The Bailey County Senior Citizens Center was recently named a recipient of a grant from the Community Foundation of West Texas.

The center received $7,500 to fund a workshop called “Courage to Grieve.”

Forty Senior Citizens Center members have died to date since 2020, according to a news release from the Center. The number is an estimated three times higher than average for that time period.

Upon reopening after an extended closure due to COVID-19, the Center realized the need for grief counseling to help its members – and others – cope with the loss of loved ones. Local churches have also reached out with interest.

The Community Foundation of West Texas is a philanthropic organization that provides financial support through grants and scholarships to the 15 counties it serves – which includes Bailey.