🌊 Welcome to the First Edition of The Monthly Ripple

Tidal Resilience Foundation

The Monthly Ripple

January 2026

In the final weeks of December 2025, Tidal Resilience Foundation quietly opened its hands. The response was immediate. Nearly $1,000 was raised before the year even turned, a gentle but unmistakable sign that this work already has a current of its own.

Now, as we prepare to open the driveway for our first official donation drive, we step into January with gratitude, momentum, and the sense that the tide is beginning to move beneath us.

There is something humbling about beginning this way. It did not start with a grand launch but with early support from people who believed in the heart of this mission. Community showed up before the first call for donations, offering encouragement, generosity, and trust. That early support became the first ripple, carrying Tidal Resilience Foundation into the new year with a grounded sense of readiness.

As the month unfolds, the work ahead feels both tangible and full of possibility. The driveway will soon become a gathering point, the place where Resilience Kits begin to take shape and where this mission becomes visible in the world. Tidal Resilience Foundation is starting from zero in some ways, but not in spirit. The tide is forming, and the foundation steps into January with intention, care, and deep appreciation for everyone who has chosen to stand at the shoreline with us.

We’re grateful you’re here, and we invite you to walk this shoreline with us as the tide continues to rise.

Gratitude & Community Spotlight

Tidal Resilience Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our soft launch in the final weeks of December. Your early generosity helped us begin with strength, clarity, and a sense of shared purpose. Nearly $1,000 was raised before January even arrived, and that early momentum continues to guide us into the new year.

This month, we are honored to highlight Lauren as our Donor Spotlight. Her generous contribution played a meaningful role in helping Tidal Resilience Foundation take its first steps. Lauren’s connection to our mission is deeply personal, and her support reflects the resilience, care, and community that we hope to offer families navigating loss and transition.

DONOR SPOLIGHT: LAUREN

Q: What inspired you to support Tidal Resilience Foundation during its early days?

I’ve known the founder for much of her life and have watched her navigate extraordinary challenges with strength, compassion, and intention. Her ability to turn personal hardship into a mission focused on supporting others is what inspired me to support Tidal Resilience Foundation from the beginning. The foundation reflects who she is - thoughtful, resilient, and deeply committed to helping others feel supported.

Q: What part of Tidal Resilience Foundation's mission resonates most deeply with you?

Having lost my husband and my children’s father to Frontotemporal Dementia at a very young age, I’ve seen how essential a strong support system is. While my children and I were fortunate to be surrounded by care and support, not every family has that experience. Nature and time spent outdoors were an important part of how we processed grief, which is why Tidal Resilience Foundation’s use of immersive marine and wilderness experiences as a pathway to healing resonates so deeply with me. At its core, the foundation’s mission ensures that families and youth don’t have to navigate loss or hardship alone.

Q: When you think about resilience, what does it mean to you and your family?

In our family, resilience means that it’s okay to struggle and still move forward. It’s about giving them the tools to process hard things. It’s about teaching them that asking for help is a strength.

Q: What do you hope Tidal Resilience Foundation brings to families and youth in our community?

I hope Tidal Resilience Foundation gives children who have experienced the loss of a parent a sense of healing, hope, and belonging. I hope it also helps them understand that grief and happiness can exist at the same time. I hope that through connection to the ocean these children discover joy, curiosity, and purpose alongside their healing. Most of all, I hope families feel comforted knowing their children are supported not just in their grief, but in building full, meaningful lives filled with confidence, resilience, and possibility.

Q: Is there anything you’d like others to know about why supporting this work matters?

Supporting this work means giving children the chance to heal, grow, and rediscover joy after loss. Tidal Resilience Foundation helps ensure that grief doesn’t limit a child’s future. Instead, it will become part of a story that also includes hope, purpose, and possibility. When you support this foundation, you’re investing in resilient children, supported families, and a healthier future for both our community and our oceans.

Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your story and for supporting Tidal Resilience Foundation.

January Focus: What We Are Working On

January marks the beginning of Tidal Resilience Foundation's operational rhythm, and this month is all about building strong foundations.

We’re launching our first donation drive, preparing for upcoming community events, forming early partnerships, and continuing the behind‑the‑scenes work that will support our growth throughout the year.

Each step reflects our commitment to Emergence, our word and theme for the year, and our intention to rise with clarity and care as we begin serving youth and families in our community.

January Donation Drive: Clear Out for a Cause

This month, Tidal Resilience Foundation is launching its first official donation drive: Clear Out for a Cause. We are collecting items to build ocean‑themed Resilience Kits that will be distributed to bereaved youth in our community. Donations can be dropped off right from our driveway, twice a week throughout January. Stop by, say hello, learn about Tidal Resilience Foundation, and help us begin assembling the first wave of kits.

Saturdays 10am-12pm

Wednesdays 5pm-7pm

230 Villa Verda Road

St. Augustine, FL 32080

No Drop Off Saturday, January 10

Preparing for the Waves of Hope 5K — May 2026

Planning is underway for our first annual Waves of Hope 5K, scheduled for May 2026. We are completing the necessary paperwork, beginning early fundraising efforts, and gathering volunteer interest. This event will become a cornerstone of Tidal Resilience Foundation's community engagement and long‑term sustainability.

