Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tiffanie L. Williams.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. Williams. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started Liam Lives Foundation November 28th, 2016 after the passing of my son Liam on November 15th, 2016. Liam was stillborn at 20 weeks gestation. I was so overwhelmed with grief I prayed to God and asked him what was I to do with my tragedy. I believe, after a day of spiritual fasting, God gave me the vision of Liam Lives Foundation, Inc- A faith-based nonprofit organization which provides financial and support services to families who’ve experienced pregnancy loss and infant death. We have five programs: Support group and financial assistance towards therapy sessions, Education and Advocacy, Memory Boxes, Liam’s Closet, and Financial Services.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This has not been a smooth road at all! We get calls from families and they in some instances become family! We have attended memorial services at the request of families, and for myself, each experience reopened my own grief wound. I remember attending services for an eight-month-old and afterwards balling my eyes out in the car. Each time we get a call or email for a gown, memory box, or financial services, my heart sinks. It is a very difficult and emotional service, however, we do the work with pride knowing we are helping a family in their darkest hour.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Liam Lives Foundation story. Tell us more about the business.
We believe that all families who experience miscarriage, elective medical termination, stillbirth, and infant death need a supportive community to help them through their grieving process. We also believe mental health treatment is paramount during this time. Liam Lives runs a monthly support group, has an online support group, and provides financial assistance to families to help them pay for mental health treatment. We pride ourselves in spreading awareness surrounding the topic of pregnancy loss and infant death so that stigma is reduced and families do not feel alone in their experience. We desire that women do not feel inadequate or shamed because of their losses. Providing memory boxes helps families in their grieving process. Memory boxes store their baby’s precious keepsakes. But I wanted memory boxes to be for families who may have experienced an early miscarriage, so each box has items that any woman who has suffered any type of loss can benefit from. Liam’s closet is our program where we accept new/gently used baby clothing to resale for fundraising purposes or donate to families in need. We have also partnered with Kennedy’s Angel Gowns in Virginia Beach, VA, to provide families with burial gowns, so that their babies can be photographed or buried in them. Gowns are made for babies from micro-premie size to 1 year old. Lastly, we provide financial services to help families pay for funeral arrangements and headstones. We have received calls from families whose babies have been without headstones for years, and we were able to provide that last piece of closure. Our programs, mainly our Memory Boxes, Angel Gowns, and Education and Advocacy have assisted families all over the United States as well as countries such as: South Africa, Haiti, Jamaica, Italy, and Kenya. We are proud to say that we are a small organization, but our impact is GRAND! We are an organization making an international impact, which is the one thing I am proud of and that makes us stand out.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I liken “luck” to “the favor of God.” I have to be honest that God’s favor has opened so many doors for me to walk through in order to see that the mission of Liam Lives is fulfilled. We also have so many supporters who encourage us along the way.
Contact Info:
- Address: Liam Lives Foundation Inc
731 Duval Station Road, Suite 107-423
Jacksonville, Florida 32218 - Website: www.liamlivesfoundationinc.org
- Email: liamlivesfoundationinc@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liamlivesfoundationinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiamLiveFoundationInc
Image Credit:
Stephanie Jones (group photo with me in the blue dress)
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
