Services
We thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you. Here on our Services page, you will find submission forms for the three programs we offer; Financial, Counseling, and Spiritual Growth. You will also find out more about our founder, Tameika Thomas. We want to remind you that the healing process is just that, a process. There is no expiration on grief. You visiting us today shows that you are ready and willing to journey through grief and find the support that you need. Here at Avery & Aubrey's Way, we want to support you in every way that we can.
Greetings and welcome!
My name is Tameika Thomas and I am the Founder, Executive Director, and President of Avery & Aubrey's Way, which is in dedication to my children, Avery and Aubrey. The girls were born February 14, 2013, passing shortly after due to a placenta abruption and severe prematurity. Avery survived for 30 minutes. Aubrey survived for 2 days. The desire to start a nonprofit stemmed from my life's story as many nonprofits do. I started the nonprofit October 27, 2017, a year after relocating to Illinois from Texas. We exist to assist families who have lost their newborn infant within the first 28 days of life as I have. When I lost my girls, I had an enormous support system ( I won't try to place a number on the amount, because the support was that grand). But what about those who don't have the support that I have? No one should have to grieve the loss of their child alone. Therefore, I am using my own testimony to provide a village to families through Avery & Aubrey's Way.
Note: We do our very best to assist families financially when funds are available. Avery & Aubrey’s Way funds are derived from donations as well as grants.
Financial Program:
Please read before proceeding: Assistance must be requested within 60 days of the child's passing. Please note that Avery & Aubrey’s Way pays the third party, for which you are requesting funds, directly
This form is used for financial support. We assist families with rent/mortgage, utilities, or funeral expenses. Please complete the submission form and upload required documentation for review.
Required documentation includes the following:
1. Copy of birth certificate (Certificate of birth) or copy hospital record indicating newborn infant's birth.
2. Copy of lease agreement/mortgage voucher with at least one parent listed on lease agreement/mortgage voucher (if requesting rent/mortgage assistance).
3. Copy of utility bill (if requesting assistance with utilities).
4. Invoice of funeral expense (if requesting assistance with funeral expense).
Counseling Program:
This form is used for FREE counseling sessions. We currently outsource our families with trusted partners to assist us in the healing process. Please complete the submission form and upload required documentation for review.
Please read before proceeding: Assistance must be requested within 60 days of the child's passing.
Required documentation includes the following:
1. Copy of birth certificate (Certificate of birth) or copy of hospital record indicating newborn infant's birth.
Spiritual Growth Program:
This form is used to connect families with church homes and/or provide prayer. We currently outsource our families with trusted partners to assist us in the healing process. Please complete the submission form and upload required documentation for review.
Please read before proceeding: Assistance must be requested within 60 days of the child's passing.
Required documentation includes the following:
1. Copy of birth certificate (Certificate of birth) or copy of hospital record indicating newborn infant's birth.
Resources:
Bicycle Health
After spending time in an orthopedic clinic to learn more about pain management and opioids, Ankit Gupta founded Bicycle Health in 2017 to increase access to high-quality, integrated medical and behavioral healthcare for people with opioid use disorder. Many of the patients he’d talked with got started on opioids for pain, by doctors, not knowing how problematic opioids are, and the patients detailed how opioids negatively affected them over time. Many patients discussed shame and stigma, ultimately preventing them from getting the care they desperately wanted and needed. The conclusion was clear: opioids are over-prescribed and under-managed in the United States, impacting far more people than most realize. And further, Ankit found medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment to be severely lacking.
https://www.bicyclehealth.com/blog/cope-with-grief-in-recovery
​
​
Birth Injury Center
​
A birth injury is a devastating occurrence, but with the proper guidance and tools, you can restore your family’s hope for a brighter future. We want to help connect families to information and resources needed to overcome their current circumstances.
https://birthinjurycenter.org/types-of-birth-injuries/intrauterine-fetal-demise/
​
​
G.i.F.T.- Giving is a Family Tradition
GiFT strives to restore stability and dignity for families who experience prolonged hospitalization of their newborn through education, providing infant care essentials, and breaking barriers for visitation.
https://www.givingisafamilytradition.org/
​
​
Like a Rose
​
Like a rose nonprofit organization was founded in 2018 by Chandria Taylor. Our organization was founded on the basis that we will be the voice for grieving mothers who feel like they have no voice. At like a Rose we provide support and services to families who have experienced miscarriages and stillbirth. Our services include but are not limited to one on one mentor ship with another angel mom, the brick fund at Anderson Hospital, baby blessings boxes, and annual conferences and scholarships that are donated to other organizations who have a similar mission. We believe that every story written is a story worth being told and so we tell the story of every child who was taking too soon.
​
​
Mend.org
M.E.N.D. is a Christian, non-profit organization that reaches out to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death. We publish free bi-monthly magazines, hold commemorative ceremonies, and host a variety of support groups throughout the nation. M.E.N.D. is a place for families to connect, share their unique story of loss, and learn to live life without your precious baby.
https://www.mend.org/infant-loss-organizations
​
​
SAILS- Stillborn and Infant Loss
Stillborn And Infant Loss Support (SAILS) is dedicated to helping those who have lost their child by letting them know that they are not alone.
https://www.bornintosilence.org/new-about
​
​
The Shanelle Njane Project
TSNP provides grief and trauma recovery coaching to families who are experiencing mental and emotional distress. TSNP hosts prayer circles for families seeking spiritual and religious guidance.
https://www.theshanellenjaneproject.org/
​
​
Unstoppable Extendable
Unstoppable Extended Hands is a non-profit organization founded in 2008. We dedicate our time throughout the year to gathering essential items and support for students and families in the Chicago, IL, and St. Louis, MO areas.
​
We have assisted over 500 low-income families with necessities and school supplies where the primary caregivers are grandmothers, aunts, uncles, foster parents, and older siblings; with some of the youth served being displaced as well.
http://unstoppableextendedhands.org/
​
​