A center in Albuquerque focused on helping grieving children, teenagers, and adults through support groups and other workshops is looking for volunteers to keep up with the growing need.
Christina Thies, The Grief Center's Program Manager, told KOB4 the organization has been able to help hundreds of people of all ages better process and cope with their grief.
"This is for the kiddos, ages five to about seven," Thies told KOB4 during a tour of the facility. "We do art projects, things that they can talk about, maybe the person who died mixed in with other activities."
According to KOB4, the community helped the organization prepare for its grand opening in September after it was the victim of a break-in during the Fourth of July weekend, but they still need help.
Thies told the news outlet there's a big need for more facilitators.
"We currently run about 50 support groups a month, some of those groups have a wait list," Thies told KOB4.
She added the organization was hoping to add 20-30 more volunteer facilitators on top of the 45 they already have. The unpaid volunteers would only have to commit to three-house shifts two times a month, KOB4 reported.
"You don't have to be a therapist," she told KOB4. "We have retired therapists, we have teachers, we have people from all walks of life, different ages."
Thies said the only age requirement for these volunteers is they have to be at least 21.
KOB4 reported the organization hopes to add more online/in-person support groups.
The facility currently houses group rooms to cater to people of all ages including an arts and crafts studio, and a room to help people who are overcome with anxiety and emotions in a hospital environment.