Our support groups provide a safe place for adults to process and find purpose through their grief, following the loss of a child. The child could have been any age and the loss could be recent or many years ago. Everyone is welcome. All groups meet inside Alison’s House at The Children’s Park. Unless otherwise noted.
Glory Babies Pregnancy & Infant Loss
Glory Babies Pregnancy & Infant Loss is for any adult grieving the loss of a baby during pregnancy or infancy, up to one year of age. Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month 6:30 – 8:30 PM. FB Group.
Common Ground Support Group
Common Ground Support Group is for any adult grieving the loss of a child, over 1 year of age. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30 – 8:30 PM.
Rainbow Babies
Rainbow Babies Support Group is for anyone currently pregnant
or who has had another baby following a loss. Meets the 1st Tuesday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.
Caring Crafts Group
Caring Crafts is for anyone who wants to serve The Children’s Park through creativity. The group’s main focus is creating angels for the annual Day of Remembrance. Join us every 4th Monday at noon in Alison’s House (The little red brick home at the park entrance).
For more information about any of our Support Groups,
please contact 903-939-1597
Jessica’s grief journey with The Children’s Park
Taaron & Haley’s story
Our Support Group Facilitators
Carol Thompson
After the death of her 24-year-old daughter, Sarah, in a 2005 pedestrian hit-and-run, Carol learned the healing value of a support group, similar to the Common Ground Support Group offered at the Children’s Park. Following the death of her husband, Ted, three years later, she continued the search for avenues that would help her to live daily life while grieving in her own way.
These avenues included Carol’s spiritual faith and relationships, counseling, her family and friends, and her return to writing articles and poetry. She is convinced that when grieving people develop their creative gifts and talents, they experience significant healing. Carol is most comfortable in the presence of grieving parents, wanting to pass on the comfort she has received, and invites moms and dads walking this path to come to a Common Ground Support Group meeting. She welcomes you to share in this comfortable, non-judgmental gathering. “We don’t move on,” Carol says. “We move forward.”
Pat Settle
Pat Settle has lived in Tyler with her husband Danny since 1981. They have two children, Stephanie and Stephen. Stephen lives in Tyler with his wife, Amber and three daughters. She became associated with The Children’s Park not long after the park opened by purchasing a stone in memory of her daughter, who died suddenly at the age of 16 in 1998. A stone was recently added for Eisley Settle, a grandchild lost due to a miscarriage. She co-led The Compassionate Friends of Tyler for 14 years offering support to grieving parents and is grateful for the opportunity to co-lead Common Ground. She enjoys walking at the park with friends and reading the familiar names of all the children.
Jessica DeVilbiss
After the birth of my stillborn son in November 2017, I joined the Glory Babies support group that December. After conceiving my Rainbow baby in 2018, I realized that being pregnant, especially after losing a child, is a whole different world and conversation. Now, being a co-facilitator of such important groups brings purpose to my pain. I’m allowed to be vulnerable, open, honest and share what I feel. Not only that, but now after almost 6 years, I get to share all of what I’ve learned. Glory babies and Rainbow babies truly helped not only save my life but gave me the chance to transform into a different person and help walk with others down both of these paths.
Eloise Ghrist
After my two losses, I started attending Glorybabies in 2019. It’s become a safe space for me to process all of my feelings of grief and loss. I had my “rainbow baby” during the pandemic in 2020 and wanted a support group to meet with. There is so much fear and anxiety. Your grief feels complicated and awkward. I love encouraging others and giving them hope! I am so honored to now walk alongside other families who are grieving the loss of a child and/or expecting their own rainbow baby.