LOVE. MOVE. RIZE.

LOVE.MOVE.RIZE.

The Great Root Movement
  • Home
  • RIZE
  • Donate
  • EVENTS
  • Reagan Grant Scholarship
  • Resources
  • Merch
  • Karen A. Sparks
  • More
    • Home
    • RIZE
    • Donate
    • EVENTS
    • Reagan Grant Scholarship
    • Resources
    • Merch
    • Karen A. Sparks
The Great Root Movement

LOVE.MOVE.RIZE.

  • Sign In
  • Create Account

  • Orders
  • My Account
  • Signed in as:

  • filler@godaddy.com


  • Orders
  • My Account
  • Sign out


Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • RIZE
  • Donate
  • EVENTS
  • Reagan Grant Scholarship
  • Resources
  • Merch
  • Karen A. Sparks

Account


  • Orders
  • My Account
  • Sign out


  • Sign In
  • Orders
  • My Account
Donate

The Great Root Movement

Love.  Move.  Rize.


The Great Root Movement is a community of hope that provides a safe space for women to be actively seen, heard, and loved through their journeys to recovery and healing in mental health, child loss, grief, and domestic abuse. 


  • Problem: Women who experience child loss, domestic abuse, depression, and other traumas, often struggle to find affordable therapy and resources to help them recover and re-enter society.


  • Solution: The Great Root Movement is a non-profit organization founded by Karen A. Sparks that provides resources and connections to therapy, treatment, and workshops to help women recover from grief and trauma, and other mental health issues. We also offer walking and running support groups for women of all skill levels to connect through nature.  


Our mission is to provide support groups, restorative activities, health resources, and scholarships to therapeutic programs that help women realize their potential and purpose.  We empower bereaved mothers and domestic abuse survivors to find their purpose by  equipping them with mental and physical resources to help them thrive.  


Our RIZE Program offers:

  • Scholarships for Bereaved Mothers to attend therapy.



In addition to helping women realize their potential, we are passionate about helping students further their education and have established scholarships in honor of Karen's children, Reagan and Grant. 


Our REAGAN AND GRANT ENDOWED MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP offers: 

  • Graduating seniors scholarships to assist with college tuition.



Our roots grow deep.  We all have a purpose. 

When we love, move, & rize together, hope & healing are possible.



Want to join me in supporting a good cause?  Your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $1 or $1,000.  Every little bit helps.  All  funds will be deposited in The Great Root Movement 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit foundation.  





Video

TGRM Scholarships

RIZE PROGRAM

educational scholarships

educational scholarships

educational scholarships

educational scholarships

educational scholarships

Statistics

Grieving & Bereaved Parents

Grieving & Bereaved Parents

Grieving & Bereaved Parents

Scientific evidence indicates that bereaved parents are more likely to suffer more depressive symptoms, poorer well-being, less purpose in life, more health complications, marital disruption, psychiatric hospitalization, and even premature death for both mothers and fathers as early as age 40.


The death of a child is one of the greatest and most enduring stresses a person can experience.  - Institute of Medicine 


  • It is common and expected to relapse and re-experience periods of deep  grief and pain in the years to come. 
  • Your grief is often disorienting. Some describe it as a fog. It can be  hard to think, remember or work. 
  • Common functions, like keeping a  grocery list or bills, may become insurmountable.
  • Profound sadness.          
  • Crying all the time or at unexpected times.
  • Extreme physical exhaustion, or a manic energy.
  • Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping all the time.
  • Loss of connections with family and friends.
  • Overwhelming sense of wanting to die.


Grief is not just an experience of the head and heart. Rather, grief is a whole-body experience, impacting the individual physically, emotionally, spiritually, and cognitively. The list of ways in which grief may manifest itself is almost endless. - Austin Center for Grief & Loss


domestic abuse & violence

Grieving & Bereaved Parents

Grieving & Bereaved Parents

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:


  • 7 out of 10 emotionally, psychologically, or physically abused women display symptoms of PTSD and depression.


  • Women experiencing physical, emotional, or psychological intimate partner violence are significantly more likely to report poor physical and mental health.


  • Emotional or psychological abuse is a stronger predictor of PTSD than physical abuse among women.


  • Studies suggest that there is a relationship between intimate partner violence and depression and suicidal behavior.


  • Women experiencing domestic abuse are three times more likely to attempt suicide.


  • On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.


according to the american psychological association

ways movement helps in grief and overall mental, emotional, & physical health

  • Grounding oneself in nature improves mental state.
  • Breathing = Oxygen to brain.
  • Releases Dopamine & Serotonin = improves mood.
  • Improves blood flow.
  • Aides in stress relief, anxiety, and depression.


About Us

My name is Karen Sparks. On November 1, 2015, my children, Reagan (9) and Grant (8) were murdered by their father in a murder-suicide/filicide.  It's been over 2,500 days and counting since I've seen my children, held them, heard their voices and laughter, or been called "Mom."  After burying the two loves of my life, I battled and fought my way out of two graves each day to gasp for breath.  Routine tasks were debilitating, and I reached a point in my grief journey where I thought my life was pointless and wanted it to end.  There is no word in the English language for a mother without her children.  After my suicide attempt, my family intervened and got me the help I needed.  Through my faith, long-term therapy, running, mental health awareness, and a caring community, I have been reborn and found my identity and purpose.  My journey will always be a struggle, but I know I am rooted in love, and there is hope in the darkness.  
The Great Root Movement is named after my children, Grant & Reagan ("G" for Grant and "Rea" for Reagan, the "t" is the cross that makes them great).   They loved big, moved fiercely, and would always rize to meet life's challenges.  My most important title will aIways be "Reagan and Grant's Mom," and I'm here to share our story and help others like us. 

Resource and Support for Women in Recovery and Healing

October 1, 2022


WFAA (Channel 8/ABC) story on first annual Love Never Ends Trail Run held at Erwin Park in McKinney, TX.

The Longest Race

UIL Division One State Winning Documentary produced by three Van Alstyne ISD High School Students:

 Claire Gallagher, Mollie Gallagher, and Weston Holbert 


January 2022

MERCH

We've got lots of great merch available for purchase!

Store

THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSORS!

THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSORS!

THANK YOU TO OUR BRONZE SPONSORS!

THANK YOU TO OUR Valued SPONSORS!

Social

Contact Us

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Great Root Movement

Copyright © 2023 The Great Root Movement - All Rights Reserved.


 We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non profit foundation under the name The Great Root Movement.