Mission Statement / Vision
The MISS Foundation, established in 1996 by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, is an international 501(c)3, volunteer based organization providing C.A.R.E. [counseling, advocacy, research, and education] services to families experiencing the death of a child.
Values
- We recognize that the death of a child at any age is one of life’s most tragic experiences;
- We honor the sacredness of every member of the family;
- We value integrity, kindness and respect in all we do;
- We provide mindful, compassionate and respectful care of others and ourselves;
- We embrace the commitment of lifelong care in the aftermath of a child’s death;
- We foster a healing environment in which individuals, families and communities may, when ready, experience a sense of hope for the future;
- We recognize the potential in human beings to emerge from their suffering, transformed, ready to help another.
- We promote a non-medicalized, community-based approach to grief including equine therapy with rescue horses, eco therapies through retreats and activities in nature, and mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga.
A Message from Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, Founder
Welcome to the MISS Foundation’s online support site. If you are a family member experiencing the death of a child, we extend our deepest empathy. There simply are not words to express the depth of the sorrow. We are here to share the pain and we want you to know that we will walk with you.
There is so much to learn and see in the MISS Foundation website. In addition to the online support site, we also have face-to-face support groups in certain areas and HOPE Mentors available all over the world. We have a network of Compassionate Bereavement Care providers who are specifically trained in traumatic grief who may be available to offer support services in your community. Our Forums offer online support group board 24/7, fully moderated for safe space. We have sections for families with specialty information for dads, grandparents, and siblings. In our professionals section, there is information on our workshops, resources, and speakers available to present in your facility about many topics relating to child death. We offer a contemplative retreat with skilled leadership that brings grieving families together each year in a beautiful and meaningful setting.
And there is so much more information contained in our pages…take your time and browse. Feel free to ask questions, and know that there is no greater tragedy than the death of a child. You do not walk alone.
Joanne Cacciatore, PhD
Founder
Friends of the MISS Foundation: Sponsors
We are updating our new sponsors list. Please check back 8/01/19 for current listings.
2018
The MISS Foundation thanks all of our sponsors and donors for their support.
| Deepest gratitude to the family of Daniel John Coleman – Allen, Venessa, Anika, and Craig – for their $85,000 matching gift contribution to support the building of the Selah Family House | |
| Kathy Decker has made another very generous donation to support MISS. We are so grateful. | |
| Thank you Origami Owl for your continued support this year! | |
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Thanks to the Angels Asana and Ale Campaign for raising $25,000 for the Selah House Carefarm Program |
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We are grateful for Zebra sponsoring the MISS Foundation with a $250 donation. |
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We are grateful for BigRentz sponsoring the MISS Foundation with a $250 donation. |
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Thanks to all of our donors for the MISS Foundation and to the Selah House Carefarm Fundraising Effort. |
KONG Company has generously supported the MISS Foundation for many years! We want to encourage our MISS members to support KONG, and we specifically want to acknowledge KONG President, KD Frueh, for her generous support and compassion for MISS bereaved families. Thank you!
We are so excited to announce the MISS Foundation has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the Kohl’s National Giving Program! We were among 300 nonprofits nationwide to be nominated and selected for this very special honor. Huge thanks to Paxton’s mom, Kohl’s Cares, and Phoenix-area Kohl’s for continually supporting the MISS Foundation! Thank you!
A big thank you to all our donors!
We are so grateful for your continued support.
Thank you again for all your generosity and giving in memory of those you love!!
We are currently updating our current donors list. If you do not see your name by 10/1/19, please let us know at kelli.montgomery@missfoundation.org. Thank you for your patience during this process.
