Stephanie Arceneaux started at The WARM Place as a facilitator on Grandparent night in 2022. She added another group night to her busy schedule and recently took on even more and serves as a monitor for S&D III on Thursday evenings. She gives so much time and energy to TWP that we wanted to learn even more about her!
Tell us about yourself!
A little bit about me is that I am native to Dallas, TX, and I returned to the area after graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX with my degree in School Counseling. I have a wonderful husband of 22 years, and I am a busy mother of 6 beautiful daughters. I enjoy brunching with my close friends, spending time shopping for great deals, and a self proclaimed “professional trotter” when I participate in 5K’s.
What brought you to The WARM Place as a volunteer?
Upon graduating with my Master’s degree, I always wanted to go a step further and pursue my LPC. As life circumstances ironed out a bit, I was able to position myself to follow my pursuits. Grief has always been one of my most challenging topics in life. I knew that I would have to overcome my challenges and in came Dana Minor (Program Director at The WARM Place). She was a presenter at a training for the local ISD I work for. I was just so intrigued at the presentation and wanted to immerse myself in the world of grief to become more comfortable and confident in helping those on their grief journey.
What is your favorite thing about volunteering with The WARM Place?
I would say that my favorite thing about The WARM Place would be the ability to be “let in” to their grief journey. There is a real treasure to have families and young adults value what you do as Facilitator as they are walking through their grief journey. It’s a mixed bag of feelings, but the one that is pulled out of the bag is, joy.
What’s been one of your most memorable moments volunteering at The WARM Place?
My most memorable moment thus far at The WARM Place was during an opening circle and hearing a soft spoken voice discuss the loss of both parents, and how in that moment me knowing and learning what it truly means to have a grief support system such as TWP to provide a child the space and warmth for them to speak about their grief in such a space to give that level of confidence.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering at The WARM Place?
As I have told others already when they ask me about my experiences with The WARM Place, I will continue to let anyone who asks know that it is a great place to gain a greater understanding of what grief support is and what great things take place for the families.
