RAISE Your Hearts

A nonprofit organization

Hi There, 

M
y name is Alexi. I'm the founder and Chair of RAISE Your Hearts. My husband, Jason, and I were so excited when our daughter, Rory Cheyenne, decided to grace us with her presence on Christmas Eve of 2017 after a healthy, full-term pregnancy. U
n

fortunately, due to complications, we found our temporary home in the NICU and after repeatedly showing her admirable strength and ability to rally, our baby girl took her last breath as we held her for the first and last time in her short six-day stay on this earth. Ou

r hearts and lives were shattered.Ou

r lives are forever split into “before” and “after” our daughter died, and grief has become our resting place for our never-ending love of our firstborn. We are forever changed by her 276 days of existence and her place in our family by making us parents. Th

is organization exists for one reason: to support families and caregivers walking through the grief of infant and pregnancy loss - something that happens far more often than many realize. Ea

ch year in the United States, about 44,000 babies die before birth, at birth, or before their first birthday. That means 120 families per day go home with broken hearts and empty arms. In addition, nearly HALF of all pregnancies end in early term loss. Many of these families, loved ones, and caregivers, don't have access to programs that promote healthy grieving.Fa

milies who go through these losses often face not only heartbreak, but a deep sense of isolation. I started RAISE to change that — by offering healing through community, nature, and whole-person wellness.At

RAISE, we are in pursuit of #WellnessInGrief, choosing to believe in the healing power of creating momentum through movement, mindfulness, and meaningful connections at a time when families and caregivers need it most. Th

e Impact of Nature-Based Healing63

%

    o
  • f grieving mothers see a reduction in depression with nature-based support (Journal of Mental Health Counseling)45% r
  • e
  • duction in stress and anxiety in bereaved fathers participating in nature-based group activities such as outdoor mindfulness sessions and nature hikes (Ecotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 2016)70% of

  • bereaved siblings feel less alone after grief-informed outdoor play (Journal of Planning Literature, 2015)58% of
  • g
  • rieving grandparents report improved emotional coping after participating in intergenerational, nature-based remembrance activities (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022)By combi
  • n
    i
n
g

movement, nature, and community care, our programs support whole-person health in a gentle, empowering way—especially for families navigating the emotional complexities of infant loss. Our goal is

t

o create pathways to healing through: ✔️ Community

T
r
a
i
l
W

alks, family-friendly forest & meditation walks, hiking & running clubs, & outdoor memorial events✔️ Socia

l

Gatherings for picnics, live music, sibling playdates, holiday activities, virtual book clubs, & writing workshops✔️ He

a

ling Installations & Enchanted Trails, including sculpture parks, nature playscapes, & outdoor fitness equipme

n
t

✔️ Partnerships with hospitals, therapists, and local groups

T

hese ares
imple, powerful ways people can begin healing — not by forgetting, but bym
oving forward with intention, surrounded by others who understand. An
d thatb
rings me to one of our most meaningful programs: C
ommunity Trail Walks.T

h

e Community Trail Walks initiative directly addresses these needs by offering:•

A

safe, reflective space to move through grief—both physically and emotionally• O

p

portunities for mindfulness and connection in a low-barrier, natural setting• A

s

ense of momentum and structure during a time that often feels directionless• A s

p

ace to remember and honor babies that have run off ahead in the presence of others who understandThese

w





alks are inclusive, designedfor eve
ryone and every pace — not
just those grieving, but also friends, neighbors, andsupport
ers who want to walk beside them. As you can see from the statistics above, research shows that spending time innature
significantly improves mental health for grieving families. These
walks aren’t just about exercise. They’re about connection. About remembering. About bringing light into a space that’s often held in silence.On Octo

b

er 11th we will be joining at the Van Scott Nature Reserve of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy for a Costumed Creature Crawl to raise awareness for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The fund

s

raised in this campaign will go directly toward making this event a success. If you'd like to learn more and stay up to date, please head to the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1899bfGerL/If RAISE’

s

mission speaks to you — whether because of personal experience, professional connection, or just your big heart — we’d love to invite you to get involved.Love &


Light, AlexiPS

.

If y

o


u

d

on't take anything else from this, please consider this: If you know someone who has experienced …

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

RAISE Your Hearts

Tax id (EIN)

85-3979578

Address

1249 route 590
Hawley, PA 18428