
Nā Keiki O Emalia was founded in 2015 by Brooke Brown, Ph.D., following the death of her daughter Emalia from cancer and leaving behind her 3-year-old son. Brooke recognized the need for a supportive environment where children on Maui could receive assistance in dealing with the grief of losing a loved one.
Statistics show that 1 in 5 children experience the death of someone close to them before the age of 18, which can lead to a range of issues if not properly addressed. These issues include anxiety, academic difficulties, depression, promiscuity, and relationship problems that can continue into adulthood, resulting in unfulfilling lives.
At Nā Keiki O Emalia, we are committed to addressing these potential problems by providing facilitated peer-to-peer support groups, which have proven to be the most effective modality of working with children and teens. Our programs are open to children aged 6 to 18 and are offered free of charge. Our mission is to help children and teens cope with their grief and build resilience, so they can move forward in their lives with hope and confidence.