2019 Donors
September 2019
Rachal Waranch & Family, Gidi’s Team
August 2019
Addie, Bryan, Elias, and Thea Thompson, In memory of Kinsleigh Weaver
Margie Borth, In memory of Andrew Smith
Paul Shankman
Donna Zigmantani, in honor of Reeve Jonas Butigan
The Light Rake Family, in memory of Gidi Zilberstein
Jacqueline Codair, in honor of Kate Green
Susan Deschler, in honor of John Vilela
Carol Tapia, in memory of Anna Colegrove-Hager
Donna Ross
Anonymous, in honor of Dr. Sara Sweetbaum Treiber
David Van Hook, in memory of Corey
Elizabeth Institute and Margo Herron, in honor of Beth and Sara Jane Stevenson
July 2019
Virginia Miller
Judith Finneren
Renee Graham
Lisa Whitman
Carol Tapia, in memory of Anna Colegrove-Hager
Donna Ross
Sara Weaver Lundberg and family, for Selah House, in memory of Isabelle Roo Lundberg
June 2019
Sarah Henderson, in memory of my father- James Stephens Gibson
Kelli Montgomery, in memory of Madeleine
Heather, and Elizabeth Chase, in memory of Baby Hopper
Susan Quinn, in memory of Brian
Janice Hall, in honor of Curt Anthony Jack Hall
Wendy Jeffcoat, in memory of Nancy Jeffcoat
Dayna Durr, in memory of Jordan Durr
Carol Tapia, in memory of Anna Colegrove-Hager
Donna Ross
Lisa Gagliano
Italia Sawn
Michelle Lipinski, Jonah and Noah
May 2019
Jo Ann Poffel – grand mom and grandad, in memory of Sarah Elizabeth hammock
Michelle Robertson, in memory of Emily Knight
Tina Cherie & Jessi Pearson (Queen Hatter)
Jan Ashcraft, in memory of Tigerlily Bridges
Wendy Jeffcoat, in memory of Nancy Jeffcoat
Rachel Simkin, in honor of Oren Bachrad
Rachel Tso, in memory of Zaadi
Amy Greif, in honor of my mom Nora Bardo
Terrence Dugan, in honor of Karen Dugan
Carol Tapia, in honor of Anna Colegrove-Hager
Cheryl Beddow, in honor of Tigerlily Bridges
Donna Ross
Ali and Ron Kossack, in memory of Sam Kossack
David, Stephanie, Matthew, Sarah and Victoria Harris, in honor of Robert (Robbie) Joseph Harris
April 2019
Terence Dugan, in honor of Karen Dugan
Audrey Cardany, in honor of Caitlin Anne
Julie Watkins-Tory, in honor of Taigo Reza Sabet
Nicole Anderson, in honor of MacKenzie Lynn Anderson
Jillian and Jeremy Lipari, in honor of Graham and Savannah Grady
Carol Tapia, in memory of Anna Colegrove-Hager
Donna Ross
Buck, Rebecca, Ayla, Ellis, and Damen Schleifer, in memory of Andrew Schleifer
Danielle Tiser, in honor of Hudson Grant Lynn
March 2019
Michele Botte, in honor of Cameron Booth
Winifred Kessler, in honor of Hudson Lynn
Giselle and Gregory Lombardi, in honor of Josephine Cercone
Alesha Arp, in honor of Nigel Nisbet In memory of Cambria
Jen Presnell, in memory of my daughter River – born still
Jamie Nho, in honor of Ellie Grace Matichak
Carol Tapia, in honor of Anna Colegrove-Hager
Kathleen Massman, in memory of Jacob
Donna Ross
February 2019
Judy Forester, in honor of Pat Edwards (her 64th birthday)
Lea Ann Fessenden, in memory of Tigerlily Bridges
Nita Sissell, in memory of TigerLilly Bridges
Carol Tapia, in memory of Anna Colegrove-Hager
Jacob Lindman & Calm.com Inc
Donna Ross
January 2019
Kathy Wall Hay
Veronica Learnmonth and Cutesy Cupcakes, in honor of William Nye Heinrichson
Emily and Molly Suzuki, in honor of Badass Maya Thompson and Ronan
Kathryn and Mark MacLeod, in honor of Mama Maya’s bday
Diana Green, in honor of Tigerlily Bridges
Carol Tapia, in honor of Anna Colegrove-Hager
Lior and Michal Temkin, in memory of our son, Eitan Temkin
Cynthia Brown and Family, in honor of Blake Vanker
Thanks to all of our donors for the MISS Foundation and to the Selah House Carefarm Fundraising Effort
