Dear Friends and Supporters,

As July comes to a close, we are celebrating the connection, growth, and care that continues at Jessica's House through our summer groups.

In this issue of our newsletter, we are proud to share our impact in 2024 through our annual report. This report shares not only our good work, but yours because of your faithful support of the children and families we serve.

You will also read about how our Jessica's House family grew in new ways this month. We're delighted to welcome Ashley Braden as our new Director of Finance and Administration and Breanna Guzman as my Executive Assistant. We also celebrated two cherished team members stepping into expanded roles: Marlen Duran, as our Director of Outreach and Interns, and Edlyne Eliazad, as our new Group and Therapeutic Spaces Coordinator. Each person brings such dedication and compassion to our shared mission.

Colleen and I were honored to represent Jessica's House at the Gather Conference from our parent ministry, Covenant Ministries of Benevolence, in early July. What a gift it was to share stories of hope and healing with fellow mission-driven organizations and celebrate the sacred work of Jessica's House.

Later in the month, three of our staff traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado, for Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training with Dr. Alan Wolfelt. Dr. Wolfelt's Companioning approach embodies the gentle, presence-centered care that defines Jessica's House.

As we move through the summer, I'm thankful for cooler days in the Valley! And I'm also incredibly grateful for YOU and how you walk alongside us.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Erin Nelson

Executive Director, Jessica's House

Our 2024 Annual Report Is Here!

We’re excited to share our 2024 Annual Report with you—full of milestones and impact made possible by our community. Inside, you’ll find program highlights, meaningful data, and reflections on a year of growth, connection, and healing. We’re so grateful to everyone who makes this work possible. Take a look and celebrate what we’ve achieved together!

We’re excited to welcome two new team members to Jessica’s House! Please join us in warmly welcoming Ashley Braden as our Director of Finance and Administration and Breanna Guzman as our Executive Assistant.

We also celebrate some new roles within our team: Marlen Duran is now our Director of Outreach and Interns, and Edlyne Eliazad is our Group and Therapeutic Spaces Coordinator.



To learn more about these wonderful team members, click the link below:

This month, we honor and hold space for all parents who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a baby, child, or teen. At Jessica’s House, we recognize the deep love and enduring grief parents carry daily.

Visit jessicashouse.org/resources for support or contact us at (209)250-5395.

You can also find comfort and understanding in our podcast episode When You’re Grieving Your Child, where we share stories and reflections from parents who’ve been there. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. 

Giveaway Sneak Peek!

To celebrate 6 months since When Grief Comes Home launched, we’re preparing a special giveaway bundle just for you—a signed book, grief coloring journal, affirmation cards, and more special items from Jessica’s House.

Stay tuned! The giveaway kicks off July 31 and runs through August 7. Winner will be announced August 8.

Follow us on social media to keep up with all the details and how to enter!

Art Activity: Grief Slime

Materials: Elmer’s glue, paint, baking soda, contact lens solution, measuring spoons, bowl, Ziplock bags, balloons

Directions: Fidgets, like slime, can help calm us when stressed or nervous. Just as slime includes many different ingredients, grief is made up of many emotions. You can be sad that your person died, mad that it happened, or even relieved that they are no longer in pain. As you create your slime, think about the different feelings each ingredient represents for you.



·        Pour ¼ cup of glue into a bowl. What feeling or part of your grief does glue remind you of?

·        Stir in a couple drops of paint color of your choice. What feeling does that represent for you?

·        Add ¼ tsp of baking soda into the glue mixture and stir it until smooth. Then, add ½ a tablespoon of contact solution and stir slowly until a ball of slime forms.

·        Grab your slime ball and continue mixing it in your hands. What does it look like? Feel like? Sound like? Smell like? 

Reflecting on Our Time at Gather

Gather was such a great time

of connection and celebration

with our parent ministry, Covenant Ministries of Benevolence. We’re grateful Colleen and Erin had the opportunity to share the ministry of Jessica’s House and the book, When Grief Comes Home.

View the presentation here. 

The Creative Hands Behind Our Events

We had the sweetest afternoon at Dragonfly Tea Room in Modesto, celebrating our incredible Décor Darlings! From handcrafted centerpieces to seasonal touches that warm every room, they pour love into every detail. Most of what they create is generously donated, making their work beautiful and heartfelt.

Our Heart Circle events shine a little brighter because of them, and we’re so lucky to have their creativity and kindness in our corner.

Thank You for Dining to Make a Difference!

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us at Texas Roadhouse for the Dine to Donate event. Because of your support and your appetites, 10% of your meals raised $319.16 to help grieving children and families find hope and healing at Jessica’s House. A heartfelt thank you to our community and to Texas Roadhouse for partnering with us in such a meaningful way. 

Jessica's House at Stan Co Fair

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Stanislaus County Fair! Connecting with so many caring individuals and sharing our mission was such a joy. Whether you picked up grief support resources, asked questions, or simply paused to learn more, we’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of this incredible community event. 

Learning from Dr. Alan Wolfelt

Three of our team members recently traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado, for a Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training with Dr. Alan Wolfelt, a nationally respected author, educator, and grief counselor. Dr. Wolfelt’s compassionate approach to understanding and supporting those in grief deeply reflects the heart of our work at Jessica’s House. We’re grateful for opportunities like this that help us continue growing in how we care for grieving children and families.

A Night of Connection and Compassion

Last month, 209 Real Producers hosted a summer social at Mercedes-Benz Stockton. Every raffle ticket and silent auction bid supported grieving children and families—an evening of connection with lasting impact, raising $695.

We are so grateful for their generous support!

When Grief Comes Home Featured In

TAPS Magazine

We’re excited to share that When Grief Comes Home was featured in the latest issue of TAPS Magazine! This excerpt reflects on how community can hold space for grieving families and help carry the weight of loss.

You can read the full piece and explore the entire issue below.

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