What is Broken Halos Haven?
Broken Halos Haven helps to empower and build the confidence of young widows who are now parenting alone AND to help families realize it’s OK to move forward and find joy again even in the midst of their grief.
Broken Halos Haven serves young widows and their school-aged children in Dallas/Ft. Worth (and beyond!) with 4 main offerings:
1. Grief Retreat
A no-cost, stay at Broken Halos Haven, our private, “grief retreat” home located in Old Town Lewisville.
2. SHIFT
SHIFT is a weekly, group grief support program for children who have lost a parent due to death.
3. Honey Dudes
Household maintenance and repair needs can overwhelm a widow because they’re reminders of the huge void left in their family. “The Haven Honey Dudes” swoop into widows’ homes on designated weekends and complete tasks on household to-do lists.
4. Man Camp
Man Camp is a program for boys who no longer have fathers to teach and guide them. They gather with “mentor dads” to learn simple tasks every man should know (i.e. how to start a lawnmower, how to throw a ball, how to shake a hand, how to treat a woman, etc.). There is also intentional time training these boys to be men of upstanding character.
Watch this video hear “Stories of Hope” from past families we’ve served:
The Haven
Funds are currently being raised to build The Haven, located three blocks east of Broken Halos Haven in Old Town Lewisville. It will be a place where children who have experienced the death of a parent can connect with each other and receive emotional support through programs/events specially designed to help move them through their grief journey.
Widows and their kids will also be able to gather together at The Haven for weekend potluck dinners, karaoke fun, and family game nights!
FEATURES:
- Man Camp garage
- Upstairs art studio for SHIFT activities
- Soft & safe “rumpus room”
- 2-story, spiral slide
- Large indoor playscape
- Bunk room
- … and more!
To help offset day-to-day operating costs, when it’s not being used for our programs it’ll be available to rent for church lock-ins, kids birthday parties, corporate team building events, and more.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO BUILD THE HAVEN! Click the “Learn More” button for info on how you can be a part.
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We had back…to back…to back families over a 9-day period in May! Thank you to these local Young Men's Service League - YMSL groups for helping us clean and get the house ready for our visitors. We couldn’t have done it without you! ![]()
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#Volunteer #Serving #YoungWidows #GriefRetreat #KidsGrief #Nonprofit #Dallas #NorthTexas #DFW 
Pendo should be celebrating a wedding anniversary with her husband this Memorial Day Weekend, but instead she’s navigating another holiday as an “only parent.”![]()
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In September 2024, a wrong-way driver hit their vehicle on a 2-lane highway in Sugar Land, TX. Her husband, Prosper, died instantly, and she suffered multiple fractures and injuries leaving her still unable to work due to constant, extreme pain.![]()
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Unfortunately, we can’t take away her physical pain. But we truly hope these past few days at Broken Halos Haven healed a bit of this family's emotional pain and brought them together in a special way. 🙏![]()
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#YoungWidow #GriefRetreat #KidsGrief #Nonprofit #Widows #GriefJourney
This family lost their husband/father, Ja’Ryan, suddenly 18 months ago, just ONE day after moving into their dream home. ![]()
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Here’s what his widow, Coretta, shared upon submitting her request to stay at the house:![]()
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"All my husband wanted to do was go to work, serve and be home with his family. He gave us his all...even down to his last breath. We miss him so much and our only comfort is knowing he is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our daughter's 13th birthday is May 20th and staying at Broken Halos Haven would be such a blessing to her and our family. I've watched her navigate life without her father with strength, resilience and vulnerability and I really want her to experience something really special away from our home. I came across your home through a Google search for resources for widows and family and knew this would be perfect -- and actually an answered prayer. I've been praying for a staycation and this would be perfect for us! This is so needed for us! It would be such a pleasure to enjoy the fruits of your labor! What a needed and beautiful idea/ministry this is!"![]()
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The youngest of their four daughters, Amayri, turned 13 during their stay at Broken Halos Haven. We normally have a little gift waiting for the widow upon arrival, but instead we wanted to make it extra special for the birthday girl! ![]()
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We love that they took full advantage of some of the awesome things to do in the area. The birthday fun included:![]()
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* Brunch at Fairview Farmers![]()
