Support Group
Parent-to-Parent Support Group
Forget-Me-Not Newsletter
This quarterly newsletter is written for and by families who have experienced the loss of a child. If you would like to receive a paper copy, please contact us at:
Contact (716) 626-6363
email: Newsletter@wnypbn.org
email: Emily@wnypbn.org
You can now submit your Safe Arrivals and Forget You Nots online using the button below.
Care Package / Journal Program
The WNYPBN will be there for you every step of the way throughout your journey of grief. We design and give a small package for each newly bereaved family that contains information about who we are, about grief, as well some small tokens acknowledging the beautiful, though brief, life of their baby.
One of the tokens families will receive in their care package is a Grief Journal, designed by Lisa Jerebko, in loving memory of her son, John Paul Jerebko, November 18, 1999. Journaling your emotions and feelings when you are grieving can be therapeutic and healing. Please use this journal to record your thoughts and the memories of your baby before they fade.
Parent Telephone Support
A parent can receive a phone call from a trained parent who has had a similar perinatal loss. Speaking with someone who has experienced perinatal death may help a parent to begin to heal.
Contact (716) 626-6363
email: Kristen@wnypbn.org
email: Emily@wnypbn.org
Camera Program
This camera program offers families a chance to capture the miracle that is their child. Families are urged to take photos of their short time with their baby: the window of opportunity to capture memories with their baby is very, very small. Most hospitals provide disposable cameras for use during this time. The WNYPBN provides many of these cameras and is in the process of collecting used or new digital cameras and SD memory cards for hospitals. In this way, families can use the hospitals’ digital cameras and take the memory cards home to print pictures as needed.
The “A Moment in our Arms, Forever in our Hearts” program was created in collaboration with Courtney Bajdas and Matthew Barnhardt, bereaved parents of Andrei Skolikas Barnhardt.
Angel Robes
Collaborating with Angel Gowns of WNY
Angel Gowns of WNY
WNYPBN has partnered with Angel Gowns of WNY to assist hospitals in their need of baptism or final viewing/burial garments for Babies that have passed away.
Angel Gowns of WNY, Inc.’s (AGOWNY) mission is to provide a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, Angel Gown to every baby that needs one. To honor their precious lives and to provide love and compassion for their parents whose arms, and lives, are left empty by their loss.
Angel Gowns of WNY, Inc. a 501c(3) nonprofit charity, is dedicated to creating beautiful final photo and burial gowns, handcrafted by volunteers from generously donated wedding gowns, to offer comfort to grieving families during their time of loss. It is their mission to honor their precious lives by providing a beautiful Angel Gowns to every baby that needs one.
As one father stated when he received an Angel Gown for his baby girl, “This is the only wedding dress my daughter will ever wear.”
If you are interested in donating a gown, please email angelgownsofwny@gmail.com
Sibling Program
SIBLING PROGRAM
Our Sibling Support Program has helped many children, by offering comfort when their baby sibling has died.
As part of the sibling support program, the WNYPBN sends bereaved siblings a stuffed animal as well as a book about the loss of a baby. An informational guide is included for parents, about the developmental stages of loss and grief, and how children may experience or express those emotions.
The Sibling Program also provides for Safe Arrivals. Newborn brothers and sisters of Angels will receive a crochet blanket and the book,” Someone Came Before You” by Pat Schwiebert.
The Network wants to be able to do more for the children who have lost a baby brother or sister. WNYPBN offers a quarterly sibling event that could offer bereaved siblings the opportunity to meet one another, participate in activities to promote healing, and even have a little bit of fun. The WNYPBN is incredibly excited to be able to expand the Sibling Program and serve the children who are also grieving.
If you would like to donate to purchase sibling books in your child’s honor & memory
Remembering Love in a Heartbeat
“Remembering Love in a Heartbeat” support parents who are faced with a terminal pregnancy diagnosis & offers families the opportunity to have their baby’s heart beat recorded on a small recording device that is then placed into a stuffed Bunny or Bear. This is an opportunity for the family to always hear their precious baby’s heart beat, another beautiful memory.
“Remembering Love in a Heartbeat” program is supported in collaboration with Bruce & Jennifer Pritchett bereaved Parents of Helen Lois Pritchett Bear & Bunny Pouches are handmade with Love by Beverly Ingalsbe, bereaved Grandmother of Alyssa Sophia Ingalsbe
Hopeful Hearts, The Otis Bear
Subsequent Pregnancy Heartbeat Bear Program for Bereaved Families
By: Bereaved Mother, Lena Croce in memory of Riley, Gabriella & Baby Croce
I have been pregnant four times. I have one living child. As you can imagine, the fourth time I became pregnant, I was scared it would end too early…just as my previous pregnancies did, and I would lose the baby. Don’t get me wrong, I was hopeful, too; but scared out of my mind. Being familiar with losses, one thing I know for sure is that the time I has with the baby was precious, and I wanted to make as many memories as I could while I held my baby inside, because I didn’t know if I’d get to hold this baby outside. Being categorized as a high risk pregnancy, I received several ultrasounds. I brought a little recording device to one of my visits and recorded my baby’s heartbeat. Having that recording was a great comfort to me for the duration of my pregnancy. It was mine forever. We put the recorder in a teddy bear. My baby girl, Adelaide Joy, was born into this world on January 23, 2015, and we have taken her picture with that bear every month since. I became inspired that other moms with high risk subsequent pregnancies might find having their baby’s heart beat recorded forever may be helpful to get them through what I know can be a very challenging pregnancy, both mentally and physically. If you are experiencing the anxiety of a subsequent pregnancy after a loss, I hope you find comfort having your very own Hopeful Hearts Otis Bear.
Please contact Emily at (716) 626-6363
email: Emily@wnypbn.org
Arthur's Light Candle Program
In memory of Arthur James - 02/16/ 2018
Arthur’s Light was created to provide bereaved families with a candle as a token of light at the end of a tunnel. Our hopes are that these candles will bring comfort for families with a flicker of a flame to light their way and gain some peace. We are shocked about the out pouring of support our family and friends have given us. Many candles have been donated to our cause and by collecting the candles we have raised awareness to such an unspeakable subject. It is a blessing to see so many people come together for our Arthur. It brings us such joy that Arthur’s name is being spoken and written by so many people.
Random Acts of Kindness
A little kindness can make a BIG difference in someone’s day. Your donation sparks a sponsored act of kindness, to be performed by a member of our team in honor of a loved one. Kindness is contagious. Please consider a donation today!
(Program Created by Anderson Family, In memory of Michael Anthony Anderson ~ April 5, 2005)
