OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center Honors TV Host, Actress & Philanthropist Melissa Rivers with 2013 Good Grief Award

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, one of the most respected non-profit grief centers in the nation, announced today its 2013 Good Grief Award recipient, Melissa Rivers.  The Los Angeles-based organization will honor TV host and actress Melissa Rivers at their 20^th Anniversary Gala on November 16^th.  The Good Grief Award recognizes an individual who portrays the grief process with honesty and dignity and who, through their philanthropic involvement and understanding of grief, makes a significant difference in the community.

Rivers' father, TV producer Edgar Rosenberg, ended his own life when she was 18.  As the only child of famous parents, she was forced to grieve in the public eye.  Rivers chose to face her pain with courage and has emerged as a vocal advocate on grief support.  Her work is helping to address the alarming statistics around grief among children in particular.  Nearly 5 million children under the age of 18 are grieving the death of a parent, and one out of 10 children in Los Angeles experience the death of a parent before they reach the age of 15.

"I don't think anyone should grieve alone.  OUR HOUSE provides a warm, caring and safe atmosphere for working through the overwhelming emotions associated with death," said Melissa Rivers.  "Everyone deals with grief at some point in their lives. I'm honored to be associated with an organization that helps children and adults cope with one of the hardest realities of life."

Rivers has provided an immediate source of excitement and support for OUR HOUSE.  Her honor comes on the heels of the HBO documentary, One Last Hug (…and a few smooches) Three Days at Grief Camp, winning the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Hampton International Film Festival. The documentary, which is scheduled to air on HBO in early 2014, follows children at OUR HOUSE's Camp Erin – LA, their annual sleepover camp for children grieving the death of a family member.

Her involvement with OUR HOUSE is strongly resonating with its participants.

"When Melissa first connected with OUR HOUSE, there was an immediate, mutual connection, especially with the children," said Michele Prince, executive director, OUR HOUSE.  "She shared her humor, honesty and warmth in a way that makes her the ideal ambassador. We are extremely grateful to have her involved with our mission to provide the community with grief support services, education, resources, and hope."

The OUR HOUSE 20^th Anniversary Gala will also honor the organization's first Board Chairperson, Glen Kraemer, a founding partner and co-manager of the law
firm Hirschfeld Kraemer LLP.  An additional 20 Original Leaders who helped lay the foundation for OUR HOUSE will also receive special recognition.  The gala event will take place Saturday, November 16^th at the Skirball Cultural Center.

To support OUR HOUSE's vital work, please visit http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/events/20th-anniversary-gala/.

About Melissa Rivers:

Melissa Rivers is an Ivy League graduate, single mother, accomplished equestrian, author, television producer and philanthropist. Her WE tv reality series Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? enters its 4th season. Rivers produced and hosted the highly acclaimed E! television specials Oh Baby! Melissa's Guide to Pregnancy and Oh Toddler! Surviving the Early Years. She is Executive Producer and host on E! Entertainment's Fashion Police. An animal advocate, Rivers became a spokesperson and model for the highly publicized "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" PETA campaign. Her continued philanthropic efforts have raised funds for Alzheimer's research and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

About OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center:

OUR HOUSE serves the community with grief support services, education, resources, and hope. For twenty years, OUR HOUSE has helped thousands of grieving children, teens, and adults as they embark upon their journeys to hope and healing.

OUR HOUSE is a leading provider of grief education, offering workshops, seminars, and in-service training to mental health and medical professionals, clergy, educators, and other members of the community who interact with bereaved families. The OUR HOUSE grief education program is part of the curricula for students at USC's Keck and UCLA's David Geffen Schools of Medicine. 

Media Contact:

Melissa Barto
JCUTLER media group
[email protected]

SOURCE OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center