thrive
Turning Grief into a Guiding Light The Orange Glow Project BY AMANDA MILLER M itchell Juneau’s smile left an impression on everyone who knew him. According to his mom, Kathryn, he was happy from the very beginning—even before he was born. “We had a 4D scan, and he smiled three separate times in utero,” Kathryn recalls. “The technician said she’d never seen that before.” That joy stayed with him throughout his 14 months of life. “He would cry and smile through it,” she says. “He was just a happy little guy.” Eighteen months ago, Mitchell died in a tragic drowning accident. In the unimaginable days that followed, Kathryn and her husband leaned on family and friends to carry them through. They also experienced firsthand how difficult it can be for grieving parents to find support. While Mitchell was at Children’s Hospital, the family was referred to Maddie’s Footprints, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to families who experience infant loss. Because Mitchell was older than the organization’s eligibility limit, the Juneaus did not qualify for assistance. Rather than dwelling on disappointment, the experience planted a seed. In the months that followed, Kathryn reached back out to the team at Maddie’s Footprints to apologize for the emotional phone call that came in the midst of overwhelming grief. She says they met her with grace and compassion, and the two organizations now share a common goal: making sure families receive the support they need. That conversation became the foundation for The Orange Glow Project, a new Louisiana nonprofit dedicated to supporting families after the loss of a child.
The organization’s name carries a deeply personal meaning. At Mitchell’s funeral, two unexpected orange balloons appeared among the floral arrangements. “I just felt like it was Mitchell saying hello,” Kathryn says. Months later, she learned the florist had added them on a whim, feeling compelled to include orange balloons despite never being asked. Since then, Kathryn says orange has become a reminder of Mitchell’s presence. Today, she sees the orange glow as something even bigger. “It’s like somebody leaving the porch light on for you,” she says. “We’re the soft ember, the porch light left on that says, ‘Come on. We’re here for you.’” That welcoming spirit is woven into every part of The Orange Glow Project. The nonprofit’s first initiative is grief care packages filled with comforting snacks, personalized blankets, journals, and age- appropriate resources for siblings. “We’re not here to fix grief,” she says. “Grief is nothing to be fixed. We’re here to witness it.” As the organization grows, the Juneaus hope to expand into financial assistance for funeral expenses, counseling, and other costs
families face after losing a child. They’re also working toward partnering with schools to improve long-term grief support for children and developing an interactive online resource that offers practical tools for grieving families and the loved ones walking alongside them. Beyond tangible resources, Kathryn hopes to change the conversation around grief. “I hope we can become comfortable in the uncomfortableness,” she says. “You don’t have to have the perfect words. You just have to be present.”
Although The Orange Glow Project is just beginning, its mission is already
reaching families through care packages and community support. For Kathryn, success isn’t measured by numbers. “If we’re able to help one family, it’s all worth it to me,” she says. “I just want people to know they’re not alone.” For Kathryn, The Orange Glow Project is a way to keep Mitchell’s joyful spirit shining while offering families support. Through every care package and connection, she hopes his light will continue to reach others when they need it most. For more information, visit theorangeflowproject.org or follow them on Facebook by searching “The Orange Glow Project.”
20 SEPTEMBER 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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