Piscataqua Savings Bank is the proud supporter of over 110 Seacoast area nonprofits. We’re highlighting a few of the nonprofits doing incredible, critical work in our Seacoast community with our Seacoast Spotlight Series. Next up in our spotlight is Rett’s Roost.
Rett’s Roost acts as a source of hope and healing for families impacted by childhood cancer and child loss, offering holistic retreats and meaningful gatherings that create connection, while honoring the process of grief and the power of love. Cofounders Deana and Jim Cavan began Rett’s Roost in honor of their son Everett, to help families like theirs in facing childhood cancer and child loss.
History of Rett’s Roost
Rett’s Roost began operating in 2015 with two Positively Healing Retreats for families of childhood cancer survivors. In 2016, Open to Healing Retreats for bereaved families were added to the schedule. Each year the number of retreats offered grew, until the global pandemic in 2020, when programming shifted format to keep families safe. Rett’s Roost created a bunch of virtual programs and outdoor gatherings for families that honored their mission of providing a safe and supportive community to cancer and loss families. Rett’s Roost began offering in-person retreats again in the fall of 2021 but has kept virtual retreats and offerings going in order to better support families with immunocompromised members.
Rett’s Roost Programs
Rett’s Roost offers free in-person retreats to provide an intimate weekend getaway for families touched by childhood cancer and child loss. Their ‘Positively Healing’ retreats are for families that have a child surviving cancer with no evidence of disease or stable tumors. These retreats are always full of happiness, relaxation, and deep connections. Rett’s Roost also offers ‘Open to Healing’ bereavement retreats for families that have lost their child to a chronic illness. Open to Healing retreats offer community for grieving families, with opportunities to share stories and strategies for moving forward in grief while at the same time being sensitive to the fact that everyone’s process and timeline is different.
Rett’s Roost also offers virtual monthly Grief Groups for parents who have lost a child to chronic illness. Groups are kept intentionally small (6-12 people) so that everyone has a chance to be heard. In partnership with Yoga east studio, Rett’s Roost also offers Yoga for Grief classes a few times a year.
Rett’s Roost Superhero 5K
Now in its 7th year, the Rett’s Roost annual Superhero 5K is a family-friendly event with proceeds supporting Rett’s Roost’s programming. This year’s Superhero 5K takes place in Ogunquit on October 22nd with a Superhero-themed beach 5K and fun run on October 22nd. Participants are encouraged to gather in their most powerful and creative costumes to honor all the brave kid heroes that have faced cancer and their loving families.
How to Support Rett’s Roost
Piscataqua Savings Bank is a proud supporter of Rett’s Roost’s mission to foster a community of families impacted by childhood cancer and child loss by providing free, meaningful retreats, joyful gatherings, and virtual services. All individual donations to Rett’s Roost are used to keep programming free and accessible to all. Visit Rett’s Roost online to learn more about how you can support Rett’s Roost through donating, fundraising, or volunteering.