We are thrilled to introduce you to WARM Place board member, Kim Brown! Kim serves as the Director of Public Relations at Cook Children’s and has been a passionate supporter of The WARM Place since joining the board. She believes in the power of stories and is dedicated to helping share the stories of hope and healing at The WARM Place. With a heart for supporting children and families, Kim is honored to give both her time and resources to help make a meaningful difference.
What brought you to The WARM Place? Do you have a personal grief story that connects you?
I was invited to join the board of The WARM Place by Past Board President Christi Thornhill. Christi and I have worked together for many years at Cook Children’s, where I’m the director of public relations. She knew The WARM Place is full of wonderful stories of hope and healing, and asked if I could join the board to help the organization with telling its own story – particularly through the recent expansion.
I was fortunate to be shielded from the loss of a close loved one until adulthood. However, I have experienced the death of family and friends many times in recent years. The most difficult loss I’ve experienced happened in 2023 when my mom died unexpectedly over Thanksgiving. This experience with deep grief made me even more grateful that The WARM Place exists. Not only did I receive so much love and support from fellow board members and staff, but the mission became even more real for me. There’s no doubt in my mind The WARM Place is making a meaningful difference in the lives of grieving children and families.
You work at Cook Children’s as the Director of Public Relations, in addition to being the Co-Founder of Story and Strategy, you keep busy! What is it about sharing people’s stories that is so compelling to you?
Great question! I think it’s just what I was born to do. There’s some magic spark I feel when I hear a great story and think about all the different ways to share it with the world. There’s also an inner knowing that someone out there may need to hear the story… whatever it is.
I can’t really explain it. It’s just what I love to do – and luckily, I can do it for a living!
In addition to volunteering on The WARM Place board, you are also a donor and support our fundraising events. What is it that makes you feel compelled to give not only of your time but financially as well?
My husband, Alan, and I have always been passionate about causes that help children and families. We believe in supporting organizations that are making a difference in our community, and I can’t think of any doing more impactful work than The WARM Place. We’re just grateful to be able to contribute to the mission.
What is one of your favorite WARM Place moments or events from your time on the board?
I love attending A Cool Night each year. The event is always spectacular and you can feel the positive energy of so many people brought together for such a great cause. I’ve also been fortunate to be seated with our impact families a couple of times, and this has been so meaningful. I love getting to spend time with the families who are bravely sharing their stories. The fact that they want to give back to The WARM Place in this way is just incredible and I feel so lucky that I’ve been able to get to know them, even if just for an evening.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering their time, in any capacity, to The WARM Place mission?
I’d say there’s nothing more rewarding than giving back to an organization you believe in. For me, The WARM Place is something I can channel my energy into knowing it will have a positive impact. The fact that we have a place in Fort Worth where children (and parents) can feel safe to open up, talk about their grief and feel understood is amazing. It’s not only helping those families through a difficult time, it’s lifting up our entire community by preventing suffering in silence, which can have devastating results far beyond the family unit.
