The Gathering Place

Unless you are from the Cleveland area, you've probably never heard of The Gathering Place! Well, this is an organization that I became familiar with at a young age. 
The mission of The Gathering Place is:

          "to support, educate and empower individuals and families touched by cancer through programs and services provided free of charge. "

Let me give a little background info- The Gathering Place is a nonprofit, community-based cancer support center. Since it's opening in 2000, The Gathering Place has grown in many ways and now has two locations. It is open support center that offers to the public, free of charge, great programs and services for people battling cancer and for the loved ones who support them on their journey. The Gathering Place is open to the public, regardless of your race, religion, gender, type of cancer, etc... They offer programs for cancer specific groups, adult groups, children and family, healing arts, and expressive arts. Visitors go there for multiple reasons, whether it be a weekly group about prostate cancer, or a knitting group, people go there to make their journey with cancer an easier one. It is a free of charge center, due to the communities generous donations. People can make donations by donating and participating in the Race For The Place (which I have done with my family for years), by making a donation in the memory or celebration of a loved one. The Gathering Place doesn't promote themselves through newspapers or magazines, but through the community. It has a great reputation, and I would recommend anyone who feels like need or want to check it out, to do so! The Gathering Place has so many values that they follow and promote, but their main value is simply helping others through free or charge service. They uphold theses values through their reputation as they continue to touch the lives of thousands. Below is a video I found on you-tube that shows how this place has affected a young girl-

I have lost people in my family to cancer and still have a close family member who is battling cancer (But has been in remission for a few months now, woo!) My family makes multiple donations there a year and my mom is a volunteer there. She leads a group called Look Good Feel Better. When I was younger I used to go with her while she lead this group, along with other groups, (if she had the permission of the people). I loved going with my mom and seeing how she helps people deal with such a horrifying disease. A person with cancer experiences changes in their skin and hair, that is often unexpected. With makeup and certain clothing my mom shows them ways to make themselves feel beautiful again. It's such an amazing thing to see someone thank my mom for how she's helped them during this rough time. Over the summer when I'm home, I plan on going back there more, to volunteer, and take advantage of their services for myself.