There are two main aspects to our services - educational training and physical bereavement keepsakes, supplies and materials. We have provided a synopsis of each below.
We offer a 4 hour course that is generalized and also includes facility specific information on how to practically care for a patient experiencing loss. Throughout the education, we focus on alleviating fears and offering very practical tools to help caregivers feel more confident and comfortable walking into these difficult situations - even down to simply what to say and what not to say.
Our class is an accredited Continuing Education Course in Ethics for doctors and nurses.
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A team of medical professionals, grief specialists, and mothers who have experienced loss drafted our well-balanced and comprehensive course to educate medical staff on the unique needs of bereaved mothers. After research, we have learned that medical staff have had little to no training in this area. As a result, stress increases for the caregiver and there can be a lack of appropriate care given to the patient. We equip medical professionals with tools to care for these unique patients effectively. Classes are tailored to meet the needs of the professional groups listed. Our class is taught live or facilitated, with questions answered, common situations addressed, and practical procedures provided to help caregivers feel more confident in caring for their loss patients in many different situations. Resources are given to each class participant to refer back to including our contact information if they ever need additional help with a unique situation. Participants can also receive up to 4 continuing education credits for taking our class. |
Current Classes ♥ L&D / NICU / Support Staff
4 hr duration / 3.75 CEUs ♥ Critical Care / High Level NICU 4 hr duration / 3.75 CEUs ♥ Pediatric Cardiac Care 4 hr duration / 3.75 CEUs ♥ Midwives ♥ Chaplains / Pastoral Services 1.5 hr duration / no CEUs available ♥ Senior Nursing Students via College or University 4 hr duration |
What nurses are saying...
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" I can honestly say, that in the last six years of nursing, Rachel's Gift and the education that they brought to our hospital has been the best education that I have received as a Labor and Delivery nurse. "
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" The presenter did a wonderful job sharing her knowledge, information, and personal experience. All of which helped me understand how to relate to a family in a similar situation. I'm thankful for the opportunity to attend. "
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♥ Keepsake Boxes When you partner with Rachel's Gift and your staff completes our education class, we provide your facility with keepsake boxes to offer to your patients and families at their time of loss. Boxes include our angel bear, a handmade blanket for swaddling, options to capture handprints and footprints, and burial gowns. These keepsakes are a physical lifetime connection to the child that was only in a parent’s arms a matter of minutes or hours. Our boxes also contain literature to help guide parents through baby's end of life plans, resource pamphlets for mother, father, grandparents, family and friends, and a list of local, regional, and national resources to assist them through the grieving process in the months and years to come. Boxes are currently available in English and Spanish. |
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♥ Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Groups
We provide support for moms and families both in the hospital and beyond. Through support groups, we help families move toward healing. Unlike general bereavement support groups, our groups are specifically designed for families of "angel babies." Families are able to join a support group at any time, where there are both emotional and tangible takeaways. All groups are open to parents, grandparents, extended family, and friends. If we do not offer a support group in a patient's area, we will work to connect them with the best possible support group resource nearby. Here is the list and schedule of our active support groups.
Support group curriculum for starting a local support group is available if requested and if a facilitator is provided. Please email us with inquiries.
♥ Follow Up Care
We keep in touch with our bereaved moms during the first year after a loss through the mail. They are directed to a list of grief resources on our website, and are gently reminded that additional support is always available to them if they need it. There are options for families to stay connected with us and other families through our social media pages, newsletters, and events. Families are able to opt-out of our mailing list at any time.
♥ Community Events
We host a variety of events to support our various programs and to encourage bereaved families to connect with and support one another. Our annual Angel Dash 5K and 1 Mile Walk is our largest event, and is held on the third Saturday in October. We memorialize angel babies (by request) along the race course, and allow a moment for families to come together to honor their angel babies after the event.
What mothers are saying...
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" In a time of tragedy where I was unable to think clearly, you came alongside my family and in a sense, thought for us. You helped us to live without regret by encouraging us to hold our baby and spend time with him. You also provided pictures, handprints, footprints, and other keepsakes that we wouldn't have if Rachel's Gift didn't exist. My husband and I are very grateful for all of the things that you provided to help us grieve in a healthy way. "
" Your loving kindness has touched our hearts and all those who mourn the passing of Grace. You were so kind and loving. It was just what we needed. Thank you doesn't begin to express our heartfelt gratitude. The time spent and the lasting memories, along with all of the keepsakes, we will cherish forever. "
" I thank you all SO VERY MUCH. You have been such a blessing to me and my child's father. I lost my second son a year after I lost my first one, and there you were again to be my support system. Thank you. May God bless everyone that takes part in the organization. "
" Thank you for recognizing the life and importance of our little boy. It seems that hardly anyone talks about or recognizes the loss of babies so early on. Thank you. "
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" Rachel's Gift has made this horrible experience a little less painful. You all actually treated my son like a human being. You helped me realize that he was real and he did live. "
" I want to extend my deepest appreciation for all that you did to help ease the pain from our recent loss. I thank you so much for all that you did. It meant so much to our entire family. "
" I want to thank you so much for what you do for grieving parents. Losing a child is something that I wish no parent would ever need to go through. The service - no the healing - that you help provide is priceless and such an amazing gift. "
" Your well-treasured boxes gave me so much comfort. I may not have left the hospital with my angels, but I am so thankful that you made sure I did not go home empty handed, but had a well-treasured memory of my babies I miss so dearly. "
" You have brought us peace during the loss of our precious baby. All of the keepsakes are such a vital connection and have meant so much! "
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FOR GRIEVING PARENTS
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Groups Grief Resources Recommended Reading FOR HOSPITALS & CAREGIVERS Obtain Rachel's Gift Services for Your Facility Rachel's Gift Keepsake Box Resources for Emergency Departments Resources for OB/GYN Offices |
MAILING ADDRESS
922 Highway 81 East #153 McDonough, GA 30252 Send all mail to this address. HQ 76 Sloan Street McDonough, GA 30253 Drop-off donations accepted Mon-Thurs, 9AM-3PM EST. (470) 278-1956 info@rachelsgift.org |
CONNECT WITH US
Rachel's Gift, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; EIN # 26-2467902. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
©2021 Rachel's Gift, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rachel's Gift winged heart logo is a registered trademark of Rachel's Gift, Inc.