About Empty Arms Vermont
One in four pregnancies ends in a loss.
We are grateful to be able to support families during their darkest times.
Our Mission
Empty Arms Vermont serves individuals and families whose babies have died through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death (within the first year of infancy), or termination for medical reasons. By cultivating personal connections, creating a compassionate community, and fostering professional collaborations, we provide grieving parents with valuable resources and validation as they navigate the murky days, weeks, and lifetime without their baby.
Our Vision
We strive to build a community of compassion, understanding, and comfort for those who are journeying down the road of grief. We understand that each loss is different, but there are many things that we share in common as we grieve for our babies. Our truest hope is that no one would make this journey through grief alone.
We know firsthand the value of connections built on this common ground. Our vision is to create a space where these relationships can be created and cultivated in Vermont, and where all who come are able to share openly about their baby, and learn the ways that sharing their stories can help them to move toward healing.
Our Partnership
Carol McMurrich is the executive director and founder of Empty Arms Bereavement in Western, Massachusetts. After the death of her daughter Charlotte, Carol established Empty Arms Bereavement Support which offers an extensive amount of support group meetings, hospital companionship programs, and professional training in her community. Carol and the team at Empty Arms in MA have joyfully allowed us to learn from them as we adopt many of the resources they have used over the last 15 years. Through this partnership, we are able to glean invaluable resources and mentorship in order to best serve our community in Vermont.
Learn more about Empty Arms Bereavement Support in Massachusetts.
Staff
chelsea levis
Executive director
Chelsea co-founded Empty Arms after moving back to Vermont noticing that adequate peer support for bereaved parents was lacking. The Levis Family lost their firstborn, Timothy, suddenly during labor in 2014. Since then, Chelsea has become deeply aware of the complexities of grief and pregnancy after loss. For her, grief is not a moment to get through, but a lifetime to explore and cultivate. Through Empty Arms Vermont, Chelsea works to extend community support and connect families and individuals that can know each other through shared grief experiences.
Chelsea grew up in Vermont and loves this little state and the friendships found here. As a family, Chelsea and Jonathan spend most of their time hiking, gardening, and finding new adventures alongside their two living children.
MARIE FRIETZE
Development Coordinator
Marie’s search and discovery of Empty Arms came during the anniversary of her first born, Magdalena’s (Maggie), death which occurred hours after Maggie was born in 2010. This devastating loss was compounded by a miscarriage during a subsequent pregnancy. The community that Empty Arms provides has filled a gap in Marie’s grief journey. She hopes to bring awareness to the prevalence of pregnancy and infant loss as well as foster a culture change around how best to provide support to others during times of grief.
Marie lives and works in Burlington with her husband, Seth, and their two living children, Francisco (12) and Ruthie (9). Exploring new snacks at grocery stores abroad, singing karaoke, reading with her family, and simply hanging out at home bring her joy.
Board of Directors
Nina Lesser-Goldsmith
Board Member, President
Nina joins the board of Empty Arms after nearly a decade of peer support work in the Vermont loss community. Nina experienced two late-term miscarriages before being diagnosed with Insufficient Cervix at 19 weeks during her third pregnancy. Nina's losses and her subsequent pregnancy after loss experience inspired her to get involved and help others who were grieving the loss of children. Nina believes that healing is found in the sharing of stories and the offering of empathy. Her goal through peer support is to let others know that no matter how alone they may feel in the moment, there are others out there who know the familiar feeling of grief. Nina is a business owner and has sat on the board of numerous other non-profit organizations; she brings business acumen and board expertise to Empty Arms. A native Vermonter, Nina lives in Charlotte with her husband and two rainbow babies. Nina enjoys skiing, boating, gardening and cooking in her spare time.
JEN THOMPSON
CO-FOUNDER
Board Member, secretary
Jen is one of founders of Empty Arms Vermont. After the death of her first born daughter, Lydia, Jen has found great comfort in relationships with other parents who have lost children. This is what makes her so passionate to serve with Empty Arms Vermont. Jen spends her days caring for her family, working at Richmond Pediatrics, and enjoying life in beautiful Vermont.
Rebecca Robinson
Board Member, treasurer
Rebecca joins the Empty Arms board after experiencing a miscarriage with her first pregnancy, showing her the critical need to be open about loss. She believes it is important for people to have the ability to talk about their losses, be able to experience the grief and be surrounded by a community of support. Rebecca currently works in the business industry and brings a breadth of experience from for-profit and non-profit organizations. Originally from New York, she now lives in Essex, VT with her husband and two children. Rebecca enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, baking, yoga, and adventure sports.
Chelsea oclatis
Board Member
Chelsea is thrilled to join the board of Empty Arms, bringing her extensive experience as a Registered Nurse with a focus on Reproductive Health. Since 2018, she has served as the Nurse Manager at Maitri, where her dedication to reproductive healthcare shines through. Known for her compassionate approach, Chelsea goes above and beyond to support her patients, meeting them where they are at. Being on the Empty Arms board holds deep personal significance for Chelsea. Her mother experienced five miscarriages before having her, and every day she works alongside patients that are navigating loss and experiences the heartache and emotional toll firsthand. She is passionate about helping women and their families navigate the pain of loss and offering them compassion and understanding during these difficult moments. She is excited to continue working alongside others who are dedicated to helping those who are grieving and to provide them with the care and support they need as they walk their own healing paths.
Outside of her professional life, Chelsea enjoys quality time with her husband, two children, and their dog, Frankie. During the summer months, you can find her relaxing at her parents' beach house in Colchester. In contrast, winter is reserved for family skiing trips to the mountains. Chelsea loves people-watching on Church Street, dining out with friends, and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of live music events.
