When things fall apart, you are never alone.
Angelo's Gift's mission is to bring comfort and support to Lansing area families that are experiencing trauma, violence, and/or loss. We aim to pick up where other resources leave off, and fill gaps that will support you and your family through a difficult time.
We Provide 3 Phases of Support Based on the Families Needs
Phase 1
Phase 1
Phase 1
As soon as a family reaches out or a warm referral is made, we offer immediate comfort and support from a distance.
This can be prepared dinner delivery, hospital food vouchers, care packages with snacks, drinks, and program info, identifying their support system to communicate/network with us on needs.
Phase 2
Phase 1
Phase 1
In the coming weeks/months we identify your support system and begin assisting with needs identified and centering you and your family.
Depending on the family's unique situation, this might include providing comfort items like grief wreaths and care baskets, supporting emergency household essentials, or delivering pre-made meals. We can also offer direct advocacy to help families navigate communications with hospitals, employers, or funeral homes, and provide trusted guidance and referrals to connect them with critical community programs and emergency funding resources.
Phase 3
Phase 1
Phase 3
Ongoing emotional support and a network of people that understand your experience.
Our grief support group offers recurring meetings for anyone navigating a loss, providing a shared space to find community and heal together. Families can also join our private Facebook group, which offers a continuous network of online connection. Both spaces are designed to give individuals a safe, supportive environment to share information and encourage one another, built entirely on a foundation of mutual respect and absolute confidentiality.
Meet Our Program Director
Hello, My name is Sheri Pruitt. I am the Program Director for the Angelo's Gift Foundation. I am a mother of 4, grandmother of 5, business owner, and student pursuing my bachelor's degree in Human Services.
I started the Foundation in 2014 after my 17-year-old son Richard was the victim of a homicide. My goal is to help crime victims and their families while they maneuver through the grief process. This can be financial services, available community resources, counseling, or whatever current needs are, on a case-by-case basis.
In 2020, I sat down with Mike and Erica from The Village Lansing and talked about my vision for the foundation. They were immediately interested in supporting my efforts, and together, we are changing lives one person at a time.
To date, I have supported over 100 families as they navigate the aftermath of a shooting incident. Having walked this path myself, I deeply understand the power of healing, community, and unconditional support during this time, and I remain fiercely committed to standing in the gap for our families when they need it most.
This work has naturally grown over the years, and I’m grateful to expand my reach by serving as the CI-CPR Coordinator with the Lansing Empowerment Network. Through this close partnership, we are formalizing our efforts into multi-sector partnerships to ensure there is a fast, coordinated community response to wrap around families immediately following a shooting. This work truly takes a village, and we can’t do it alone. If you want to get involved, partner with us, or find out how you can offer support to these families, please reach out—I would love to connect with you.
