Adam’s Place, a Grief Center for Children and Families has been built in memory of Adam Gregory Thomas. Adam was only 21 years of age and a college senior at the time of his death. He sustained life-ending injuries when in a car crash in Reno, Nevada on March 10, 2007. We lost Adam on March 17, 2007. The immediate family he left behind: father George Thomas, brother Alec Thomas and mother, Kelly Thomas-Boyers reside in Las Vegas. They along with family and friends have done many memorial activities over the last four years: the annual, Step Out for Safety Walk /Run, The Adam Thomas Legislative Intern Scholarship at University of Nevada Reno and Seat Belt Awareness programs.
During Kelly’s visit to UNR in May of 2007 she saw a brochure for the Solace Tree Program in Reno. It really made a connection with her as she worried about her son, Alec and his ability to work through the grief of losing his only brother. Thinking she would find a similar program in Las Vegas, Kelly took a brochure and made a call to the executive director of Solace Tree, Emilio Parga. Immediately there was a connection, and Kelly sensed the depth of understanding and commitment Emilio had for the grief process. So over the next two and half years as Kelly searched the Las Vegas community for like programming, she remained in contact with Emilio. To Kelly’s disappointment, no like program could be found in Southern Nevada. After talking with doctors, nurses, social workers, school counselors, she was sure the need in Las Vegas was great for a grief center for children. But the how, where, support questions were plaguing her mind. She was living in one of the hardest hit areas in the country from the recession. Not the best time to start a new not for profit organization. But still, the need was there and she knew it. Something must be done was the attitude she adopted quietly.
In late December 2009, Kelly received a wonderful phone call from Emilio. Much to her surprise the Solace Tree Executive Board and Emilio had been submitted grant applications to launch a grief program modeled after the Solace Tree. Emilio was calling to let her know that one of the sources came through! We were given enough seed money to launch here in Southern Nevada. Plans were made for Emilio and Dave Wertzberger from the Board to come to Las Vegas and meet with a group of professionals that Kelly thought would be the best to support the effort. The group included: teachers, Professors of Sociology and Social Work, business persons, the Governor’s office of Suicide Prevention, members of churches and Safe Community Partnership. After meeting and listening to Emilio tell the Solace Tree story and watch their 5 year anniversary DVD. All were sold! Everyone wanted to help start our own program. It was at that meeting, the group voted to name it after Adam Thomas since it was his accident that brought the resources together. Tearfully, Kelly and family gratefully embraced the opportunity to bring the much needed grief center to Southern Nevada, and it felt right to simply call it, Adam’s Place.
From here on out, all that touch the website, receive a brochure, and attend a fundraiser for Adam’s Place are forever a part of a new history in Las Vegas.
We are glad you have taken the time to learn more about us. We encourage you to stay in touch by becoming a volunteer and or donate to this new program. No matter what reason drove you to our site, thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring enough to check us out. Spread the word and help us grow.
For the children in Southern Nevada,
Kelly
Adam’s Mom
