Wonders & Worries - Celebrating 25 Years of Strengthening Families

No one plans for the conversations that come with a parent’s serious illness or injury. The ones whispered after bedtime. The ones rehearsed in a car before walking back into the house. Parents often wonder how much truth is too much—and whether silence might cause its own harm.

For 25 years, Wonders & Worries has helped families navigate those moments with compassion, honesty, and hope. Founded in Austin in 2001 by two child life specialists who recognized that children are often the overlooked patients in a family’s health crisis, the nonprofit provides free, professional support to children and teenagers ages 2–18 when a parent faces serious illness or injury.

The organization’s very first office opened in Westlake—a meaningful beginning that remains part of its story today. That original Westlake location remains one of four sites serving families across the Austin area, a testament to the community that first embraced and supported the mission.

As Wonders & Worries marks its 25th anniversary this year, the milestone reflects both growth and deep roots. What began as a small, local response to a deeply human need has grown into a national model of care. Today, Wonders & Worries serves families through nine locations across the greater Austin, Houston, and San Antonio areas and reaches families nationwide through virtual programming, digital tools, and a national helpline. Over the past 25 years, more than 21,000 children and parents have been impacted by its services—always at no cost to families.

A Mother’s Perspective

For Shannon, her husband’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis marked a “before” and “after” she never expected.

“As a mom, my instinct was to protect my kids from everything,” she shared. “But I quickly realized I didn’t know how to explain what was happening—or how to help them make sense of it.”

Her children noticed the hospital visits, the change in routine, and the emotional weight in their home. Like many parents, Shannon worried that saying the wrong thing could make things worse—yet saying nothing felt just as risky.

Wonders & Worries entered their lives during that fragile time, offering her children a space designed just for them. Through guided conversations and age-appropriate activities led by Certified Child Life Specialists, they were able to ask questions, express fears, and begin to understand their father’s illness in a way that felt safe and manageable.

“It was such a relief knowing my kids had someone who understood how children process big, scary things,” Shannon said. “It helped me feel more confident as a parent, even when I was carrying so much myself.”

When her husband later passed away, the impact of that support did not end. The coping tools her children developed—and the permission they were given to ask, feel, and grieve—continued to guide them long after treatment stopped.

Why Children’s Emotional Care Matters

When illness enters a household, children absorb more than adults often realize. Worries may surface as anxiety, behavior changes, or quiet withdrawal. Without support, those feelings can follow children into adolescence and adulthood.

Wonders & Worries exists to interrupt that cycle. By equipping parents with language and tools for honest conversations—and giving children healthy coping strategies—the organization strengthens families during some of life’s most destabilizing moments.

The West Austin community continues to play a vital role in that impact. From attending and sponsoring events such as the annual Envision Gala to volunteering, donating, or referring families in need, local supporters help ensure that no child faces a parent’s medical crisis alone.

“When we support children through a parent’s serious illness or injury, we’re shaping how they carry that experience into the future,” said Nicole Halder, Senior Director of Development and Outreach for Central Texas. “The impact lasts far beyond the moment.”

When illness or injury changes everything, the right support can help families regain their footing.

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