A message from our Executive Director
Dear Jessica's House Community,
September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and this month is always extra close to my heart and my personal story of loss.
When I was a young mom, I lost my dear mama to suicide. My fifteen-year-old sister came to live with our family, and almost overnight, we became a household of grievers, all trying to make sense of our new “not normal.” I will never forget how fragile I felt, or how isolated. I didn’t know how to talk openly about my loss during that time, and I held a lot of shame around how she died. My mom lived with a mental illness that wasn’t well treated. And she was kind, gentle, fun, and the most compassionate human I’ve ever met. Even today, as I write this, I deeply miss her in my physical world.
The felt isolation of grief is part of why Jessica's House exists. No family should ever carry this kind of loss alone, wondering if their grief is “too much” or too different to be understood. Suicide loss carries enormous weight: guilt, unanswered questions, and many times grief is met with silence from those who simply don't know what to say. Our doors are open to walk alongside families through it all, at no cost, for as long as it takes.
If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available right now through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 anytime.
Thank you for being part of a community that ensures that when a family is grieving a death by suicide, they won’t do it alone.
Always,
Erin
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Erin Nelson
Founding Executive Director, Jessica's House
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Suicide Prevention Month is an opportunity to raise awareness, encourage meaningful conversations, and remind those who are grieving that support is available.
When someone dies by suicide, the loss can leave families and loved ones carrying sorrow, unanswered questions, and feelings that are often difficult to put into words. At Jessica’s House, we understand the complexities of this grief and are dedicated to helping families find connection and healing together through our Hope after Suicide support groups.
Our resource, Healing as a Family After a Death by Suicide, offers guidance, comfort, and practical tools to help families process their grief together. You can also listen to our conversation on this topic in the When Grief Comes Home episode: The Complexities of Grief after a Suicide or Death by Violence
By increasing awareness and reducing stigma, we can help create a more compassionate community for all those affected by suicide.
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We are pleased to welcome Samantha Jones to the Jessica’s House team as our new Hospitality Manager. Samantha brings a warm, welcoming spirit and a passion for creating meaningful experiences for families, volunteers, and guests. In her role, she will help ensure that everyone who walks through our doors feels supported, cared for, and at home.
Please join us in welcoming Samantha to Jessica’s House! We are excited to have her as part of our team.
| | When Grief Comes Home is Back! | | |
When Grief Comes Home is back for Season 3! We’re looking forward to bringing you new conversations, expert insights, and special guest appearances that offer comfort, connection and understanding.
Our first episode, Secondary Losses, explores the ripple effect of grief that can continue long after the initial loss, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their experience.
| Listen to When Grief Comes Home on your favorite podcast platform. | | | |
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And if you're looking for even
more guidance, be sure to pick
up a copy of When Grief Comes Home
| | | Art Activity: Inside/Outside Mask | | Participants explored how the feelings we show on the outside may differ from what we experience inside through a creative mask-making activity. Using art materials, they designed the outside of their masks to represent how they present themselves to the world, while the inside reflects their true thoughts and emotions. This healing activity encouraged conversations about conflicting feelings, emotional awareness, and the importance of sharing our "inside" feelings with trusted people. | | Preparing for Another Year of Support | | We recently welcomed our returning volunteers for our annual reorientation training. This valuable time together lets us reconnect, refresh key program information, and prepare for another year of supporting grieving children, teens, and families in our community. We are deeply grateful for the compassion, commitment, and dedication our volunteers bring to Jessica’s House. | |
We need compassionate volunteers to join our team. We are especially in need of those who can support our parents who have lost a spouse, partner, or child.
If you are a warm and steady presence, someone who knows how to listen and help others feel less alone in a circle of shared grief, we would love to meet you.
You can apply to be a volunteer by filling out our volunteer application.
Our next volunteer training weekend is Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20. Please join us!
| | Outreach and Community Highlights | | Back to School Nights with Jessica's House | | Our Outreach team participated in the Back-To-School events at Roselawn High School and Garrison Elementary School, connecting with families and sharing information about the grief support resources available through Jessica’s House. | | Jessica’s House was proud to participate in the Not My Child 5K Run/Walk, joining community members to raise awareness and support efforts to prevent substance misuse among youth. We enjoyed connecting with participants and sharing resources while promoting hope, health, and support for families in our community. | | Grief Awareness Day at La Mo Cafe | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined Jessica’s House, Covenant Care Home & Hospice, and Covenant Living in honoring Grief Awareness Day.
Special thanks to La Mo Café for hosting us and to EMC Health Foundation for providing complimentary drinks for our guests.
| | To see highlights from the event, watch our event recap video here | | From Volunteer to Heart Circle Member | | |
We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers who have recently deepened their commitment to Jessica’s House by joining Heart Circle! These dedicated members of our community already give so generously of their time and hearts, and their decision to provide additional financial support reflects their belief in the importance of grief support.
Please join us in celebrating and thanking our newest Heart Circle members:
- Casey Giffen
- Diana Gilbert
- Rachelle Jacobo
- Robin Reape
| | | | Thank you, Nothing Bundt Cakes, for including Jessica’s House in your 3rd birthday celebration. We’re incredibly grateful for your generosity and for thinking of our community on such a special occasion. | | Supporting Healing Through Poetry | |
A heartfelt thank you to Thumbs Up Poetry for supporting Jessica’s House through Acts of Becoming: Poetry & Wisdom Sayings.
We’re so grateful for your generosity and for thinking of Jessica’s House.
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Mark your calendars for Friday, September 18th, and join us for Bucks for Kids!
For every drink purchased at participating Dutch Bros locations, $1 will be donated to Jessica’s House to help support grieving children, teens, and families in our community.
Grab your favorite Dutch Bros drink and make a difference with every sip!
At participating locations:
Turlock
Ceres
Patterson
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