Our Mission
Smile Again Ministry has been around for over ten years. “It was started by Judy and Pat after their 13 year old daughter, Mickey, died from heart disease.
While dealing with their own grief, Pat and Judy realized there were very limited resources available to help parents deal with the loss of a child. It wasn’t that there weren’t books on the subject, there was just very little hand’s on help available. Extended family members, neighbors and friends seldom knew what to do to help our family deal with our grief.
Pat found that while women often seemed to have stronger networks of support, men seldom get support from those around them. Father’s seemed to have very little support readily available after a child dies. “American’s definitely view the father’s pain differently than that of the mother,” Pat says.
Another thing that Pat and Judy found was that after a year most people simply wanted them to “move on.” The problem they have discovered, however, is that the second year after a child has died is often more difficult than the first year. Society as a whole seems to be supportive for the first year, but after that it’s definitely “time to get over it.”
So, Smile Again Ministry began in the dining room of Pat and Judy’s home in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. By simple word of mouth, parent after parent began to call looking for help. As a result of people’s interest small group and individual counseling began to take place. If you look at the testimonial page you’ll be introduced to some of the families that have been helped by SAM.
Judy has also gone to several women’s groups in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin to share the story of Mickey’s death. She talks about the hard times she and Pat have had in grieving the loss of Mickey. She also tells those present how the two of them have been able to hope again, and to find peace within their pain.
Both Judy and Pat are available to speak in churches, or care groups about their grief experience. They offer a ½ day workshop where grieving people can come and learn some of the normal emotions and trauma that follow the loss of a child. If you are interested in learning more about this aspect of SAM just call them at 320-310-8877. They would love to introduce you to their themes and costs for such workshops. While Smile Again Ministries is a faith based ministry, Mickey’s Lodge will be open to anyone who has lost a child, regardless of religious or non-religious background. SAM exists to help hurting people find hope and peace in their pain.
As a team, Pat and Judy have helped many families deal with the death of a child. Now they hope to take this ministry one step farther by opening a retreat center where grieving families can find support in their efforts to deal with the loss of their child. Initial plans call for a lodge that would allow up to four families the opportunity to get away. The lodge will be located on a beautiful lake in central Minnesota. Read more about the SMILE AGAIN RETREAT CENTER in the "About the Lodge" section.
Smile Again Ministries is a not-for profit 501(c) 3 organization. This means that any donations you give toward SAM is tax deductable.