DES MOINES, Iowa — Walk With You opened their doors and began working with families experiencing child loss just two years ago, Saturday night’s gala brought those families together.

Founded in August 2022, with services beginning in January 2023, Walk With You was started by a former ICU childcare nurse who felt there was a gap in the system.

“Walk With You aims to bridge the gap between the healthcare setting where a family knows their child will die or has died, and the time when, sometimes years later, where families show up for support groups or counseling,” Kylie Collins, CEO and Founder said. “We aim to bridge that gap, so families get support earlier.”

Walk With You works with families providing grief support, photography, funeral planning, financial aid and other services to those experiencing child loss. Over the past two years more than 100 families across 27 states have been helped.

Faith Smythe, Walk With You operations officer, says her path to working with Walk With You started years ago.

“I joined Walk With You because I grew up in a family that was experiencing child loss, I lost two siblings before I was even born,” said Smythe. “Growing up in a space full of grief, I know the impact that it can have on families and siblings specifically.”

Smythe doesn’t often work with families but says when she gets the chance, she sees it as an opportunity to help families and their support systems.

“Every now and then I get to dive into actually working one on one with a family, whether it’s in those initial moments after they have lost or a child or as they are saying goodbye to a child,” said Smythe. “Also getting to come alongside their support systems and equip them to know how to care for a grieving family, those moments are really sacred.”

Saturday night’s gala offered attendee’s speeches from families, a silent auction, and a memorial wall, where families could write the name of their loved one and pin it up with a flower.

To learn more about Walk With You and their services visit their website.