It’s National Widows Day & Broken Halos Haven Offers a No-Cost Getaway for Widows

National Widows Day 2023 is May 3rd. It’s a day to love on, reach out to, and support the members of a club no one ever wants to join. ❤️

We’re recognizing Broken Halos Haven on National Widows Day 2023.

Navigating life after the death of a spouse can be an overwhelming and lonely experience. Each year there are over 700,000 new widows and 1.5 million children living in single-parent homes due to the death of a parent. 💔 As loved ones, we do our best to give support, but many of us have never experienced this type of loss and it can be difficult to know what to say or do to be helpful. Sometimes what a widow really needs, is a boost from someone who has been there.

Enter Natalie Reid, the owner of Broken Halos Haven, a no-cost getaway center for widows and their children. Natalie is, sadly, no stranger to sudden loss. After losing her amazing husband Wayne, Natalie needed to give herself and her children a distraction from their grief. Hoping to make some new memories, she took her kids on a trip to New York City.

The trip ended up being just the reprieve her family needed and it inspired Natalie to give other widows a similar getaway experience. That’s when the idea for Broken Halos Haven was born. In honor of National Widows Day, we wanted to spread awareness about this very special retreat opportunity.

What is Broken Halos Haven?

If your loved one has made it through the initial first weeks of grief and is learning how to move forward with her “new norm,” she might be ready to visit Broken Halos Haven. It’s a no-cost, private, grief getaway designed for young widows and their school-aged children. The goal of the 3 day/2 night getaway is to empower and build the confidence of widows who are now parenting alone, and to help them realize it’s okay to have fun, enjoy life, and find joy again.

The private retreat is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in charming Lewisville, TX (just 15 minutes from the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport). The home has bunk beds for families with multiple children and includes all the necessary amenities one could need, like linens, toiletries, paper goods, a washer and dryer, free Wi-Fi, and a Keurig with tea, coffee, and cocoa pods.

Moms and kids can enjoy plenty of quality time together. The getaway includes games, Razor scooters, a Karaoke machine, Smart TV, PlayStation 4, and more. The family can even explore the attic hideout that has a secret room behind a bookcase! The retreat is located just 2 blocks from Old Town Lewisville and 2 miles from Lewisville Lake, providing ample outdoor activities to do too.

*Please note: They respectfully ask that only recent widows who have lost their legal spouses within the last 18 months and those with school-age children request to stay at Broken Halos Haven. Priority consideration will be given to the most recent widows and those with multiple children still living at home.

What makes Broken Halos Haven stand out from other grief retreats?

There are tons of amazing grief retreats all over the country, and Broken Halos Haven is no exception. One way Broken Halos Haven stands out is that widows can create a Grief Getaway Gift Registry. This registry allows a widow’s support system to contribute towards the trip and help provide a memorable and meaningful experience. The registry may include specially-curated and easy-to-navigate activities and entertainment, family photo sessions, Uber rides, and/or restaurant gift cards.

Unlike many retreats that take place in secluded areas of the country, Broken Halos Haven is located just 15 minutes from Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport so it’s accessible to anyone in the country. Instead of being alone in nature with their thoughts, widows and children have access to a plethora of activities that will keep them busy and engaged.

Can you make a donation to Broken Halos Haven?

Yes! Broken Halos Haven received its official IRS 501(c)(3) designation on March 3rd, 2022 (EIN# 88-1934834). Your tax-deductible donation will help continue their work of serving grieving families.

They’re currently in the process of raising funds to build The Haven, a place where children who have experienced the death of a parent can receive emotional and practical support through programs and events specially designed to help them move through their grief journey. With a garage for Man Camp activities, art studio for SHIFT grief groups, a 2-story indoor, spiral slide, soft & safe rage room, large bunk room, and more, it’ll be the perfect place for hurting kids to connect with each other.

Visit the Broken Halos Haven website for more information.

Want to learn more?

Visit https://brokenhaloshaven.org. Here you can read the backstory of Broken Halos Haven, get registration info, and learn about nearby activities. You can also see before & after pics of this beautiful, newly-renovated 100-year-old retreat home.

Don’t forget to watch the “Stories of Hope” video. It’s where you can see the faces of young widows and kids who have been helped. ❤️

Other helpful information to know for National Widows Day 2023.

Do you know someone who is just recently grieving their spouse? They may not be ready for a grief getaway just yet, but here are 10 immediate and tangible ways you can help your loved one.

Check out the Broken Halos Haven Blog for more helpful insights on how to support those experiencing loss.

Know a widow in need of financial assistance or coaching?

The Hope For Widows Foundation offers an annual Restoring Peace & Hope Grant in the amount of $1,500. The deadline to apply is May 17, 2023. Meanwhile, Wings for Widows provides free financial planning and coaching for women in need.

Organizations that provide emotional support and education:

There are a handful of non-profit organizations that help widows connect with one another. A few include W Connection, Soaring Spirits International, and Modern Widows Club. Each of these organizations has a plethora of free and helpful educational resources available to widows and their families.

Our hearts go out to all those grieving. 💕 If you have a resource to share for National Widows Day, we’d love to hear about it.