Support.
Resilience.
Healing.

Anne Heros (formerly Lynch) heads a unique and critical community resource in Southern Maine, serving as executive director of the Center for Grieving Children. She was appointed to that position in July 2001 after serving as the Center's outreach director and education coordinator for four years and facilitating the Center's Bereavement Peer Support Program as a volunteer for three years. Her introduction to the Center was as a family participant who sought support.

As executive director, Anne spearheaded a capital campaign that began in 2005 and raised $2.8 million to provide a permanent home for the Center's vital programs. Today, the two-story building is the only facility in Maine dedicated solely to the support of grieving children and families. In 2011, Anne oversaw the Center's expansion of its bereavement support services into Maine's York County, establishing a satellite Center site in Sanford. Additionally, she was among the founders of America's Camp, a national summer camp that for 10 years included a network of grief-support "buddies" in its service to children and siblings of fire fighters and police who died in the 9/11 tragedy.

In a distinguished career at the Center, Anne's leadership also has produced a significant expansion of the Center's program to train providers and volunteers nationwide in the volunteer peer support model to help grieving children and families. Locally, she has guided the Center's leading role in providing grief support services to schools and civic associations, a notable example of which is the Center's innovative Multicultural Program, which works with Portland middle schools to support refugee and immigrant students from war-torn countries.

As a founding member of The National Alliance for Grieving Children, Anne continues to participate on its Advisory Council and help shape its annual national symposium. She has given presentations at many national conferences on the topic of grief and trauma, and was the recipient of the 2008 Advocacy Award by the New York-based National Foundation for Grieving Children, Teens, and Families.

Anne has served on the cabinet of the United Way of Greater Portland. She has been a member of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary since 1994 and was president for two years, which included membership on the hospital's Board of Trustees. A native of Ireland, Anne received a graduate degree in Business from the University College Dublin, she also obtained post-graduate qualification in Education from Maynooth University. A book she co-authored, "Modern Irish Business," was a required text in Dublin for high school and undergraduate students of business and commerce. Anne is the mother of three children and has an extended family in Ireland. Her hobbies include reading, sailing, and international travel.

Marie B. Sheffield, Art Therapist, LCPC, Intercultural Program Advisor
Marie is responsible for the coordination of volunteer facilitators and development for the Intercultural Program. Furthermore, she creates and maintains community collaborative efforts for the purpose of promoting intercultural awareness, improving existing services and understanding the additional needs of the communities served surrounding collective loss and transition. Marie has been a consultant for the Center’s Intercultural (formerly Multicultural) Program for the past ten years. Also, she is an art therapist and clinical counselor in her private practice in Brunswick, Maine. Through her work experience, Marie has skillfulness in the areas of collective and complicated loss with children, families and groups. Marie is a firm believer that healing happens in community and in relationships.

Sara shares responsibility for coordinating our Portland Bereavement Services programming. Prior to joining the staff, Sara maintained a long connection with the Center as an intern, volunteer and training consultant. Her current work at the Center involves working closely with families, volunteers and the community in the areas of grief and loss, program development, outreach, and training. Sara holds a Master's Degree in expressive therapies/counseling from Lesley University with an emphasis in art therapy. She developed an interest in art therapy while working as a K-12 art teacher, witnessing the ways students naturally processed their experiences through their artwork. Sara used art modalities in her private practice offering support to children, teens and adults during bereavement and other life transitions, and has worked as a clinician with adolescents in a group home setting. As well as creating art, Sara enjoys bicycling, kayaking, snowshoeing, reading, and- above all else- the company of family and friends.

Lisa helps donors fulfill their passions and interests through their giving to the Center for Grieving Children. Joining the Center in August 2015, Lisa is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing a major gifts donor program to meet the Center's philanthropic goals. Working alongside with the Executive Director, Board of Directors and Development Team, the focus of Lisa's work is to identify, maintain and expand supporters while engaging them in meaningful opportunities.

Prior to joining the Center for Grieving Children Lisa held leadership development positions at the Alzheimer's Association, Thornton Academy and Counseling Services, Inc. "I am honored and thrilled to be part of a wonderful team making a significant difference for families in Maine." Lisa lives in Southern Maine with her husband Jerry and daughter Sydney. Lisa enjoys spending time with family, holds her friends dearly and loves opportunities to learn something new.

Beth joined as Volunteer Coordinator June of 2016. She brings to the Center 35 years of marketing, communications and strategic planning experience. Beth has worked for Central Maine Power, Idexx Laboratories and Daymark Energy Advisors. A life-long, enthusiastic volunteer, Beth served as a facilitator at the Center from 2012 to 2016 and prior to that was a fundraising volunteer for the Center. She was also a Portland Public School volunteer for 14 years.

"My own experiencing volunteering at the Center has one of the best things I have done in my life. I am proud to live in a community where so many generously offer their time, talent and treasure to support our children at a painful time in their lives. I look forward to connecting people with the work of the Center in a way that supports the families and is rewarding for volunteers."

Florence joined the Center in July 2018 and in her role is responsible for the Center’s program delivery including ensuring excellent care and service for families, high quality support and training for volunteers, and working with the Executive Director and Director of Philanthropy to identify and implement new opportunities for service and a comprehensive organizational strategy.

Florence brings extensive experience in serving individuals and families in our community, as well as program development, implementation and evaluation. Florence has previously held positions at United Way of Greater Portland, Casey Family Services, Preble Street Resource Center, and Shalom House. Florence graduated from University of New England MSW program and currently sits on the UNE School of Social Work Community Advisory Committee.

