The Green House: A Place for Grieving Families

William Shaw, a vibrant 9-year-old from Carlisle, Massachusetts, tragically passed away in a ski accident on February 19, 2019, while on vacation with his family. Known for his wild, wavy blonde hair, love for "extreme" sports, and infectious enthusiasm, William was a true individual with a big heart. Despite struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, he embraced the mantra "Be Yourself," a message he fully embodied in his final year of life.

William Wolfgang Shaw, in 2017.

In the wake of William’s death, a group of Carlisle parents, seeking to help their children navigate grief, organized the first William's Flat Brimmed Parkour Challenge. This event sparked the creation of William's Be Yourself Challenge (WBYC), a nonprofit dedicated to helping children share their emotions, find meaning in loss, and build supportive communities. Through its programs, WBYC empowers kids to embrace their true selves, fostering resilience and connection in the face of life's challenges.

The inaugural event for WBYC, William's Flat Brimmed Parkour Challenge, in 2021.

At William’s Be Yourself Challenge (WBYC), our journey began with a promise: to support children and families navigating one of life’s most heart-wrenching experiences—the loss of a child. We founded WBYC in response to seeing William’s friends struggle with grief, and we vowed to stand by them through their unique and personal journeys. Grief is complex and isolating, often making the world feel as though it’s moving on while you’re left behind. For many families, the weight of this loss can be compounded by the constant reminders in their own homes, making it difficult to find moments of peace or healing.

For our family, travel became a crucial part of our healing process. It gave us space to reconnect and share memories away from the painful reminders of everyday life. But for many grieving families, travel can feel impossible due to financial constraints, emotional exhaustion, and a lack of accessible options. That’s where The Green House comes in.

Nick, Susie & Kai Shaw traveling in 2019, after William's death.

The Green House will be a sanctuary—a peaceful retreat where grieving families can step away from the world, free of charge, for a week-long stay. Here, they can reflect, grieve, and rebuild in a space designed to support their journey towards hope and renewal. Our goal is to provide 52 families per year with this opportunity, offering them the time and space to reconnect and rebuild their lives with love, hope, and healing.

But we can't do this alone.

To make The Green House a reality, we need to raise $2 million to purchase and maintain a property that will serve as this much-needed refuge. We invite you to join us in this mission. Your support will help create a lasting impact by providing families with a safe and restorative place to grieve and heal. And it will honor William’s legacy, as green—a color that forever reminds us of growth, renewal, and life—becomes a symbol of hope for all who walk through these doors.

Please consider donating today. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. A $25 donation will provide each family with a personal grief journal, while a $500 donation can provide cozy bedding for one of the bedrooms in the house.

To learn more about The Green House and how you can contribute, please visit WBYC.

Thank you for your support. Together, we can create a space of healing, hope, and love for families navigating grief.

With gratitude,
The William’s Be Yourself Challenge Team

NOTE: Contact Susie Shaw to discuss larger donations, donating via check, stock, or cryptocurrency, organizing a fundraiser, company matching, corporate sponsorship, or any other form of fundraising.

The Green House

A Retreat for Grieving Families