hear our stories
we provide a mind, body, & soul approach to support the grief community.
Punching our pain into purpose
Gloves for Grief creates experiences that promote healing and offers an opportunity to come as you are and connect with others who truly understand. We want you to always remember grief is not meant to be carried alone. It is meant to be shared.
While loss is not a club any of us want to be a part of, we're stronger together.
our partners
Gloves for Grief was so much more than we expected it to be. It honestly felt more like a homecoming than an event to us because it was so welcoming, so raw and emotional, and so spiritually healing all at the same time.
“
Sometimes, grief takes us in places where we feel powerless, overwhelmed and maybe even angry at times and this event provided such a beautiful—and more importantly—safe outlet for all of those emotions so we could release them all and recenter.
“
It wasn’t about how strong you could punch, or how in shape you were—we just all came as we were, we cried if we needed to, and we did whatever felt right in our hearts. It also reinforced our purpose because after all, we are still living!
“
We were reminded that we were not alone. We even got to make crafts to honor our sweet Frankie and got to take home a memento. We couldn’t be more thankful for this event, and already looking forward to the next one.
“
fight for yours
While the Boxing Gloves connect us to a core element in our fitness program, they also represent the fight it takes to work through our grief. We are fighting for our lives and fighting for our comeback.
This is a comeback.
more than just a workout
hear our stories
We met in a Christian support group called Empty Arms that focuses on losing a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or SIDS. We both have lost our sons and are punching for Weston and Zane.
We want to create experiences that promote healing and provide a place you don’t have to hide your emotion; a place to find a release.
You are not alone! We see you, we hear you, and we are walking down this unthinkable road beside you.
gloves for grief co-founders
Ashley & Terra
because we're stronger together.
Ways to Join Our Mission
Ashley was amazing, she walked us through every drill using creatively chosen songs that helped us punch through our pain. With each hit, we felt seen; with each jab, we felt like we were understood despite of how deep and cumbersome our sorrow was.
“
With every sweat fell tears, and as our heartbeat became more palpable in our chest, we found a new drive and purpose—to keep going, to keep fighting, and to keep raising awareness so that our little angel’s loss would not go in vain.
“
We were reminded that we were not alone. We even got to make crafts to honor our sweet Frankie and got to take home a memento. We couldn’t be more thankful for this event, and already looking forward to the next one.
“
on the blog
read more →
Belle Donne – A Gathering For Grieving Women with Kay Warren & Stacie Wood – An in-person event.
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the “Belle Donne” – the beautiful women in our lives. However, it can also leave women who have experienced grief and loss around Mother’s Day feeling less than beautiful.
Loss of a child, miscarriage, abortion, infertility, placing a child for adoption, loss of a mother or grandmother, or estranged relationships can create a complicated holiday for many women. If you need comfort and a sacred space to honor your grief, Belle Donne: A Gathering for Grieving Women is for you.
Join us on Sunday, May 5 at Saddleback Church Lake Forest. This is an in-person event only and will not be streamed.
6:00PM-8:00PM
In order to create the emotional space needed for this event, we ask that children not attend. Childcare will be available:
Please use this link to Register for childcare ages birth to age 11 https://www.jotform.com/build/240826413387156
Please Register below to attend Belle Donne.
READ MORE →
Hey Guys! This event is just for you. On Father’s Day weekend, we provide a safe space to come together and Punch Your Pain To Purpose
Come join the Hope 4 Grief ministry at Saddleback Church for a special event aimed at providing support and comfort to men who are grieving.
This in-person event will offer a safe space for men to come as they are, and find connection in a community that understands.
This will be an action-packed morning with shadow boxing and bag work followed by a time of cooling down, stretching, and breathing. Those who attend will enjoy music, connection, and community. Whether you are a seasoned boxer, a casual athlete, or entirely new to fitness, we invite you to come as you are.
Remember, you are not alone in your grief. We hear you, we see you, we are walking down this difficult road beside you. There is power in prayer. There is power in community. You do not get over your grief. You grow around it.
All you need to bring with you is boxing gloves (if available). We will have a limited amount of gloves to borrow as needed. Knux will be supplied to use as shadow boxing weights.
