{"id":19751,"date":"2025-12-22T15:17:50","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thealfam.com\/evermore\/public\/?p=19751"},"modified":"2026-07-28T13:10:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T17:10:56","slug":"2025-year-end-review-oh-what-a-year-it-has-been","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thealfam.com\/evermore\/2025-year-end-review-oh-what-a-year-it-has-been\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Year-End Review: Oh, What an Incredible Year It Has Been!"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

\u201cNot all growth takes place in the light.\u201d<\/strong><\/h1>\n

\u2014 Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, <\/span>Mycelia<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

By Joyal Mulheron<\/a><\/p>\n

If you know the poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer,<\/a> you know she has a rare ability to articulate what so often feels inexpressible. Recently, in her poem <\/span>Mycelia<\/span><\/i>, one line stopped me: \u201cNot all growth takes place in the light.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For nearly a decade, Evermore\u2019s work to reshape how America responds to bereavement has taken place in that unseen space \u2014 quietly, persistently, and without the resources most organizations rely on. Yet, like the vast root-networks Rosemerry describes, our underground efforts have prepared the ground for something long needed: <\/span>national, structural change.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

This year, that work broke the surface, marking a historic turning point \u2014 for Evermore and for millions of bereaved people. <\/span>In 2025<\/b>, <\/span>Evermore achieved ten major wins:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Authored the U.S. government\u2019s <\/b>first<\/i><\/b> Community Bereavement Response Guide for Child Fatalities<\/a>, <\/b>offering clear guidance to strengthen their local bereavement responses.<\/li>\n
  2. Championed the U.S. government\u2019s <\/b>first<\/b><\/em> rigorous review of 12,000+ bereavement studies<\/b><\/a>, revealing that today\u2019s psychosocial support needs to be far better.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Launched the Lived Experience Bereavement Research Network<\/a>, <\/b>reconceiving how psychological and medical bereavement care is offered after loss, in partnership with some of the nation\u2019s most distinguished grief leaders.<\/li>\n
  4. Advised the Social Security Administration\u2019s <\/a><\/b>first<\/i><\/b> report on orphanhood benefits<\/b>, exposing the systematic gaps and outlining solutions to ensure the $15 billion owed to orphans reaches them. <\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Informed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration <\/a><\/b>on its first grief and bereavement fact sheets and website.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Taught dozens of community leaders<\/b> across the country on how to respond effectively and compassionately to child fatalities.<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Hosted our third <\/b>Love is for Evermore<\/i><\/b> benefit concert <\/b>and launched our first national remembrance event, welcoming hundreds.<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Led grief-informed art classes for bereaved high school students<\/b> navigating profound loss and hardship. <\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Expanded public engagement through newsletters, art programs, and leadership development,<\/b> reaching thousands within our community.<\/li>\n
  10. Enhanced internal infrastructure and board governance,<\/b> preparing the organization to grow aggressively and successfully.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Historic Wins, and Yet We Can\u2019t Share Our Work<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Despite these historic wins, we faced difficult choices in 2025.  In July, we had to pause all public communications efforts because we simply did not have the resources to maintain them. <\/span>This year, we are raising $50,000 to return to the airwaves<\/i><\/b> \u2014 to share our work, educate the public, elevate families\u2019 stories, and reach new supporters. <\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Will you consider making a donation to Evermore this holiday season? <\/b><\/h4>\n

    Your investment will allow us to:<\/strong><\/p>\n