About Us

At A Haven we support grieving children with a family-centered approach. We acknowledge that empowering families to walk through grief together is an important piece in supporting a grieving child. Research now reveals that the number one determining factor on how a child grieves is how the parent/guardians grieve. In addition, family communication and a healthy environment can lessen the burden of grief. Knowing these factors, our focus is to support and equip these trusted adults to lead their children through grief in a healthy trust-building way and navigate grief together as a family. While also providing a safe place for children, teens, and young adults to know they are not alone in their grief.

Our Name and Logo

We thought we’d explain a little bit about our name and logo. We chose the name A Haven because of its definition: “a place of refuge or safety.”⠀

When grieving - we can’t fix anything for your family - but what we can do is be there and create a safe space to work through feelings and provide tools for coping. We believe that grief is a normal natural response to loss.

Our logo is a nest. The metaphor of a nest is a place of refuge and safety. Our desire is that every time you come in contact with A Haven - you feel a sense of safety and refuge in your grief. A nest is built ‘piece by piece’ by finding, gathering, and weaving twigs and other materials together.

At A Haven, we partner with you and your family to gather and weave together support, coping skills, and grief education. Our desire is that you will continue to weave more pieces into your nest, little by little, building your safe place to grieve.

Meet the Team

MICHELLE NOBLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? It has been an honor building the team of A Haven and seeing it flourish the first 5 years. Our whole team from Board members, volunteers, donors, and staff have one goal: to welcome grieving children and families into the nest. To allow space for their grief. That is a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? I love to travel and make memories with friends and family. To relax, I need sunshine & nature in any season.

How do you like your coffee? Vanilla Latte please!

Contact Michelle at: michelle@ahaven.org

LIZ DREIBELBIS, CLINICAL DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

MA, ATR-BC, LPC

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? A Haven was founded to increase access to support & expand grief literacy in our community for grieving children & their caregivers. It is an honor to be a part of this team of amazing individuals, who together create a safe place & a refuge in grief.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? I love taking long hikes/backpacking in nature, runs, needle felting, doing any type of art while listening to music, and a good cup of coffee.

How do you like your coffee? Freshly ground, French press with a splash of cream.

Contact Liz at: liz@ahaven.org or 484-639-3140

Kate LANNAN, EDUCATION Director

MS, LSW

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? Spreading awareness and encouraging people to talk about their experiences so that someday families in grief won’t ever have to feel alone.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? Reading a cookbook and making plans to host family and friends. Also, curling up at the end of the day with a blanket & a scary story.

How do you like your coffee? A coconut milk latte- hot all year round!

Contact Kate at: kate@ahaven.org or (610) 840-7301

Meet our Family Services Team

Carrie silver, Family services director

MA, LPC

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? As the Family Grief Specialist, i am continually inspired by the resilience of our families. I love connecting with families to ensure they are sufficiently supported in their grief journey.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? Reading, podcasts, & organizing anything!

How do you like your coffee? In a tinkerbell mug, with just a little bit of milk.

Contact Carrie at: carrie@ahaven.org or 484-716-1807

Kathy Muhlenberg, caregiver programs coordinator

MA, LPC

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? I absolutely love being a part of my community in a meaningful way. While grief is a universal experience it can also feel isolating at times. I am excited to be able to support our caregivers by providing a safe space for them to increase their connections to their families, self, and each other.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? My go to method for relaxation is going for walks in my neighborhood, woods, new cities or anywhere really. I enjoy lacing up my sneakers and exploring!

How do you like your coffee? I like my coffee with a combo of coconut and almond milk with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top

Contact Kathy at: Kathy@ahaven.org

Jen Langlois, Child and Family Programs Coordinator

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? I am looking forward to partnering with A Haven staff and volunteers to provide a safe space for children and families to share their special people, their grief, and their steps toward a hope-filled tomorrow. I am inspired by the unique contributions of all members of this team (staff, volunteers, families) and all that we learn from one another.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? I love to spend time with family and friends, Marvel movies, crocheting/crafting, and going to the Outer Banks.

How do you like your coffee? First thing in the morning beside an open window!

Contact Jen at: JenL@ahaven.org

Stacy Massey, Adolescent and Young ADULTS Programs Coordinator

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? I am excited to be able to connect with the adolescents and young adults during a time when connection is important and resilience is fostered. I hope to create a safe place for them to connect with one another and their experiences while assisting them in learning healthy coping skills and creating meaning in their new normal.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? My absolute favorite way to pass the time is at Disney World! Since that is not a way to relax consistently, baking, reading, and being in nature are my go-to hobbies/relaxation techniques.

How do you like your coffee? I love my coffee hot in a cute mug (usually with Disney World or dogs on it) with a little French Vanilla creamer.

Contact Stacy at: Stacy@ahaven.org

Brittany Libby, School Group Facilitator

MS, LSW

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? I am excited to partner with schools throughout Chester County to support communities and families in navigating grief. Being passionate about community outreach, I am eager to extend the important work of A Haven within our local community, specifically by meeting with groups of students in their school setting. By doing so, I hope to nurture bereaved student’s access to peer support, self-expression, safety, hope, and validation. I am eager to additionally support school counselors, teachers, administrators, and caretakers in creating a culture of care to support each student and their family after the death of a loved one.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? To relax, I love to spend time with my family and to create art. My favorite hobbies are making pottery, canoeing, and biking!

How do you like your coffee? I love drinking a hot cup of coffee (or two) with a heavy dash of oat milk in a handmade mug!

Contact Brittany at: brittany@ahaven.org

Lillian Berger, MSW Intern

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? Working in a grief support setting that understands and works with the Family Systems Approach.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? I love hiking coupled with photography of mother nature (with my wonderful husband and Catahoula Leopard, Sauannah).

How do you like your coffee? I like my coffee strong with almond milk.

Contact Lillian at: Lillian@ahaven.org

Meet the Business Team

Jennifer Grisin, Bookkeeper

What excites or inspires you in your work at A Haven? I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the financial records, as well as ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. I am excited to help A Haven reach its financial goals to better serve their mission of helping children and families in grief.

Favorite hobby or go to method for relaxation? When I am not working you can catch me playing outside with my 2 kids, walking our dog with a good podcast in my ear, hitting group exercise classes, binge watching a new show, or trying a new restaurant with my husband.

How do you like your coffee? Milk and Sugar with a splash of cinnamon.

Contact Jennifer at: jen@ahaven.org