The Holland House Project

We assist families learn critical skills to deal with trauma, grief, PTSD, and improve their marriages by helping them access counseling services

Who We Are and Why We Do It

At The Holland House Project, we understand that every family's journey is unique, but that is especially true when navigating the challenges of raising a disabled child. Our mission is simple yet profound: to be a beacon of support during times of crisis.

We are a dedicated team of compassionate professionals and volunteers who believe that no family should face these struggles alone. Whether it's the heart-wrenching moment of diagnosis, the day-to-day challenges of care, or the profound grief of loss, we stand ready to help.

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How We Help Families

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1. Identify Families

We work with social workers at disability clinics to find families most in need. They refer candidates who would benefit most from our services.

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2. Provide Direct Support

We help families afford their deductible, copay, or pay counselors directly for up to $2,000 of counseling services.

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3. Ensure Access

We ensure families get access to at least 12 sessions with the counselor they choose or were referred to.

"Welcome to Holland" - Our Inspiration

"When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make wonderful plans... But when you land, they say, 'Welcome to Holland.'"

Emily Perl Kingsley's beautiful poem captures the unexpected journey of raising a disabled child. Holland wasn't the destination planned, but it has its own beauty, charm, and wonder. This poem inspired our mission and reminds us that while the journey may be different, it can still be meaningful and beautiful.

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Our Story

When our son Michael was born, my wife Susan and I were delivered an unexpected and heartbreaking diagnosis: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The news shattered our world. We felt lost, engulfed in a sense of grief and trauma that was impossible to articulate.

Eighteen months later, we were preparing to welcome twin girls, Emily and Olivia, but in what felt like a cruel twist of fate, we discovered that Emily had a rare brain malformation. The challenges of raising two children with significant disabilities was overwhelming.

We lost Emily very suddenly on May 16th, 2013. Then in January 2021, Susan and I almost divorced. By some miracle we found a marriage counselor who literally helped us cope and gave us key strategies that improved our communication and intimacy. Michael passed on August 3rd, 2021, but our marriage survived because we were better equipped to cope thanks to that timely counseling.

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Get Involved

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Donate

Your donation directly funds counseling services for families in crisis

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Volunteer

Join our mission to support families through their most challenging times

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Spread the Word

Help by sharing our mission with your network.

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