Kate’s Heart helps children, teens and caregivers cope with grief and talk about death by making resources and materials more accessible to encourage hope and healing.
All children should have the opportunity to talk about their grief from the loss of a loved one. We offer care packs of books, activities and educational materials for kids in Mid-Missouri in need of grief understanding, healing and hope.
Honoring Rob Bartel, the Rocket grant is an annual gift of engineering and technology projects and materials to pre-schools and other academic organizations for underserved populations.
Kate’s Heart volunteers built and steward four LFLs at pre-schools and neighborhoods with limited access to books of their own.
Kate’s Heart is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that facilitates literacy in three areas by providing K.A.T.E. (Kids Activities To Empower). We offer books, activities and educational resources to encourage understanding and improve lives.
We are an all-volunteer staff and Board of Directors.
Dr. Susan M. Bartel has a doctorate in educational leadership and earned certification in children and adolescent grief counseling with a focus on education. She has been a university professor and educator for more than 30 years, and she has now retired to focus on Kate’s Heart. Susan is Kate’s mother and is committed to keeping Kate’s spirit alive by serving others as Kate would have done.
Ryan W. Kromann has a master of arts degree in counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri. He has professional experience providing individual and group therapy for adolescents and adults as well as emergency mental health intervention in a hospital setting. His professional and personal experience with grief have led him to have a heart for helping children and families connect to grief support and resources.
Jennifer Lindsay Kromann has degrees in journalism and French, which led to a career focused on communication and international marketing. She was Kate’s best friend since childhood and now the stepmother of her children. She is passionate about helping children process their grief through reading books together, actively engaging in activities, and spending time together talking and playing.
Kate’s two children represent our Junior Board members. After losing their mother, they have provided input and ideas to help us create relevant and meaningful care packs and coloring books for grieving children. With the help of their friends, they contribute meaningful support as an advisory board.