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Dear bereaved parents and those who support them,

If you are new to Bereaved Parents of Madison: welcome. We are glad you have found us and are so sorry you are here. We hope you find this newsletter helpful in some small way on your grief journey.
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers

Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 17-23. This month, I’d like to recognize Bereaved Parents of Madison's incredible volunteers. We are a 100% volunteer-run organization, run solely by fellow bereaved parents. That fact is incredible to me.

There is simply not enough space to appropriately give thanks to all those who give their heart to other families. Every volunteer makes a huge impact, no matter their role. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I trust your babies are proud of the heart-work you give in their honor.

- Jenn, Co-Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee
Support for Families
Many BPoM in-person support, group meetings, and events are suspended until further notice. 
Your health and safety are important to us; we also want to find ways to keep supporting you. We are working on ways to make virtual connections with you during this time.

Join us on Facebook! 
You can find our public Facebook page here or request to join our private Facebook page here. Our private page is a great place to connect with other loss families and share your thoughts and feelings, good, bad, or in between.
If you need one-on-one peer support during this time please call us at (920) 643-0217.
We will connect you with a HUGS volunteer. 
April Support Events
Not all the events listed below are BPoM events. Please check the individual organization websites to see how, or if, they will be hosted.
4/7: Kull Counseling Miscarriage Support Group  (1st Thursday)
5:30 - 6:45 pm
Email julie@kullcounselingmadison.com for more information.
4/10: Alana Rose Foundation's Mourning Coffee Monthly Support Group (2nd Sunday)
8:00 am
Email alanarosefoundation@gmail.com for virtual meeting information.
4/11: Bo's Heavenly Clubhouse (2nd Monday)
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Support meetings at Higher Grounds Coffee Shop in Beaver Dam
4/14: GPS Hope Janesville (2nd Thursday)
6:30 pm
4/21: Compassionate Friends Monona (3rd Thursday)
7:00 - 8:30 pm
The support group is meeting virtually. Please email Gina at gma2293@gmail.com for details.
4/21: BPoM Support Group (3rd Thursday)
7:30 - 9:00 pm
All loss families are welcome to join this support group. Note: We will meet virtually through Zoom. Please watch our Facebook page or website for details.
4/24: Family-friendly event at Fired Up Pottery
Time TBD
Save the date for an in-person family-friendly event where you can explore your creative side while chatting with other bereaved families. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for details.
4/25: Bo's Heavenly Clubhouse (4th Monday)
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Support meetings at Higher Grounds Coffee Shop in Beaver Dam
4/26: BPoM Rainbow Pregnancies of Madison Support Group (4th Tuesday)
6:00 pm
Note: We will meet virtually through Zoom. Please email rpom@bereavedparentsofmadison.com for details.
Featured Article
How Volunteering Is Helping to Heal My Grieving Heart
By Daphne Bach Greer on The Mighty

After my daughter died, you could say the world ended. It was that simple. My life had come to the lowest point ever imagined. I was surrounded by complete darkness. 
There was no purpose, no meaning left, so why continue living? She was only 5. Suddenly, nothing mattered anymore. I had failed. Failed to protect my most prized possession. Failed horribly as a mother. I was at the bottom of the food chain. My future had been destroyed, or so I believed. And now, for the rest of my life, I will be a grieving mother. A frightening thought and a tough pill to swallow.

Over the last 10 years, I have gained wisdom far beyond my years. I was forced to grow up before my time, facing my fears and tragedies head on. Diving deep into my faith was the only answer. No one could help me or give me the magic potion to fix this pain, despite my longing to do so. My eyes were opened to a whole new world I never knew existed. I was desperate to fast forward through this horrifying heartbreak.

Click here to read more.
News & Opportunities
Share your story
Do you have something you’d like to share with other bereaved parents about your child(ren) or loss journey? We are seeking stories, poems, songs or art from parents about holidays or meaningful moments to feature in our upcoming newsletters. We’d love to hear from you! Submit a story idea here.

Check out our newsletter archive or member stories page to read other stories and find additional resources.
Volunteer with us!
Are you interested in volunteering with BPoM? We have opportunities to get involved from as little as 1 or 2 hours of your time once a year or monthly. We’d love to hear from you. Please complete our Time and Talent Survey if you’re interested in learning more about how you can get involved.

Upcoming Training Webinars & Conferences

Other Opportunities

  • Baby Loss Remembrance Photography — Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS)’s mission is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with a free gift of professional portraiture. Their hospital services have been limited due to the pandemic. You can send your own photos to NILMDTS for professional digital retouching.
  • Help Us Advocate for the Stillbirth Tax Credit - We are excited and hopeful to share that the stillbirth tax credit bill (LRB 1753) has been introduced this legislative session. Watch and listen to Amanda’s story and why she is advocating for this bill. Please contact your representatives and advocate with us. Bills can move quickly through legislation and we do not usually get much advance notice of advocacy opportunities. We will do our best to keep you updated!
  • Recommended Reading - We have a suggested reading list available on our website and you can request a free copy of a book (or electronic version) that interests you by filling out our Book Request Form. 
  • Infant Loss Support Directory — The Children's Health Alliance of WI has a list of bereavement resources listed by county around the state of Wisconsin. This is a valuable resource for families and providers.
  • Help Make Handmade Baby Blankets and Gowns —Mikayla's Grace is looking for volunteers to make handmade items for their Angel Memory Boxes. You may have gotten a similar box during your stay in the hospital.
  • BPoM Brochures Available — We provide free brochures about our organization and support services to any facility that supports our families. Request brochures here.
Contact
Website
Email
Facebook - Private Page
Facebook - Public Page
Copyright © *2020* *Bereaved Parents of Madison, Inc.*, All rights reserved.

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Bereaved Parents of Madison · PO Box 46511 · Madison, WI 53744-6511 · USA

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