Dear Friends:

It is with sincere sadness that I share with you that one of our true champions of FRIENDS WAY, Dr. Michael Wiggins, died unexpectedly on a family trip in Colorado. Two of his children were competing in a national snowboarding competition, and being the active, hands-on and supportive parents that they are, Michael and Doreen were there to cheer on and have fun with their kids. Michael was not a sit-on-the-sidelines kind of dad… he was always right in the midst and modeled the importance of living fully. He embraced life and inspired those around him to do the same.

For close to a decade, Doreen and Michael have been part of the FRIENDS WAY family. They’ve helped us create our vision and expand our mission as the needs of grieving children, teens and families have become more apparent. Together, they dedicated themselves to the growth of our organization. While Mike and Doreen have contributed to the financial sustainability of FRIENDS WAY, they have also provided creativity, abundant energy and an unwavering dedication and hopefulness to our programs. Most importantly, they have done so together, as true partners.

When I think of Mike, I will always remember his smile and welcoming spirit. When I was pregnant with my first son, Michael and Doreen invited me into their home at least once a week to spare me a very long commute. In the previous year I had developed a great respect for and deep friendship with Doreen, and though I thought Mike seemed like a great guy, I didn’t know him very well. Yet he opened his home to me as if I were family. That’s simply who he was. In the coming year (yes, I say “year” because after Josh was born he and I would both grace the Wiggins home with our presence… who would be crazy enough to willingly host a new mother and infant!) I would chat with Mike before or after his runs. His devotion to his family, beliefs and perseverance inspires me beyond words. Through my time in their home, watching them interact with their children and each other, I got a glimpse into the life of one of the warmest, most caring and loving families I will ever have the honor of knowing. I have the greatest admiration for Michael and Doreen and feel blessed by their goodness. They have given us so much of themselves so that FRIENDS WAY will always remain a haven for healing and hope.

Doreen, please know that you, your children and all your family and friends are in our prayers. Michael touched our lives and we will always remember him.


With deepest condolences,

The FRIENDS WAY family

Written by: Jenny Kaplan Schreiber, Founder

A Haven for Healing and Hope, providing support groups and programs for grieving children, teens, young adults and families.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

FRIENDS WAY (Families Reaching Into Each New Day) serves families throughout Rhode Island and is the only family bereavement center in Southeastern New England.  FRIENDS WAY remains steadfast in our commitment of providing peer support to grieving families in a safe, nurturing environment and is staffed with mental health professionals and extensively trained volunteers from the community who assist children and their families through their grief with comfort and support from peers struggling with similar feelings of loss.

OUR HISTORY

FRIENDS WAY, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization began in 1998 with Founder, Jennifer Kaplan Schreiber. During the past eight years, FRIENDS WAY has grown to become a valuable asset to the community, being called on to provide bereavement support during area tragedies, increasing the demand for services each time.  Since October of 2000, FRIENDS WAY has assisted more than 400 families with grief support.

FRIENDS WAY gives back to the community through the provision of training programs, community outreach and crisis intervention outreach for families in crisis and in need of referrals to the appropriate level of care.  Providing more than 150 presentations and in-service training workshops regarding children, loss and grief, Rhode Island agencies have grown to rely on FRIENDS WAY as a proven resource for families in need of bereavement services.

FRIENDS WAY is free to families and 100% of our program is funded through fundraising activities and community support.  For more information or to see how you can help, please contact Carolyn Kyle at (401) 724-8400 x212 or c.kyle@friendsway.org