Angel Eyes
Child Loss Grief Support
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our Mission: Angel Eyes is a small Colorado non-profit organization that offers free professional grief support to families who have been impacted by pregnancy loss or the unexpected death of an infant
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Grief Counseling and Support
Angel Eyes is the only statewide organization in Colorado offering free short and long term professional bereavement counseling to families whose lives have been impacted by the sudden, unexpected death of their child, including those who have experienced a stillbirth or miscarriage. When a child dies, parents feel a part of them has died, that a vital and core part of them has been ripped away. The grief caused by their child's death is not only painful but profoundly disorienting - children are not supposed to die. Experts repeatedly state that dealing with parental grief involves deep pain and ongoing work as the parents attempt to continue their "journey down the lonely road of grief" (Wisconsin Perspectives Newsletter, February 1997, 1). Angel Eyes offers free, and compassionate grief support services to help families through this very painful, life changing time. We understand that parents and their loved ones have very special needs at this time and do not want anyone to go through the loss of their pregnancy or death of their infant alone. Angel Eyes helps connect these families with others who understand their feelings because they have walked the same path.
The Grief Counselor is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Bereavement Counseling Program. We customize our services to each family based on their individual circumstances. Time appropriate contact with the family along with bereavement literature allows the family to discuss their concerns and counter grief reactions such as guilt and self-blame. Providing proactive care can facilitate mutual support and encourage family communication as well as give the family grief resources they can use in the future. Caring strategies implemented by our Grief Counselor help families learn to live with their loss and become transformed in positive ways.
Education and Awareness
Angel Eyes delivers free educational presentations to various groups in the community, to promote safe sleep practices for parents and caregivers, and to provide information for those providing after-care to families who have lost a child.
Angel Eyes offers two different educational presentations. One that is titled "Infant Sleep Safety: Understanding Risks and Exploring Safety Measures," which presents 'Safe to Sleep' information and guidelines put forth by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is important for anyone who cares for an infant to understand how to create a safe sleep environment. Audiences for this presentation include potential and new parents, caregivers, and child care providers. The second presentation is titled "Sudden Infant Death: How to Respond," which focuses on grief support and trauma-informed care-based information for those who provide after-care for families who have lost a child. This presentation is critical for first responders, particularly victim advocates, to understand how to interact with a family immediately following the death of their child and during the scene investigation. Audiences for this presentation include: police, EMTs/paramedics, victim advocates, and funeral home staff.
Child Centered Play Counseling
Grieving siblings can be helped with the death of their sibling through "Child-Centered Play" counseling progressing at their own pace.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
To provide free grief support to any resident of Colorado that has been affected by a pregnancy loss or the death of an infant. These services include:
- individual professional counseling
- counselor led monthly group support meetings
- peer to peer support program
- opportunities for the bereaved to form community by participating in fundraisers, attending social events and volunteering
To strengthen our commitment to awareness and prevention of infant fatality, we partner with other nonprofit organizations to:
- promote the Back to Sleep Campaign and link to caregiver training programs
- provide baby product recall information
- link to tobacco cessation program
- create and maintain social media campaigns
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Increase awareness and availability of Angel Eyes' Services by way of community outreach in the form of:
- personal contact
- email campaigns
- written brochures
- radio Public Service Announcements
- marketing: update all materials to reflect new mission and changes in scope
- social media postings on Facebook that highlight what we do and that notify our followers of upcoming events and National days of significance
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Angel Eyes has a small staff that is dedicated to the well being of the organization as well as its continued longevity. Hands on board members are committee members, fundraisers and volunteers as well as stewards of resources and record keepers. All of us at Angel Eyes have become expert at making a lot out of a little.
Because of this team mindset, we have been very successful in maintaining a solid reputation in our community that keeps our client base engaged and sponsor group involved over the long term.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Angel Eyes has spent 2018 and 2019 restructuring the organization in an effort to better serve our community and improve the outlook of the organization:
- New board members and an increase in the number of board members brings new ideas, contacts and follow through to improve the financial stability of the organization
- A new counselor with flexible hours has increased our caseload as working parents and couples are able to use our services more effectively
What's next:
- A systematic approach to grant writing and strategic planning to improve the amount of operating dollars for the 2020 budget
- An electronic system for counseling that will enable Angel Eyes to reach more residents in Colorado that live outside the Denver Metro Area
- An internship program for counselor candidates
- An updated website to allow for more interactive use by staff and participants
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Angel Eyes
Board of directorsas of 01/26/2020
Laura Crowley
Brenda Johnson
Laura Crowley
Scott Kingsbury
Chase Richter
Ryan Prosser