Our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The reason Grieving Hearts can heal hearts.
Board Members
Advisory Council
Linda Knowles, MFT, Kerry's Mom
Jodie Benstead, Shannon's Mom
Guiding Lights
Jill Batiansila, President, Founder of Together We Heal, Daughter
Reina President, Founder of Olivia Chan Foundation, Olivia's Mom
Sara Tapparo, Cofounder Momma Bears Fighting Childh Cancer, Ashley's Mom
Close Supporters
Jaqueline Turos, Jesse's Mom
Debbie Harrell, Cofounder 100+ Women Who Care of Placer County, Jame's Mom
Jeanne Rodriguez, Crystal Rodriguez Meml Schlrshp Fund, Crystal's Mom
Community Supporters
Barnes & Noble - Folsom
American River Dental - Rancho Cordova
Mr. & Mrs. Turos - Folsom
North Coast Church - El Dorado Hills
Inspirations
Elizabeth Schneider, Founder Jaxon's Blue Little Bike, Jaxon's Mom
Allison Ibsen, Narcan Advocate Dylan's Mom
Dr. Brenda Daily, PhD, LCSW, Grief Therapist, Kevin's Mom
Generous Donors
Dr. Rita J, EdD
Jodie George, MFT
Drs. Barton and Lou-Barton
Our Values
Compassion
We meet grieving mothers with empathy, tenderness, and care.
Community
We create safe, supportive spaces where no mother grieves alone.
Integrity
We act with honesty, transparency, and responsibility in all we do.
Empowerment
We encourage strength, resilience, and healing on each unique journey.
Remembrance
We honor and cherish the memory of our children gone too soon.
About Us
Grieving Hearts was started in 2025 because there is a real and often unseen need among mothers who have lost a child. Mothers need specialized support, honest connection with others who understand, and practical opportunities for healing and some measure of peace as they live with lifelong grief.
Grieving Hearts exists to meet that need and to make sure mothers know they are not alone. Grieving Hearts exists because the need is real.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help mothers who have been shattered by the anguish of losing a child, learn that she can survive — and to help her find a way to carry joy alongside the sadness and re-engage with family and friends, perhaps even at a deeper level.
What We Do
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We help grieving mothers heal by offering therapeutic art and crafts and other healing activities that help us create, move, and grow at no to very low cost.
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We coordinate personal peer support through private introductions to offer true understanding.
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We maintain a library of hard-to-find resources for moms.
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We are advocates for bereavement law reform.
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We are raising funds to provide emergency financial support as bereavement pay is often only a few days to a week -- when what a mother needs is time and space to grieve, not be overwhelmed by an added stress of basic survival.
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Through determined and heartfelt outreach to chaplains, grief facilitators, hospices, and other care professionals throughout the region to let mothers know that we are here for them, when they are ready.
