Good Mourning. Ambassadors are encouraged to attend Kate’s Club programs and special events.
Ambassadors are formally recognized at events, on the website and various social media sites and in marketing materials. Interested in learning more, becoming an Ambassador or nominating a candidate? Contact Courtney Parsons at [email protected].
Emily started volunteering with Kate's Club in April 2013, and it has changed her life profoundly. Having lost her older sister at age 13 and her mother at age 16, she knows what it is like to grieve without the guidance and support of an organization like Kate's Club. Any time Emily talks with people about Kate's Club, they always say what a great thing she is doing and how much we are helping these kids. Emily thanks them and agrees, but she sees more and more each day how much this organization has helped her. She doesn't feel like she is giving up her time when she volunteers at Kate's Club because she gets so much in return. Emily think one of the things that makes Kate's Club so unique is that we offer year-round support for the kids: monthly program days at the clubhouse, quarterly outings, the H.U.G.S. programs, and of course Camp Good Mourning! Additionally, the other volunteers are some of the most amazing people she's met in her life. It's an incredible organization for which she is so thankful to be a part of.
Jenna has been a buddy volunteer with Kate’s Club since 2018 when she and her husband moved to Atlanta. She is thrilled to be an Ambassador for this amazing organization and is excited for the 2022 Memory Walk as it returns to in person.
Liisa is a Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapist at AccentCare Hospice. In 2017, she attended a music therapy institute focused on child and adolescent grief and loss. As part of this training, she provided music therapy for a children's grief camp. The experience was amazing and led Liisa to seek out a grief organization once she moved to Atlanta in 2018. She is so glad she found Kate's Club! Liisa has loved participating in clubhouse days, holiday programs and Camp Good Mourning. This organization provides such a supportive and healing environment, and she is honored to be a part of Kate's Club!
Rob is proud to be a Buddy and Ambassador for Kate's Club. His grief journey began when he was five years old after his father died unexpectedly. His unprocessed grief proved to be a hindrance throughout life, an unrealized cause for deep feelings of fear, shame, isolation, and anxiety. Rob sat alone in these feelings for decades until he was referred to Kate’s Club to volunteer in 2019. As he continued his own journey of understanding and healing, he found a new perspective on tragedy and loss when his experiences gave rise to a purpose. Volunteering with these kids every month, seeing them do the work, express their feelings, and relate to one another is a privilege!
Having lost her mother when she was 14, something like Kate's Club would have been an invaluable resource and comfort to Ashley. Now as a mother herself, she can appreciate even more the incredible void that losing a parent, sibling, or caretaker can leave. She has been honored to volunteer and advocate for Kate's Club for more than 10 years now and looks forward to continuing her support as an ambassador of this amazing organization.
Grace’s involvement with Kate’s Club dates back to 2011. Her dad died suddenly when she was 11 years old, so she became a member. Kate’s Club showed her that she was not alone, helped her make friends with the same experience, and introduced her to successful adults who also were going through grief. Now, she is a buddy volunteer and an MSW student at Georgia State University who hopes to use her degree to help grieving children and families.
Katie is at her happiest when she can make a sustainable difference in her community. Kate's Club holds a special place in her heart because she has experienced family deaths from a young age and so has her father. Kate is grateful to contribute to the KC mission, helping to normalize grief and providing a community and resources to empower children and their families. Outside of Kate's Club, Katie works in portfolio strategy for a cybersecurity firm and offers freelance career coaching services.
Nancy L. Kriseman, L.C.S.W, is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with elders and their families for over 35 years. Nancy has also dedicated much of her personal time to mentor and support young people with whom she feels very passionate about. Nancy has written four books, and most recently in March 2021 co-authored a book for Kate’s Club with Lane Pease Hendricks, entitled: We Come Together as One: Helping Families Grieve, Share and Heal.
Sheree grew up teaching Hunter/Jumper horse riding to children and adults. Her career as a Legal Communications Consultant, through her own business, took her all over the United States for 20 plus years. In May of 2016, she was honored to join Kate's Club as a Buddy. Since then Sheree has been involved in most aspects of KC; clubhouse days (Zoom), outings, camps, family nights, HUGS, Memory Walk (Co-Chair, committee and often highest fundraiser), Mourning Glory Gala (silent auction committee, Silent Auction Chair and 2021 Gala Chair), and is now honored to serve on the Board of Directors. Sheree is passionate to help our KC children/families as well as being involved with the KC Staff and Buddies....So very Blessed to be part of this awesome "Club" which has made her a better person!