“God Makes His People Strong.” Psalm 29:11
READ MORE →
Join us for an action-packed event that includes training on shadow boxing and bag work followed by a time of cool down, stretching, and breathing. Movement and fitness provide a healthy physical release for grief where no words are needed. Like with our other signature boxing events held all over Southern California, those who attend will also enjoy live music, connection, and community.
Space is limited so sign up now and join Gloves for Grief co-founders Terra Picket and Ashley Guarrasi on May 25, 2024 at Shepherd Church in Porter Ranch, California.
Ashley’s Story of Grief and Loss
Ashley Guarrasi is a personal trainer with over a decade of experience in Boxing Fitness, Conditioning, and media.
Ashley built her training/ fitness career in LA for 6 years, as well as NYC, helping to open Rumble Boxing and assisting with their social media and creative director role. She has also been featured in national commercials and worked with Apple, Beats by Dre Nike, Adidas, Foot Locker, and Champs Sports.
After experiencing a devastating late term miscarriage with her son Zane, Ashley became an advocate for mental health and bringing awareness to grief.
Ashley met Terra in the Empty Arms support group at Saddleback church. The two connected in their pain, but also in the desire to help people. They combined their backgrounds and experience to create Gloves 4 Grief, a resilient community of grief.
Terra’s Story of Grief and Loss
Terra is the Co-Founder and Executive director of Gloves 4 Grief. For 12 years, she worked in luxury fashion in both California and New York, working her way up to a director of sales role at St. John Knits. After a year of navigating the difficulties of post- pandemic operations, she left fashion to join her husband at his equally impacted business, and to focus on raising and expanding her family.
In 2021, Terra was blessed with the pregnancy of her second son Weston. After a perfectly normal first pregnancy, it never crossed her mind it could go any other way. At 39 weeks pregnant, and just 4 days prior to her due date, her world crumbled. Weston’s heart stopped beating, with no medical explanation.
The sudden, traumatic, and unexplained loss of her son truly flipped Terra’s world on its axis. Navigating grief, and the effort it took to heal made her acutely aware of the shortfalls of available resources. She began to feel God stirring in her heart, and wanting to share her experience and find a way to help others. After meeting co-founder Ashley in Empty Arms, and hosting an event for their support group, she knew this could really be something. Their unique skill sets created the perfect partnership and foundation for this community. In the darkness, they saw a light to help others.
Terra currently lives in Orange County, and has an amazing and supportive husband, a 5 year old son named Wyatt, and 2 young adult stepchildren, Briara and Shane.
Gloves for Grief has big plans and they don’t include slowing down.
Gloves for Grief is organized as a 501c3 nonprofit. We plan to develop a branch that provides no-cost healing retreats for families in need and to establish a physical location to serve as our headquarters and flagship Grief wellness venue. Learn more about our mission, vision, and values here.
READ MORE →
“Grief never ends because our love never ends.”
This timeless truth resonates deeply within the hearts of those who have experienced loss. At Gloves For Grief, we understand the journey of grief intimately. We recognize that while the pain may persist, there are avenues for healing and transformation.
However over time our grief evolves. At Gloves For Grief, we know that the changing seasons of grief never cease, but that doesn’t mean we cannot transform it into something beautiful.
As we enter into spring, we invite you to come join us as we release and make room for new…just as the flowers bloom, we make room for us to do the same—we make room for growth and open our hearts to have hope to spring again.
As we continue to grow, we embrace healing, and step into the world of acceptance of the a version of us that has forever been changed by our grief. Come and join us as we find our stride through healthy grieving!
REGISTER & RESERVE YOUR BAG HERE:
Can’t work out, but still want to be involved? We are looking for helping hands. Please click the below link for available Volunteer positions.
VOLUNTEER SIGN UP HERE
**This boxing class near you will be an action-packed morning with shadow boxing and bag work followed by a time of cooling down, stretching, and breathing.
Our events are more than a support group for loss. Those who attend will enjoy music, connection, and community. Whether you are a seasoned boxer, a casual athlete, or entirely new to fitness, we invite you to come as you are.
Remember, you are not alone in your grief. We hear you, we see you, we are walking down this difficult road beside you. There is power in prayer. There is power in community. You do not get over your grief. You grow around it.
All you need to bring with you is boxing gloves (if available). We will have a limited amount of gloves to borrow as needed. Knux will be supplied to use as shadow boxing weights.
” God Makes His People Strong.” Psalm 29:11
