Dear Friends:

The Adapt and Overcome Foundation was formed to support children that have lost a parent to suicide. Kids are incredibly resourceful and resilient, and we want to provide them with the resources and tools to lead fulfilling and satisfying lives.

This is our inaugural fundraising campaign which will run through December 31st, 2024. The funds raised will go towards building the 1) organization's basic infrastructure and 2) direct financial contributions to two non-profits that provide grief counseling for children.

The initial fundraising goal is $6,000 and will be divided one-third (1/3) to Adapt and Overcome and two-thirds (2/3) to the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing and the Turner Farmhouse Foundation (the donations will come from Adapt and Overcome). I have donated $1, 000 to kick-off the fundraising effort. If we exceed $10,000 in fundraising, then all funds raised thereafter will go to the Wendt Center and Turner Farmhouse Foundation and will be split evenly.

Background.

The story of "Adapt and Overcome" began a little over a year ago after my friend Jared died of suicide and left behind a family. I posted a story on Instagram memorializing Jared and was overwhelmed by the replies. Many friends shared their personal experiences of loss and coping with the death of a family member or friend, some at a young age.

In the months that followed, I thought about the messages, stories, and my own experiences and I kept coming back to the kids that so clearly featured in many of the stories I heard. What about them? How do they adapt to this new reality and overcome its barriers? The question is especially salient for those without the means or resources for counseling.

There are many great organizations doing the hard work of suicide prevention. An area where Adapt and Overcome will contribute is in supporting efforts to build resiliency in the children of those we lose to suicide.

This fundraising campaign and building for the future.

Adapt and Overcome has two objectives:

Support organizations and professionals with resources to provide best-in-class counseling to the children most in need. For example, donating funds to organizations for the expressed purpose of providing counseling for children and families who require financial assistance. Over time we would develop a stronger understanding of the services nationwide and the gaps that exist.
Serve as a node for educational resources, counseling organizations, and people nationwide. For example, a person may want to know what children's books to buy for their child or the location of the nearest counseling center. It should be easy to access these resources and connect with providers.

This inaugural fundraising effort should build the organization as well as reflect its spirit outlined in the objectives above. That is why we are focusing on two local non-profits in addition to developing Adapt and Overcome's online infrastructure. I've listed the details below:

The Turner Farmhouse Foundation is a retreat center in Great Falls, Virginia that provides a space for children in bereavement and grief counseling. I first encountered the Turner Farmhouse Foundation as a Fairfax County Planning Commissioner when they filed for a permit to upgrade their farmhouse. You can learn more here: Mental Health | Turner Farmhouse Foundation | United States
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing is based in Washington DC and manages "programs [that] range from providing support to adults grieving the loss of a loved one or facing life-threatening illness to highly specialized treatment for children and adults victimized by violence and suffering the consequences of trauma." The Wendt Center also provides crisis response services and operates a free annual therapeutic grief camp for kids. You can learn more about them here: Wendt Center for Loss & Healing | Grief & Trauma Therapy
Launch an online presence and develop a logo, website, and social media. The website will begin with limited content but will grow and support more content and features overtime. It will be the central organizing feature connecting people and organizations.

Lastly, beginning in 2025 I am going to begin the work of assembling a governing board so we can start the process of building a strategic plan and growing the organization.

I am kicking off the campaign by running the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 27th! There's a lot more to come but for now I hope you'll support this effort.

Thank you!

Dan Lagana

Let's start The Adapt and Overcome Foundation

By Adapt and Overcome Foundation

Let's start The Adapt and Overcome Foundation

Help us get started with an inaugural donation!

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