Loading...
3.4 Infants Remembered in Silence Proclamation Request for City Council Action DEPARTMENT INFORMATION ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE: Administration City Clerk Etzel September 26, 2022 PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #: Consent City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty 3.4 - IRIS Proclamation STRATEGIC VISION MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO: X Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication. Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services. Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a cost-effective manner. Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities. Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings. AGENDA ITEM DETAILS RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommends adoption of a proclamation. ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED? No No BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION: City Staff has received a request from Infants Remembered in Silence, Inc. (IRIS) a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to adopt a proclamation endorsing October 15th as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Bereaved parents remember these children annually with a 7 pm candle lighting on October 15th. Some will remember their child/children in their homes while others will remember with small gathering around the state and across the nation. The proclamation would unify these parents in tribute of their children. The Administrative Subcommittee reviewed this request at the July 13, 2022, meeting, and agreed with the request and recommended adopting. Staff has prepared a Proclamation for City Council consideration. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: ▪ IRIS Proclamation Request ▪ IRIS Brochure 2022 ▪ Proclamation POSSIBLE MOTION PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES: Motion to adopt a Proclamation recognizing National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Annually on October 15th. BUDGET INFORMATION FUNDING: BUDGETED: N/A N/A 218 Third Ave. NW Faribault MN 55021 Phone: (507) 334-4748 E-mail: support@irisRemembers.com Website: www.irisRemembers.com Founded in 1987 Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (#41 -1700704) would like to respectfully request that the city adopt a resolution endorsing October 15th as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in accordance with the requirements within the city. 1. If this proclamation is perpetual, please let us know. 2. If your community does not accept proclamation requests, please let us know. 3. If your city has requirements on who can make a request, please let us know those requirements. Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. (IRIS) works with thousands of people across Minnesota, and the USA, who have experienced the death of a child during pregnancy through early childhood. This includes death from miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirth, neo -natal death, sudden unexplained death of a child (SUDC), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), birth defects, illness, accidents, and all other types of early childhood death. These are parents who lose a child unexpectedly. Many of these parents live in, deliver in, and have a child die in, or bury a child in this community. Bereaved parents remember these children annually with a 7 pm candle lighting on October 15 th. Some will remember their child/children in their homes while others will remember them in small gatherings around the state and across the nation. This resolution/proclamation would unify these parents in tribute of their children. United States Government Proclamations: 1988 President Ronald Reagan Proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. 2001 House Resolution 107th Congress – 1st Session H.RES.254 IH 2006 House Resolution 109th Congress – 1st Session H.CON.RES.222 If you do choose to adopt this proclamation/resolution you may send us any certificates via e -mail to support@irisremembers.com or we can arrange for someone to pick it up. Proclamation text below. Diana Kelley - Founder and Executive Director Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc.© (IRIS) 218 3rd Ave. NW Faribault MN 55021 507) 334-4748 Email: support@irisRemembers.com Website: www.irisRemembers.com IRIS was founded in 1987 What Direct Services Can IRIS Provide? The IRIS Advocate Program can assist at the painful anticipation of the death/birth, at the time of hospitalization, and during the following weeks, months, and years of bereavement. When a child dies, an IRIS Advocate can assist you with creating precious keepsakes including picture taking, hand and foot prints, sculptures of hands and feet, presenting options and suggestions, and much more. Bereavement Support Packets contain printed materials and information on a wide variety of topics including how to plan a funeral for your precious child, grief, creating keepsakes, grieving grandparents and more. Burial Clothing Sets for infants 2 – 24 inches in length (6 – 42 gestational weeks). Sets include an outfit, blanket, and cap all sized to fit your precious child. Assists with finding support groups in your area for bereaved parents across the nation and around the world. Support Group Meetings One on one support & Telephone support Newsletter Website: www.irisRemembers.org Lending library Displays, special presentations, and guest speakers are available IRIS Support Groups IRIS Support Groups are made up of parents helping parents. Attending meetings is a helpful way to learn you are not alone, that others have experienced and share the same feelings of frustration, guilt, fear, and anxiety. Parents gain insight, understanding, and have an opportunity to vent their feelings in an understanding atmosphere. IRIS Support Group meetings are open ended, meaning that parents can come to a meeting once, for months, or years. IRIS Support Group meetings are open to anyone who has had a child die at any gestational age through early childhood. You are always welcome regardless of when or where your child died, the cause of death, or where you currently live. Meetings are held at the IRIS office (pictured below). IRIS 218 Third Ave NE. Faribault, MN 55021 Midday Meetings The 2nd Wednesday of each month from 11 AM – 1 PM Evening Meetings The 4th Tuesday of the month from 7 – 8:30 PM How Do We Get IRIS Involved? It’s easy; you can contact IRIS directly or ask the hospital or funeral home staff to contact us. If we have an IRIS Advocate in your area, they will be happy to assist you however you would like. This includes answering your questions to the best of their ability, helping you to create memories and keepsakes of your child, and offering suggestions and options that you may not know exist. If we do not have an IRIS Advocate in your area, we will do our best to provide you with suggestions on creating memories and keepsakes and we will help you find a support organization or group close to you. Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. © 218 Third Ave NW Faribault, MN 55021 507) 334-4748 www.irisRemembers.org IRIS Mission Statement Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. © (IRIS), a nonprofit organization, supplements the care given by the medical, mental health, and religious communities by providing resources and referral information, support and education to parents, family, friends, and professionals after a child dies in early pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, miscarriage, etc.) or from stillbirth, neo-natal death, birth defects, illness, accident, sudden infant death syndrome SIDS), sudden unexplained death of a child, and all other types of infants and early childhood death. What Events Does IRIS Offer? IRIS offers many wonderful opportunities to remember and honor your child. You are always welcome to attend regardless of where you live, where the child died, when the child died, or the cause of death. IRIS Events Include: Mothers Day Brunch Water Lantern Release October 15th - International Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day Holiday Service of Remembrance Service is held annually since 1994 on the first Sunday in December, at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd - Shattuck Campus Fundraisers Include: A Pancake Breakfast is held in February – on the weekend after the Super Bowl. The IRIS Turkey Trot – 5K Run and Walk, 10K Run is held on Thanksgiving morning. While considered a fundraiser, is an event that offers breathtaking, inspiring, and unique opportunities for you, your family and friends. You will be able to create many amazing memories and find overwhelming support. Many other events and special services are held throughout the year. For more information visit www.irisRemembers.org and follow IRIS on Social Media. How Do Volunteers Help? Most of the services provided by IRIS are available due to the talents and generosity of others. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting of blankets, caps, and outfits are all done by volunteers. Volunteers also do gardening, office work, computer assistance, and compile clothing sets, bereavement packets, and newsletters. IRIS is always in need of your help. If you would like to help, please contact us. How is IRIS Financed? Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. IRIS) depends on the generosity of donors. Donations, memorials, grants, charitable gambling, fundraisers, and the United Way provide financial support to our 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We gratefully accept and acknowledge all donations and memorials, which are tax deductible. Infants Remembered In Silence © 218 Third Ave. NW Faribault, MN 55021 507) 334-4748 www.irisRemembers.org support@irisRemembers.org Founded in 1987 Infants Remembered In Silence © 218 Third Ave. NW Faribault, MN 55021 507) 334-4748 www.irisRemembers.org support@irisRemembers.com Founded in 1987 What is IRIS . . . Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. © (IRIS) is an 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designed to help parents, family, and friends cope with the devastating loss of a child in early pregnancy (miscarriage, blighted ovum, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, etc.) or death from stillbirth, neo-natal death, birth defects, sudden unexplained infant death SUID/SIDS) and other related syndromes, overlay, illness, accidents, and all other types of infant and early childhood death. This assistance includes emotional support at the time of the death and the years that follow. When a child dies, parents, family, and friends mourn the death and begin the process of coping. This process is known as grieving. Bereaved parents experience many different feelings including disbelief, sadness, loneliness, fear, anger, regret, guilt, despair, and a sense of great personal loss. Parents who experience an infant’s death are usually unsure of what their feelings and emotions should be. Some parents keep their feelings inside while others are able to express their grief easily and openly, still others have feelings of grief that are so intense that they don’t understand what is happening. Guilt, real or imagined, is a normal part of grief. It surfaces in thoughts and feelings of “if only” or “I wish I would have.” Each person’s grief is individual. Mothers and fathers, grandparents, family, and friends all cope with grief differently. While there is no “right way” to grieve, it is helpful to know that grief has many ups and downs and lasts far longer than society, in general, recognizes. In fact, the grief process may take several years to work through. It has often been said that with the death of our parents we lose a piece of our past. With the death of a sibling we lose a piece of our present (what is currently going on in our lives). But with the death of a child, parents lose their entire future. All of their hopes and dreams are gone. Bereaved parents have the need for understanding, hope, knowledge and comfort. Other bereaved parents who have experienced similar losses can provide this type of support. While there are no instant solutions, no fast easy answers, and no timeline for grieving there is a sense of direction found through knowledge and understanding of the grief experience. Bereaved parents can find help and hope for the future from Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. © (IRIS). PROCLAMATION Recognizing National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Whereas, Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. (IRIS) and many other nonprofit organizations work with thousands of parents all over Minnesota and across the United States who have experienced the death of a child during pregnancy through early childhood; and Whereas, Many of these parents live in, deliver in, have a child die in, or a bury a child in our community; and Whereas, Infants Remembered in Silence (IRIS) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was founded 1987, 33 years ago, to offer support for parents whose child/children died from miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirth, neo-natal death, birth defects, sudden unexplained death of a child (SUDC), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), illness, accidents, and all other types of infants and early childhood death; and Whereas, Bereaved parents around the world remember their children annually on October 15th with candle lighting at 7 pm. Some will remember their child/children in their homes while others will remember them in small gatherings around the state, across the nation and around the world; and this would unify these parents in tribute to their children; and Whereas, In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month; and Whereas, In honor of the thousands of children that die each year in Minnesota, Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. (IRIS) respectfully requests that October 15th Annually be recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Now, Therefore, be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Otsego, Minnesota. Dated: September 26, 2022 By Order of Mayor _____________________________ City of Otsego Jessica Stockamp, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________ Audra Etzel, City Clerk