Dear Friends and Supporters, 

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. This is a time when we come together to honor the parents, children and families affected by Pregnancy and Infant Loss. It’s a vital reminder of the heartbreak families endure with their loss and a time to raise awareness and offer support to those most affected. 

At Jessica’s House we are so grateful to have the safe space of HeartStrings. This group is supported by many professionals and volunteers and where children, teens, and parents affected by this loss find a safe space to heal. 

Acknowledging the grief and pain experienced by those who have lost their babies helps them feel less alone. You can support those you know who are affected by pregnancy and infant loss by listening and validating their story, offering practical help, and observing the anniversary of their child’s death. 

We are so grateful to support the families affected by these losses and thank you for your ongoing support for the healing work of Jessica’s House.

With gratitude,

Erin Nelson

Founder and Executive Director, Jessica's House

Grieving through the Changing Season

The fall season brings cooler temperatures and darker days. With each new season you may discover new facets of your loss, which can make this time of year feel even darker. If you lost your partner, you may have also lost your fire-builder. If you lost your child, your other child is missing their sibling to trick-or-treat alongside. The approaching holidays may loom over you as you brace for holiday merriment - a stark difference from how you’re truly feeling.

Lean into small comforts when you find yourself in darker moments. Reflect on what you might need to bring compassion to yourself. Perhaps you could light a candle as you bring presence to your grief. Notice the warmth and flicker of light it brings to your space as you remember your person. Heat up a pot of soup on the stove and notice the aroma it brings to your home. Curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket to bring extra comfort during a movie night with your child.

There may be pressures or expectations for this season, whether from yourself or others. Pushing through may mean going against what you need during this time. You may not have the capacity to engage in seasonal activities as you once did. Honor where you are right now and trust you will not always feel the way you do right now.

You can find more on this topic in our latest podcast episode, When Grief Comes Home – Grieving through the Changing Season.

When Grief Comes Home Podcast

Check out the first three episodes of When Grief Comes Home!

• Episode 1 - A Welcome - When Grief Comes Home
• Episode 2 - The Early Days of Grief
• Episode 3 - Grieving through the Changing Season

Listen & Subscribe: Spotify/Apple/Amazon Music/iHeart Radio

New episodes air every other Tuesday!

We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of the Jessica's House team!

Courtney Morse has joined us as our Director of Marketing and Development, bringing her expertise and passion for our mission. Adrienne Gillespie is stepping in as our Outreach Coordinator, ready to connect with the community and expand our reach. And Lisette Maciel-Hernandez will be our Group Support Coordinator, dedicated to providing essential support to our families.

Click the link below to learn more about Courtney, Adrienne, and Lisette, and join us in welcoming them to the Jessica's House family!

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month. We are holding space for all those impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. Our HeartStrings Group is here to support families affected by pregnancy or infant loss. For more information, contact us at (209) 250-5395 or

email info@jessicashouse.org

Materials: Blank paper, skinny Sharpie markers, pens, crayons, colored pencils

Directions:

Using crayons or colored pencils, color each layer of your iceberg using a different shade of blue. The top of the iceberg will be the lightest shade, and each layer will get darker. Write your answers to the prompts below on each layer.

• Top of the iceberg – What everyone knows about you and the feelings you show others.
• Under the surface – This is what very few people know about you. It’s the emotions representing how you really feel.
• Bottom of the iceberg – This is what nobody else knows about you. These are emotions that are hard for you to express.

In nature, when too much pressure or weight is put on an iceberg, it can cause the iceberg to flip over, causing a wave. There are parts of life that are hard and feel heavy on our hearts. If we don’t take care of ourselves as this pressure builds, we can also ‘flip’ and react in ways that aren’t helpful to us or others. These reactions are like waves that knock us or others down. When life feels heavy, it helps to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Expressing what’s underneath your iceberg can give you relief and help you not feel alone.

Reading Extravaganza

Out of the Darkness Walk

Sienna's Walk

This fall, we've had the privilege of attending several outreach events in our surrounding communities. We’re grateful for these opportunities to raise awareness of our services and connect with even more families. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers for their unwavering support at these events—we couldn’t do it without you!

Community Donor Events

DutchBros Bucks4Kids

Carter Nelson Memorial Golf Tournament

Thank you to Dutch Bros for hosting Bucks4Kids in support of Jessica's House, and to the Carter Nelson Memorial Golf Tournament for their generous contributions. Your support makes a meaningful difference!

Harvest Dinner

We were honored to celebrate our Heart Circle donors at our annual Harvest Dinner on September 26th. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a memorable evening of connection and gratitude. A special thank you to our Youth Ambassador, Jasmine, for courageously sharing her story with us.

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