The People Who Hold This Work
Grieving Hearts is held by a small and growing circle—
those who lead, guide, support, and walk alongside mothers.
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Each brings something meaningful.
Together, they help ensure no mother has to carry this alone.
Leadership & Board
Advisors & Guiding Voices
Women whose lived experience and wisdom help shape this work.
Linda Knowles, LMFT — Kerry's Mom
Jodie Benstead — Shannon's Mom
Jill Batiansila
Founder, Together We Heal — Daughter
Sara Tapparo
Cofounder, Momma Bears Fighting Childhood Cancer, — Ashley's Mom
Those Who Support This Work
A circle of mothers, professionals, and community members whose care and generosity help sustain Grieving Hearts.
Jaqueline Turos — Jesse's Mom
Debbie Harrell — James' Mom
Dr. Rita J, EdD —Sacramento, CA
Jodie George, LMFT —Roseville, CA
Drs. Barton & Lou-Barton —Fair Oaks, CA
Mr. & Mrs. Turos — Folsom, CA
Community Support
Barnes & Noble - Folsom
American River Dental
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​
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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.
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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.
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