Transforming Grief Into Inspiration

The Veteran’s non-profit, Michael’s Foundation, came to be through a real-life story of two parents losing one of their Veteran sons to suicide and how they transformed their grief into an inspirational Veterans’ support program. After losing their son, Michael Titus, the youngest of 6 children, to suicide in February 2016, Kriss and Larry Titus felt the need to honor Michael’s life and his own vision of helping Veterans with their post-service acclamation into the civilian world. In the year after Michael took his own life, his dream of assisting our Veterans lay heavy on his parents’ hearts. The couple knew they needed to harness their grief and put it towards something uplifting and inspirational. They wanted to help other Veterans and their families and do it in the name of Michael Titus. Kriss and Larry decided to make their son’s dream a reality, and established Michael’s Foundation to provide free assistance to Veterans who needed it.

The Titus’ were deeply rooted in a life around horses and dear friends and business partners with the owner of Al-Marah Arabian Horses (Mark Miller). Together, they shared the desire to honor Michael’s dream of helping other Veterans by providing them with support and guidance through programs that would help them improve their lives and well-being. They knew the key to such programs would be through Equine Assisted Learning at The Farm. Together, they have all found a way to transform grief into inspiration and help make a difference in Veterans’ lives.

Kriss and Larry Titus can be found attending events at the farm, participating in meditation workshops, and peeking in on the equine-assisted learning programs. Alan Alford remains an ally for Veterans seeking Veteran Benefit Guidance or just some friendly conversation. Eileen Titus, wife of one of Michael’s older brothers, is the Executive Director of Michael’s Foundation and master coordinator, managing all of the seasonal gatherings and wellness programs on the farm with the help of her team.

The Team relishes in seeing Veterans find peace and tranquility while they interact on the farm through the various free programs that Michael’s Foundation has to offer.

Learn more about Michael’s journey and his dream of starting a Veteran’s Non-Profit Program.