When families in Missouri receive the devastating news that their child has a terminal risk diagnosis or passes away at birth, they are often left navigating complex emotions and uncertain next steps. On Angels’ Wings, a Springfield-based nonprofit, exists to walk alongside those families, offering free support services that begin with therapeutic photography and extend well beyond.
On Angels’ Wings serves families from maternity through a child’s 18th year. While many in the community recognize the organization for its beautiful and compassionate photography sessions, its core mission centers on long-term emotional care. On Angels’ Wings provides ongoing mental health and wellness support for families grieving the loss of a child or facing the difficult realities of life with a medically fragile child, including a dedicated grief recovery program. This includes not only support following the death of a child but also care for siblings and parents who are mourning the life they imagined.
The organization’s services are entirely free and available to families across the entire state of Missouri, with additional chapters now open in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Minneapolis, Central Illinois, Northwest Arkansas, and Evansville, Indiana. On Angels’ Wings emphasizes compassion, community, integrity and inclusivity in everything it does, ensuring that families of all backgrounds feel seen, supported and connected. The organization’s overarching goal is to make sure no family facing child loss feels alone.
Each summer, On Angels’ Wings invites the entire community to come together for a day of lighthearted fun at its annual summer carnival – Making Memories Day. Open to the entire community with a nominal admission (with free admission for OAW recipients), this event features classic carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, a balloon artist, a live DJ, a themed costume contest and more. While the event is designed to offer joy and connection to families served by the organization, it’s also a celebration for the broader community—a chance for families to gather, make memories and support a meaningful cause.
Whether you are a parent in need of support as you face the unimaginable, or a community member wanting to get involved, On Angels’ Wings welcomes you. To learn more about the organization’s services, upcoming events or ways to help, visit www.oawphoto.org.
Every child matters. Every story matters. And no family should have to face the possibility of losing their child alone.
