Families Struggling to Cope in a Time of Trauma and Possible Loss of a Child

Families often don’t know where to look to ease the burden that severe illness has placed on their minds and spirit. Illness and disease are much more than biological conditions. They are entirely human. And since illness affects the active feelings of those who are ill and those around them, it can tear at the very fabric of family life.

Is there someone who can help families make peace with the unknown and find hope?

Is there someone who’s away from the medication and the treatments and the surgeries?

Let us tell you about The Wilbert Foundation.

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OUR MISSION

The Wilbert Foundation helps children, families, and caregivers cope with trauma and pain through the support of pediatric chaplaincy.

SUPPORTING
pEDIATRIC CHAPLAINS

Incorporated in the fall of 1999 and still active today, chaplains from a variety of children’s health care facilities and organizations are members of the Pediatric Chaplains Network (PCN). Chaplains can be members of any religious denomination who provide palliative and bereavement care.

A sample of what our grants supported in the early years:

  • An annual memorial service for families to celebrate the life of their child/sibling

  • Grief materials, including existing materials or to create new materials such as the film “A Sibling’s Journey Through Grief” from Denver Children’s Hospital

  • A bereavement photography program that offers families the opportunity to receive professional quality photographs to preserve the final weeks, days, and moments spent with their child

THE HEALING PROCESS

Pediatric chaplains are all too often an underserved profession regarding philanthropic support from foundations. The importance of the comfort and care that pediatric chaplains provide is often overlooked even though they are an integral part of the healing process.

Pediatric chaplains are trained to connect as human beings, to let you and your whole family know you’re not alone. They strive to create safe and sacred spaces for all children and those who love them. They work tirelessly to:

  • improve the quality of professional development in pediatric chaplaincy,

  • to share important resources, and

  • to promote excellence in the clinical skills of pediatric chaplains

To date, we have created a strong relationship with pediatric chaplains in over 250 hospitals across the US.

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  • “I have a conviction that Pediatric Chaplains are able to touch a broad swath of the population, and I appreciate the opportunity to become better equipped."

    Peggy Ponder
    M. Div. Board Certified Chaplain, Children's of Alabama

  • "The program is wonderfully enriching, as you undoubtedly know. We seek to bring joy in a hurting world."

    Reverend Diana Brady
    M. Div. BCC, Director of Chaplaincy Services, Stanford Children's Health

  • "It is only through the partnership of the Wilbert Foundation that we may continue to offer to the latest and most comprehensive care. We are so grateful to your commitment to our mission and programs. Together, we are making a difference for the children and families of our region."

    Margaret G. Rush
    MD, MMHC President, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt