Mary Robinson, Founder and Executive Director of Imagine, Honored as CNN Hero
(above) Mary Robinson, Founder and Executive Director of Imagine, has been named a CNN Hero.
Mary Robinson, who was raised in Madison, New Jersey, and is the Founder and Executive Director of Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, is now featured on the global networks of CNN and CNN.com as a CNN Hero. Imagine, a grief support center for children and families, is beyond thrilled that Mary is being honored in this way – and that the importance of Imagine’s mission will enjoy greater reach as word of the nonprofit spreads around the nation and world. CNN Heroes celebrates “everyday people changing the world,” honoring everyday people for their selfless, creative efforts to help others.
Working and volunteering in the field of children’s grief support since 1997, Robinson’s work grew out of her own personal experience of loss as a child. “My commitment is to create communities where children coping with loss get the support they need to thrive, be resilient, and grow up emotionally healthy and able to lead meaningful and productive lives,” said Robinson.
In its 12 years, CNN Heroes has received more than 85,000 nominations from more than 100 countries. Since 2007, the campaign has profiled more than 300 CNN Heroes who are working in more than 80 countries around the world, helping millions of people. Since Imagine was founded in 2011, it has served over 700 families and provided education and training to thousands of adults, children and teens.
Imagine, A Center for coping with Loss, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, provides free year-round grief support for children and young adults using a peer-support group model. Trained adult volunteers and professionals provide children and teens with the comfort and tools needed to learn to process grief and grow up emotionally healthy. In addition to its two centers, Imagine provides education in the community, leads workshops in schools and workplaces, and offers on-site support in schools and workplaces following any traumatic loss. Imagine has two locations in New Jersey — in Mountainside and Newark.
Submitted by Val Stierhoff
