How We Support the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Community
We believe that all grieving families and community members of the pregnancy and infant loss community should have access to the support and resources needed to help them on their healing journeys.
OUR CORE VALUES
EMPATHY
Rather than compare losses, we strive to offer compassion, respect one another, embrace learning new perspectives, and honor all babies and pregnancies gone too soon. We fully believe that “a loss is a loss is a loss”.
RESILIENCE
We honor the courage of bereaved families navigating the profound challenges of pregnancy and infant loss and wish to support them with resources and community to foster strength, growth, and hope while cherishing the memory of their babies.
INCLUSION
As we embrace diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives, our goal is to provide resources that are supportive to all members of the loss community. Each grief journey is unique and we can learn from each other.
SELF-DISCOVERY
While grief may change over time, we believe it is a journey with no end. We provide our community with tools for broadening perspectives, enhancing compassion for oneself and others, and embracing creativity to promote lifelong integration.
COLLABORATION
We understand the value of creating strong community relationships. We believe that partnering with organizations with like-minded goals builds deep connections and increases access to resources for everyone.
“At night when we look to the skies and see a twinkling star that shines brighter than the rest, we know that’s where you are.” - Unknown
Our Inspiration
Starlight Harbor Healing & Support was founded by Emily Coelho to provide a safe space for members of the pregnancy and infant loss community to foster deeper connections, explore coping strategies, and find inspiration in remembering all babies gone too soon. Emily experienced the stillbirth of her daughter, Lena Beth, in January 2016. Lena’s name was chosen before her birth, and it felt beautifully fitting to later learn its meaning: light, bright, and shining. Finding a local community of bereaved families was instrumental in helping Emily and her family navigate their new normal. She has since endured the perinatal losses of her nephew, Noah, and niece, Zoey, and remains committed to honoring their legacies, along with Lena’s, while supporting other grieving families. Emily gained extensive experience as a nonprofit center director providing many community resources including facilitation of support groups, planning remembrance events and retreats, creating customized support kits, and collaborating with healthcare professionals.
Our Hopes For The Future
With continuing to add more valuable resources to our website, we also plan to create:
“Harbor of Care Kits” - personalized care packages with remembrance gifts for bereaved families
“Waves of Light Grief Support Events” - supportive workshops, activities, and retreats to connect with others in the pregnancy and infant loss community and explore new coping tools in expressive arts, movement, meditation, and more
To bring these goals to fruition, we aim to become a 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2026. If you are interested in becoming a Board Member, please reach out for more information about this meaningful volunteer position. We aim to create a Board of Directors including bereaved parents, healthcare providers, and community members who are compassionate in caring for those grieving in their community.
The Meaning Behind The Name
“Starlight” symbolizes the enduring light of babies gone too soon, shining brightly in the sky and in our hearts. “Harbor” is for the vulnerable yet safe space that we hope all grieving families and community members can find solace in. No matter how rough your waves of grief become, we aim to be the calm harbor that you will always find an anchor in.