* Thrills at Fritz's Adventure - The Colony![]()
* Golfing at The Puttery![]()
* Dinner celebration at Benihana![]()
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But probably the most meaningful part was just relaxing at the house, playing games, and being together.![]()
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#YoungWidow #GriefRetreat #KidsGrief #Nonprofit #Widows #GriefJourney #HappyBirthday
Sammie was diagnosed with stomach cancer just THREE WEEKS after his son, Sammie Jr., was born. Sadly, he passed away four months later.![]()
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On Friday, his young widow, Shelly, made the drive up from the Houston area (with some help from her best friend) and they spent the weekend at Broken Halos Haven. ![]()
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Sammie Jr., now a busy, nearly 2-year-old, got to burn off energy at the Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth. How fun! 🐷![]()
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And the weather was perfect the entire weekend, so they strolled the friendly streets of Old Town Lewisville, just two blocks from the house, where they enjoyed: ![]()
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✅Pizza from the food truck at Buffalo Hirsch![]()
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✅ Breakfast…and a very dangerous looking Oreo Cookie Latte from Seven Mile Cafe! 😋![]()
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✅ BBQ brisket nachos and fried okra from Sullivan Texas BBQ ![]()
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✅ Cappuccino from The Perc Coffeehouse![]()
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We love that Shelly and Sammie Jr. were able to take a break from “real life” down in Houston and come for a visit to make some sweet, new memories together! ❤️ ![]()
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#YoungWidows #GriefRetreat #Nonprofit #GriefGetaway #CancerSucks #Widows #WidowRetreat 
Yesterday we got to celebrate some amazing moms who are now parenting along.![]()
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Mother’s Day is typically a tough, grief trigger for young widows because their husbands aren’t there to wrangle the kids and encourage them to honor her. 🎀🌸💐🌷![]()
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We didn’t want these women to feel forgotten! And hopefully they’ll remember this Mother’s Day for a looooong time.![]()
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It really was a special time gathering together (albeit a little cramped with 45+ people on the porch trying to stay out of the rain!).![]()
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The Man Camp boys wrote sweet letters to their moms, put together a gift bag for her, and also learned how to make some "fancy" afternoon tea items.![]()
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And a HUGE thank goes to Cerulean Blue Coffee & Treat Truck for providing quiches, scones, cookies and fabulous drinks to everyone. It was definitely a TREAT...and also a huge blessing to these families.![]()
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#MothersDay #YoungWidows #Widow #GriefJourney #KidsGrief #Nonprofit #Dallas #Serve #CeruleanBlue #MothersDayTea
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. And you might not realize it, but it’s another one of those hard, grief trigger days for young widows.![]()
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Why??? ![]()
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Because their husbands were probably the ones who encouraged the kids to celebrate an honor mom, took them to the drugstore for a last-minute gift, and helped serve breakfast in bed before heading to church.![]()
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But now, this mom and “only parent” who’s pulling double duty, can feel forgotten. ![]()
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And that’s why the Man Camp boys are stepping in on Sunday, May 10th at 4:30 PM for a special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Broken Halos Haven! ❤️💐👏🏻![]()
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We did this two years ago and it was a hit!! 👍🏻![]()
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*NEW* The Cerulean Blue Coffee & Treat Truck will also be on-sight providing special treats for these special moms! ![]()
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All widows with minor children are invited to attend…. and daughters, too! ![]()
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*If you have sons who aren’t currently attending Man Camp, that's OK. We want ALL boys to participate on this day. ![]()
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They'll be preparing food (don’t worry, we’ll make sure everyone washes their hands!😁), setting up tables/chairs, arranging flowers and centerpieces, and creating a special memento for their moms. Boys need to arrive by 3pm.![]()
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Link to RSVP is in the comments![]()
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#MothersDay #YoungWidows #Widow #GriefJourney #KidsGrief #Nonprofit #Dallas #Serve #CeruleanBlue #MothersDayTea