Jodi contacted the MISS Foundation in 2004, shortly following the stillbirth of her first child, a little girl she named Nia (meaning “purpose” in Swahili).

Finding herself in the midst of those oh-so-painful early months of grief, she was reluctant to attend any in-person MISS support groups. You may wonder why?

Jodi is a lesbian mother. As we all know, society has many negative attitudes about gay and lesbian people in general, and even more judgments about gay and lesbian people raising children.

Jodi was uncomfortable with the idea of walking into a room full of people that would potentially carry homophobic beliefs (spoken or unspoken). She was in such raw pain from grieving that she was not willing to take that chance.

Instead, she met with MISS founder, Joanne Cacciatore. Joanne was the first person that Jodi had met who had not only experienced the death of her beloved daughter, she sought to change the way people view and care for bereaved parents, as well as creating a place for them to find support in one another! After meeting Joanne, Jodi felt as though she could make it..day by day. She knew the journey would be a life-long one, but she finally had hope.

Jodi sought support online in the MISS Foundation forums, she stayed in contact with Joanne, and attended occasional MISS Foundation fundraisers. Finally, more than 5 years after Nia’s death, Jodi attended her first support group. Over time, she shared her story and is grateful for the supportive people she encountered in the group!

As more and more LGBT people choose to become parents (as well as raising their children from past relationships), sadly, some of these parents will face the death of a child.

In honor of her daughter, Nia, Jodi has created the MISS Foundation’s first support chapter for Gay and Lesbian bereaved parents. The group meets once a month in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

In addition, she is a mentor to LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) bereaved parents across the country, offering peer support through the MISS Foundation’s Hope Mentor program.

Jodi’s greatest hope in creating the LGBT chapter is that these bereaved parents will not avoid seeking out the support that they so desperately need and deserve. She is committed to creating a safe space to share feelings, stories, tears, and most of all, to remember their precious children without the initial fear of homophobia and judgment. Since Nia's death, Jodi has been blessed with an amazing wife and a beautiful stepdaughter! Jodi’s ultimate dream is that one day, people everywhere will acknowledge LGBT families as being just as healthy and valid as any other family. For people to understand that LGBT parents LOVE and want the best for their children, and that sometimes, sadly, LGBT people grieve just like any other parent when facing the death of their children...

Click here to email Jodi.
Phone: 602-677-6566