Founded: In October 1987, Don and Susan Cox established For the Love of Christi two years to the day after their daughter’s death. On October 26,1985, a hit-and-run drunken driver hit and killed 20-year old University of Texas student Christi Lanahan. Susan and Don, along with their son Sean, found little affordable support available to help them in their grief. They realized there were many others who also needed help.

Mission: To provide love, hope, comfort, and ongoing support to those who are adjusting to life after the death of a loved one, regardless of the circumstances; and to educate the general public regarding the issue of grief and other concerns of the bereaved.

Guiding Principles:

a . Our support will always remain free of charge and available for as long as those we help feel they need it.

b. Our support will always be offered unconditionally to every member without our being judgmental or discriminatory in any way.

c. We will always strive to match those who come to us for support with caring facilitators who have had similar losses to those they serve.

How Our Programs Work: Grief support groups are structured for adults, teens and children. Our bereaved members participate in support groups based on the nature of their loss (i.e., loss of a child, spouse, or other significant relationship). We also offer special groups that serve victims and family members of violent crime and suicide.

Who We Serve: Our members include a wide cross-section of ethnic, economic and social groups, as well as individuals with a range of disabilities. We serve children, teens and adults, businesses, criminal justice agencies, civic and service organizations, schools, universities, churches and other community groups. Our service area comprises the Austin Centex region, including Austin proper and surrounding counties, including Williamson, Burnet, Hays and Bastrop.

Education and Training: For the Love of Christi provides workshops for schools, businesses, churches, community organizations and allied professionals. These workshops are affordable and are conducted by licensed professionals who specialize in grief. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for most workshops. We offer our training and support free of charge.

Governance: For the Love of Christi is overseen and guided strategically by a Board of Directors who accept moral, fiscal, and legal responsibility for the fulfillment of the organization’s mission and its health and well being.

Noteworthy: For the Love of Christi has provided support, directly and indirectly, to more than 70,000 Austin area citizens seeking help after the loss of a loved one. Our work has been cited by Presidents, Governors and by area mayors. Susan & Don Cox have been the recipients of countless awards and recognitions, the most recent being Susan’s selection as one of Traditional Home magazine’s “Classic Woman Awards.”