PLAINSBORO — After expanding to the Princeton area in 2012, Good Grief opened its new home on Mapleton Road on Sept. 19.
Local merchants and organizations enthusiastically participated to make the celebration a meaningful one: Princeton Farmers Market, Arts Council of Princeton, Small World Coffee, Jammin’ Crepes, JaZams, The Bent Spoon, Lombardi’s Pizza Co., Cherry Grove Organic Farm, WildFlour Bakery/Café, Tico’s Eatery & Juice Bar, University Medical Center at Princeton, and the Breast Cancer Resource Center. The Princeton Tour Company held the first exclusive tour of the new center.
Good Grief expanded in 2012 in order to reach the second highest demographic of grieving families in New Jersey. The organization rented program space from Trinity Church and Princeton AlumniCorps, and within 24 months of opening its doors, Good Grief outgrew both spaces due to the demand for its programs. The Princeton center went from supporting 30 grieving children to serving over 100 grieving children and teens each month, with enrollment rapidly growing.
Expansion of Good Grief’s programs has been critical. One in seven children will lose a mom, dad, sister, or brother before the age of 20, according to a Good Grief statement.
According to the United States Census, 10 percent of New Jersey’s grieving children live in Mercer County and it has the second highest population of grieving children in the state. That means that this year, approximately 20,000 children will be left to grieve this devastating loss in New Jersey alone. Children who do not get support are at-risk and vulnerable, and studies show that peer support programs are highly effective and provide preventative care. Good Grief is working to provide every grieving child in Princeton and surrounding communities with the free grief support they need.
Mayor Peter Cantu of Plainsboro, Mayor Liz Lempert of Princeton, and Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis of Plainsboro spoke of the importance of Good Grief’s programs in their respective communities.
Good Grief teen participant, Emma Legacki, and her younger sister, Erin, took the stage to tell the audience about their experience at Good Grief.
“Good Grief has helped me so much and I really hope any family going through what my family is going through discovers Good Grief. Good Grief is a welcoming community of absolutely amazing people who will support you and help you no matter what and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” Emma said.
The mayors and Legacki sisters cut the inaugural ribbon together. Good Grief’s CEO, Joseph Primo, said “Thanks to this big yellow house, this community will be stronger, better, healthier and more resilient. Good Grief is now here for you, your loved ones, and your neighbors for decades to come. Thank you for welcoming us home.”
