Catholic Family Services is helping grieving families cope with loss.
Three years ago, tragedy struck the Jones family when 21-year-old Syndey Jones died suddenly from a blood clot.
"I can't imagine anything worse because it upsets your whole life: your life, your family's life," Troy Jones said.
A pastor referred Syndey's parents, Troy and Mary Jones, to the counseling offered through Catholic Family Services to help them work through their loss.
"I just knew this was going to be the hardest thing I was ever going to do in my life, so I better talk to somebody who could get me walking the right path," Troy said.
"We know that there needs to be some kind of crisis intervention right after that event to help them adjust to that," Catholic Family Services Clinical Director Marcie Moran said.
Catholic Family Services provides six-week counseling sessions to guide people through their various stages of grief.
"Because there are enough phases in this whole process of grieving that require attention and each time we give attention to that phase, then they're able to move onto the next," Moran said.
"It was the most critical thing I did post Sydney's death," Troy said.
Troy found Catholic Family Services to be such a help in dealing with the loss of his daughter that he now sits on the board of directors.
"I really not only believe in what the organization does, but I also believe Catholic Family Services has to be out there and knocking on the door because when you go down deep in a bad place, you're not taking any steps to go anywhere," Troy said.
Catholic Family Services also offers mental health counseling and help for parents looking to adopt.
It's helped about 1,000 people since its Center for Grieving and Loss started six years ago.
Click here to learn more about Catholic Family Services. Learn more about The Avera Tradition of Caring in KELOLAND online.
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