The Founder’s Heart

By Michelle L. CramerFounder and Executive Director of On Angels’ Wings It’s hard to believe, but On Angels’ Wings is nearly 11 years old now. When I founded the organization in 2013, I never fathomed the reach that it would have over a decade later, with more than 1500 families served through over 1800 photo…

Five days before the deadline, I came across an email in the abyss that is my inbox for an opportunity to attend a leadership cohort hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global Leadership Institute. I didn’t know why at the time, but I felt like this was something I needed. So I scrambled, found some…

When I started On Angels’ Wings 10 years ago, I intended to fill a need in the 417 area. That was my vision, and we did 41 sessions in and around Springfield our first full year. By 2015, we were looking for volunteers in St. Louis because so many of the families we served at…

Michelle Slavens, newly “promoted” to Vice President of On Angels’ Wings in addition to her Support Coordinator role, reflects upon her nearly nine years with the organization, and her hopes for the future. After nine years with On Angels’ Wings, I’m stepping into the role of Vice President and reflecting upon my journey with the…

Nine years. Geez. I know ‘surreal’ gets overused a lot, but that doesn’t diminish it’s meaning for me. It really is hard to believe that On Angels’ Wing has existed for almost a decade. While you might think that I would save this post for that coveted 10-year mark, this year has a whole lot…

When I began doing bereavement photography nearly 15 years ago, the organization I volunteered for provided pictures for families in their most dire moments of distress, but nothing beyond that. It was so very hard for me to hand over a disc of photos to a family (back in the days before digital galleries) and…

There are other child bereavement photography services out there, but we stand out in a few ways. On Angels’ Wings is by no means competing with these other organizations. Our intention is to fill the gaps, whether that’s as a backup when other services aren’t available for an individual need; or through the extension of…

I’ve been working with bereaved families for nearly 14 years now and that is the underlying thing I’ve learned – everyone wants to pretend that babies don’t die. Parents suffer in silence because no one wants to hear how much it hurts. Those who haven’t gone through it tend to ignore the subject entirely, pretending…

I’m an empath. There’s a lot of hippie-dippy, flighty stuff associated with that word these days. Even googling the definition you’ll find references to science fiction and paranormal activity. But it’s a real thing. I don’t perform Vulcan mind melds or have special empath antenna like the bug-girl on Gardens of the Galaxy Vol. 2.…

Over the last seven-plus years, On Angels’ Wings has done over 600 photo sessions, working with over 500 families. My heart is with each one of them, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that some of them gain extra special places in my life. For some, it’s because I happen to be the…