At Tides we believe that grief is a natural response to loss for children, adolescents, and adults. Although the duration and intensity of grief is different for each family member, each person has the ability to work through grief with the support from family and friends.

We offer support for families coping with the death of someone special to them. Children and adolescents from pre-school to age 18 and their adult family members come together to share their grief in a supportive setting.

We create a safe place with caring people where children, adolescents, and their families can know they are not alone in their grief and can share their feelings, memories, and experiences in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

The experiences of grief have been compared to enduring a fierce storm at sea. The waves are peaked and close together. Eventually the sea becomes calmer, but occasionally the storm regroups, strengthening without any warning. For several hours, days, or weeks, you may not feel grief; then suddenly you meet someone, or see something, or hear something, and the grief comes rushing back. It may seem as if you are taking one step forward and two steps back. Then one day you walk out of the water onto dry land.

Grief has its common and its unique sides. Although it is a universal experience, no two people grieve the same, even in the same family. Like a fingerprint, each person’s grief has characteristics all its own.

Tides provides a wonderful opportunity for families to express their feelings in a nurturing and accepting environment.

Meeting Dates for 2011-2012

As of February 2, 2012, we will now be holding meetings at Houserville Elementary School located at 217 Scholl Street, State College, PA 16801.

Tides meets the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
(Children’s Grief Awareness Day)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011*
(Festival of the Trees – Ag Arena at PSU)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012**
Saturday, April 28, 2012
(Happy Valley’s Got Talent – State Theatre in State College)
Thursday, May 3, 2012

*This event is held on the second Thursday of the month.
** This date has been moved to the second Thursday of the month due to a scheduling conflict at Mount Nittany Middle School.

6:00 Families meet for social gathering time and pizza
6:30 - 7:30 Age appropriate group meetings
7:30 Closing Circle
7:45 Dismissal

Pre-registration is required. Call us to register at (814) 692-2233 or toll free at (866) 883-8608. There is no fee to participate.

Directions To Tides

From State College North/West

• Head northwest on S Allen St toward E Beaver Avenue
• Take the 1st right onto E Beaver Avenue
• Turn left onto High Street
• Take the 2nd right to stay on High Street
• Continue onto PA-26 N/E College Avenue
• Turn left onto Puddintown Road
• Turn left onto Houserville Road
• Take the 1st right onto Scholl Street

         View Map

From Lewistown South/East

• Head southwest on Chestnut St toward Valley Street
• Turn left to stay on Chestnut Street
• Take the 1st left onto E Market Street
• Continue onto S Dorcas Street
• Turn left at E Charles Street
• Take the ramp onto US-22 W/US-322 W
• Continue onto US-322 W
• Take the PA-26 exit toward State College
• Turn right onto PA-26 N/E College Avenue
• Turn left onto Houserville Road
• Turn right onto Scholl Street

          View Map

Staff

Leslie B. Finton, MSW
Executive Director

Evelyn Wald, M.S., M.Div.
Clinical Coordinator

Holly Torbic
MSW
Outreach and Development Coordinator

Board of Directors

Lynn Flayhart, MBA
President
Litow Consulting

Susan Perkins, MBA
Administrative Vice President
Human Resources Department
M&T Bank

Jack Infield
Regional President, Susquehanna Bank

Molly Snavely
B.S. Art Education, M.Ed. Secondary Counseling
State College Area School District Counselor

Greg Myford
Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications
Penn State University

Becky Zavacky
Research Technician Salimetrics, LLC

Jeanne Knouse
Director of Learning Enrichment/Gifted Support and Student Services SCASD

Kim Neely
Chair of Board
Director, The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center

Jan Somers
Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Centre Concrete

Brad Yeckley, MBA
Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Phil Dubrow
Vice President and General Manager
WTAJ Your News Leader

Charlie Biddle
Owner of Downtown Business, The Shoe Box

Steve Hurvitz
Attorney, McQuaide Blasko Law Offices

Mandy Droll
Special Projects Manager, Shaner Hotel Group

Kelley Paterno