April has been a month of movement. Of behind‑the‑scenes work, community outreach, partnership building, and steady preparation for the Waves of Hope 5K — a shoreline moment we’ll share together in May.
We’ve spent these weeks inviting in new partners, strengthening relationships across our community, shaping the details that make our events feel intentional and welcoming, and laying the groundwork for Resilience Rides launching in August. It’s been a month of planning, refining, organizing, and creating the structures that hold families with care.
And even though April hasn’t felt calm or quiet, it has felt purposeful. Every conversation, every meeting, every checklist, every sign prepared — all of it has been part of moving us toward the shoreline moments ahead.
April’s shoreline moment is this:
the momentum we’ve built, the community we’ve gathered, and the steady work that makes what’s coming possible.
Gratitude & Community Spotlight
Tidal Resilience Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to every partner, sponsor, volunteer, and neighbor who supported our work throughout April. This month brought new connections and renewed encouragement as we prepare for the Waves of Hope 5K and continue building programs for families across Northeast Florida. We are especially grateful to our newest partners whose generosity strengthens our mission: Vital Veterans Consultants, Stir It Up St. Augustine, Guy Harvey St. Augustine Beach Resort, and St. Johns Illuminations and Events. Your belief in this work helps create spaces of comfort, connection, and healing for grieving children and families.
This month, we are honored to spotlight Liz Slobodian in our Donor and Partner Spotlight. Liz is a founding board member of Tidal Resilience Foundation and the owner of Shipwright Communications and Consulting, one of our Waves of Hope 5K sponsoring businesses. She is an exceptional leader in our community and someone whose clarity, steadiness, and deep care have shaped TRF from the very beginning. Liz brings expertise, heart, and a genuine commitment to helping families feel supported and seen. Her guidance and generosity continue to strengthen our foundation, and we are grateful to celebrate her in this month’s spotlight.
DONOR SPOLIGHT: LIZ SLOBODIAN
Liz and her late father, Morgan, who passed away in September of 2009.
Q: What inspired you to support Tidal Resilience Foundation?
My inspiration is deeply personal. I lost my father to cancer in 2009 when I was 22, leaving my younger siblings and me to navigate a difficult chapter without a roadmap. More recently, I lost my grandmother last year after her long battle with dementia, and my grandfather just passed away a few weeks ago. These experiences have taught me that grief is a lifelong journey; no matter our age, we all need support to move through these rough chapters. I support the Tidal Resilience Foundation because I want to ensure that others—whether children, teens, or adults—have access to the essential tools and compassionate care they need to navigate loss rather than facing it in isolation.
Q: What part of Tidal Resilience Foundation's mission resonates most deeply with you?
The focus on proactive, community-based support resonates most deeply. Grief and transition are often treated as private matters, but the mission here is to bring that burden into the light. I’m moved by the Foundation’s commitment to meeting families exactly where they are, providing the tools and stable environment necessary for them to rebuild - not just to survive, but to truly thrive in the face of adversity.
Q: When you think about resilience, what does it mean to you and your family?
For my family, resilience is built on a foundation of faith. In our hardest moments, our belief in Jesus has been our steady anchor, providing us with peace and the perspective to keep moving forward. It has never been about "bouncing back" to who we were before, but rather learning to carry our story with strength and trust. To us, resilience is the quiet, daily decision to lean on that faith when things feel overwhelming, and to hold onto the conviction that even through deep loss, there is still purpose and a future to be built.
Q: What do you hope Tidal Resilience Foundation brings to families and youth in our community?
My greatest hope is that the Foundation provides a sense of continuity. When a family is in crisis, the world often feels fractured and unpredictable. I hope this organization serves as a steady anchor for youth and families, offering them the mentorship, resources, and community connections they need to feel seen, heard, and supported during their most vulnerable moments.
Q: Is there anything you’d like others to know about why supporting this work matters?
Supporting this work is an investment in the long-term health of our entire community. When we provide a safety net for youth and families navigating trauma, we aren’t just helping them through a singular difficult moment; we are empowering them to become the resilient leaders of tomorrow. Every contribution helps bridge the gap between someone struggling alone and someone finding their path forward with support. It is a powerful way to turn personal experience into meaningful, collective change.
Liz and husband Joe on their wedding day in 2018, alongside her late grandparents Delores and Bob who passed away in 2025 and 2026.
TRF Founder Karen and Liz at the TRF Spring Break Resilience Week and our first‑ever Oyster Roast
Thank you, Liz, for sharing your story and for supporting Tidal Resilience Foundation.
Community Connections
A look at what we are learning, listening to, and exploring this month
Each month, we will highlight a resource, story, or conversation that deepens our understanding of grief, resilience, or the ocean. These are the voices and ideas shaping the way we support families and build TRF’s programs.
