Ernie's Warriors

Ernie's Warriors "Empowering caregivers through community connection and compassionate assistance, ensuring no one has to navigate this journey alone."

This is one of the hardest posts I’ve ever had to write.For a long time, Ernie’s Warriors has been my heartbeat, a way t...
11/08/2025

This is one of the hardest posts I’ve ever had to write.

For a long time, Ernie’s Warriors has been my heartbeat, a way to turn pain into purpose, to give hope to caregivers who felt unseen, and to keep Ernie’s spirit alive through service and compassion.

But lately, I’ve come to a hard realization…
this organization wasn’t just something I built to help others. It was something I built to help me heal.

When I first created Ernie’s Warriors, I was still carrying so much grief, exhaustion, and pain. Pouring myself into this mission gave me direction when I felt lost. It gave me something to believe in when I couldn’t believe in myself.

But healing has a way of revealing truth, and the truth is, I can’t keep pouring from an empty cup. I’ve been carrying the weight of caregiving, loss, and responsibility for so long that my own health and heart have asked me to pause.

So for now, I’m stepping back to focus on my own healing.
This isn’t the end of Ernie’s Warriors.
It’s just a time of rest and rebuild from the inside out.

I still believe deeply in the mission. I still carry every caregiver I’ve met in my heart. But to keep serving with authenticity, I have to start by healing myself.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, believed, and walked beside me through this journey. You’ve made this more than a nonprofit. You’ve made it a family.

I don’t know what the next chapter looks like yet, but I do know this:
Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is stop… breathe… and begin again. 🕊️

— Kristy Marie
Founder, Ernie’s Warriors

🌿 Encouragement for Caregivers 🌿At Ernie’s Warriors, we know caregiving is one of the hardest jobs in the world. It’s la...
09/08/2025

🌿 Encouragement for Caregivers 🌿

At Ernie’s Warriors, we know caregiving is one of the hardest jobs in the world. It’s labor that often goes unseen, yet it shapes lives in powerful ways.

That’s why our mission remains the same:
💚 To provide support for caregivers everywhere
💚 To connect you with resources through the Warrior Resource Network
💚 To remind you that you are not alone

Even as we grow and dream of the future, our focus stays here — on you. Your story, your strength, your needs.

Caregiving is not meant to be carried in silence. And as long as Ernie’s Warriors exists, we will be a voice reminding you that your care matters. 🌱

🌿 Labor Day Message from Ernie’s Warriors 🌿Today, the nation honors workers everywhere. But there’s one group whose labo...
09/01/2025

🌿 Labor Day Message from Ernie’s Warriors 🌿

Today, the nation honors workers everywhere. But there’s one group whose labor often goes unseen: family caregivers.

Caregiving is work.
It’s long hours, heavy responsibilities, and endless dedication — often without pay, without recognition, and without rest.

At Ernie’s Warriors, we exist to change that. Our mission is to support, encourage, and uplift caregivers who give everything of themselves so their loved ones can live with dignity.

💚 On this Labor Day, we honor the caregivers.
We see you. We support you. And we are here for you.

Because caregiving is labor, and it matters. 🌱

☕ Coming in October: Saturday Coffee Talks ☕At Ernie’s Warriors, we know caregiving can feel isolating — even when you’r...
08/27/2025

☕ Coming in October: Saturday Coffee Talks ☕

At Ernie’s Warriors, we know caregiving can feel isolating — even when you’re surrounded by people. That’s why we’re introducing Saturday Coffee Talks, starting next month.

These monthly gatherings are a chance to:
💚 Connect more personally with other caregivers
💚 Share stories, struggles, and victories in a relaxed, supportive space
💚 Simply sit with a cup of coffee and feel less alone

There’s no pressure, no agenda — just real conversation with people who get it.

📅 Our first Coffee Talk will launch in October.
The exact date and time will be announced the first week of the month.

✨ What matters most is not the clock — it’s the connection. ✨

So grab your mug, bring your heart, and join us for a new way to build community together.

Stay tuned:


🌿 Caregiver Inspiration for the Week 🌿"You don’t have to move mountains to prove your strength.Sometimes, strength is si...
08/25/2025

🌿 Caregiver Inspiration for the Week 🌿

"You don’t have to move mountains to prove your strength.
Sometimes, strength is simply choosing to rise again today." 💚

To every caregiver who keeps showing up with love, even when you’re exhausted — we see you, we honor you, and you are not alone.



🌿 Community Call: Share Your Story 🌿Every caregiver has a story — one filled with challenges, lessons, heartbreak, and l...
08/20/2025

🌿 Community Call: Share Your Story 🌿

Every caregiver has a story — one filled with challenges, lessons, heartbreak, and love. Our upcoming book No One Knew will be a collection of these powerful voices, giving caregivers the chance to be seen, heard, and understood.

👉 If you’ve walked the caregiving journey, we’d love for you to share your story. Whether it’s a single moment that changed you, or your entire journey, your words can help others feel less alone.

📖 Together, we’ll show the world what caregiving really looks like — the raw truth, the resilience, and the love that carries us forward.

You can submit your story here: https://forms.gle/2zwAoDrQEEHYnDHg7

Your story matters. And when we put them together, they’ll show that caregivers are warriors too. 💚🤎

🌟 Program Spotlight: Warrior Resource Network 🌟At Ernie’s Warriors, we believe no caregiver should ever feel alone when ...
08/13/2025

🌟 Program Spotlight: Warrior Resource Network 🌟

At Ernie’s Warriors, we believe no caregiver should ever feel alone when searching for help. The Warrior Resource Network is our way of making sure that no matter where you are, you have access to the support you need.

