SUDC Community Retreat 2024
September 26 - 29, 2024
Chateau on the Lake, Branson MO
THE SUDC Foundation Family Retreat 2022
The SUDC Foundation Family Retreat 2022 has officially come to a close. The retreat featured unique experiences for connection designed to protect and support the physical, mental, and emotional health of SUDC families. Looking back on the weekend, we had tears, talks, food, hugs, bubbles, journals, music, libations, animals (even a kangaroo!), laughs, remembrances, celebrations of life, jokes, light-up crowns, a lazy river, s’mores, pool cabanas, water slides – and most importantly – connected hearts and deep understanding. It was an honor to host this event for 48 member families, we look forward to seeing you all again in 2023. Thank you to all who supported, attended, planned, and wished for a successful weekend.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Moss Pieratt Foundation
4E Foundation
Savannah Piper Clifford Foundation
Ryan Mancini Charitable Foundation
Rose Elizabeth Foundation
Taylor McKeen Shelton Foundation
Genshaft Family
Caffrey Family
Mom’s Club of Londonberry New Hampshire
Jackson Walsh Foundation
Lily Jo Memorial Fund
Wilcutt Family
McGovern Family
We are excited to announce the 2022 SUDC Foundation Family Retreat in San Antonio, Texas, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa has been scheduled for May 20-22, 2022.
Make a Donation
Sponsorships
The SUDC Foundation family retreat provides an opportunity for families impacted by SUDC to come together to restore, reconnect and renew through educational opportunities, group activities, and family-fun events, specifically designed for grieving families to connect and heal. The retreat is offered free of charge for all registered family members. Please consider helping all SUDC families attend the 2022 Family retreat by making a donation today.
All SUDC Foundation guidelines, applicable laws, and details of the retreat are subject to change based on local and national COVID-19 mitigation guidelines and the rules, codes, regulations, instructions, and guidance from governing agencies, local authorities, the event location, and the SUDC Foundation to ensure the health and safety of all Retreat guests.
RESTORE • RENEW • RECONNECT • REMEMBER
Join us for the 2024 SUDC Foundation Community Retreat, a transformative gathering for those impacted by the sudden, unexpected, or unexplained loss of a child and registered with the SUDC Foundation. Taking place from September 26-29 at Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa and Convention Center, Branson Missouri, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to Restore, Reconnect, Renew, and Remember.
Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa and Convention Center is nestled amidst the picturesque Ozark Mountains in Branson, Missouri. The property is set against the backdrop of Table Rock Lake, providing breathtaking views that create a sense of tranquility and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Our thoughtfully curated activities address the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of grieving families, providing educational opportunities and enjoyable family events. The Retreat offers unique bonding experiences to safeguard and nurture our families’ overall health. Tailored for grieving families, the activities promote connection and healing. Explore the detailed event overview below. We hope that you will take this opportunity for solace, connection with understanding peers, and a healing journey amid stunning views and premium amenities.
The retreat will feature unique experiences for connection that will protect and support the physical, mental, and emotional health of our families. Activities include educational opportunities and family-fun events specifically designed for grieving families to connect and heal. See below for a more detailed overview of planned events.
We understand that there may be some challenges to attending the Community Retreat. In response, the SUDC Foundation created the Unity Fund. The Unity Fund plays a crucial role in our commitment to inclusivity and equal access, ensuring that more members of the SUDC Foundation Community can take part in this profoundly transformative event. The Unity Fund provides limited financial assistance to bereaved families toward the cost of airfare and hotel accommodations related to retreat travel. All registered parents/legal guardians, and grandparents experiencing financial hardship, are invited to request funds to help offset costs associated with lodging and travel expenses. Click HERE to access the Unity Fund Application.
