Tiana Project
I am a Mom of 3 beautiful daughters, 2 who are living and one who is in heaven.
I am a wife to the love of my life and my best friend of 24 years, a businesswoman in the Insurance Industry for over 25 years, business and career development coach, and Founder of Tiana Project an organization that assists parents after the loss of a child to neonatal or early infant death.
In 2002, I was preparing to be a mom for the 2nd time, with having a normal pregnancy before, I had no reason to think that anything could go wrong. I went into labor at 37 weeks only to find out that my daughter had a rare incurable heart condition and she passed away shortly after birth.
This forever changed our lives.
After 8 weeks on maternity leave, I went back to my job only to be laid off. I was broken, no job, no baby, but I was determined to survive. I decided to start the Tiana Project in honor and memory of our daughter. I knew that even when enduring my own grief, I could help others that were suffering the same pain.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss is something that is much more accepted to discuss today, but in 2002 there were very few support groups or online resources for women who had suffered such a loss.
I spent many days at the grave of my daughter only to notice countless graves with no memorial marker. It was then that my husband and I decided that not only did we want to connect with others who had endured a loss like ours but also help make sure that their babies were not forgotten.
We started the Tiana Project to help assist parents by purchasing grave markers or memorial vessels for their children while also assisting in grief counseling, support, and connecting them with other organizations that can help through the grief process.
It is our desire that we empower and encourage parents to face their grief and find ways to memorialize their children while being able to heal their hearts and minds during a very difficult time.
Grief is a forever journey but it does need to be dealt with head-on and addressed. Each phase of grief brings new emotions and it is my hope that as you journey through the process we can do it together and share our stories and help those who are on this road that we didn't choose, called Child Loss.
Tiana Project supports parents and families who have lost a child due to neonatal or early infant death, by providing a safe place to heal and refresh their minds while journeying through the grief process as well as assisting in purchasing grave markers or memorial vessels for those in need.
“It was then that my husband and I decided that not only did we want to connect with others who had endured a loss like ours but also help make sure that their babies were not forgotten”
— Rhonda Velez
We want to help enable you to heal and begin your grief process.
Thank you for reaching out to the Tiana Project, we know that this time is incredibly difficult, we hope by helping with a gravestone will enable you to heal and begin your grief process.
Please fill out these questions to the best of your ability below. We need this information to begin the process of your gravestone. If you are unsure about any of the questions, please feel free to reach out to me and I am more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Blessings and Love,
Rhonda Velez - Founder