HISTORY

Common Ground was founded by Lynn M. Snyder, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered, Board Certified Art Therapist, and Certified Thanatologist (the study of death, dying, and bereavement).

Ms. Snyder’s passion to provide grief support services was born out of the lack of on-going grief support services in her community, particularly after the death of 5 area teens who died by suicide.

Ms. Snyder’s philosophy is that grief is “life-long” and gets revisited throughout one’s life, hence groups at Common Ground are open ended support groups that allow children to decide if they want to attend, and when they are ready to leave the center. This empowers the child, giving them a sense of control in a world that is usually turned upside down by a death in the family.

In February of 2009, Ms. Snyder, and Ilo Milton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered, Board Certified Art Therapist, and Professor, held their first facilitator training for 12 compassionate and dedicated women who completed 25 hours of training, and who now will be able to assist in helping run the groups.

Common Ground began its first group of 4 children in September of 2009 in a small space graciously donated by a local Church. In just a few short months, we outgrew our space in the Church, and in January, 2010, Common Ground moved to its present location in Manasquan, NJ.