Important Dates
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Unity Fund Application Period Opens
Wednesday, February 14th, 2024
Community Retreat Registration Opens
Monday, April 1st, 2024
Unity Fund Deadline
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Last day to reserve hotel at group discount rate
First 25 registrants will receive a copy of “Normal Broken” by Kelly Cervantes, Keynote Speaker
2024 Community Retreat Keynote Speaker
Kelly Cervantes
Award-Winning Writer, Speaker, and Advocate
Author of “Normal Broken”: The grief companion for when it’s time to heal but you’re not sure you want to
After my daughter died, I no longer felt like I fit into my established social circles. Even in my family, we were all grieving so differently, I often felt out of place. It wasn’t until I connected with other mothers who had also lost children that I was able to find some normal in my brokenness. The community we surround ourselves with is integral to our healing process. To get the most out of this community, we must leave our tendencies to compare our grief behind. Only then can we grow into our new selves, allow our grief and joy to cohabitate within us, and survive our new normals.
Book signing to follow Keynote.
Former & New Retreat Attendees Share Their Stories
Alyssa Genshaft
Mother of Max
(8/3/2011 – 1/18/2013)
“The Foundation does a great job creating opportunities for kids of all ages. The Community Retreat is a family experience.”
Alyssa Genshaft, mother of Max, shares her positive experience in bringing her teen children and husband to the Retreat. Alyssa mentions her most memorable moment was witnessing her teen children bond with other siblings. In 2022, Alyssa attended the Retreat by herself and discovered the opportunity to support other families, new in their grief, both fulfilling and empowering.
Roy Feeley
Father of Shannon
(11/22/2003 – 7/1/2007)
“I have a lot of anticipation going to the Retreat for the first time and that it’s going to be well done… as one big family where we will all take care of each other.”
Roy Feeley is the father of Shannon and a first-time attendee at the Retreat but a long time member of the SUDC Foundation Community. He views the Retreat as a celebration of our children, fostering a sense of a family where there is mutual understanding and support. Ray anticipates his first experience at the Retreat with excitement, confident that it will be a well-executed and a supportive event.
Suzanne Tom
Mother of Haley
(7/27/1998 – 5/15/2000)
“The Community Retreat is an incredible experience with thoughtful programming and opportunities to connect.”
Meet Suzanne Tom, mother of Haley, and an SUDC Ambassador. As an alumna, Suzanne has attended numerous Retreats solo and reflects on her experience as enriching and memorable. Suzanne shares that each Retreat has welcomed her to a supportive and inclusive community experience.
Elmer Torres
Father of Julian
(7/13/2014 – 7/25/2016)
“Once we joined the first retreat, we haven’t stopped going. It’s been a great experience especially for my younger daughters for them to meet other little ones and siblings who lost their brothers and sisters… it’s been a great support and community coming together.”
Elmer Torres, father of Julian and an SUDC Ambassador and Peer Connections Friend, candidly shares the mix of emotions he and his family felt in deciding to attend their first Retreat in 2018. However, their collective decision as a family to participate proved transformative as their family continues to attend each Retreat thereafter.
Reflecting on their experience, Elmer emphasizes the profound impact the Retreat has had, not only for himself and his wife but especially for their two daughters.
Make a Donation
Sponsorships
The SUDC Foundation family retreat provides an opportunity for families impacted by SUDC to come together to restore, reconnect and renew through educational opportunities, group activities, and family-fun events, specifically designed for grieving families to connect and heal. The retreat is offered free of charge for all registered family members. Please consider helping all SUDC families attend the 2022 Family retreat by making a donation today.
All SUDC Foundation guidelines, applicable laws, and details of the retreat are subject to change based on local and national COVID-19 mitigation guidelines and the rules, codes, regulations, instructions, and guidance from governing agencies, local authorities, the event location, and the SUDC Foundation to ensure the health and safety of all Retreat guests.
Registration
Scholarships are no longer available. Please contact [email protected] for questions or information.
All SUDC Foundation guidelines, applicable laws, and details of the retreat are subject to change based on local and national COVID-19 mitigation guidelines and the rules, codes, regulations, instructions, and guidance from governing agencies, local authorities, the event location, and the SUDC Foundation to ensure the health and safety of all Retreat guests.
Family Retreat T-Shirts
Sponsorship
The SUDC Foundation Community Retreat provides an opportunity for those impacted by the sudden unexplained loss of a child to come together to restore, reconnect, renew, and remember. The retreat offers educational sessions, structured group activities, and workshops designed to help those affected grieve and heal. The retreat is offered free of charge for all attendees. Please consider a sponsorship to offset the costs associated with this heartwarming and powerful weekend.