Organization Description
About Empty Arms Vermont
Empty Arms Vermont is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Through free peer support groups, one-on-one peer connections, educational programs, professional training, and community outreach, Empty Arms Vermont provides compassionate support throughout the grief journey. The organization partners with healthcare providers, community organizations, and volunteers across the state to ensure that no one has to navigate pregnancy or infant loss alone. Guided by the belief that every grief journey is unique, Empty Arms Vermont is committed to providing welcoming, accessible, and evidence-informed peer support to all who seek it.
About the Board of Directors
The Empty Arms Vermont Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, governance, and stewardship to ensure the organization fulfills its mission and remains responsive to the needs of the community. Board members bring diverse professional expertise and lived experiences while sharing a commitment to compassionate service, ethical leadership, and organizational sustainability.
The Board is responsible for setting the organization's strategic direction, overseeing financial health, supporting fundraising and community engagement, ensuring sound governance, and hiring and evaluating the Executive Director. Working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, healthcare partners, and the broader community, the Board helps strengthen Empty Arms Vermont's ability to provide high-quality peer support and expand access to bereavement resources for families throughout Vermont.
Empty Arms does require a board member application, which can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeLRhyKJ6dUR0EcHEneq2NYw-3HoHrMB3pMN-3TyxLm3RzNMQ/viewform?usp=preview
Organization's Approach to Diversity, Equity, Belonging, & Inclusion
Empty Arms Vermont believes that everyone impacted by pregnancy or infant loss deserves compassionate, respectful support. We are committed to creating spaces where individuals and families of all backgrounds, identities, and family structures feel welcomed, valued, and able to participate as their authentic selves.
Our efforts have focused on making our peer support programs accessible and inclusive. All of our support groups begin with shared beliefs and group guidelines that emphasize respect for diverse identities, experiences, family structures, cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. We regularly review our communications and program materials to use language that is inclusive of the many ways people experience pregnancy, parenthood, and loss, recognizing that not everyone identifies with the same terms or has the same family experience.
We are also committed to reducing barriers to participation. All Empty Arms Vermont support groups are offered free of charge so that financial circumstances do not prevent anyone from accessing support during a time of grief.
We recognize that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging require ongoing learning and intentional action. While we are proud of the steps we have taken, we also know there is more work to do. As an organization, we remain committed to listening to our community, evaluating our practices, and continuing to grow in ways that help all bereaved individuals and families feel seen, respected, and supported.
Frequency & Duration of Board Meetings
The board meets quarterly for 2 hours each meeting. We do have some one-off special meetings when necessary.