What We Are Listening To:
Anderson Cooper’s “All There Is” Podcast
This month, we spent time with two powerful episodes of Anderson Cooper’s grief podcast, All There Is. Both conversations offered gentle reminders about what it means to live with loss, stay connected to the people we love, and move forward with honesty and hope.
Sara Bareilles: “Life’s Holiest Lesson”
In this episode, Sara Bareilles shares a new song she wrote after listening to Anderson’s earlier conversations about grief. She talks about the medicinal nature of naming what hurts and letting it be seen. Her line, “What is broken cannot heal till it’s known and loved by name,” echoes so much of what we believe at Tidal Resilience. Healing begins with acknowledgment, connection, and being held by community.
Robert Irwin: Finding Strength in the Vulnerability of Grief
Robert Irwin, who lost his father Steve Irwin at age two, speaks about how he still feels his dad when he is out in nature. He describes moments of warmth, presence, and guidance that arrive unexpectedly, especially when he is doing the work his father loved. His reflections mirror the experiences many of our Tidal Resilience families share. Connection does not disappear. It changes shape. Being outdoors, moving, and being in community can help kids feel close to the people they miss.
Both episodes remind us why Tidal Resilience Foundation exists. We create spaces where grief is spoken, shared, and supported, and where the ocean becomes a place to feel connected, grounded, and less alone.
April Focus: What We Are Working On
April has been a month of movement and steady behind‑the‑scenes work that has carried the momentum of March forward and pushed us toward the shoreline moments ahead. While this month did not hold the same on‑the‑water gatherings as March, it held the essential work that makes those moments possible.
We continued strengthening community partnerships, inviting in new collaborators, and expanding the network of support around our families. Much of April has been dedicated to preparing for the Waves of Hope 5K, shaping race day details, building signage, organizing volunteers, and connecting with local businesses who are showing up with generosity and heart.
We also held a TRF Family Meet Up at Mickler’s Landing Beach, where we searched for shark teeth, shared pizza, and enjoyed time together on the shoreline. It was a simple and meaningful reminder that connection does not require a crowd. It only needs presence, care, and space to breathe.
This month also brought important planning for the months ahead, including refining the layout for Resilience Rides launching in August, preparing updates to our Resilience Kits program, and continuing outreach to ensure families know how to access support when they need it most.
April reminded us that resilience is built not only in the moments we gather on the shoreline, but also in the quiet and intentional work that happens before we arrive there. This month was full of that work, and it is carrying us into May with purpose and momentum.
Waves of Hope 5K:
Registration, “50 More to the Shore,” and Post Race Celebration
As we move through April, the Waves of Hope 5K has become a central focus for our team and our community. Registration is open, and we encourage families, friends, and neighbors to sign up, share the event, and help us spread the word. This race is more than a run. It is a morning for remembrance, resilience, and connection, and it supports the programs that carry TRF’s mission forward throughout the year, including Resilience Kits and the launch of Resilience Rides in August.
50 More to the Shore
As we prepare for race day, we have launched a community challenge to help us reach our goal of 100 registrants. We are calling it 50 More to the Shore, and it is our invitation for families, friends, neighbors, and supporters across Northeast Florida to join us on the sand on May 2.
If you have not registered yet, or if you know someone who would love to be part of this event, we would be grateful for your help in spreading the word.
After the race, we will gather at Back 40 A1A for a post race celebration. Every participant will receive a ticket for their first beverage at no cost. The celebration will include face painting, live music, a DJ, great food, and time to be together as a community.
We will also have raffle items generously donated by our partners, including:
-Canvas artwork from Stewart Maxcy
-One month of unlimited classes at Hot Spot Yoga STA
-A 300 dollar gift card and goodies from Flat Spell Tattoo
-A beach bag of goodies from Guy Harvey St. Augustine Beach Resort
-Two 50 dollar gift cards to Stir it Up St. Augustine
Throughout April, we have continued outreach to local businesses who want to partner with us. Their support helps us create a meaningful and community centered event for May.
Are you a business interested in sponsoring the Waves of Hope 5K
Contact Karen Danlovich at 904‑631‑7690 or karen@tidalresilience.org
Strengthening and Expanding Our Programs
Alongside preparing for the Waves of Hope 5K, April has also been a month of strengthening the programs that support families throughout the year. We have been refining the layout for Resilience Rides, updating our Resilience Kits process, and expanding the ways families and partners can connect with TRF.
Resilience Rides Launching in August
We are excited to begin inviting families to join the interest list for Resilience Rides, which will launch in August across Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties. These monthly, water based outings will offer gentle movement, connection, and simple resilience practices on the water. Families can now sign up to receive updates for their region.
Our Resilience Kits continue to be one of the most meaningful ways we support children and families. Each kit is designed with care and offers tools for comfort, connection, and emotional support. Families can request a kit at any time, and community members can sponsor a kit to help us reach more children throughout Northeast Florida.
