Pressing Forward Gracefully

04/05/2026

Easter can bring moments of hope, reflection, and renewal.

For many children and families, it can also bring reminders of who is deeply missed.

Both can exist at the same time.

At Pressing Forward Gracefully, we hold space for every part of the journey.

You are not alone today. 💜

04/03/2026

Grief does not look the same for every child.

Children ages 5–8 may become clingy or show regression. Children ages 9–12 may experience physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches, or mood changes. Teens may withdraw or have difficulty expressing emotions.

There is no single way grief may show up, and every child is different.

Understanding these differences helps us respond with care and support.

Save this to come back to.

04/01/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month.

In the United States, 1 in 11 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18.

In Texas, about 577,000 children, or 1 in 13, will experience that same loss by age 18.

Grief-related stress may show up in ways that are often misunderstood.

These are not behavior problems. These are responses to loss.

This month, we are sharing tools and support for children and families navigating stress after loss.

Save this post to come back to.

03/28/2026

Community is what makes this work possible.

Through the More Than a Cup Campaign, Chicken N Pickle – Allen helped us raise $607 to support the mission of Pressing Forward Gracefully.

While we are still building, moments like this are powerful. They remind us that there are people who believe in creating a space where children and teens navigating the loss of a parent can find support, connection, and hope.

This is how it starts. With partnership. With community. With people who care.

And we are incredibly grateful.

03/17/2026

Today, we’re reminded that healing is not about luck. It is about having the right support, the right people, and a space where you feel seen.

At Pressing Forward Gracefully, we are committed to walking alongside children and teens as they navigate grief, helping them find hope even on the hardest days.

You are not alone in your journey.

02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day can feel different for children and teens who are missing a parent.

At Pressing Forward Gracefully, we hold space for every child navigating grief. Love does not disappear. It continues in memory, in strength, and in the quiet courage it takes to keep going.

Today, we honor that love.

Drop a 💜 in the comments to remember someone special.

01/23/2026

As freezing temperatures impact our community, we want to help ensure families and individuals know where safe, warm places are available. Overnight warming stations are open across Collin County and North Texas. Please share this information to help keep our neighbors safe and warm.

𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑶𝒑𝒆𝒏 – 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒚 & 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒔
With colder temperatures impacting our community, the following overnight warming stations are available for individuals in need of a safe, warm place to stay:

𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐌𝐄𝐎𝐖𝐒)
First McKinney Baptist Church
1615 W. Louisiana St., McKinney, TX 75069
📞 214-945-4637

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐒)
East Plano Islamic Center
4700 E. 14th St., Plano, TX 75074
📞 214-988-9434
Website: https://www.epicmasjid.org/contact/
(𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒘𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔.)

Multiple shelters are open throughout the Dallas area. For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of resources, visit Housing Forward NTX OR 👉 https://housingforwardntx.org/help-resources/

𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎.

01/23/2026

On MLK Day, our founder joined the MLK Day Unity Walk at Chicken N Pickle alongside community members in a shared moment of reflection, movement, and connection.

The event brought people together through a one mile walk, fellowship over breakfast, trivia, and pickleball, all centered on unity and community engagement.

At Pressing Forward Gracefully, we believe meaningful impact begins with presence. Supporting community spaces that encourage connection and belonging aligns with our commitment to walking alongside those we serve.

We are grateful for our partnership with Chicken N Pickle and for opportunities to stand in community on days that remind us why service, compassion, and unity matter.

01/08/2026

Our founder was invited to be interviewed on the Collin County Podcast to share the mission of Pressing Forward Gracefully and the importance of supporting children and teens who have experienced the loss of a parent.

This conversation highlights the need for compassion, patience, and safe spaces for grieving children and their families.

Thank you to Joseph with CollinCounty.com and sponsor the Deb Brown Group for the opportunity.

Season 1, Episode 36 is available on CollinCounty.com and Apple Podcasts.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-guest-brittany-mabry-pressing-forward-gracefully/id1779146421?i=1000741544209

12/28/2025

3 days left to give back! 💜

Now through December 31, every drink purchased at Chicken N Pickle – Allen supports children and teens healing after the loss of a parent.

Stop by, grab a beverage, and help us finish strong!

12/25/2025

Christmas can be a tender season for many families. Joy and grief often exist side by side, and both deserve space.

At Pressing Forward Gracefully, we are sending comfort, care, and gentle moments of hope to every child, caregiver, and family navigating this season in their own way.

You are not alone.
And you are held with care.

Wishing you peace, warmth, and moments of rest this holiday season. 💜