Lori and her family
The world is more
malleable than you think,
and it’s waiting for you to
hammer it into shape.
— Bono
As you know by now, each of the women in this book are a force to be reckoned with, a sterling example of resilience, and a beautiful, shining example of turning extreme loss and heartache into something positive, generous, and spiritually healthy. They are brimming with passion and I’ve seen it become contagious in multiple projects they have launched, as they’ve recruited highly talented professionals and volunteers to assist in their endeavors.
Once upon a time, these normal moms encountered huge, life-altering trauma and tragedy, which tested their faith and ability to cope. Through some type of divine happening, they started a movement in their living rooms and kitchens, with next to nothing for money and support, and slowly but surely, or in some cases almost overnight, the seeds of their commitment grew into something much greater than themselves, as they have all plowed forward on a mission to make the world a better place, one woman at a time.
If any of them can do it, so can you.
Make Our Schools Safe
Contact: 609-335-8226
E-mail: info@makeourschoolssafe.org
Twitter: @lorialhadeff and @MakeSchoolSafe8
Facebook: @MakeOurSchoolsSafe17
Instagram: @lorialhadeff8 and @makeourschoolssafe
TikTok: @Lori_Alhadeff_
Thank you to Alyssa for being my guiding light. I miss you so much and love you forever. Thank you to my husband, Dr. Ilan Alhadeff, for being my rock.
Lori and her family
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
E-mail: bonnie@taps.org
Contact: 202-588-TAPS (8277) (main number)
1-800-959-TAPS (8277) (TAPS helpline)
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization offering compassionate care for all those grieving the death of a military loved one. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a military death. Services are provided free of charge.
Caring for the families of America’s Fallen Heroes since 1994.
Bonnie and Drew Barrymore
For the Love of Conor
Contact: 480-217-1806 and 480-217-8556
E-mail: bridget@emeraldconsulting1.com
My Irish grandmother, Delia, shared with me that the one thing you can be sure of is life will offer you agony and ecstasy. As mothers we experience the defeats and successes of our children and our family in a profound way that touches the very core of our hearts. It is important for mothers, especially, to practice self-care because moms are the glue and inspiration of the family. So, don’t go down! My family makes a conscious decision to choose joy every day despite our loss and tragedy. I urge all mothers, even in the face of extreme adversity, to stay in a place of gratitude and joy. This is your life journey.
Thank you, my dear son, Conor, and thank you, dear family, for choosing joy every day.
Fight like hell though the tough times and enjoy the hell out of the good times.
— The Costello family motto
Bridget and Conor
EricsHouse
E-mail: marianne@ericshouse.org
EricsHouse Inc., founded in 2017, provides integrative grief care to people who have lost a loved one to suicide or substance abuse. We support the emotional, physical, and spiritual healing for those living in the aftermath of these devastating losses. Our team of grief specialists, counselors, life coaches, spiritual directors, intuitive healers, and holistic health practitioners help people navigate their grief so that they may move beyond their loss. I thank all of the people we support, especially the moms who have lost a child, for being so vulnerable as to share their journeys and to allow our team to help them heal. And although I would do anything to have my son back, I thank God for giving me twenty-seven years with a sweet boy who continues to teach me about love even through his death. I thank God for carrying me through this crisis with His Grace and Love, and for calling me to turn my pain to good.
We are changed forever, we will never stop missing our loved ones, but we can carry on with acceptance, peace, and joy, and we can lift one another up with abundant love.
Marianne
Eric
Organizations I support:
I am a working mom with two incredible children, and because of my husband, three amazing stepdaughters and seven wonderful grandkids. I have had the great fortune to have had awesome jobs in the conservation world. I take great pride in my roles as a mother, biologist, and conservationist.
Always put relationships first and be objective. Pursue your dreams and what you love. Love your children. Love your family. Make a difference in the world. Always work hard and do good. Thank you to my husband, Geoff, and my parents, Nick and Jeanie, for always being there for me.
Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
— Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It
Nikki and her kids
Contact Mother’s Grace for more information.
Michelle and Angela in India at the orphanage with Sister Mary
notMYkid
notMYkid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2000, that provides children and families with truly lifesaving programs, support, resources, and education. Our mission for the past two decades has been to empower and educate youth, families, and communities with the knowledge and courage to identify and prevent negative youth behavior. Our impact is far reaching. To date, we have served more than two million individuals and aim to reach 75,000 annually through our statewide and national programs.
To whom much is given, much is required
— Luke 12:48
Debbie and Steve
Live Like Kainoa
E-mail: jkspenser@cox.net
Blessed wife and mother to Kapo, Kainoa, and Keanu. Our ohana (family) is extremely passionate about giving back to our community and this has made our darkest days possible to survive. We look forward to supporting our incredible faithful warrior with his dream to help others with the LLK Foundation, which will be in place within a couple of years. Kainoa’s mission is to live beyond his circumstances and give back to people living with limb loss, limb difference, and mental health issues, both seen and unseen. I simply cannot express the gratitude in our hearts for Mother’s Grace, K2 foundations, and our prayer warriors around the world. We are forever grateful.
Ahuwale ka po’okela I kau hana ia ha’i. It is through the way you serve others that your greatness will be felt.
— Hawaiian proverb
Jennifer and Kainoa with Michelle and Angela Ducey
K2 Adventures Foundation and K2 Adventures Travel
k2adventures.org and k2adventuretravel.com
E-mail: Kristen@k2adventures.org
Our two companies combine working with able-bodied and disabled individuals by providing opportunities to become a better version of themselves. We provide an adventure that will check an item off their bucket list and immerse them into the local culture by giving back to the local communities we serve in the United States, Tanzania, Peru, and Nepal. Thank you to Kevin Cherilla for introducing me to international service in addition to the work I was doing in the United States.
The worst thing you can tell someone is that they can’t do something that they have always wanted to do.
Figure out a way to make it happen. Where others see limitations, we only see possibilities.
Changing Lives One Adventure at a Time
Kristen and Kevin with two of their favorite boys
Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels
E-mail: hello@amandahope.org
I truly love being a mom. It took almost thirteen years and a lot of prayers for my three miracle daughters. I learned that life is very complicated, but I never lost hope and I never give up. Every day is a gift and I’m grateful.
Big hugs to Amanda Hope and my precious husband, Marty. You taught me how deep love is and heaven-eternity is real. We are called to make a difference, even if it’s only a smile to someone who is hurting.
Where I’m weak, God is strong. Whenever I’m in need, I find someone to help. The circle of Love, it works every time.
Amanda and Marty
Director, NOLA Tree Project
Contact: 504-415-8434
Connie@NOLATreeProject.org
The mission of NOLA Tree Project is growing stronger, healthier communities through tree plantings, community service, and disaster relief programs. The most positive way to combat climate change is to plant trees. Planting a trillion trees would cancel out the last decade of carbon dioxide emissions.
Special thanks to my husband, Mark, for his unconditional love and support of my work. You are my rock!
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;never throw out anyone.
— Audrey Hepburn
Connie
Wight Horse
Contact: 602-809-8505
E-mail: info@wighthorse.org
Wight Horse is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping the insured, working class manage medical debt. We do this through setting up realistic payment plans and negotiating existing debt to a lower cost, or eliminating debt altogether. Our goal is to provide peace of mind, so families can concentrate on what’s important — health and healing.
I want to thank my kids for their laughter and their love.
We only know what today brings. We have no idea what tomorrow holds, so live in the moment because our final chapter is a total mystery.
Romy