In loving memory of Timothy Murphy and Brian Morrell, please join us in launching The Estuary: A Network Supporting Grieving Children and Families.
Why The Estuary?
An estuary is a body of water where freshwater meets saltwater, creating rich, nurturing habitats home to a wide variety of life.
Symbolically, estuaries represent liminal spaces, transition, and potential — places to pause, adapt, and grow.
Like these places, The Estuary aims to provide a safe transitional space for grieving children and families to process loss, build resilience, and find hope and support.
The Program
The Estuary will begin with a weekly grief group in Upton, Massachusetts, directly benefiting Timothy’s family and the Upton/Mendon community.
After this pilot, we will expand to Worcester, offering ongoing grief support groups, volunteer training, and professional development for care providers who work with grieving youth and families.
Meet the Founder – Erin Morrell:
Erin is a grief survivor, having lost her father, Brian, at age 12. She began her journey in grief work as a facilitator with the teen group at the Carriage House Program for Grieving Children and Families in Worcester, and later led the program as Program Manager, guiding children, teens and their caregivers through the journey of grief with compassion and personal understanding through lived experience. Erin’s journey has allowed her to create spaces where children and families can safely explore their feelings and begin to heal.
Why Your Support Matters:
Tim, his wife Jessy, and their family have served the community tirelessly. Now, it is our turn to serve them and expand that service to other children and families in need of support. Your donations will help provide:
*Facilitator stipend and program management hours for the Upton pilot and Worcester planning
*Supplies for participants
*Light refreshments for weekly sessions
*Support for volunteer coordination and outreach hours
*Planning and setup for the Worcester expansion
Support With Supplies:
We also have a booklist through Tide Pool Books, a local small business in Worcester and supporter of grief work. If you prefer to donate supplies directly, this is a tangible way to help.
Book Shelf:
Support with Your Time:
We are looking for additional volunteers to support programming in both Upton and Worcester. If you are interested in volunteering as a facilitator for our grief groups, please reach out to Erin.
Every gift, big or small, helps grieving children and families find comfort, connection, and hope during an incredibly difficult time. Thank you for supporting The Estuary, supporting Tim's family, and honoring the legacies of Tim and Brian.
Organizer
