The Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, celebrated 20 years of helping children and families find hope in the midst of their grief in 2017. At an event held in October, Caring Place Board of Directors chairman and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Merril Hoge, Caring Place families, volunteers, supporters, and Highmark Health executives joined together to celebrate and remember.

The first Caring Place facility was dedicated in Pittsburgh in 1997. Other facilities soon followed in Erie, Harrisburg, and Warrendale in 2001, 2003, and 2009, respectively. Since opening its doors, the Caring Place has served more than 100,000 family and community members.

"When the Highmark Caring Place began, it was a new concept and an innovative program for children and families who have had a family member die," Terese Vorsheck, clinical psychologist and director of the Highmark Caring Place, said at the event. "One facility grew to four, and we have since developed into a national model serving thousands of children, adults, and community members each year. We are deeply grateful that we have been able, over the last 20 years, to help grieving families in western and central Pennsylvania find hope again after tragedy," she added.

As a community resource, the Highmark Caring Place is available to grieving children and families free of charge, regardless of insurance coverage. The Highmark Caring Place, primarily supported by Highmark Inc., reflects Highmark's commitment to the needs of children and families in the communities it serves.