Nonprofit of the Year Finalist | Small: On Angels’ Wings

In a society which often silences grief, On Angels’ Wings tells the stories of those enduring unimaginable loss. Executive Director Michelle Cramer founded OAW in 2013 to provide professional therapeutic photography and grief services for families of children with an often fatal medical diagnosis or who die at or shortly after birth. The nonprofit operates in Missouri, Oklahoma and Minnesota with plans to launch in Indiana and Illinois by the end of 2024. It’s a major need: Since 2013, OAW has provided 1,994 photography sessions. Cramer anticipates to exceed 2023’s 453 sessions in 2024 with 186 already provided.

“Behind each statistic is a real family in the Springfield community and beyond that feels scared, isolated and grief-stricken and is in need of tangible support,” Cramer says. “OAW believes in capturing any moment in a child’s life, no matter its duration, in an effort to celebrate their unique and lasting legacy, encourage family bonding and memory-making experiences and provide comfort and healing through lasting images.”

OAW also offers grief recovery programs for all community members and is actively engaged in advocacy and policy. More than 40% of its sessions are in Springfield, where partners include Mercy, CoxHealth and Citizens Memorial Hospital. Cramer is the only full-time staffer with Michelle Slavens and Connie Bumb providing part-time support. OAW has a $150,000 operating budget and team of 105 volunteer photographers and 15 general volunteers.

“It gives space to say, this was real. This was my child,” Cramer says. “You can’t remember all those details, so giving an opportunity to remember every bit of those memories, those critical moments, that alone, there is so much therapeutic healing that comes from this.”

Cramer’s team witnesses immense trauma, and peer support is vital through check-in calls and a photographer mentorship program to prepare volunteers for the difficult yet meaningful work they do.

“This is going to be hard,” she says. “We are so grateful that you are willing to step into this hard space for these families so we are willing to step into those hard spaces for you.”

What is the heart of your organization’s mission?
“Our motto is, ‘Celebrating life, encouraging hope, providing ongoing support.’ We want to celebrate your child’s life no matter how short it may be. We want to encourage hope for a future for you no matter how that looks. And then we want that ongoing support element and to walk with you through the entirety of that journey.” —Michelle Cramer