Haven Newsletter - Year in Review

REDEFINING

L I F E

AFTERLOSS

Our Yearin Review

A MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEN BURGARD

When I look back on this past year, I can’t help but to look even further back on the past five. Five years have passed since this mission was founded.

Five years have passed by without the reason why this all started in the beginning. Henry, my sweet boy, would be five years old this year and likely into his first year of Kindergarten. It’s a milestone I would have looked forward to, but instead dreaded. It’s a complicated existence, longing for what should have been while still being thankful for what is.

We’ve spent five years as an organization seeking to help other parents who walk this path each day, trying to find joy in what they have without losing touch of what they have lost.

We didn’t celebrate this milestone publicly, and maybe it’s because it feels sort of like year one all over again. With a new name, a new look, new programs, and a more focused vision, this year feels like one to be proud of all on its own.

We are redefining life after loss for parents in our communities by creating a network of support, providing access to healing resources, and holding a safe place to honor and remember the children we carry in our hearts. These pillars guided us through this year, and will carry us onto the next.

A special thank you to our donors, volunteers, parents, and those who check all those boxes. We see you,

and we could not do this work without you.

Also, a very heartfelt note of gratitude to all of those who stuck with us during this difficult year. The individuals and businesses that not only continued to see the value in the work we do, but doubled down on their efforts to support. You are the ones we celebrate this year. The mission is the strongest it has ever been because of you.

I look forward to our next chapter and am so excited to share with you all that has been accomplished this year. Sending you all love and light in the new year.

JEN BURGARD HENRY’S MOM

Top Moments of 2022 197

REMEMBERING, TOGETHER.

Love & Light

Finally back in person and held simultaneously in two physical locations, Love & Light once again created an atmosphere and opportunity to honor and remember the children we hold so precious.

Held on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, October 15th, we incorporated live music, a candle lighting ceremony for the International Wave of Light, and a special video remembrance program for all attendees. Memorial candle gifts were provided to all our attendees, both in-person and virtual. 100% of our survey respondents said they would recommend Haven and the Love & Light event to a friend, and 100% of respondents said they would attend another Haven event in the future.

Event Highlights

Our events are made possible by generous community sponsors as well as individual donors. We believe cost should never be a barrier on attending a healing event.

Workshops

Favorite events for the parents we serve around Mother’s Day and the holiday season are our Floral Bouquet class and Holiday Wreath and Ornament classes. These traditions encourage and allow parents to create special memories for their children and families as the years go on. They also serve as an opportunity to meet others and allow parents further out in their grief to mentor those who are just entering this difficult journey.

For Partners

Dads grieve too. This year we hosted our first partner event ahead of Father’s Day at Suite Shots in Fargo. Attendees were treated to a night out with other parents in a casual meet-up ahead of the holiday.

Honor & Rise Events

We could not be more thankful to the families who feel compelled to host special events in honor of their children and then give back to Haven.

Whether it is golfing, running or walking, or just a birthday celebration, we are grateful for their support and happy to help in their planning. If you want to host your own event, be sure to reach out to us to let us help!

Golfin’ for the Girls

In honor of Marly Marie Hillman and Paityn Wiley Mairs, this golf scramble is held yearly at the Leonard Country Club. It is definitely a fun day and so special.

Miles for Max

The 11th Annual Miles For Max was held in Breckenridge, MN, in honor of sweet Max Marohl. The event was attended by over 100 participants who ran and walked a 5K with plenty of cheerleaders along the way!

Haven Gala

What a night! If you attended, volunteered, or sponsored the gala— thank you! Truly this mission is not possible without the support of our amazing community and friends.

Guests at the event were treated to a LIVE recording of our newest resource, the Haven podcast - Landscape of Loss. You can listen to that live episode right now anywhere you get your content or by using the QR code below.

Landscape of Loss Podcast

We are sharing stories of loss and perspectives on surviving grief in our new podcast, Landscape of Loss.

Our goal is to create a space for stories to be told and heard by those impacted, as well as give others a better understanding of these experiences so they can in turn better support those they love.

From Episode 12: “That’s the thing I’ve learned through my grief journey. I was so naive. I was just this like, innocent,

naive person that did not think that these things happen. I mean, I had never heard of somebody losing a baby this far, this late in the game. It just wasn’t something that I had even I guess – even if I was aware of it, let myself go to that space.”

“Meeting a community of other people that know exactly what you’re going through, it’s hard to put into words what that did for me, personally. “

“I think what’s nice is as a family, we can decide how we want to honor him, and people’s grief

looks very different in honoring your child or children that you’ve lost.” - Dani Anderson.

Listen on whatever platform you use or go to havenmidwest.org/podcast

A NEW PLATFORM TO CREATE COMMUNITY

In our 5th year of supporting parents enduring loss, what have we learned about those needs, and how can we best meet those and anticipate others? It became clear that a safe haven is truly what we are trying to provide the parents that come to us, and redefining life after loss is our overarching goal. With the new name and new branding, we officially opened our physical space in downtown Fargo, tucked in right on historic 8th street. We have been hosting our classes, workshops, and events in this space since it opened, and created a home base for the families we serve.

As the year 2022 began, we as an organization took a hard look at how we serve our community.

Haven: The Place

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