I have never raised funds on social media. But then, my birthday has never been on Giving Tuesday!

This year, December 3rd is Giving Tuesday, and I am requesting you to donate to the organization that has supported my family in the aftermath of the devastating loss of Raahi. I work at Good Grief, and am witness everyday to the unwavering support it provides to children who have lost a parent or sibling, and their families. In a world where death is often followed by silence and avoidance, or advice to the grieving to "be strong" and "move on," Good Grief provides a space where grief is accepted as a normal part of life. We equip families with coping skills, a vocabulary to express their grief and their needs, and ways to be physically and mentally healthy and stay connected to their environments. Our program is free for all families, they can stay for as long as they need, and even after they leave, they can return anytime they want.

Good Grief also trains school professionals, healthcare workers, organizational leadership, and the community, to be grief-informed. This year, New Jersey became the first state in the country to mandate grief education as part of the health and physical education curriculum in grades 8-12. As we stand on the front lines of grief education, our vision is to make a grief-informed America, where children are supported in their grief, in schools, in families, and in their communities.

I go to work every day inspired by the impact Good Grief has has on my family. In my role, I provide the research that informs our programs, and gather the evidence that it is working. Please help me raise the funds we need to expand our reach, develop more programs, and support more lives.

Aside from donating, please find out about your organization's matching program for Giving Tuesday. Join me in changing the future for grieving kids. Thank you.