Empowering Young Widows: The Inspiring Journey of Broken Halos Haven

Broken Halos Haven is a beacon of hope and support for young widows navigating the challenging journey of single parenthood after the loss of their spouse.

Founder Natalie Reid Knutson became part of a heartbreaking statistic as she became one of more than 700,000 new widows every year in America when she suddenly and tragically lost her husband, Wayne.

The poignant story of Broken Halos Haven's inception traces to a transformative trip Natalie and her three boys took to New York City during their first Christmas without Wayne. 

Today, Natalie is blessed to be remarried to Kjell Knutson. Together, they run an organization and programs that truly make a difference in the lives of widows and their children. To learn more about their inspiring journey, please visit https://brokenhaloshaven.org/our-story/.

Broken Halos Haven, a home found in Old Town Lewisville (just outside of Dallas), was only the beginning for Natalie and Kjell. Broken Halos Haven offers several programs tailored to meet the unique needs of young widows and their school-aged children, including:

1. Grief Retreat Home: A no-cost stay at Broken Halos Haven's private retreat home in Old Town Lewisville.
2. Man Camp: An empowering program where boys without fathers receive guidance and mentorship on essential life skills and character development.
3. SHIFT: A weekly group grief support program designed for children coping with the loss of a parent.
4. Honey Dudes: Providing practical assistance with household maintenance tasks to alleviate the burden on widows.
5. The Haven:  The latest endeavor and location for children who have lost a parent to come for healing and support.

Why are we (North Dallas Renovations) discussing Broken Halos Haven this month? We are honored to come alongside this fantastic team to help with construction and fundraising for their capital campaign. 

The Haven will be a place where children who have experienced the death of a parent can connect and receive emotional support through programs and events specifically designed to help move them through their grief journey.

The Haven will feature a Man Camp garage, an upstairs art studio for SHIFT activities, a 2-story spiral slide inside a grain silo, a soft & safe rage room, a large bunk room, and more. When it's not used for grief programs, it'll be available to rent for church lock-ins, birthday parties, corporate team-building events, and more — making it self-sustaining and income-generating for the organization. 

Broken Halos Haven was recently recognized for its incredible work when nominated for "Nonprofit of the Year." Take a look at this heartfelt video. The organization's commitment to solace and support for grieving families is further highlighted in this video featuring "stories of hope."

We would love for you to join us in supporting Broken Halos Haven and the work they're doing in our community. For more information on Broken Halos Haven and how to support their mission, visit their website or connect on Facebook.

Click here to learn more about The Haven project.