Two Daughters Foundation is dedicated to providing support to young adults grieving parental illness or loss. Since October 2023, Two Daughters Foundation has offered free peer grief support to young adults, age 18 through 39, who are navigating the serious illness or loss of a parent or parental figure. Shannon Bell, Two Daughters Foundation's Executive Director and facilitator of its Northern California peer grief support group, founded the nonprofit in August 2023 at age 26, after she lost her mother to cancer. Shannon felt isolated by her loss and compelled to create a platform where she and others could empathize with each other about the unique challenges of parental loss in young adulthood.
Two Daughters Foundation's peer support group meets once a month in a virtual format. Participants are welcome to join meetings for as long as they are helpful. Participants have also come together for several in-person gatherings over the years, painting pottery together, hiking, enjoying Friendsgiving dinner, and practicing yoga.
"Two Daughters Foundation has played a tremendous role in my grieving process. I have been very lucky to have others in my circle that sadly share the same experience as me in life. I find it comforting to connect once a month online through video chat to be able to work through challenging times and the holidays without my dad. I have been able to also attend a couple of in -person gatherings since joining. It was relaxing painting ceramics together and I enjoyed going on a group hike too. Everyone in the group is loving, caring and compassionate for others which makes it warming and comfortable to discuss anything that comes to mind. I know that I will always stay connected with this group because of how amazing it is. Whether you are in early stages of grief or if it has been a while, I think this foundation is perfect because there are people in all stages and everyone provides support regardless. I feel that we will always miss our parents when they pass on, so we may as well have support from other amazing people that also miss theirs. Thank you Two Daughters Foundation for always making our group feel valued, love and heard. I look forward to sharing this foundation with anyone I know that could use the support and I can't wait to continue watching it grow." - Participant Testimonial
"Two Daughters Foundation gave me a new way to express and process my grief. While therapy is helpful, and I am grateful to have my family’s support, it’s nice to hear from people who have parallel experiences to mine, especially people who have been surviving this longer than I have." - Participant Testimonial
See below for a few photos of the in-person activities we've hosted over the years!
Pizza Picnic in Sacramento
Friendsgiving in Sacramento, featuring some of our parents' favorite dishes
Free Yoga Class in Sacramento
To support the mental health of young adults grieving the illness or loss of a parent or parental figure by providing spaces for empathetic conversation and connection between peers navigating similar loss at a similar stage of life.
Two Daughters Foundation is a very efficient organization, but we are always in need of funds to support the administration of our organization. We also use funds for outreach, to help us reach more individuals who may benefit from participating in our groups. We would love to be able to attend more conferences and spread the word about the work we are doing!
Two Daughters Foundation is committed to providing inclusive resources, promoting diversity within its volunteers, staff and directors, and advancing equitable outcomes for groups disproportionately affected by grief and lack of health care accessibility. Two Daughters Foundation will critically evaluate diversity, equity and inclusion at every level of the organization, and address any concerns or areas for improvement without delay. Two Daughters Foundation will consistently evaluate how diversity, equity, and inclusion factor into our mission; it will also evaluate how to best advance equity, diversity, and inclusion through the resources we provide, services we offer, and activities we engage in.
Organization name
Two Daughters Foundation
2023
Mission Category
Mental Health & Crisis Intervention
Operating Budget
$0-$50,000
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted, Space: Office or Other, Volunteers
Local Counties Served
Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo
Address
7165-440 N BARRANCA AVECA, US
OR, US
Washington, DC, US