Talk for teens aims to heal after killing

MILFORD – Too often teenagers are growing up in a Facebook world, dominated by appearances and surface urges that lead away from the paths of happiness, kindness, compassion and creativity.

That’s according to Robin Hoagland, a sort of spiritual counselor, who is offering a free talk titled “Healing relationships in our community,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Boys & Girls Club of the Souhegan Valley in Milford.

The talk, which is being sponsored by the area’s Christian Science churches, is designed to help young people develop a spiritual awareness in response to the murder of Kimberly Cates and the attack on her 11-year-old daughter, Jaimie Cates.

Hoagland said kids and teens are often left adrift because their usual ways of defining themselves based on who they hang out with and what activities they participate in are unable to answer big questions raised by tragedies such as the murder in Mont Vernon last month.

“The talk is about what is pure and good in each of us,” Hoagland said.

Hoagland, who describes her work as a Christian Science-based lay healing ministry, said moving beyond the definitions and labels of a Facebook profile can foster a deeper ability for teens to care about each other.

“A lot of it is a lack of understanding in the value of their own identities,” she said. “There’s a hunger going on for something deeper. It’s a void.”

Dan Wolaver, a Greenfield resident and chairman of Milford’s First Church of Christ Scientist’s lecture committee, invited Hoagland to speak in Milford. Hoagland has delivered similar speeches across the country in areas struggling with youth violence. Tuesday’s presentation will be tailored to address the Oct. 4 murder, she said.

“The main point of it is to help the youth in the area deal with the aftermath of this murder in Mont Vernon,” Wolaver said. “It’s about the worst thing you can imagine a person doing, and (kids) can’t figure out why. Here was a seemingly good person going horribly wrong and they have no answers. It leaves questions unanswered.”

Kimberly Cates, 42, was murdered Oct. 4 when Brookline residents Steven Spader, 17, and Christopher Gribble, 20, broke into the Trow Road home armed with a machete and a knife, respectively, according to police. Amherst residents, Quinn Glover, 18, and William Marks, 18, are charged with robbery and burglary in connection to the incident.

The talk, which is free and nondenominational, is one of several presentations being held in the wake of the Mont Vernon murder. Wolaver said he has seen listings for other talks and counseling sessions into February.

Another is being held Thursday. “An Opportunity to Reflect on the Mont Vernon Tragedy From a Faith Based Perspective” will be facilitated by Dr. David Reynolds, from the Pastoral Counseling Center in Manchester. That session will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Brookline Community Church. Advanced registration is required by calling 672-3937 or e-mailing the church’s director of education Ann Desrochers at adesroch@charter.net.

Joseph G. Cote can be reached at 594-6415 or jcote@nasuatelegraph.com.