Center will celebrate with 50th Anniversary Benefit November 5 at Four Seasons Georgetown
For half a century, the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing has been Washington’s home for hope, helping generations of children, families, and adults navigate the pain of loss and trauma. Founded in 1975 as the St. Francis Center Burial and Counseling Society, the Center has grown from a small volunteer group to a nationally recognized leader in grief and trauma care.
Today, the Wendt Center serves approximately 1,300 clients annually through direct counseling and another 3,000 professionals through its Training Institute, equipping clinicians, educators, and first responders to better support communities in crisis. Since its launch in 2015, the Center’s Resilient Scholars Program (RSP) has partnered with 93 schools and community sites across the District to deliver onsite therapy to students affected by loss, violence, or instability. The Center’s Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC has served 1,371 youth since its founding in 1999 (see story in USA Today).
“Grief and trauma are part of the human experience, but access to healing shouldn’t depend on zip code or income,” said Wendt Center Board President Katharine Manning. “For 50 years, the Wendt Center has stood beside Washingtonians through unimaginable loss, from community violence to national tragedies, and helped them rediscover resilience.”
Nearly 70% of clients come from the District, with the remainder from Maryland and Virginia. The Center ensures accessibility through a funding model in which 30% of office clients, and 100% of school-based and camp participants, receive services at no cost, made possible through government grants (48%), private foundations (14%), individual donors (19%), and fee-for-service programs (19%).
Over five decades, the Wendt Center has become the District’s go-to responder in times of tragedy, assisting after events such as the Navy Yard shooting, the Pentagon attack on 9/11, and the DCA plane crash, earning recognition from the U.S. Navy, Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus, and the DC State Board of Education.
“The Wendt Center’s work is woven into the fabric of Washington,” Manning said. “Every life they touch helps our city heal.”
The Wendt Center’s year-long anniversary celebration will feature community events, storytelling, and volunteer opportunities highlighting the stories of healing that define its mission.
Fact Sheet: 50 years of Healing in the Nation’s Capital
Founded: 1975 (as St. Francis Center Burial and Counseling Society, Inc.)
Renamed: Wendt Center for Loss and Healing (1999)
Mission: To restore hope and resilience to those affected by grief, loss, and trauma.
Reach & Impact
- ~1,300 clients receive direct therapy annually
- ~3,000 professionals trained through Wendt Center’s Training Institute each year
- 93 schools & community sites served through the Resilient Scholars Program (RSP)
- 1,371 youth served through Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin since 1999
- Clients by geography: 70% DC | 20% MD | 10% VA
- Counseling/therapy clients by age: 6–12 (6%), 13–17 (21%), 18–24 (21%), 25–39 (26%), 40–64 (49%), 65+ (35%)
Accessibility & Funding
- 30% of office clients receive free care
- 100% of RSP and camp clients receive free care
- FY25 Revenue Breakdown:
- 48% Government grants
- 14% Private grants
- 19% Donations/individual giving
- 19% Fee-for-service & contracts
Recognition & Milestones
- Commendation from the U.S. Navy and Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus for crisis response to Navy Yard shooting (2014)
- Support provided after 9/11 Pentagon attack & DCA plane crash
- 2018 DC State Board of Education Award for RSP impact
- Trusted training partner for GWU, MedStar, Teach for America, and DC Government agencies
Media:
- Katherine Manning, president of the Wendt Center Board of Directors, is available for interviews.
- Credentialed reporters are invited to attend the Nov. 5 benefit.
- Contact Elizabeth Muniot, emuniot@wendtcenter.org or 703.981.2874 for more information including details on attending the Benefit.
About the Wendt Center
Since 1975, the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing has been a vital resource for children, adults, and families in the Greater Washington area, helping them rebuild a sense of safety and hope after experiencing grief, trauma, life-threatening illness, or violence. Nationally recognized for its expertise in grief, trauma, and mental health, the Wendt Center provides essential, holistic mental health services to individuals, families, workplaces, and schools—particularly in vulnerable communities—throughout the region.