Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

During Grief Awareness Week, let’s talk about meaningful ways to support someone in your workplace who is grieving the death of a loved one. Whether it’s a coworker or someone you manage, these actions can make a real difference. 1. Advocate for Bereavement Leave Many workplaces don’t offer formal bereavement leave, leaving grieving employees to use vacation or sick time—or no time off at all. If you’re in a position to influence policy, advocate for bereavement leave as a basic standard of support. If no formal leave exists, encourage flexibility in scheduling to help ease their burden. 2. Understand Their Needs Ask privately and with empathy: “What would be most helpful for you right now?” They may need a lighter workload, help with deadlines, or simply space to process their loss. 3. Be a Point of Stability Offer to step in on tasks, meetings, or deadlines where you can. Reducing their immediate responsibilities can give them the time and space to grieve without added stress. 4. Don’t Force Them to Share Respect their privacy. Let them decide how much or how little they want to discuss their loss. Sometimes, just knowing someone is available to listen is enough. 5. Check-In Thoughtfully Grief doesn’t have a timeline. Weeks or months later, a private check-in like “How are you managing?” shows you care without putting pressure on them. 6. Encourage Team Sensitivity If appropriate, let the team know about the loss in a way that respects privacy. Suggest ways to help, like taking over small tasks, extending deadlines, or simply being mindful of their situation. 7. Model Empathy Your actions set the tone, whether you’re a leader or a peer. Patience, kindness, and genuine care can create a workplace culture where grieving coworkers feel supported. Grief doesn’t end after a few days off. Whether or not your workplace offers bereavement leave, ongoing empathy and flexibility can make a difference for someone navigating loss.

Amirah was just 2 years old when her father, Army Corporal Jordan Goode, died in Afghanistan. Almost immediately, the Goode family contacted TAPS, providing Amirah with an extended family that would embrace her for life. Amirah’s relationship with Tori, an Army veteran and TAPS mentor, has been a highlight. “When I need motherly advice, I can text her. When I need someone to rant to, I'll text her,” says Amirah, now 19. “She’s whatever I need her to be, and it is perfect.” Amirah and Tori each have half a butterfly tattooed on their finger. When they come together, they form a perfect match. In honor of their match and all of the mentor-mentee matches TAPS has facilitated, the TAPS board is offering a 3:1 match for Giving Tuesday. That means that every dollar you donate (up to $25k) turns into $3! Give today: taps.org/donate. Your generosity is essential to TAPS, which offers 24/7 compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one, regardless of the moment or manner of death. “Tori and I chose the butterfly because it represents growth as it goes from a caterpillar to a butterfly,” Amirah says. “No matter where we are, I know my other half is out there.” #standwithsurvivors #serviceandsacrifice #theultimatesacrifice #veterans #givingtuesday #freedomisntfree

#StandwithSurvivors on Giving Tuesday. Please help TAPS spread awareness and raise money for our important mission by posting about TAPS tomorrow. It's easy! Just follow these steps: 1. Go to https://lnkd.in/gUujaCxK 2. Select your preferred posts for the platforms you use 3. Download the image and content and post to your accounts Thank you for being part of the TAPS Family. Together let’s show our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our surviving families! #GivingTuesday #military #militaryfamilies #StandwithSurvivors on Giving Tuesday. Please help TAPS spread awareness and raise money for our important mission by posting about TAPS tomorrow. It's easy! Just follow these steps: 1. Go to https://lnkd.in/gUujaCxK 2. Select your preferred posts for the platforms you use 3. Download the image and content and post to your accounts Thank you for being part of the TAPS Family. Together let’s show our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our surviving families! #GivingTuesday #military #militaryfamilies

This Thanksgiving, we reflect with gratitude on the loved ones who enriched our lives, even if only for a short time. Their love and legacy live on in the hearts of those they touched. We are also incredibly grateful for the generosity of those who make TAPS’ work possible. Your support allows us to provide compassionate care 24/7 to those grieving. From our TAPS family to yours, we wish you a peaceful and meaningful Thanksgiving. #Thanksgiving #SupportSurvivors #Gratitude #HopeAndHealing

Earlier this month, military families joined TAPS in Destin, Florida, for the Southeast Regional Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp. This transformative weekend provided a space for survivors to share their stories, build connections, and honor their loved ones. Through workshops, peer support groups, and meaningful activities, participants found strength, hope, and a reminder that they are never alone. Children in our Good Grief Camp made lasting friendships and created special memories while learning to navigate their grief in a supportive and caring environment. We are incredibly grateful to Northrop Grumman, American Airlines, and the National Football League (NFL) for their generous support, which made this life-changing weekend possible for our TAPS families. 📸 Relive the moments and see photos from this special event here: https://lnkd.in/gXGtYHeA

Today, November 23, is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day—a day for everyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide. It’s a time for connection, remembrance, and healing. At TAPS, we offer care and support to those grieving the death of a military and veteran loved one to suicide, while standing in solidarity with all survivors of suicide loss. On this day, we honor every journey of healing and every life remembered. If you are navigating this loss, know you are not alone. Together, we can find strength and hope. Learn more about how TAPS provides support: https://lnkd.in/gEf95GAE #SurvivorDay #HopeAndHealing #SuicideLossAwareness #YouAreNotAlone

✨ It’s a love story—one of generosity, community, and connection. Thanks to ID.me, TAPS families had the incredible opportunity to attend Taylor Swift’s #ErasTour in Toronto, creating unforgettable memories while honoring the lives of three beloved service members. ID.me’s thoughtful donation of concert tickets provided moments of joy and togetherness for families grieving the loss of their military loved ones. This kind of partnership makes a profound impact, showing how companies can support TAPS through in-kind donations, financial contributions, and volunteer efforts. We’re deeply grateful for ID.me’s generosity and commitment to our mission. To learn how your company can make a difference for TAPS families, visit taps.org/support. Together, we can honor those who served and died by lifting up the families who carry their legacy forward.

💙 November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the unique journey of children grieving the loss of a military loved one. Today, on Children’s Grief Awareness Day, we’re reminded of the importance of coming together to support these young hearts. Grief is challenging at any age, but children need special care, understanding, and resources to help them heal and grow. TAPS offers guidance and tools to support children and those who care for them. Explore our resources here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBRPQ3cG Together, we can help grieving children feel seen, heard, and supported. 💙

We were honored to take part in the #OperationAppreciation Summit, hosted by our incredible partner H-E-B, in San Antonio, Texas. This inspiring event brought together military service organizations to focus on innovation through collaboration, exploring new ways to strengthen communities and support military families. We’re also excited to share that H-E-B will again sponsor our 2025 Southern Regional Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp. Their ongoing support helps us provide care, connection, and healing for those grieving the loss of a military loved one. Thank you, H-E-B, for your commitment to military families and for making such a meaningful impact. 💛 #OperationAppreciation #InnovationThroughCollaboration

We’re honored to share this special video shown during the Hiring Our Heroes 14th Annual Gala, where TAPS President and founder Bonnie Carroll received the President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement. This heartfelt tribute reflects on Bonnie’s journey following the loss of her husband, Brigadier General Tom Carroll, and how she turned her grief into action. Through TAPS, she built a community that offers compassion, support, and healing to those grieving the loss of a military loved one. Watch her powerful story of love, loss, and the lasting legacy Bonnie has created.