Honoring Loss, Nurturing Hope: This Giving Tuesday, Help Schools Heal
As the season of gratitude begins, Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and give back. Today is more than just a day of generosity - Giving Tuesday is a time to express gratitude for the people who uplift and inspire us. For many, this season also brings memories of loved ones who are no longer with us that can be challenging to navigate. Grief support is a deeply human but often unseen component of Acknowledge Alliance’s work with educators and students.
One educator recently shared:
““This school year, one of my coworkers passed away in a sudden and tragic way, which has impacted our whole community, but especially those with whom we had a personal relationship outside of work. Coming to work was extremely challenging because it has been a daily reminder of that tragic loss, and we all grieve in different ways. Having a grief circle and a space where our feelings are validated and where we could see that we were not alone in this journey and that other people were also mourning her loss helped me acknowledge what I was feeling and not just suppress it like I tend to do.””
When a school experiences a loss, the ripple effects touch everyone - educators, students, families, and staff. Our resilience counselors sent the message below after one of our partner schools lost a beloved member of their community:
“As we process the news of Morgan’s* passing, I invite you to share a few thoughts in a special notebook available in the staff room. You can add anything you'd like to this book - something Morgan said or did that inspired you or encouraged you, a funny memory with Morgan, a note of gratitude, or even a creative offering such as a drawing or poem…As many of you know, one loss can bring up feelings and memories from previous losses. Please take care of yourselves: rest, hydration, laughter, movement, and self-compassion are essentials. Reach out if you need anything. We're here for you.”
(*individuals’ names have been changed to respect privacy)
In the days that followed, our Acknowledge Alliance counselors created a gentle space for healing along with a memory notebook to fill with reflections, drawings, and stories. It became a sacred space for teachers to grieve together, to honor a life that mattered, and to begin the slow process of healing.
Moments like these are at the heart of what Acknowledge Alliance does. When tragedy strikes - whether through illness, accident, or suicide - our resilience counselors drop everything to be there. They listen. They comfort. They help educators hold space for their grief while continuing to care for their students.
At 27 K-8 schools in San Mateo and Santa Clara County, Acknowledge Alliance resilience counselors guide educators as they navigate the everyday challenges of teaching and uplifting their students. When educators feel supported and empowered, they create classrooms rooted in safety, compassion, and possibility - spaces where everyone can thrive.
And this vital work is only possible because of people like you.
Please help us meet our modest Giving Tuesday goal of raising $2,000 in 24 hours. Your gift ensures that schools have immediate access to mental health professionals when they need it most - when hearts are heavy and healing feels far away. You help create spaces where educators and students can process loss, build resilience, and rediscover hope together.
Your gift can help fulfill vital needs:
$25 can provide a memory book to fill with heartfelt reflections and messages of gratitude
$50 can help supply candles, flowers and tissues to create a soft and inviting space for healing
$100 can provide practices to settle the body and nervous system including micro practice card decks, books of poetry, river rocks and fidgets
$200 can fund a resilience counselor’s classroom support and facilitation of student conversations about loss for half a day
$500 can provide a counselor’s on-campus support of staff for a full day
$800 can fund 3 grief support group sessions with school staff
Will you make a gift today to bring comfort, connection, and healing to educators and entire school communities?
We are grateful to have you alongside us in this important work. Thank you for transforming lives with us, one classroom at a time.
Make an even bigger impact on #GivingTuesday by inspiring others to give! Share why Acknowledge Alliance matters to you on social media and invite your friends and family to donate.