For 14 years the Grief Resource Center has organized support services for individuals suffering from the recent loss of a loved one. However, the organization is now seeking support from the community it serves so the center can continue its operations in The Woodlands area.

The center provides support groups and counseling to those who have lost a loved one. The programs aim to help those in mourning build healthy lives after suffering from a loss, Community Relations Director Jennifer Altintutar said.

"There is a misconception that things are morose here," Executive Director Patricia Anderson said. "Really we are more about re-engaging people in life. What we do is [smile and laugh]—it is joyful."

The center largely depends on volunteer efforts, and program participants are usually organized into support groups to hear from others who are going through a similar grieving process, Altintutar said.

"The one thing I love about this place more than anything is nobody is reading from a textbook and telling you how you should be feeling and how you should be in your grief," Altintutar said.

Jeff Ryman, president of the center, first heard about the nonprofit organization when his brother urged him to join the support group after the loss of his son in a boating accident in 2008. Ryman said like many people mourning a death, he struggled to see past the accident and move on with his life.

"What was neat was some of those folks were just like me and [my wife] Cindy—we call it raw grief," Ryman said. "There were others that had been a year down the road so they were starting to heal. Just hearing it from [them] feeling the same emotions–they have been there–and sharing their personal experiences really helped us."

In August, though, the center was notified that the nonprofit would have to find a new office to continue operations, leaving the organization in need of $500,000 in funding by the end of December to support the move, Altintutar said. Center officials are looking to purchase a building or find a larger space to meet growing demand, but have only raised about $9,300 so far.

If the center does not raise the necessary funds for the move, Ryman said the center may be forced to shut down services.

"We could shut the doors or we could go incognito for a while," Ryman said. "In other words, shut all of our services down until such a time when we can build the funds back up, which would mean no group sessions for that time. It is a dire situation."

25775 Oak Ridge Drive, Ste. 150

Spring 281-292-6800

www.tgrconline.org