The Story of the Jaxson William Augustus Swank (JWAS) Foundation
Jaxson William Augustus Swank was only 22 months old when he left this earth. But over 20 years later, he has changed the lives of dozens of children. This is all because of the way his resilient parents chose to honor his memory: by establishing a nonprofit organization.
In The Promise We Made, Transforming Grief Into a Force For Good, authors Sherry and Larry Swank offer a vulnerable, honest account of their journey to a life of resounding purpose after profound loss. Through their story, they share how a family’s love became a thriving, hands-on foundation, and how the “ripple effect” of one life can create a community of hope, service, and unconditional love. Pre-order today!
How to build a nonprofit and create a lasting legacy
The heart of the book is the deeply personal yet practical story of how authors Sherry and Larry built the Jaxson William Augustus Swank Foundation (JWAS). They start by welcoming readers into the loving JWAS family community they have created, then detail how they got there. Readers get a step-by-step look into the process, including how Sherry and Larry:
- Defined a non-profit mission statement and its core values
- Hired legal counsel to create the foundation
- Planned fundraising events to spur growth
- Created a team of board members
- Hosted events for donors and supporters
- Established board meetings and committees
What readers can expect
Along with sharing the origin story of the JWAS Foundation, The Promise We Made, Transforming Grief Into a Force For Good is meant to be the roadmap that authors Sherry and Larry had as grieving parents. It offers a blueprint for what is possible despite enduring profound tragedy as a family.
The book seamlessly weaves Larry’s reflective vision with Sherry’s passion and pragmatism to meet readers with authentic empathy born from a place of shared understanding. Combined, they speak to readers in a warm, hopeful, and action-oriented voice.
Who this book is for
The hope is that it finds its way into the hands of parents who are grieving, feeling lost, and wondering how they will find their way forward. This audience includes, but is not limited to:
- Parents who have lost a child
- Parents who feel isolated in grief or tragedy
- Parents seeking a path forward after experiencing profound loss
- Friends, family, and counselors offering grief support
- Philanthropists and non-profit leaders
- People who want to be inspired and create positive change in this world