Establishing Early Community Partnerships

Tidal Resilience Foundation is actively seeking partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and community leaders who align with our mission. We are especially looking for partners who can support the launch of Resilience Rides, our paddle-boarding and kayaking days planned for summer 2026. We are always open to new connections and welcome conversations with anyone interested in collaborating.

Building the Foundation’s Internal Structure

Behind the scenes, Tidal Resilience Foundation continues to strengthen its operational foundation. We have officially applied for 501(c)(3) status and are currently pending approval. This step ensures that our work is grounded in transparency, compliance, and long‑term sustainability as we grow.

Honoring Our Theme of the Year: Emergence

January is guided by the theme of Emergence — a reminder that this year is about rising, beginning, and stepping forward with intention. This theme shapes how we move, how we build, and how we show up for the youth and families we serve. It reflects both our early steps and the personal commitment behind this work.

The Tide Report

A simple, honest snapshot of where things stand

This month, we’re sharing a clear view of Tidal Resilience Foundation's early progress. These are the small wins, the steady steps, and the places where we are still beginning. Transparency builds trust, and we want our community to feel connected to every part of this journey.

Money Raised So Far

We have raised $1,125, a generous early wave of support from friends, family, and community members who believe in our mission.

Resilience Kits Assembled

We have not assembled any kits yet. January’s donation drive will help us gather the first wave of items.

January Donation Drive Momentum

The donation drive launches on January 7. We will collect items on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Donations can be dropped off at 230 Villa Verda Road. Several ocean‑inspired items have already been pledged by early supporters.

Early Partnership Conversations

We have begun a few warm introductions with potential partners. We do not have formal partnerships yet because we are intentionally building relationships that align with our mission and values. We are actively seeking partners for Resilience Rides in Summer 2026 & Waves of Hope 5K in May 2026.

Organizational Foundations

Our 501(c)(3) application has been submitted and is currently pending. Our internal systems and documentation are continuing to take shape. We are preparing the paperwork for the Waves of Hope 5K and gathering early volunteer interest.

What’s Still at Zero (And Why That’s Okay)

We have not secured any grants yet. We do not have major donors yet. We have not launched formal programming yet. Tidal Resilience Foundation is in its early tidal phase, building from the shoreline up. These beginnings are part of the natural rhythm of a new organization. We are moving with steadiness and resilience, and we are preparing for meaningful growth and impact throughout 2026.

The Next Wave

A preview of what’s coming

As Tidal Resilience Foundation moves into its first full year, we’re preparing for several exciting steps that will shape our work in 2026.

Here’s what’s on the horizon.

Year 1 is all about foundation and visibility. We are laying the groundwork for Resilience Rides, the Charting Your Course Scholarship Fund, and The Reef, a virtual hub with grief resources and marine education.

Phase 1: Launch the Tide

Goal: $2,500

Phase 1 brings our very first program to life: Resilience Rides, a gentle paddle‑boarding experience designed to help grieving children reconnect with their bodies, their breath, and the steady rhythm of the water.

Thanks to early donors, we have already raised $1,215 toward this phase. We are now seeking $1,285 to fully fund:

Sponsorships for 20 children to participate in Resilience Rides
Sand dollar keepsakes, reflection prompts, and symbolic materials that help children carry the experience into their healing journey

This first tide marker allows us to begin offering real, tangible support — not someday, but now.

Waves of Hope 5K

Planning is underway for our first annual Waves of Hope 5K, a community event designed to raise awareness and support for bereaved youth. More details will be shared in the coming months.

January Donation Drive

Our Clear Out for a Cause donation drive begins January 7 and continues throughout the month. These items will help us assemble our first ocean‑inspired Resilience Kits.

Partnerships on the Horizon

We are beginning conversations with potential partners who align with our mission. These relationships will help us expand programming and deepen our impact in 2026.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are building a list of volunteers who want to support Tidal Resilience Foundation as we grow. If you feel called to help with events, donation drives, kit assembly, or future programming, we would love to hear from you.

We are also hoping to form a core team of 5–6 like‑minded individuals who can meet twice a month to plan, coordinate, and help shape what Tidal Resilience Foundation becomes in the community.

Express your interest here

Support Our Mission

If you’d like to make a financial contribution to support our early growth, you can donate directly through our website. Every gift helps us build a strong foundation for the year ahead. Donate here

Prefer to shop instead of donate? You can also support Tidal Resilience Foundation through The Tide Market, where every purchase helps fund our mission to support bereaved youth through ocean‑inspired healing and resilience practices.

Explore our collections:

Wear the Waves Collection

Strength Beneath the Waves Collection

Shop The Tide Market

Anchored in Purpose

Tidal Resilience Foundation exists to support children who have lost a parent through ocean‑inspired healing, resilience‑building, and educational pathways.

We are at the beginning of this work, and your support helps us grow.

2026 Theme: EMERGENCE

A year of rising, beginning, and stepping forward with clarity and care.

As Tidal Resilience Foundation grows from its shoreline beginnings, this theme reminds us to move with intention, humility, and hope.

www.tidalresilience.org

connect@tidalresilience.org

230 Villa Verda Road
St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA