“At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, we remember them” Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Reimer. At Soaring Spirits International widowed people take their pain of healing to help each other providing a community of peers, resources, and understanding all over the world. It was a joy, and honor, to interview Mary Moore Hughes, Camp Widow Program Director and the Virtual Program Manager to learn about this special organization whose mission is “to connect widowed people with each other.”
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Thomas Campbell
Soaring Spirits International was founded in 2008 by Michele Neff Hernandez. Michele’s husband died suddenly in 2005 and she began looking for other widowed people who would share their stories with her in the hope of finding understanding and support, leading her to Michelle Dippel whose husband had also died in 2005. Michele and Michelle became close friends and this powerful friendship helped them mourn, cope, and heal, propelling Michele Neff Hernandez into wanting to do more for other widowed people. She wanted to provide this kind of support and resources to help other grieving widowed people. To have a global community to help them know they were not alone.
“I reserve a space in my heart always for what life would have been if you were still here.” Unknown
Soaring Spirits international provides a plethora of support, resources, programs, and events. This mighty staff of eight people combined with hundreds of volunteers form a tribe of people who get the grief and mourning of a widowed person. There are “Resources For The Newly Widowed’ (one year or less in their loss), in-person or virtual support groups, a variety of “Virtual Programs,” mailings such as the “Newly Widowed Packet” and “You Are Not Alone” cards, In-Person programs such as regional support groups and Camp Widow provide connection and understanding. Camp Widow is an in-person conference format, inspiring retreat, and a safe place for widowed people to attend where they will be welcomed with open arms. The idea for this special camp was written on a napkin as Michele and Michelle realized the need, and value, for a camp for widowed people to come together. Mary shared that the two and a half days of Camp Widow has transformed lives and created iron clad relationship bonds between campers. This loving community of widowed people take care of each other in so many ways as people want to help. For those who might not have the funds to attend, there are “campership” scholarships that can potentially help with the costs. Soaring Spirits also has an extensive online book library, document center, and videos through one of their other websites, https://widowedvillage.org/. The Resilience Center, on the campus of Schreiner University, Texas, promotes resiliency and is a “model for what resilience looks like that resonates with widowed men and women that validates both their experience and their potential. This hand that reaches back to help others is also shown with the “Widowed Pen Pal Program” that matches widowed people with one another for supportive emails. Mary shared that regardless of the dynamics, that Soaring Spirits has “a widowed person for that” to provide support and understanding. Camp Widow is the only program that has a fee as all the other supports, resources, and groups are free. Once per year in San Diego, Camp Widow offers a free kids program at the same time focused on providing support and a community for these children who are mourning the death of a parent. Soaring Spirits International continues to identify actions they can take to support the widowed community and to always be the hand that reaches back to help others.
“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” Havelock Ellis
We are thrilled to shine the Kindness Champion Spotlight on Soaring Spirits International. A mighty non-profit whose community knows the hardships of navigating the death of a partner or spouse yet also knows the power this loving community of widowed people can have in grieving and in living. We thank you for being you and bringing your awesome to the world.
For more information on the REMARKABLE Soaring Spirits International here is their information:
Website: https://soaringspirits.org/
Instagram: @soaringspiritsint https://www.instagram.com/soaringspiritsint/
Facebook: @SoaringSpiritsInternational https://www.facebook.com/SoaringSpiritsInternational
