History

Heartlinks began as a lending library for grieving children in 1997 with a small grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities. Later that same year, Heartlinks Director, Diana Cuddeback started making home visits to children who had lost a loved one. At that time, Diana met a little boy who with two questions changed the entire course of the Heartlinks program. As Diana was leaving, the little boy asked her if she was going to see another little boy whose mother had died. Diana said yes. Then, her little friend looked at her with stark curiosity and asked “What does he look like?” In that moment, Diana knew she had to get grieving children together so that they could support one another and see that they were not alone in their grief.