Whether you’re in our hometown of Leelanau County or hundreds of miles away, you can reach out to us — and we’ll help you find local resources near you. From respite care to financial assistance, support groups to transportation services, we’ll connect you with organizations and programs that make your caregiving journey a little lighter.

This program exists because caregivers often don’t have the time or energy to navigate complicated systems or search endlessly for answers. We do the searching for you, so you can focus on what matters most: caring for your loved one and yourself.

💚 Your care matters. Your needs matter.
That’s why we built the Warrior Resource Network — because every caregiver deserves someone in their corner.


🌿 Caregiver Inspiration for the Week 🌿"You may feel invisible,but every act of love you giveleaves an imprint that will ...
08/08/2025

🌿 Caregiver Inspiration for the Week 🌿

"You may feel invisible,
but every act of love you give
leaves an imprint that will outlast you." 💚

This week, let this truth settle into your heart —
Your efforts matter.
Your sacrifices matter.
You matter.

Even on the days when no one says “thank you,”
your love is a legacy in motion.
Keep going — not because it’s easy,
but because your heart is stronger than you think.






Welcome to Ernie’s WarriorsWho We Are. What We Do. Who We Serve.Every month, we pause to say welcome — not just to our n...
08/01/2025

Welcome to Ernie’s Warriors

Who We Are. What We Do. Who We Serve.

Every month, we pause to say welcome — not just to our new followers, but to every caregiver quietly carrying more than most will ever understand.

Because this space isn’t just about services —
It’s about connection, compassion, and truth.

👥 Who We Serve:

Family caregivers — spouses, children, friends — anyone caring for a loved one with dementia, illness, or disability.

Those navigating work, caregiving, and survival with little support.

Anyone who’s ever felt unseen in the weight of caregiving.

💚 What We Do:

Online Caregiver Support Group — a safe space to vent, heal, and connect.

The Warrior Resource Network — tell us what you need, and we’ll help locate resources near you, wherever you are.

Caregiver Story Project — we’re collecting real caregiver stories for our future book No One Knew. Your voice matters, and we want to help you share it.

Creative Fundraisers that power real-world caregiver support.

Me Day Program (in development): future in-home respite care to give caregivers a break — funded by grants and community donations.

Local support is coming soon to Leelanau County — and we can’t wait to gather in person.

✨ Whether you’re caregiving now, have in the past, or simply care about the cause —
you belong here.

Welcome to Ernie’s Warriors.
We see you. We honor you. We’re fighting with you.






What’s Next for Ernie’s Warriors: A Peek Into AugustJuly was a month of quiet growth and strong roots. Behind the scenes...
07/30/2025

What’s Next for Ernie’s Warriors: A Peek Into August

July was a month of quiet growth and strong roots. Behind the scenes, we’ve been building structure, expanding programs, and showing up for caregivers in ways big and small.

So… what’s coming in August?

🌱 More Local Connections
We’re laying the groundwork for our first in-person caregiver support activities in Leelanau County — where Ernie’s Warriors began.

💻 Expanded Online Support
Our virtual group continues to grow, and August will bring deeper conversations, themed posts, and more ways for caregivers to connect from wherever they are.

📦 The “Me Day” Program Is Moving Forward
Our plan to offer in-home respite support is taking shape. August will focus on outreach, partnerships, and volunteer recruitment to bring it to life.

💌 The Next Newsletter
Caregiver stories, program updates, and a heartfelt message from our founder — watch your inbox.

📖 More Caregiver Stories Needed
We’ve received one powerful story so far, and we’re looking for more. If you’re a caregiver — past or present — your voice matters. Whether it’s long or short, joyful or painful, we’d be honored to help you share it.

🎨 Creative Fundraising + Awareness Events
From donor spotlights to fun collaborations, we’re bringing more energy and engagement to our mission.

Because the truth is — we’re just getting started.
And every bit of progress is fueled by people like you.

Whether you share our story, donate, volunteer, or simply follow along, you are part of the movement to support caregivers everywhere.

Let’s see what August brings. 💚

💛 To our incredible donors — thank you.Because of you, we are able to show up for family caregivers in real, tangible wa...
07/25/2025

💛 To our incredible donors — thank you.

Because of you, we are able to show up for family caregivers in real, tangible ways. Your generosity doesn’t just fund a mission — it fuels a movement.

Every support group session, every connection made through the Warrior Resource Network, every moment a caregiver feels seen and heard — it’s all possible because of you.

We are still growing — and because of your belief in us, we are building something powerful and lasting.

Want to continue supporting Ernie’s Warriors? 🌿 Subscribe to our website
🌿 Choose Ernie’s Warriors as your birthday charity on Facebook
🌿 Share our mission with your community
🌿 Tell a caregiver we’re here for them

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for being part of this journey. You are the fuel that keeps us going. 💛

Why Join Our Caregiver Support Group?Because caregiving shouldn’t be a lonely road.Our private online support group is a...
07/19/2025

Why Join Our Caregiver Support Group?

Because caregiving shouldn’t be a lonely road.

Our private online support group is a safe place to exhale. To be seen. To be understood.
Whether you're a full-time caregiver or trying to juggle it all, this space is for you.

✔️ Real stories from real people
✔️ Emotional support when you need it most
✔️ Practical tips and shared resources
✔️ Weekly themes to keep things honest, uplifting, and empowering
✔️ No pressure—just a place to show up exactly as you are

You don’t have to do this alone. We see you.
We are you.

🧡 Join us today: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1415877489084401

Address

P. O. Box 172
Lake Leelanau, MI
49653

Website

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