Our History
25 Years of Walking Alongside Those Who Grieve
Lost & Found Grief Center began with a simple but powerful belief: that people should not have to grieve alone. What started as a small community effort in Springfield, Missouri has grown into a regional resource serving thousands of grieving individuals and families across southwest Missouri.
Founding Year
Fall 1999
The Lost & Found Board meets for the first time with co-founders Shawn Askinosie and Dr. Karen Scott.
Non-Profit Status
May 2000
Lost & Found earns non-profit status.
First Groups
January 2001
The first groups are held in Shawn Askinosie’s law office. One for children and one for parents/caregivers.
Conor House Opens
July 2006
The Conor House opens, offering expanded groups for children ages 4 to 18 and their parents and caregivers.
First Run & Remember Memorial Event
2010
The first Run & Remember memorial run and event is held in Springfield, MO.
LFGC Groundbreaking
May 2014
Lost & Found hosts a groundbreaking for the new Betty and Bobby Allison Campus on South Glenstone Avenue.
School Counselor Training
2015
As the local expert in grief therapy, Lost & Found conducts its first grief training for school counselors.
New Building on S Glenstone Opens
October 2015
The first grief groups are held at the new facility. The larger building allowed families with children of different ages to all attend on the same night, and Lost & Found began its first grief group for parents who had lost a child.
Book Published
2016
Lost & Found publishes its first book, “The Most Special Gift.” Authored by co-founder Dr. Karen Scott and Child Life Specialist Sarah Brown, the book, published in partnership with Mid-America Transplant, explains organ donation to children.
Individual Counseling Sessions Begin
September 2017
Lost & Found begins offering individual counseling sessions.
25th Anniversary
2025
Lost & Found celebrates 25 years of providing help, hope, and healing in the Ozarks, and more than 25,000 people served.
Help, Hope & Healing Continues
2026
780 people found help, hope, and healing through professional grief support at Lost & Found Grief Center.