We know our tutoring recipients are as grateful as we are for our scholarship sponsor, RF-LAMBDA. Their support is helping shape the academic endeavors of these amazing students while recognizing their sacrifice.
Congratulations to Gold Star wife Erica Brophy! Erica is our most recent Coaching Scholarship recipient and the Founder of Gold Star Family Resources
Thank you to the Sugar Bear Foundation for this wonderful opportunity to work with Sarah Davis. I decided to apply for the coaching scholarship because it’s been a struggle for me to find my purpose in life after loss. I’ve always had a drive and was fortunate to still have a successful career even as a military wife until the unexpected happened. My husband, USMC Major James Brophy, was killed along with five other Marines in an aviation training mishap on December 6, 2018 off the coast of Japan. My two children will always be my top priority but my outlook on life has changed and now I’m on a mission to find my purpose as I journey forward.
I knew eventually I wanted to do meaningful work but wasn’t sure what that looked like until I recently created a website (www.goldstarfamilyresources.com); centralizing resources for Gold Star families that provides guidance, checklists, and blog posts written from my own experience and perspective. My hope is to provide clarity and guidance for anyone that goes through this unimaginable process.
Through my coaching I hope to gain a better awareness of my personal strengths as a leader so that I can better serve the Gold Star family community with my career goal as a Survivor Advocate. Stay tuned for this new chapter as I keep going and keep growing!
Much love and gratitude,
Erica Brophy, Gold Star Wife
Founder of Gold Star Family Resources
https://www.goldstarfamilyresources.com/
Last family pic together was taken in Japan Nov 2018
Picture of James was taken in Iwo Jima in Sept 2018
Final Marine Corps ball pic taken in Nov 2018
Happy New Year from the Sugar Bear Foundation
Happy New Year! Despite this past year, we feel blessed for the moments we were able to share, the support we were able to lend and receive. Thank you and we are working to make even more of an impact in 2021.
Thank You for Supporting our Holiday Gift Card Campaign
Thank you to all who contributed to our Holiday Gift Card Campaign! Through your generosity, we were able to provide gift cards to our families in our Financial Assistance Program. A big thank you to our Educational Sponsor, RF-LAMBDA, for their support with this special campaign.
RF-LAMBDA - A Year of Gratitude 2020
Thank you to our amazing Scholarship Sponsor, RF-Lambda! We are grateful for their continued support of our mission, Gold Star families, the military, and the community. As they grow they are helping us build our educational programs and opportunities for Gold Star children.
Congratulations to Gold Star wife Jenna Henderson Our Most Recent Coaching Scholarship Recipient!
Jenna Henderson
“I just wanted to thank everyone for allowing me the opportunity to work with Sara through this scholarship. My husband, SFC Christopher D. Henderson, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007. At the time, our daughter was 8 years old. I threw all my energy into raising her and making sure she was okay. Fast forward to today, Kayley is 22 now about to graduate college and living her own life. I also went back to school and recently graduated. With all that being said, I have found myself struggling with direction and a desire to grow as a person, mother, and all the aspects within my life. I’ve felt a little lost lately on who I am and where I want to be in life. This is the first time I have the chance to “grow” me, and I am so very grateful for the opportunity to do so.
Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity. I look forward to sharing with you all the results in the future.
Jennifer (Jenna) R. Henderson”
Chris Afghanistan 2007
Chris and Kayley 2005
Chris and Jenna 1999
Chris 2000
Jenna and Kayley 2019
Jenna 2019
Help Sponsor a Gold Star Family for the Holidays
Today our Chairman and Gold Star wife had the opportunity to share a little about our mission and work with Gold Star spouses and children. Your support enables us to provide our programs and services to these amazing families.
Congratulations Captain Pierce (Ret)
Congratulations to our friend Captain Pierce (Ret), who we first met when he completed the Powerman Zofingen Championships in honor of Sugar Bear. Captain Pierce recently published his second book and would like to share some copies. If you are a Gold Star Spouse or military member and would like a copy, please see his attached contact information. We greatly appreciate his support and continued service!
Congratulations to Rah Freestone - Our Latest Coaching Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations to Rah Freestone! Rah is our latest Coaching Scholarship Recipient and we are honored to share her story and to work with this amazing Gold Star wife.
“I am honored to have been selected for this coaching scholarship with Sarah Davis!
A lot has changed since I became a Gold Star Spouse on 30 January 2007 when my late husband Milton A. Gist, Jr. was killed in Iraq. First, our children were just one and four years old. Today, they are 14 and 17!
SGT Milton A. Gist, Jr. and our family
That first year, I hired my very first coach. It helped me set goals that as a fresh widow in the thickest fog of emotions, I couldn’t do for myself and was too independent to let those around me watching me hurt muddle through with me. I made some really great decisions after that. And it looked like I had it all together. Then, less than two years after coaching ended, life fell apart again. I didn’t know what I was doing and ended up divorced and starting all over.
Over the years since, I hired coaches off and on getting better and better at knowing when to ask for help and also not knowing where the money would come from or whether it was okay to use military benefits for myself.
As a coach-in-training and early in my practice, I made connections and kept moving forward the best I could. It wasn’t until I realized that the constant source of my strength came from God (He has a very special relationship with the widowed and fatherless), that I could best understand where coaching fit into my life.
Today, as a wife, mom/stepmom and Proactive Stress Management coach, I have a whole new set of challenges and goals. I specifically need help and accountability stretching my mindset in preparation for reaching my career and business goals. I am confident that Ms. Davis is a good fit for me exactly where I am, and that the timing and opportunity for this honor has been orchestrated beyond my understanding.
Thank you so very much!
Sincerely,
Rah Freestone”
Rah, her husband, and new family
*Photos provided by Rah Freestone
College Workshop & Career Transitions Podcast Replays
If you are a Gold Spouse (active duty death) or teen and you missed either of these events please send the following Required Documents to Admin@TheSugarBearFoundation.org to receive the link to the presentation and workshop packet:
Required Documents:
Attach a copy of the DD1300 or other proof that you are receiving benefits due to your spouse’s death from military service (PDF Files or legible photos are acceptable)
Sign the Waiver & Release (Must be signed by Parent or Guardian if child is a minor)
Request access to the “College Workshop & Career Transitions Podcast Replays”