Alongside the development team, she is responsible for building impactful relationships with corporate sponsors as well as organizing and coordinating the Center’s special events to reach fundraising goals. Most recently, she has worked as a campaign associate for the United Way of York County, presenting at numerous companies throughout York and securing corporate and employee donations. Emma lives in Portland with her husband, and enjoys spending her time with family and friends, writing, and frequenting local restaurants. She is incredibly grateful and proud to be a part of this generous and thoughtful community.

Mary is responsible for ensuring smooth and effective process for families seeking to access support services from first contact with the Center to placement in group. She provides oversight for bereavement staff and volunteers to deliver effective programming and ensure fidelity with the Center’s model. Mary also coordinates internship experiences for bachelor and master’s level students.

Mary brings extensive experience in serving children and families, as well as program oversight. She has previously assisted children and families with adoptive and foster care related issues, provided outpatient counseling, managed a residential center for adolescent girls, coordinated intake into mental health services for a large state-wide provider, and assessed mental health disability claims. Mary graduated from the Smith College School for Social Work. She enjoys biking, camping in remote locations, and reading non-fiction.

Chelsea works on the Development Team as the Center for Grieving Children’s Grants and Communications Specialist helping to reach the Center’s foundation and targeted grant writing goals, and driving related marketing and communication strategies. Prior to joining the staff, Chelsea began her journey with the Center as a facilitator in the Intercultural Peer Support Program during the 2017-2018 school year where she became intimately familiar with the magic that happens at the Center.

Chelsea holds a bachelor’s in environmental studies and economics from University of New England here in Biddeford, Maine. She brings more than eight years of professional experience with six years managing proposal development in both for-profit and grant-funded organizations.

In her spare time, Chelsea loves throwing herself into learning new things and has recently started growing an indoor vegetable garden.

Patty joined the Center in July 2019 as the Annual Giving Associate working alongside the Development team and the Director of Philanthropy. Patty is responsible for the successful implementation and management of individual annual giving at the Center for Grieving Children. Prior to joining the Center, Patty has worked in various organizations in development, communications and sales roles. In her most recent previous role in the nonprofit sector, Patty served as the Development & Communications Manager of the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), Inc. During that time she oversaw major media communications, publications, and assisted with national presentations and oversight of SAVE’s National Youth Advisory Board. Patty is thrilled to be part of such a cohesive team, and to share her passion for the welfare of children and their families at the Center for Grieving Children. Patty enjoys continuous learning, athletics, music, art, spending time with family and friends and travel.

Justine joins the Center as the Intercultural Program Coordinator. Justine arrived in Maine in July 2019 and was born in Bujumbura, Burundi from Rwandese parent.

Justine is currently a Board Member and Lead Volunteer for In Her Presence, a non- profit organization created and led by immigrant women living in Maine. In Her Presence strives to bring together immigrant women from across communities and generations to ensure that Maine’s economic agenda includes the aspirations and needs of immigrant women. Justine collaborates in developing policy, programming and resources, provides interpretation services, coordinates classwork assignments, and supports students through individual assistance.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and is fluent in English, French and Kinyarwanda.

Born and raised in Maine, Cathy has over 14 years of experience working for non-profits in Portland at the Mitchell Institute and the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine. She is excited to be joining the Center and to work closely with her colleagues to create positive impact in the community. Cathy enjoys all the wonderful activities Maine and the city of Portland have to offer and spending lots of time with her family.

Jamie is responsible for providing oversight and general support to the Tender Living Care program, and assists in the delivery of the Intercultural Peer Support Program. Jamie brings a wealth of experience working with children and families in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings. She was a math and physics teacher at Catherine McAuley High School for more than 10 years prior to completing her Master’s in counseling and dance movement therapy at Lesley University. Jamie has most recently held clinical positions at Pathways Merrymeeting Center and Woodfords Family Services, where she supported children with special needs and their families. She feels fortunate for her involvement as an intern at the Center for Grieving Children during graduate school, and is thrilled to be returning as part of the team. Jamie enjoys teaching and taking dance and movement classes, and finds her balance doing almost anything outdoors connecting with the natural world.

At the Center for Grieving Children, we truly understand that partnership with community members is essential in supporting our grieving children and families. Each year, the Center is thrilled to partner with numerous colleges and universities to accept interns from a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs with concentrations in psychology, social work, education, and counseling. Center interns gain valuable, real world experience in supporting grieving families that supplements their classroom academics, and provides Center staff and facilitators with new perspectives and ideas for working with grieving families.


Center interns come from the following programs:

-University of Maine School of Social Work; Graduate Program
-University of New England School of Social Work; Graduate Program
-University of New England; Undergraduate Psychology Program
-University of Southern Maine School of Social Work; Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
-University of Southern Maine; Graduate Counseling Program
-York County Community College; Associates Degree Program

We are so lucky to have them!

Sara is excited to be joining the Center staff as our new Frontline Coordinator. She has 12 years of experience working in non-profits with families and children in North Carolina, Ohio, and Maine.
Sara graduated from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC in 2010 with a Bachelor's in Global Studies. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening and working on creative projects with friends including both music and writing.

Grace is excited to be joining the Intercultural Peer Support Program as a volunteer for the 2020/2021 program year through the AmeriCorps Multilingual Leadership Corps. She is a recent graduate of Duke University in N.C., where she studied neuroscience and fostered a passion for mental wellness and cross-cultural and communal healing. She also enjoys reading, photography, running, and swimming. She is looking forward to getting to know Maine and the Center for Grieving Children community.