Our NICU Christmas Story: A Letter from Our Founder
Hi there,
As the holiday season draws near, I find my heart reflecting on a story that changed everything for our family and ultimately led to the beginning of The Elaine Symone Foundation.
This work isn’t just professional for me; it’s deeply personal. It began in a hospital room, with our daughters, Grace and Joy, in the NICU. I remember the lights and beeps, the waiting and wondering, the prayers whispered in the stillness of early mornings and late nights. Our days were filled with uncertainty, hope, and a reliance on God that we had never known before.
That chapter of our lives, hard, holy, and full of grace, is the reason this foundation exists. We walked through those moments with the support of others who truly understood. We felt lifted up by compassion we hadn’t expected, by practical help when we needed it most, and by community when things felt very lonely. It changed us, but it planted a deep calling in my heart to extend that same kind of support to families walking through their own NICU journeys and crises.
The holidays, especially Christmas, can be a season of joy and warmth, but they can also be a time of ache, loss, and longing for families in the NICU. I know that firsthand. There were days I didn’t recognize the person I saw in the mirror, overwhelmed by both hope and fear. And yet, in the midst of it all, there was a light.
That light is what we hope to share with you and through you.
Our mission remains simple and steadfast: to walk alongside NICU families and families in crisis with practical help, emotional support, and real community. We want every family to feel seen, supported, and surrounded with compassion that carries them through each step.
Thank you for being part of this work. Whether you’ve prayed, given, shared, encouraged, or simply read these words, you are part of this story. You are part of bringing hope into moments that feel so heavy for NICU families. Your presence matters more than you know.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
With love,
Sharise M. Johnson
Founder + Executive Director
