For Margaret Keogh, becoming a volunteer facilitator at The WARM Place felt like the perfect fit. After hearing about the organization from a friend and visiting as part of her TCU Child Development program, she knew she wanted to get involved. Now serving on Sibling Night, Margaret helps create a safe and comforting space where children can share, heal, and remember together.
For those that don’t know you, what is your connection to The WARM Place and how did you first get involved?
I first learned about The WARM Place from a friend who is local to Fort Worth. She always told me how much of an amazing place it is, and continuously encouraged me to get involved, as she had seen the great impact The WARM Place had on their close family friends. Then, for my Child Development Capstone class at TCU last spring, we toured many different sites around Fort Worth, and The WARM Place happened to be one of them. Alex gave my small group a tour and shared about the wonderful services that are offered. I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of this special organization, especially as an aspiring child and adolescent therapist. I completed my volunteer facilitator training in May/June of 2025, and have been serving as a Children’s group facilitator on Sibling night since then.
As a facilitator, what would your message be to those thinking about volunteering at The WARM Place?
The WARM Place will undoubtedly change your life and the lives of others for the better! Whether you are an aspiring mental health professional or are just looking to give your time in a meaningful way, this is the place for you. Although walking through grief with others can bring about many emotions, The WARM Place community is so uplifting and full of hope. Every time I leave group night, my cup is full, and I feel so encouraged by the immense strength and resilience of the children and the other facilitators around me. Seeing the children smile, cry, laugh, and grow throughout their grief process is quite touching, and I feel honored to be a small part of their healing journeys.
What has been your favorite moment so far being a volunteer facilitator?
While it is hard to just pick one, a favorite moment that sticks out to me was one group night when we had the children share their stories about the death of their sibling with the group. It is hard to put into words the power of this night, but the strength and courage shown by the children were so beautiful. Getting to see the children, at the young ages of five, six, and seven, open up about one of the most painful days of their lives was, honestly, breathtaking. The children sat still for over an hour and listened to one another, respecting each child’s story and asking one another questions about their experiences. It was evident that the children felt connected with one another and less isolated, as they continued to discover that they are not alone in their grief and sorrow. Seeing the progress the children have made over time to get to a place where they feel safe and trust has been built between us, facilitators, and the children feels extremely comforting and encouraging.
Do you have any words of wisdom to encourage others to share their time and volunteer at The WARM Place?
There is truly no experience like being a group facilitator at The WARM Place, and you will never regret sharing time and hope with those who have experienced the death of a loved one. These experiences have helped shape who I am as a person and who I will become as a mental health professional, continuing to fuel my passion for counseling and working with grief populations. You alone can change the lives of these children, and it even feels like you end up gaining just as much as you give. Lastly, the connections and moments shared are so meaningful, and your presence, compassion, willingness to listen, and genuine care towards the children can truly make a difference in the midst of their unthinkable grief.
