The Grief Center of Southwest Louisiana evolved during six years of research and discussion by a multi-disciplinary steering committee representative of hospitals, funeral homes, churches, counselors, social workers, bereaved parents, Hospice of Acadiana, the Diocese of Lafayette, The Lafayette Parish School
Board, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The inaugural board of directors was formed in October 1995, and the Center was incorporated as a non-profit agency in January 1996. An initial team of 23
volunteers was trained in October 1997, and the first groups for bereaved siblings and children who had experienced the death of a parent or primary caregiver
began the same month.
