Good Grief

Since 2007 Joe has helped build a robust, fiscally responsible, energetic, and highly impactful organization for children, teens, and families who are grieving. He came to Good Grief after supporting many young parents dying in hospice. As CEO, Joe is an ambassador for Good Grief throughout New Jersey, and a passionate advocate for changing the conversation on grief and bereavement. Joe is the author of What Do We Tell the Children?: Talking to Kids About Death and Dying, Abingdon Press, 2013 and “The Business of Grief,” At the End of Life: True Stories About How We Die, CNF Press, 2012. Joe is the Immediate-Past President of the National Alliance for Grieving Children, where he has been on the Board of Directors since 2010. He is a graduate of Yale University, where he studied ethics and end of life counseling. Most importantly, Joe is obsessed with cake, music, hiking, pizza, biking, and Airstream trailers in that order.

As Communications Manager, Malena uses Communications and Marketing to spread the hope, courage, and life-changing lessons that occur within the two beautiful Gg centers. Malena is inspired on a daily basis, by Good Grief families, her fellow facilitators, the surrounding communities, and Good Grief's amazing staff. She feels privileged to be a part of a mission that is not only changing the culture around grief, but one that is creating more compassionate and supportive communities.

Jesse is responsible for Good Grief's education programs in the external community. Through education and advocacy, Good Grief is working to transform the environments that grieving children inhabit on a daily basis like schools, community and faith organizations, other nonprofits, and more. Good Grief uses workshops, curriculum, and coaching to increase community awareness and competency in providing support to grieving children and their families. Jesse grew up in Washington state and made his way out to New Jersey for graduate school, earning a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. While at PTS, Jesse focused his studies on ethics, spirituality, and counseling. Jesse joined Good Grief after completing a graduate internship, working first as a Program Director before taking on this educational role. Jesse's favorite thing about Good Grief is the incredible community of families, volunteers, and staff who inspire him with their stories and desire to wrestle with life's big questions.

As Director of Operations for Gg, Moira is responsible for the day to day operations, from bills to HR to lightbulbs and everything in between. Gg is so much more than the rooms between its walls. Gg is an understanding; an acceptance of each individual’s unique journey with grief; it is a place to grow. Moira is grateful for the warmth, patience and generosity of Gg’s volunteers, staff and families that provides the safe environment for each child to discover their map for their journey.

As Program Director for Good Grief in Morristown, Melissa Stackpole-Parrish is responsible for building and maintaining effective leadership of all aspects of Good Grief's programs. Melissa joined Good Grief in 2009 as an intern, and has since held various roles within the organization, including Program Assistant, Volunteer Recruiter, and Trainer. Melissa attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and continued on to Montclair State University, receiving her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has previous experience working as a Licensed Associate Counselor with children through adults. Melissa is energized by being a part of Good Grief's passionate team: creating supportive, empathic communities for all grieving families.

As Program Manager of the “In Community” initiative at Good Grief, Whitney is responsible for extending Good Grief services to families in underserved communities. Whitney joined the Good Grief team after living in West Africa for the two years as an English and Gender Equality Volunteer with the Peace Corps. Serving as a 7th grade English teacher in Togo fostered a love for working with youth and supporting communities through education. In this new venture at Good Grief, she is constantly humbled in being part of an organization where each member works tirelessly to ensure that no child or family in New Jersey ever has to feel alone in their grief.

As Program Manager at Good Grief's Princeton center, Caitie is responsible for planning and implementation of Nights of Support and spreading awareness of Good Grief in the community. She started as a volunteer facilitator in Summer 2015 and has always been inspired by the warm and caring environment Good Grief offers children, families, and volunteers. She is motivated by helping others and is proud to be a part of an organization with such a strong mission.

As Development Associate, Katie is responsible for managing Good Grief's fundraising events, primarily the annual Golf Fore the Kids Outing, 5K Run and Walk for Hope and Gala. Katie went to school at Montclair State University where she studied Sociology. She is passionate about Good Grief's mission and feels privileged to have the opportunity to work with such an inspiring team and organization.

Christina is the Program Manager at Good Grief in Morristown. She is responsible for the planning and implementation of Nights of Support and is a Team Coordinator for Nights of Support. Christina went to the school at UMass Amherst and went on to her get MSW from Fordham University. Christina is passionate about providing support for children and families. She is inspired by Good Grief’s team and excited to be a part of organization that creates such a warm and welcoming community for grieving families.

As Development Assistant for Gg, Heather works with the development team to help raise funds and coordinate events for Gg. Heather was inspired to join the Gg team and to support the mission by a dear friend who grew up coping with the loss of both a parent and a sibling. She is inspired, amazed and touched by the passion, healing and overall good that occurs daily in the Good Grief community.

As Family Coordinator for Good Grief in Princeton, Anita is responsible for family orientations, providing ongoing support to families and maintaining a supportive relationship with participants. Anita joined Good Grief in June of 2018 after a long career in working with and for children at Chapin School, HomeFront, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She considers herself very lucky to be doing work she loves in an organization that she deeply respects, and that has such a big impact on the lives of people in her community.

Rachel is the Family Coordinator for Good Grief in Morristown. As Family Coordinator, Rachel is responsible for family orientations, providing on-going support to families and maintaining a supportive relationship with participants. Rachel began volunteering at Gg in 2006, became a volunteer facilitator in 2008 and joined the staff in 2010. Rachel feels truly fortunate to be a part of Good Grief. She believes in the mission and sees firsthand how the program has changed the lives of Gg’s participants and volunteers.

Patty, a grieving mom herself, helped bring Good Grief to Princeton. For the past 6 years, she has helped Good Grief reach more children in families throughout central New Jersey. Patty is inspired daily by Good Grief's unique mission and dedicated staff and feels privileged to witness the comfort that participant families bring to one another, along with the relationships formed through Good Grief's peer support groups.

As the Community Outreach Coordinator, Pam connects the community's needs, resources, and opportunities with Good Grief's mission. She works with Good Grief leadership in developing and implementing a comprehensive community outreach initiative to build relationships with individuals, corporations, schools, civic and other organizations in the Morristown community. Pam feels fortunate to be working with a team of people whose work ethic is as big as their hearts. She is passionate about Good Grief's mission because she is able to witness first hand the effects that the program has on its families, it is a gift to be a part of and her life has been enhanced as a result. Pam was in the first class of facilitators trained in 2007 and has been a loving listener ever since.

Mary joined Good Grief in January 2008, first as a volunteer facilitator, and then as a member of the staff in 2010. As Education Consultant for Gg, Mary develops and delivers a variety of learning programs about loss and grief for our facilitators, our families, for schools, community organizations, and businesses. She is a retired educator and elementary school principal, holding a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University and a Certificate in Thanatology from the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Mary loves working at Gg, being part of this caring community, and having the opportunity to help others learn about grief and loss as well and to understand how to support those who are grieving.