A message from our Executive Director
Dear Jessica's House Community,
April always brings a particular kind of fullness to our calendar, and to my heart. This month, we paused to honor the people who make it all possible: our volunteers.
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and honestly, one month doesn't feel like enough. Our approximately 200 volunteers are the heart and soul of Jessica's House. You can find them leaning in for stories from middles and teens, supporting parents in their groups, playing soccer on the back lawn, and this month, creating support chains and anger volcanoes with littles to help bring coping skills and expression to grief. They remember names. They show up consistently, group after group, because they know this work matters. We celebrated them this month with a bowling event, and while a night of strikes and laughter feels like a small gesture, it comes with enormous gratitude.
To our volunteers, donors, families, and community partners: as always, thank you for making Jessica's House what it is.
This work belongs to all of us.
With warm appreciation,
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Erin Nelson
Executive Director
| | Celebrating Our Volunteers | | Each April, we honor our incredible volunteers who share their hearts and time with the families we serve. It is truly because of them that we can support so many. As our volunteers walk alongside families, they offer their presence, compassion, and often their own lived experience. Every hour, every conversation, every quiet act of care is a profound gift to our families. We recently gathered at Ten Pin to celebrate our volunteers and honor their years of service. Amazingly, we currently have 208 volunteers, and some have been with us for fourteen years! This month and every month, we are grateful that they are a part of our community. | | 2025 Impact at Jessica's House | | |
Thanks to the compassion of our community, Jessica’s House supported 963 grieving children, young adults, and caregivers this year offering a safe place for connection, healing, and hope at no cost to families. Together, we are living our mission and ensuring that no child ever grieves alone.
Read our 2025 Annual Report to see the impact you made.
| | When Grief Comes Home Podcast | | |
Featuring a special guest appearance from Davey Blackburn, who
shares his personal story of profound loss and reflects on grief, faith,
and the honest wrestling that can follow tragedy. This is Part 1 of a
two-part conversation.
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We’d love your support! Take a moment to write a written review and
rate our podcast.
| Listen to When Grief Comes Home on your favorite podcast platform. | | |
Art Activity:
Support Chain
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Big feelings can be easier to manage when kids recognize who and what helps them feel supported. This simple at‑home activity helps children think about the people, activities, and comforts they can turn to when emotions feel overwhelming.
Using strips of paper, kids can write or draw answers to prompts like:
- When I need a hug…
- When I’m sad…
- When I want to talk…
- An activity that helps me feel calm is…
- When I need to laugh…
- When I need to cry…
- An animal that brings me comfort is…
- Someone who makes me feel safe…
Link the strips together to create a chain, a colorful reminder that they are surrounded by support.
| | Families We Supported Last Month | | |
Last month, Jessica's House supported 194 families— 773 children, teens, and young adults and 212 adults. Behind every number is a story of deep love and real loss.
If you or someone you know could use support, reach out to us at 209-250-5395 or info@jessicashouse.org
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2026 Grief Education Training:
Supporting Children Who are Grieving
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Join us at Jessica's House on
July 2, 2026 from 9:00am - 12:00pm for a relaxed, in-person grief education training. We'll share easy-to-understand tips and support strategies to make a tough topic a little easier.
Topics include:
- Sensory-based expressive activities
- Calming strategies
- Trauma-informed practices
Registration is required and capacity is limited to 40. This training is free to attend.
For questions, please email info@jessicashouse.org or call (209) 250-5395.
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Thursday, April 30th, is National Therapy Animal Day! We’re celebrating over very own four-legged comfort expert, Genesis!
With her calm presence, soft ears, and endless compassion, Genesis brings comfort and connection to Jessica’s House in the most beautiful way. Whether she’s quietly by someone’s side or offering a gentle nuzzle, she helps create a sense of safety and peace.
We’re so grateful for the healing, love, and tail-wagging support Genesis brings to our community.
| | Outreach and Community Highlights | | |
Our outreach team connected with local families through several community events, including the Aspiranet Community Resource Fair at Turlock Unified School District and the Newcomer/Refugee Night at Pitman High School, sharing information about available resources and support. Jessica’s House also joined the NAMI Stanislaus Walk to raise mental health awareness and highlight the importance of compassion and community.
| | We’re so grateful to everyone who stopped by Motors on Main to learn more about Jessica’s House and support grieving children and families. We’re grateful to Bernie Medeiros, who graciously hosts this annual Memorial Car Show each year in downtown Gustine. The event brought the community together with food, craft vendors, raffles, live music and an impressive display of classic cars, all benefiting Jessica’s House. | | |
A Meaningful Service Project from
Patricia Kay Beaver 5th Graders
| | We are deeply grateful to the 5th-grade class at Patricia Kay Beaver School, who chose Jessica’s House as their service project. With incredible thoughtfulness, students hand‑stuffed special stuffed animals, each with a small pocket so families can add a comforting scent or a photo of their loved one. The class lovingly presented the animals to our team and later honored Jessica’s House again during the PKB Loves Day celebration with the entire school. Their compassion is a beautiful reminder that care, empathy, and healing can begin at any age. | | | | |
