Christ the King - Epiphany Church, Wilbraham

Sunday, Nov. 8th, 2026

Therese Ross, M.S.

Executive Director

Rick's Place

September 11, 2001, was a tragedy that profoundly impacted our nation and the world. In the aftermath of one of the most devastating events in our history, people came together to support one another, create change, and find ways to move forward.

Here in Wilbraham, Rick Thorpe’s friends and family responded to their own deep loss by creating something meaningful out of unimaginable heartbreak.

Rick died in Tower 2 of the World Trade Centers on September 11th. In the years that followed, his friends and family came together with a vision: to create a place where children who had experienced the death of someone important in their lives could find understanding, connection, and support.

In 2007, Rick’s Place emerged from the ashes of 9/11 as a lasting expression of love, compassion, and hope. Rick’s life ended on that September morning, but the impact of his life continues in ways his family and friends could never have imagined.

Today, right here in Post Office Park, Rick’s Place continues to offer free peer grief support to children, teens, and their caregivers from across Western Massachusetts.

At Rick’s Place, we understand that grief affects the whole family. We provide a safe, welcoming space where children and their caregivers can process their experiences, find connection, and learn how to move forward while continuing to remember the person who died.

When a child’s parent or sibling dies, the ripple effects of the loss can be widespread. There are changes at home, at school, and in relationships. And while the adults in a child’s life may be grieving, too, they may not always know how to help their child navigate the loss.

At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful idea: no one should have to navigate grief alone.

At Rick’s Place, families are surrounded by others who understand, without needing a lengthy explanation of why they feel the way they do.

Participants can talk, listen, laugh, cry, create, and remember. They can be themselves. And they can begin to understand that although their loss is unique, they are not alone in their experience.

Our work is made possible by our dedicated, extensively trained volunteers, who create a safe and welcoming environment where children and teens feel heard, seen, and understood. Volunteers’ compassion and commitment are central to the connections and support families find at Rick’s Place.

In age-appropriate peer groups, children and teens take part in activities that help them express their feelings, honor the person who died, and find ways to navigate life after loss. Caregivers meet separately to share the challenges of supporting a young person who is grieving while often navigating their own grief.

Sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen through simple activities.

Recently, one of our groups made special candles to honor the people who had died. As the young people worked on their candles, they shared photographs, stories, and memories of those they missed.

Think about what that means for a young person who may feel different from their friends at school or unsure whether anyone else can relate to what they are going through. At Rick’s Place, they are with others who do understand. They are remembering someone special, and they are learning that it is okay to talk about all the feelings that are connected to that person’s death.

Those moments of connection matter. They remind us that we cannot fix anyone’s loss, but we can help ensure that they do not have to face it alone.

And the work of Rick’s Place reaches beyond our building.

We partner with schools throughout Western Massachusetts to facilitate grief support groups for students. We also provide professional development for educators and healthcare professionals, helping them better understand the impact of grief and how to support youth and families who are grieving.

Because sometimes, before someone can receive support, they first need to know that support exists.

That is one of our greatest challenges and one of our greatest opportunities: helping families, schools, and communities recognize that grief deserves attention, that asking for help is okay, and that young people need opportunities to talk about those who have died.

As a church community, you understand the importance of coming together in times of sorrow, offering comfort, and reminding one another that we are not alone. Those acts of compassion can make an enormous difference, especially for a youngster who may not yet have the words to express what they are feeling.

At Rick’s Place, we offer that community space.

We remember Rick Thorpe not only for who he was and the tragic circumstances of his death, but also for what his life continues to make possible.

Every child who finds connection through Rick’s Place, every caregiver who discovers they do not have to navigate this journey alone, and every school or community that becomes less uncomfortable talking about death and loss is part of Rick Thorpe’s legacy.

Thank you for welcoming me today and for taking the time to learn about Rick’s Place. We are grateful to be part of a community that understands the importance of showing up for one another, especially when life brings us its most difficult moments.