Widow Support
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
- Psalm 91:4
The tragedy of losing a spouse can become a reality for some in the first responder community. First and foremost, we want you to know that we stand with you. More importantly, we believe that God is working through the unimaginable heartbreak. While we may never make sense of the full extent of our situations, we can fully make peace by leaning into the love and joy that comes only by following Jesus.
We are not meant to go through life alone, and at The Shelter Foundation we wholeheartedly believe that the best path to navigating the healing process comes through community, fellowship and a relationship with Jesus. We are proud to partner with like-minded organizations who exist to serve widows by offering these in abundance through retreats, content, support and encouragement. We strive to steward your financial gifts to help provide widows with the opportunities to attend these retreats.
Interesting in joining or learning more about The Shelter Foundation’s community group for widows?
Our Denver-area group provides resources, community, smiles and support with monthly dinners and fellowship. We currently have 20+ women involved.
Contact us below to learn more!
“Not long after my husband of 13 years committed suicide I had a good friend reach out to me and tell me that she knew Gracie through another friend and that she wanted to meet me and invite me to her widows group. I very insistently declined and said, ‘No way, her husband died a hero’s death, mine did the opposite. She won’t want to meet me. It’s not the same.’
My friend kept after me to meet Gracie, and so finally I gave in and said I’d meet her for a quick coffee date. Well I’m glad to say I was so wrong. Gracie was so friendly and real about death and disappointment. I went to her next ‘widows dinner out’ and all the women were amazing. We all come from different stories of loss, but we all ‘just get each other.’ We laugh until we cry. We don’t sit there and mourn together but instead take the gift that God has given each of us in having one another to understand completely how we feel inside and take pleasure in that gift. We have fun! We celebrate the gift of girlfriends God has given us in this season.
If you’re unsure, give it one dinner out with us. You’ll leave seen and understood and your soul will be refreshed. Ps 23:3. Come join us!”
Partner Organizations
Never Alone Widow Retreats
Never Alone “Widows of Heroes” Retreats, facilitated by Be Still Ministries, has received a very unique sponsorship by the Gary Sinise Foundation. These retreats are designed specifically to honor widows of fallen military and first responders (i.e: Police, Fire, EMT) and exist to love the widow well through weekend encounters, national gatherings and online resources. Currently, the organization offers 5 retreats across the nation with plans to become the largest Christian widows ministry in the country.’
The Shelter Foundation is proud to partner with Never Alone to send widows to these retreats for encouragement, community and healing in Jesus’ name.
Learn more at neveralonewidows.org.
Nothing is Wasted Ministries
Nothing is Wasted Ministries, founded by Davey and Kristi Blackburn, exists to help you navigate your trauma, tragedies, and major life transitions and find purpose in your pain and come out on the other side equipped with a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.
The Shelter Foundation is proud to partner with Nothing is Wasted in a shared belief that God does not waste an ounce of your pain and there is purpose in the midst of it.
Learn more at nothingiswasted.com.
Songs in the Night
The mission of Songs in the Night by Crowned for Ashes Corp is to be a ‘ministry of hope for young widows through storytelling, scripture, song and community.’
Songs in the Night offers faith-centered widow retreats with a vision of sharing hope, providing rest and respite away from the stressors of life and to build a sisterhood of fellow widows with ongoing support and encouragement.
Learn more at songsinthenight.crownedforashes.org
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Books & Media
We’ve collected some of our favorite resources, study guides and devotionals designed to bring hope and purpose to you.
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Blog
Stay up-to-date with the latest community news, encouraging stories and resources from The Shelter Foundation.
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Stories of Hope
We have a vision that no first responder widow should ever have to face this life alone. Read stories from The Shelter Foundation community.