$22,041 raised by 95 donors
22% complete
$100,000 Goal
Your Support Gives Them More Than a Chance to Play
When a child loses a parent who served our country or community, the loss changes everything. But grief should not define the rest of their childhood.
At Angels of America’s Fallen, more than 550 children of fallen military members and first responders are currently participating in sports, the arts and other positive activities that give them connection, consistency, confidence, and a place to belong. And with more than 760 additional children waiting, the need for this support has never been greater.
Your generosity helps make it possible for the children we serve to keep showing up—to practice, to their teammates, and for themselves.
Because what happens on the field, court, mat, rink, or track reaches far beyond the game.
In a study comparing 360 children enrolled in Angels’ program with 160 children on the waitlist we are seeing significantly stronger emotional and academic outcomes among participating youth. Only 1.5% of participating children report often feeling sad, compared with 14.5% of waitlisted children. Feelings of hopelessness are reported by just 0.6% of participating youth compared with 7.6% of those waiting, while frequent trouble concentrating is reported by 9.3% of participating youth compared with 34% of waitlisted youth. Caregivers also report reduced stress, stronger family routines, and greater confidence in their children.
These numbers help confirm something we see every day: sports can be so much more than sports.
For a child grieving the loss of a parent, a team can provide belonging. A coach can become a trusted and consistent presence. Practice can provide routine when life has been turned upside down. Reaching a new goal can rebuild confidence. And simply having a place to play, grow, and be a kid can make a meaningful difference. These activities become a part of their identity and foster turning pain into passion.
That is the difference you make.
Your support helps sustain these opportunities for the more than 550 children currently participating in Angels programs, giving them the consistency and connection that are so important as they grow.
For the children of our fallen heroes, your gift is about more than a season of sports. It is about helping surround them with opportunities and people that strengthen their resilience, encourage their growth, and remind them that a grateful community continues to stand beside them.
From sacrifice to support, you help make what comes next possible.
Honoring our fallen. Supporting their children's dreams. The Angels of America's Fallen encourages and funds healthy, positive activities for the children of fallen military, firefighters, and law enforcement. Angels stands beside the children all year, every year until adulthood.
With your help, we're fueling these kids' dreams beyond the ultimate loss.
Angels of America's Fallen (AOAF) was founded in 2012 to fill a crucial gap in the support provided to the children of America's fallen military, firefighters, police, and EMS technicians. More than 16,000 children have lost their military or first responder parent since 2001, and their average age at the time of loss is just seven years old. A gap existed in long-term support while these children face their most crucial developmental years without the guidance of their fallen parent. Founder Joe Lewis, a military veteran, started AOAF on the premise of fulfilling the support he would want for his family if he did not come home. When a parent dies, the child loses one of their biggest mentors, and AOAF was founded to help ensure that the children of America's fallen military and first responders have the support they need to author their own stories of success through participation in extra-curricular interests about which they are passionate.
AOAF's support differs greatly from other programs supporting veterans and their families. The vast majority of programs that exist are for families with living, active duty or veteran service members. In our families, the veteran or first responder is deceased, and we are supporting their children who became at risk youth as a result of the traumatic loss of their parent. Other programs limit support to children whose parent passed in combat or were in special forces units. Our support extends not only to the children of combat fatalities, but also to those who lose their parent to training accidents, illness, and suicide. We are unique among organizations serving veterans and first responders in this long-term investment in the lives of the children of our country's fallen heroes. Our commitment to pay for the interests and healthy growth and development of children of our fallen through extracurricular pursuits extends through the child's 18th year. We are also unique in our support of fallen police, firefighter, and EMS technicians. Their day in and out commitment makes our communities safe and strong and is the foundation upon which our country is built. Many of them are also veterans, National Guardsmen, or Reservists. Support for the children of their fallen often falls through the cracks. AOAF works to remedy this wrong and provide these children with the help they deserve.
Organization name
Angels of America's Fallen
other names
AOAFallen
2012
Tax id (EIN)
45-5029479
Category
Youth Development
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
10010 Devonwood CourtHeadquarters
10010 Devonwood Ct.El Paso County, CO, US