Nicole Alston – The Birth of Purpose

In this months episode of the Stillbirth Matters podcast, Chris Duffy visits with Nicole Alston of the Skye Foundation. Nicole Alston experienced the death of her stillborn daughter, Skye, on her due date in 2005. Though Skye’s death, Ms. Alston believes that Skye’s life and death helped to “birth” her life’s work. Drawing on experiential knowledge, Ms. Alston began speaking to audiences nationally, and then internationally, about providing comprehensive psychosocial support for families who are grieving the death of a baby.

Ms. Alston received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a certificate in non-profit management from Georgetown University. With a strong interest in access to information, resources and services for underserved populations, she has undertaken documentary projects focused on pregnancy loss and suicide in men of color. Ms. Alston was the Community Liaison and Recruitment Coordinator during the five-year research study of Complicated Grief Treatment at Columbia University, and has published with and worked alongside some of the most highly regarded thought leaders in the area of grief and loss.

Ms. Alston has worked in the private and public sector, has consulted to school systems, and most recently, has worked as a school social worker. Collectively, Ms. Alston has provided emotional support to children and families who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to a life-limiting illness or a traumatic event for more than a decade. Ms. Alston coordinated bereavement services for a hospital-based organization that provided families with supportive care and resources after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death.  Although Skye’s death was life-changing in many ways, Ms. Alston believes that Skye’s life and death has helped to “birth” her life’s work.

Stillbirth Matters podcast is a production of the Star Legacy Foundation, a national non-profit organization based in Eden Prairie, MN. If you have a recommendation for future guests on the podcast please contact us at [email protected]