Tidewell Foundation Receives Grant

August 10, 2022 – Sarasota

 As COVID-19 is having another resurgence across the United States, we are reminded that more than 760,000 people in this country have died with the virus, many leaving behind grieving children, spouses and grandchildren. Recognizing this unique and unprecedented loss, the Brave of Heart Fund has awarded $20,000 to Tidewell Foundation in support of Tidewell Hospice’s Blue Butterfly grief support program for children.

The grant is allowing for a new COVID-19 grief support group for youth ages 9 to 16 over the course of six Thursdays beginning August 4.

Brave of Heart Fund was founded in May 2020 by the foundations of Cigna and New York Life. It was established to provide charitable grants and emotional support services to the families of frontline healthcare workers, volunteers and support staff whose lives were lost in the fight against COVID-19.

Brave of Heart Fund is working with the National Alliance for Children’s Grief, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides educational and resources for anyone who supports them.
 “Much of the trauma that we are seeing with these children and adults stems from the fact that they did not get to say goodbye to their loved one, hold their hand, and see them as they died due to the restrictions in hospitals across the country,” said Debbie Mason, Tidewell Foundation president.

Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program uses certified child specialists and evidence-based interventions to help children process through their grief.

The program had a waiting list of 10 children and 6 caregivers who had a significant person die from COVID-19. The Brave of Heart funding will allow the children and caregivers to be enrolled and provide outreach into hospitals and schools to identify others in need of the program.

 “We are grateful to Brave of Heart not only for their generosity, but also for the kindness and compassion that drives such generosity,” Mason said. “This grant to the Tidewell Foundation benefits Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program to uplift more children and families as they work toward healing and hope from a loss of a loved one during COVID-19.

All of Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly grief groups are free of charge to participants thanks to generous support from donors to the Tidewell Foundation. To learn more about Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly Program or to make a donation, visit tidewellfoundation.org/impact-areas/