Coral Popowitz, MA., CT.
Children's Grief Connection Executive Director, Coral Popowitz, has been involved with Children's Grief Connection, formally known as the Minnesota Foundation for Children and Camp Amanda - Minnesota since 2003 when she attended as one of our camps helpers. Coral had worked with grieving children in her private practice and in grief groups. After attending a camp session Coral said: "I saw progress in grief and healing in just one weekend that might have taken six months in the office."
Coral was born in Minneapolis and grew up in St. Paul. Moving their family to Willow River 25 years ago, Coral and husband Steve, have been married 35 years raising seven children, three adorable grandchildren and over 40 foster children. Coral's interests outside of work and family are photography, running, reading and volunteering in her community as an Emergency Medical Technician and Sheriffs Chaplain.
After raising her children, Coral returned to her education, earning a double major in psychology and communications followed by a master's degree in transpersonal psychology with an emphasis on grief. Receiving certification from the Association for Death Educators and Counselors in thanotology, Coral opened a private practice. She has published books and curricula's on grief education and grief support and is a frequent presenter and speaker on grief and support for several organizations.
Children's Grief Connections of Minnesota is fortunate to have a well-rounded and well-educated Executive Director with a heart full of compassion and love for children.
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
- MA, Transpersonal Psychology, Naropa University
- BAS, Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth
- BA, Communications, University of Minnesota Duluth
Professional Experience (present):
- Children's Grief Connection, Executive Director
- Monarch Counseling Service, Grief Counselor
- Pine County Sheriff Chaplain Corp, Chaplain
- Pine Medical Center, Hospital Chaplain
- Mercy Hospital, Pine Medical Center, Impact of Grief Presenter
- Willow River Fire Department, Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician
Professional Experience (past):
- Rural AIDS Action Network, Case Manager
- St. Mary's Grief Support Center, Senior Grief Support Group Co-facilitator
- Professional Association of Treatment Homes/Family Focus, Therapeutic Foster Parent
Certifications:
- Trauma and Loss Clinical/School Specialist – National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children
- Senior Manager - Minnesota Council of Nonprofit's Leadership Institute
- Grief Counselor/Educator - Association of Death Educators and Counselors
- Emergency Medical Technician - State of Minnesota
Professional Affiliations:
- Association of Death Educators and Counselors, Member
- International Association of Police Chaplains, Member
- Children's Grief Connection of Minnesota, Board of Directors Member
- One Heartland, Past Board of Directors Chair
Publications/Presentations:
- Impact of Grief©, 6-week series of grief education and support develop and presented in a hospital/community setting.
- Holiday Heartbreak©, Grief Education and support developed and presented for funeral director presentation during winter holidays.
- Meaning in Memories©, Grief support group curricula developed and presented for children and youth 5-18 years-old in an after-school setting.
- My Dog Died, I Know How You Feel And Other Stupid Things People Say When Someone Dies, Co-written with Patricia Grave, publication pending, December 2010.
- Understanding and Addressing Anniversary Grief Reactions in Communities of Children
Professional and personal reference available upon request.
You may contact our Executive Director by e-mail at coral@childrensgriefconnection.com.
Click here if you would like to obtain a copy of our Executive Director's Bio and Curriculum Vitae.