Women Find Hope at Bellis
We so appreciate all of our loyal donors. This October, we have a new campaign – an opportunity for you to invite your friends and colleagues to support Bellis’ important work. Please help us share the news about our expansion and the need for broader community investment.
Women at the crossroads of grief, trauma, addiction and mental health challenges are finding hope at Bellis. We are pioneers in support for women whose children are parented by others – and we need your help to raise $25,000 by Oct. 31, 2022, for our newest program. We invite you to support Bellis’ groundbreaking work.
In September, Medica Foundation awarded Bellis with a grant to expand our weekly grief-support groups to include the Shakopee women’s prison. We are eager to do this work because we know women who have experienced termination of parental rights do better when they have guidance in processing this crushing loss. The Sauer Family Foundation and the League of Catholic Women are also generous supporters.
New program with deep roots
Minneapolis-based Bellis, a non-profit with no political or religious affiliations, has long been a trusted resource for the adoption community. Building on four decades of expertise, 18 months ago we intentionally broadened our scope to serve mothers with lost parental rights. For far too long, their needs were overlooked because of the stigma and shame attached to this unique grief. Thankfully, our efforts have been successful.
Our approach works
Our Stronger Together Grief Support Program helps mothers navigate their grief and achieve a greater sense of wellbeing. Every day, women across the country turn to Bellis for help – because we’re the only organization in the country offering this expertise. We will soon serve up to 45 women a week with our proprietary approach led by trauma-informed experts – in group meetings and individual conversations. The following outcomes are especially important because they lead to better coping skills, benefitting families:
77% report an increased sense of calm
87% report feeling less shame
97% report feeling less alone
69% report a better understanding of their legal status
Community investment
Being the leader in grief support to meet the unique needs of a deeply marginalized group of women is the right thing to do. And it requires a financial stretch for our organization. We ask you today to join us with a contribution to help reach our goal of $25,000 by Oct. 31. Your tax-deductible donation will help cover the costs of weekly in-person meetings at our Minneapolis location:
$500—books, handouts and materials
$900—hospitality (warm cookies and more)
$1,300—referral services to participants with greater needs
$2,500—ongoing training for staff team
$3,000—transportation for participants
$4,300—program evaluator
$12,500—facilitators (two)
Give now online or by mail to help us reach our $25,000 goal by Oct. 31
Text "BELLIS25K" to 44321 for a link to the donation website.
Use this link to access the donation website.
Or mail a check to Bellis, P.O. Box 75, Elk River, MN 55330
(payable to “Bellis” with 25K in the memo line)