Olivia's House: A Grief and Loss Center for Children

06/12/2026

We are incredibly grateful to the The Peyton Walker Foundation and the York County Community Foundation for their generous donation of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to Olivia's House. ❤️

As part of this generous donation, our staff also received hands-on education and training in the operation of the device, ensuring that we are better prepared to respond in an emergency. The knowledge gained through this training is invaluable and has strengthened our ability to provide a safe environment for all.

Thank you to the Payton Walker Foundation for turning a personal mission into a lasting impact for our community. We are honored to be the recipient of your generosity and commitment to saving lives. 🚑

06/11/2026

While much of the work at Olivia's House happens through our programs and services, some of the most important conversations happen around a table. 💙
Last night, our Board of Directors gathered for our annual Strategic Planning Summit to discuss the future of Olivia's House and the needs of the children, teens, and families we serve. Together, they shared ideas, asked important questions, and explored ways we can continue to grow our impact in the community.
We are incredibly grateful for these dedicated volunteers who generously give their time, talents, and hearts to our mission. Their commitment helps ensure that grieving families will continue to find support, connection, and hope for years to come.

06/10/2026

🌸 🌸 🌸 This week, one of the water lilies in our pond finally blossomed. It’s a gentle reminder that beauty can emerge from some pretty murky places. Grief is often like that. The journey is rarely clear or graceful, and much of the hard work happens beneath the surface where no one can see it. Yet somehow, with time, care, and patience, moments of hope begin to appear. Not because the pain is gone, but because healing learns how to grow alongside it. Today, our pond offered a quiet reminder: even after loss, there is still room for something beautiful to bloom. 🌸 🌸 🌸

06/09/2026

Thanks and BIG HUGS to everyone who attended our Commemorative Brick Ritual this weekend. Placing engraved bricks in the garden is a ritual our staff looks forward to each summer. It was INCREDIBLE to offer a group ritual again this year . Big thanks to the Amanda Strous FlyHigh 22 Foundation for making this event possible.

If you have not engraved a brick to place in our Healing Garden of Hope, contact Olivia’s House to find out how you can get in on the fun next summer.

06/08/2026

Our Companion volunteers are at the very heart of this mission, so on this Mindful Monday we take a moment to recognize one of Alan Wolfelt’s Companioning Philosophies: bearing witness to the struggles of others without judging or directing. It can be so tempting to want to take charge of grief, but that’s an impossible task! Our Companions know to walk reverently beside grief, in whatever form it takes, and that is a special trait.

06/05/2026

Big things continue to happen behind the scenes for our Little Ones program! 🎬✨

We recently completed a second day of filming with RL Productions, this time on location at Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc.. We are beyond excited to incorporate the funeral home experience into our Little Ones program in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way to help children feel more familiar, prepared, and supported. 💙

A heartfelt thank you to the Freedman Family Foundation and The J. William Warehime Foundation for making this project possible through their generous support. We can’t wait to share more soon!

06/04/2026

We had a great time touring members of the First Capital Ladies at our Hanover center last week! This wonderful group made our day, and we were delighted to spend the morning with them. We are so grateful for every opportunity we have to share our mission with others and connect with such supportive members of our community.

06/03/2026

Thank you to our June 2026 Hanover Angel of Energy - OSS Health

To find out how you can become an Angel of Energy click the link below.
https://www.oliviashouse.org/mortgage-angels/

06/02/2026

🚨 🎙Our monthly podcast, Guess Who Died?!, dropped a new episode today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 🎙 🚨

Guess who died?! Tommy DeCarlo of Boston exited our earthly plane this month, along with animator Barry Caldwell, actress Jessie Jones, and dear friend of the pod, Kara Hammann. Then, guest Crystal Strous joins us in studio to share her story of tragically losing her daughter Amanda in a homicide. Crystal talks about working hard to be a “close-knit family,” the horror of navigating a public loss, and maintaining her sanity through writing.

This week we’re talking about using pens to completion, Animaniacs, and “choosing joy.” Subscribe to Guess Who Died?! and keep finding out. . .who died!

06/01/2026