About HeartLight Center

Since 2001, the HeartLight Center – a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – has welcomed thousands of grieving people just like you. Together, we have created an open, compassionate community that offers strength, peace, and the support you need to move forward.

Through support groups and education, we are committed to giving you the resources you need to help you feel heard, seen, and validated.

Our mission at HeartLight Center is to provide meaningful and accessible grief support and education to the community.

The HeartLight Center Story

Through her work at the funeral home, Valerie Horan supported many individuals and families after death losses and became acutely aware of the need for grief support in the community. Valerie had a dream for there to be a candle in every window that would welcome grievers to a shared, safe space to process their grief and share their stories. With the full support of John Horan, the HeartLight Center building was established as part of a deep mission for Horan & McConaty to provide grief support for the families they served.

After working with grieving individuals, families, and those who care for them, and having her own grief experience after the death of her father, Jennifer McBride also shared recognition that a great need existed for a program that would serve those who did not fit into what our community offered for care for grieving individuals. Sharing a likeminded vision with Valerie and John, together they cofounded and developed the 501c3 nonprofit, The HeartLight Center, and opened its doors in 2003, offering peer-based grief support groups, open to all bereaved adult individuals in the community.

Starting with just one monthly group for grieving people, offering community and support during some of the most difficult times in their lives, HeartLight Center programs have now grown to offering in-person support groups and workshops in the greater Metro-Denver area, as well as Colorado’s Western Slope, and in New Mexico, as well as offering a robust calendar of virtual programs that can be attended by anyone, anywhere. In addition we provide training, support and resources to professional and volunteer caregivers serving bereaved individuals everywhere.

Jennifer McBride retired as director of Heartlight Center in 2020, and continues to be a champion for the needs of the bereaved individuals and families in our community. Under the direction of our Executive Director, Jenn Flaum, HeartLight Center continues with our mission to grow and serve.

Meet Our Team

Jenn Flaum, LCSW, MBA

Executive Director

Jenn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Regis University.

Jenn is drawn to HeartLight Center’s mission recognizing that grief impacts all of us at some point in our lives and having support and community can transform our experiences. Jenn is committed to working with professionals who serve people who are grieving to increase awareness and education around grief and loss by building meaningful relationships and connections.

Jenn enjoys working as a group facilitator and presenter, offering grief support and education to individuals, professionals and caregivers. She has experience in individual counseling, group facilitation, program development and healthcare administration. Jenn is available for providing presentations to organizations and professionals.

You can contact Jenn at [email protected]

Jenn Flaum, LCSW, MBA Executive Director

Allison Gary, a licensed therapist, smiling

Allison Gary, MA, LPC

Program Director

Allison is a therapist licensed in the state of Colorado and specializes in grief and loss counseling. Allison’s personal history with grief and loss brought her to the field of mental health, academically and professionally. She received her Master’s degree from Regis University’s mental health counseling program, and brings to HeartLight a diverse professional skill set in operations, as well as compassion and caring support for bereaved individuals and a commitment to grief education aligning with HeartLight Center’s mission. Allison enjoys facilitating and presenting to share and connect with others in the group setting. Allison has experience personally and professionally in areas of dementia/Alzheimer’s care, suicide loss, pet loss, childhood bereavement, as well as use of a variety of modalities and coping strategies for managing life after significant loss. Allison is the supervisor for HeartLight’s practicum program, volunteer coordination and is available for professional presentations for organizations and consultation for providers. Allison is also part of the Colorado Grief Networking Alliance as a steering committee member.

Allison is honored to work with HeartLight to provide support during vulnerable times in the lives of others, to help create a sense of safety and community. You are welcome to contact Allison for questions about programs, services and resources at [email protected].

Megan Hogan

Director of Outreach and Development

Megan holds a bachelor’s of innovation in marketing and communication from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Megan is new to HeartLight Center and is excited to be a part of an amazing community. Although new to the grief field, she is committed to spreading the word about HeartLight Center and making sure that everyone gets the resources they deserve. Megan is passionate about communicating the support that HeartLight offers through social media, events, and genuine human connections. She is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for community engagement and service. She is excited to be a part of HeartLight Center and ensuring that everyone knows that the light is always on and how to seek out support for your grief. You can reach Megan at [email protected]”

Carrie Bauer, MS

Program Assistant & Community Liaison for the Western Slope

Carrie has worked in the end-of-life and grief field for over a decade, and has learned that her passion is supporting grievers of all ages. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and Marian University with a Master’s in Thanatology. Carrie has worked at hospices in Colorado and Iowa as bereavement coordinator and volunteer coordinator, as well as the director of a bereavement program within a funeral home in Des Moines, Iowa. Carrie’s other passion is educating professionals and community members on various grief topics and has had the opportunity to present at conferences both on the local and national level. Carrie is honored to join the HeartLight team to provide support and resources to those grieving. Carrie is available for providing presentations.

You are welcome to contact Carrie for questions about programs and services at [email protected]

Genna Reeves, Ph.D.

Community Liaison for New Mexico

Genna is an INELDA-trained death doula and grief coach/peer counselor practicing privately through Invictus by Genna: Grief and Loss Services in New Mexico. Her expertise lies in grief support, end-of-life planning, funeral planning, celebrant services, and the creation of legacy projects. She has trained with David Kessler to become a Certified Grief Educator. With a diverse background in education, research, and support work, Genna brings a unique skill set to support others in grief. Her academic specialization in historic and cultural dress included the study of how dress and textiles are used for memorialization. Genna is a founding member/Chair of the Grief Networking Alliance of New Mexico, and previously served as Co-Chair of the Global Wellness Institute’s Dying Well Initiative. Her expertise in the grief space lies in group facilitation, program and curriculum development, creative expressions of grief, community education, suicide loss support, LGBTQ+ grief support, and sudden and traumatic loss grief support. Her compassionate approach to meeting others where they are in their grief journey provides a steady port in the storm. If you have any questions for Genna about resources and programs available in New Mexico, please contact her at [email protected].