Compassion in Action Initiative
Help for a Family in the First Days of Loss.
When someone dies, the practical weight lands at the same moment as the grief. The Compassion in Action Initiative and the Family Assistance Fund help grieving families in Greater New Haven with grief resources, care items, referrals, and approved practical or financial support, at no cost to the family when funding is available.
Why it exists
The First Days Are the Hardest to Ask for Help
Nobody plans for the week after a death. There are arrangements, phone calls, relatives arriving, children who need to be told, and bills that do not pause. Most grief programs begin weeks later, after an intake form. This one is built for right now.
What assistance may include
Practical Help, Offered With Dignity
Every request is subject to eligibility, documentation, available funding, and the nonprofit’s program guidelines. We cannot promise assistance to every family, and we will always tell you where your request stands.
Grief resources
Printed and digital resources for adults and for children, chosen for the family’s situation.
Care items
Comfort and practical items delivered to the family when funding allows.
Practical or financial support
Approved help toward an immediate need connected to the death, such as help with funeral costs. Whenever possible, payment goes directly to the vendor or service provider.
Referrals and connections
Introductions to counselors, community partners, and other organizations that can help beyond what we can.
Who can apply
Grieving Families, or Someone Applying on Their Behalf
- A grieving individual or family experiencing an immediate need related to the death of a loved one.
- A pastor, social worker, school counselor, funeral director, or other referring organization applying for a family with their permission.
- Documentation of the need will be requested. If something is missing, we will contact you and ask for it.
How it works
What Happens After You Submit
Your family’s privacy is protected. We document the assistance we provide without publishing anything that identifies you.
- You submit the request with contact information, a description of the need, and supporting documentation.
- We check that it is complete and contact you if anything is missing.
- The request is reviewed against eligibility guidelines, available funding, and the approval process.
- You hear back with one of four answers: approved, denied, on hold until funding is available, or more information needed. Review time depends on urgency and on how complete the request is.
- If approved, we coordinate the assistance, paying the provider directly whenever possible.
- The family also receives grief resources and information about Healing Circles, workshops, and one-on-one support.
Request assistance
Request Family Assistance
Soaring on Angels’ Wings® is not a crisis service. If you are in a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.
For donors and partners
The Fund Only Reaches a Family When Someone Has Filled It
The number of families we can help each month depends entirely on available funding. A gift to the Family Assistance Fund, or a partnership with a funeral home, church, or business that wants to be a Compassion Partner, reaches a family in the days when help matters most.