As TRF continues to grow in its first year, we are grateful for every family, partner, and supporter who helps us build programs that hold space for healing, connection, and hope.
Growing Partnerships and Community Support
April has been a month of expanding relationships and welcoming new partners into the TRF community. We are grateful for the businesses and individuals who have stepped forward with generosity, encouragement, and belief in our mission. Their support strengthens our programs and helps create meaningful experiences for families throughout the year.
This month, we are excited to welcome several new partners:
Guy Harvey St. Augustine Beach Resort
Stir it Up St. Augustine
Vital Veterans Consultants
St. John’s Illuminations and Events
We are also deeply thankful for our ongoing sponsors and partners who continue to support TRF as we grow in our first year. Your belief in our mission means so much. Your support helps make the Waves of Hope 5K possible and fuels the programs that carry our work forward, including Resilience Kits and the launch of Resilience Rides in August.
These partnerships help create shared meals, raffles, art experiences, and moments of connection for families across Northeast Florida. We are honored to welcome these supporters into the TRF family and look forward to growing alongside them as our mission continues to emerge and take shape.
Honoring Our Theme of the Year: Emergence
Our theme for 2026 is Emergence, and April has reflected it in a quieter and more foundational way. This month has been about building the structures that support our mission, strengthening the relationships that carry our work forward, and preparing for the shoreline moments that are coming next.
Emergence reminds us that growth does not always look like big events or visible milestones. Sometimes it looks like planning, organizing, refining, and showing up day after day with intention. April has been full of that kind of movement. It has been a month of preparing for the Waves of Hope 5K, expanding partnerships, and shaping the programs that will support families throughout the year, including Resilience Kits and the launch of Resilience Rides in August.
As TRF continues to grow in its first year, we are grateful for the community that surrounds us and the belief that so many have placed in our mission. We are carrying this momentum into May, where we will gather on the shoreline for the Waves of Hope 5K and continue creating spaces for connection, remembrance, and resilience.
Earth Day 2026 at Tidal Resilience Foundation
Honoring the ocean and inviting our community to make a wave this month.
Share your Earth Day ocean moments and tag @tidalresiliencefoundation
The Tide Report
A simple, honest snapshot of where things stand
Program Growth
April has been a month of strengthening the programs that support families throughout the year. We refined the structure for Resilience Rides, updated our Resilience Kits process, and expanded the ways families can connect with TRF. These quiet steps are helping us prepare for a summer and fall filled with meaningful, accessible programming.
Community Support
We welcomed new partners and continued building relationships that help TRF grow with intention. Their encouragement and generosity support the shared meals, raffles, art experiences, and moments of connection that make our work possible.
What’s Emerging Next
As we move into May, our focus is on gathering the community for the Waves of Hope 5K, inviting families to join the Resilience Rides interest list, and continuing to build partnerships that strengthen our mission. Each step is part of the steady emergence of TRF’s first year.
The Next Wave
A gentle look at what’s coming into view
As we move into May, the next wave is forming through steady preparation, growing partnerships, and the continued belief of the families and neighbors walking beside us. April has been a month of building the pieces that will carry us into summer and fall, and several programs are beginning to take clearer shape.
Resilience Rides
We are preparing to launch Resilience Rides in August across Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties. These monthly, water based outings will offer gentle movement, connection, and simple resilience practices on the water. Families can now join the interest list to receive updates for their region.
We continue to assemble and deliver Resilience Kits for children and families throughout Northeast Florida. Each kit offers tools for comfort, connection, and emotional support. Families can request a kit at any time, and community members can sponsor a kit to help us reach more children.
Registration is open, and our “50 More to the Shore” challenge is underway as we work toward our goal of 100 registrants. The morning will include a community run and walk, shoreline remembrance, and a post race celebration at Back 40 A1A with live music, face painting, great food, and raffle items from local partners.
Our monthly postcards for kids continue this spring, each one featuring an ocean animal and a simple resilience theme to bring encouragement and connection to the mailbox.
Volunteer Opportunities
We continue to build a list of volunteers who want to support TRF as we grow. If you feel called to help with events, family meetups, kit assembly, or future programming, we would love to connect.
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? 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.
The Tidal Resilience Foundation (TRF) is a Northeast Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to helping children and families navigate the complexities of grief through the grounding and healing power of the ocean.
By blending emotional support with movement, nature, and community connection, TRF provides safe, meaningful spaces for young people to process loss and build lifelong resilience.
Through its signature Resilience Weeks, Resilience Rides, and the Strength Beneath the Waves curriculum, the foundation partners with schools, counselors, and coastal businesses to ensure no child has to navigate life’s unsteady tides alone.
Rooted in lived experience and a deep belief in the power of community, TRF is committed to helping every young person rediscover the joy and strength that lives within them.
For more information, visit
www.tidalresilience.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @tidalresiliencefoundation.
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.
