hear our stories
Gloves for Grief creates experiences that promote healing and offers an opportunity to come as you are and connect with others who truly understand. We want you to always remember grief is not meant to be carried alone. It is meant to be shared.
Gloves for Grief was so much more than we expected it to be. It honestly felt more like a homecoming than an event to us because it was so welcoming, so raw and emotional, and so spiritually healing all at the same time.
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Sometimes, grief takes us in places where we feel powerless, overwhelmed and maybe even angry at times and this event provided such a beautiful—and more importantly—safe outlet for all of those emotions so we could release them all and recenter.
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It wasn’t about how strong you could punch, or how in shape you were—we just all came as we were, we cried if we needed to, and we did whatever felt right in our hearts. It also reinforced our purpose because after all, we are still living!
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We were reminded that we were not alone. We even got to make crafts to honor our sweet Frankie and got to take home a memento. We couldn’t be more thankful for this event, and already looking forward to the next one.
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fight for yours
While the Boxing Gloves connect us to a core element in our fitness program, they also represent the fight it takes to work through our grief. We are fighting for our lives and fighting for our comeback.
hear our stories
We met in a Christian support group called Empty Arms that focuses on losing a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or SIDS. We both have lost our sons and are punching for Weston and Zane.
We want to create experiences that promote healing and provide a place you don’t have to hide your emotion; a place to find a release.
You are not alone! We see you, we hear you, and we are walking down this unthinkable road beside you.
Ashley was amazing, she walked us through every drill using creatively chosen songs that helped us punch through our pain. With each hit, we felt seen; with each jab, we felt like we were understood despite of how deep and cumbersome our sorrow was.
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With every sweat fell tears, and as our heartbeat became more palpable in our chest, we found a new drive and purpose—to keep going, to keep fighting, and to keep raising awareness so that our little angel’s loss would not go in vain.
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We were reminded that we were not alone. We even got to make crafts to honor our sweet Frankie and got to take home a memento. We couldn’t be more thankful for this event, and already looking forward to the next one.
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Danielle DesRosier became acquainted with grief when she lost her parents seven months apart her junior year of college. She was by her dad’s side as he battled a short yet aggressive form of cancer he was previously in remission from, passing away less than six weeks after his diagnosis. Just as the fog was beginning to lift from that loss, her mom died unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism.
As an only child, her world turned upside down overnight as she was left to navigate being a full time student and her job with the added responsibilities of her family business and probate court. Her grief felt unsurmountable, and she felt more alone in it than she knew possible. Amidst this deep loneliness, Danielle took to social media in hopes of finding other people who could relate to her experiences. In doing so, she has created a platform (on Instagram @LittleOrphanDani) that has helped both herself and her followers move together through their grief journeys. Danielle doesn’t shy away from sharing the authentic raw lows and the triumphant highs of her grief, painting a holistic picture of what life after loss can look like and finding solidarity with other grievers.
She aims to foster a community where nobody will feel as lost, alone, and misunderstood as she did. Danielle wants nothing more than to be a companion to others in the depths of their grief. She currently facilitates a peer support group of young adults who have lost a parent and/or sibling through The Dinner Party. She attends Pepperdine University where she is working toward her Masters in Clinical Psychology and serves as the President of the Student Government Association for the Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She is formally trained as a Certified Grief Educator. Her ultimate goal is to be a grief therapist and an author.
Danielle is honored to serve on the board of Gloves for Grief–an organization near and dear to her heart. She is excited to join in their mission to promote a community of healing mind, body, and soul!
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Michelle Montgomery is a dedicated advocate for those navigating grief and loss, channeling her own experiences into impactful service. As a Certified Grief Educator trained by renowned Grief Expert David Kessler, Michelle combines her expertise in the grieving process with her certification as an Integrative Aromatherapist. She is the founder of Botanical Blends and Balance, where she integrates her knowledge to support individuals through their healing journeys.
Michelle’s diverse background includes trauma-informed yoga (RYT 200) and an exploration of how the body stores trauma studied with Bessel van der Kolk, MD, author of The Body Keeps the Score. Additionally, she holds a Guided Imagery Certification from the University of Minnesota. Her holistic approach and deep empathy make her a valuable member of our board, dedicated to advancing our mission of support and healing.
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Are you passionate about helping others? Do you have a heart for grief, and looking for a deeper way to get involved ? Join our team at Gloves For Grief and become a beacon of hope for individuals and families navigating the journey of grief.
Why Volunteer with Us?
Current Volunteer Opportunities Available:
SEE OPEN SHIFTS AVAILABLE HERE
No Experience? No Problem! Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to volunteering, we welcome you. We offer training and ongoing support to ensure you’re confident in your role.
Looking for more ways to get involved or want corporate volunteering opportunities? We’d love it! Reach out to Angel@glovesforgrief.org for more information.
Join Us and Make a Lasting Impact. Your time, your compassion, and your support can change lives.
Help others Punch Pain to Purpose!
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Gloves For Grief is excited to announce the launch of our Summer Sendoff event. On September 14th, we offer a morning to “Punch your Pain into Purpose”.
We are grateful to the Orangewood Foundation & Samueli Academy for opening up their amazing Gymnasium & Facility to us.
Learn more about Samueli Academy & What they do Here
This will be an action-packed morning of shadow boxing and bag work followed by a time of cooling down, stretching, and breathing.
Those who attend will enjoy music, connection, and community. Whether you are a seasoned boxer, a casual athlete, or entirely new to the sport, we invite you to come as you are.
Remember, you are not alone in your grief. We hear you, we see you, we are walking down this difficult road beside you. There is power in prayer. There is power in community. You do not get over your grief. You grow around it.
All you need to bring with you is boxing gloves (if available), a workout towel, and water. We will have a limited amount of gloves to borrow as needed. Knux will be supplied to use as an option for shadow boxing. Gloves For Grief dedication gloves will be available for sale day of.