At The WARM Place, we are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers who help us provide a safe and healing space for grieving children and families. Today, we are honored to shine a spotlight on one of our amazing volunteers, KayLeigh Nava. KayLeigh’s journey with us began as a child attending The WARM Place after the loss of her father, and today, she returns to give back as a volunteer houseparent and a member of our Volunteer Recruitment Committee. Her compassion, empathy, and first-hand understanding of the grieving process make her an invaluable support to the children she serves. We are deeply grateful for KayLeigh’s generosity of spirit and the profound impact she has on our community.
For those that don’t know you, what is your connection to The WARM Place and how did you first get involved?
I first came to The WARM Place after losing my dad, who was a Fort Worth police officer killed in the line of duty. The WARM Place was a safe space for me to grieve and connect with other kids who had also lost a parent at a young age. Three years ago, I reconnected with The WARM Place through the Junior League, and I’ve been volunteering ever since. It’s been a full-circle experience, and I’m grateful to now be able to give back to the place that helped me so much when I was younger.
As a houseparent, what would your message be to those thinking about volunteering at The WARM Place?
If you’re thinking about volunteering at The WARM Place, do it! I’ve enjoyed getting to serve the families on my nights as a houseparent. I also cherish the relationships that I’ve gotten to build with the other ladies I volunteer with on my group night.
You have volunteered at a lot of our major events throughout your time with TWP, what has been your favorite moment as an event volunteer?
My favorite event to volunteer for is the Race to Remember! I love hearing the stories behind why people are racing and the memories they have of their loved ones. It’s such a powerful moment to see everyone come together in remembrance. I also loved helping at the Family Night where families painted new plates to decorate the dining area. It was moving to see how creative they got in honoring their loved ones.
Do you have any words of wisdom to encourage others to share their time and volunteer at The WARM Place?
If you know about The WARM Place, you know how special it is. If you don’t, I encourage you to take the time to find out!
