Dear Supporters, Partners, and Community Members,
We started Charlie’s Heart Foundation in 2017 after the tragic loss of our five-year-old son, Charlie. Looking back on the weeks and months after Charlie’s death, we can’t help but feel gratitude. Although our family experienced an incredible tragedy and was consumed by grief, we were also wrapped in the love and support of our family, friends, and community. We had jobs that let us take time off work, health insurance coverage to help with medical bills, and access to counseling and family therapy. It was the worst time of our lives, but we were also incredibly blessed.
Many families are not so fortunate. Many families are already living on the edge, without access to the support they need to withstand the trauma and stresses of everyday life. I can’t imagine the struggles these families are facing. How can you be a good parent and hold down a job when you aren’t emotionally and mentally stable? How can you practice self-care and seek therapy when you can barely keep food on the table and make ends meet? It’s a vicious cycle.
It’s been five years since we launched the foundation and three years since we launched our grant program. In this time, we’ve learned a lot about the challenges that vulnerable families face. We’ve also learned a lot about ourselves. We believe the key to creating real and lasting impact requires narrowing our focus and fine-tuning our strategy. All while keeping Charlie and his legacy of love and acceptance at the center of everything we do.
Thank you for being a part of the Charlie’s Heart Foundation family! We are excited to share our plans with you.
Click here to learn more about the CHF 2023-2025 Strategic Plan.
From the Heart,
Rebecca Holt
Founder, Executive Director, and Charlie’s mom
