The Compassionate Friends
Approximately 228,000 infants, children, teenagers, and
young adults will die this year. Nearly 29,000 families will face a
still birth and 500,000 will suffer a miscarriage. A child's death
at any age, from any cause, is a shattering experience for a family.
When a child dies, a family can turn to The Compassionate Friends for the
emotional support needed during the long grief journey ahead.
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a national non-profit,
self help organization offering friendship and understanding to families
grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause. There is
no religious affiliation. There are no membership fees or dues, and
all bereaved family members are welcome. Founded in England in 1969,
TCF was established in the United States in 1972, with 501(c)(3) not for
profit incorporation in 1978, under which provision the organization's
nearly 600 local chapters also operate.
Mission
The mission the The Compassionate Friends is to assist
families towards the positive resolution of grief following the death of a
child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.
Organization
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TCF has a 13 member national volunteer board of
directors consisting of bereaved parents and siblings.
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In 23 years, TCF has grown from 40 chapters to nearly
600 serving all 50 states. All chapter leaders are volunteers
and are bereaved parents or siblings, as are the 30 regional
coordinators.
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TCF's national office is located in Oak Brook,
Illinois. The executive director is supported by a full time
staff of four and one part time staff member.
Role
of Local Chapters
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Local chapters' regular meetings provide a caring
environment in which bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings can
work through their grief with the help of others who have "been
there." More than 15,000 attend local chapter meetings each
month.
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Outreach is provided to more than 110,000 bereaved
families and professionals each month through chapter newsletters,
phone calls, notes and personal visits.
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Educational information on parental and sibling grief
and the work of TCF is provided to the community through publicity,
speaking engagements and the distribution of materials.
Services
Provided by the National Organization
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We Need Not Walk Alone, TCF's award winning magazine,
is published quarterly for bereaved families and professionals and
addresses grief issues. It also includes information for chapter
leadership.
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TCF's resource department supplies books, pamphlets,
audiovisual material and other resources, which are made available to
local chapters, bereaved families, and professionals.
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TCF's award winning website ( www.compassionatefriends.org
), where information can be viewed and resources ordered, also
provides scheduled chats and organizational updates.
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Thousands of telephone calls, letters and e-mails are
received in the national office annually from bereaved families and
professionals, seeking help with grief after the death of a
child. Each is answered individually.
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Assistance is provided to existing chapters, as well
as those seeking to from a new chapter. Representatives
participate in regional and national TCF conferences as speakers and
trainers.
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Chapter Leadership Training Programs are conducted at
locations throughout the country.
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The national organization directs national public
relations and coordinates national fundraising.
Funding
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Although local chapters pay annual fees to the
national organization, all contributions from individual members are
voluntary. There are no individual dues or fees of any kind.
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TCF's 2000 budget was $523,000, with over 75%
allocated for services to chapters and the public.
Administrative and fundraising costs comprise less than 25% of the
organization's total operating budget.
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About 90% of TCF income traditionally comes from
internal sources, including individual member donations, chapter fees
and donations, sale of resource material, and conference
proceeds. TCF's growth has outpaced this means of funding, and
is now reaching out to the business and philanthropic communities for
financial support. All contributions are tax deductible.
Brochures provided by The Compassionate Friends:
Surviving
Your Child's Suicide
Understanding
Grief When A Child Dies
These are a few of the brochures provided by The Compassionate
Friends. We have these brochures available at the funeral home, and
would be glad to mail them out if requested. Just call or e-mail
us to let us know which titles you would like.
For further information, you can contact
The Compassionate Friends, Inc.
PO Box 3696
Oak Brook, IL 60522-3696
Toll-free: 877-969-0010
FAX: 630-990-0246
E-mail: nationaloffice@compassionatefriends.org
Website: www.compassionatefriends.org
This was reprinted from the TCF 2001 Fact Sheet with
permission of the national office
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