I lost my son 6 years ago and this foundation sponsored me to spend the weekend with other moms who had lost their sons along with some counselors great food form the volunteers which made the weekend very special thank you

Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation is so special. I attended the retreat for grieving mothers. I was very withdrawn and not functioning very well after losing my 17 year old daughter. My niece found this retreat and set it up for me to attend. The moment I arrived I felt calm and in the right place. Everyone their made you feel welcome and let you go at your own pace. Meeting the other precious mothers who I still think of and feel for and pray for told their story's and shared special moments of their lives with the children they lost which made you feel like you are not alone and our children are still alive in our hearts and it was OK to talk about them. I am thankful everyday for Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation (I know how hard this must be to keep it going but she does.)

I would never want to say that I *enjoyed* the grief retreat I went to last September, but being surrounded by other bereaved mothers was the first time I felt normal since my 11-year-old son died a year earlier. On my way to Sebastopol where the retreat was held, I was terrified to be away from my support people back home and surrounded by strangers. But being together and sharing our most wounded and vulnerable selves with each other was powerful. It didn't bring back any of our children, but we found commonalities through out losses, and through that connection, there were baby steps made in understanding our grief. Thank you Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation.

I am a volunteer for the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation and it has been such a rewarding experience. I have been able to volunteer side by side with individuals who have been supported by the organization. Each person has shared actual instances where help has been available for them, i.e., support at the clean and sober house for young men, support at the weekend retreat for mothers who have lost a child, and support at the local high school for youth who have had substance abuse problems. It has been an honor to get to know these people and know that we are all working to help through the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation.

One of the services that the Tim Griffith Foundation provides is a a residential grief support weekend for a parent that has suffered the sudden loss of a child. It is our intention with these Retreats to honor and comfort mothers and fathers as they learn to live the unthinkable and try to see their way to hope. I co-facilitate the Mother's Retreat. It is the most meaningful and important work I have ever been involved in. The loss of a child is the greatest loss that no one is prepared for handling. Our society, friends and even family struggle to know what to do and often want the person to just move past their grief. These retreats are a much needed offering to parents that feel isolated in their grief. I am so proud that our foundation offers this unique service and have a full heart knowing that we have been able to touch so many people's live by providing help during such a dark time. Here is a link to the program.http://www.timgriffithfoundation.org/programs/grief-support/meadowlark-retreats

"It isn't the moment you are struck with grief that you need courage, instead it is for the long uphill climb back to sanity and faith and security". The Meadowlark Retreat for me, a grieving mother, has been those stepping stones on the uphill climb. There are no words to describe the positive support I continue to receive from the leaders and moms. Thank you.
Laverna Bosold

How to begin? The Tim Griffith foundation sponsors weekend retreats for bereaved parents. I attended one last year and it was truly amazing. I felt enwrapped in loving arms and was granted the space to discuss and grieve my daughter. Not only did everyone understand (they were all grieving mothers) but the wanted to hear eachothers stories and our discussions helped me understand my own feelings. Not to mention the magnificent venue and gourmet food we enjoyed. I feel blessed to be a part of this community and the foundation makes it available to all.

I also attended a weekend as a volunteer and felt just as much love and warmth as when I was a guest.

Ok, I'm biased. I've been a Board Member since the inception of the Tim Griffith Foundation. However, my bias is based on nine years and counting of work with this foundation. This foundation is born out of a wound--the tragic and senseless loss of a treasured son, brother, friend, and simply good person. At it's essence. the foundation is Newton's craddle incarnate--for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When Tim's life was taken--brutally, senselessly, his mother chose to react to this loss with as much power and momentum toward healing and hope. This foundation gives it's soul to "right the world" so that there are safe neighborhoods to combat violence, safe havens for those with addictions to heal, and healing spaces for those that are dealing with the most terrible loss of a child.

I trust this foundation with all of my charitable contributions because I know the direct impact it has on our community. This is an organization with heart and sould

I have been a volunteer since 2005. I have had many rewarding moments as a volunteer over the years. The energy is always evolving as we grow and add additional services to our community.

Recently I had the opportunity to work behind the scenes preparing meals at the Meadowlark Retreat for Mom's who have lost a child.

I can say without any hesitation it was one of the most profound weekends of my life. The impact of the professionally facilitated weekend on these Mom's in the darkest times of their life was so deeply moving and truly beautiful.

It is hugely gratifying to me to that the little bit that one person can do in a powerful group together really can and does make a difference.