Our Mission
Love. Move. Rize. We are rooted in love. Our roots grow deep. We all have a purpose. When we love, move, & 'rize' together, hope & healing are possible.
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, trauma, and domestic abuse.
Our mission is to provide access to support groups, restorative activities, health resources, and scholarships to therapeutic programs that help women realize hope and purpose.
- Problem: Women who experience child loss, domestic abuse, depression, and other traumas often struggle to find access to or afford 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, trauma, domestic violence, depression, and other areas of mental health.
- Our Love. Move. Rize. walking and running support group is for women of all walks of life and skill levels.
"In 2015, my world was shattered when my soon-to-be ex-husband murdered my only two children, Reagan (9) and Grant (8), and killed himself. This horrific loss led me into a deep depression and overwhelming grief, and I even attempted suicide. My journey to recovery has been guided by my faith in God, therapy, running, and support groups. In 2018, with the help of family and friends, I founded TGRM as a community of hope and support that provides resources for women, bereaved mothers, and survivors of domestic abuse and trauma." -KAS
While we are not licensed therapists, counselors, or mentors, we aim to help women and first responders access therapy and restorative programs through TGRM.
We are ambassadors of hope, rooted in love, offering a hub of professional resources to help women discover their true identity and purpose while building a supportive community.
Our LOVE. MOVE. RIZE. Program offers:
- Scholarships for Bereaved Mothers, Women Who are Survivors of Domestic Abuse, and Trauma to attend therapy and comprehensive healing programs, and mental health resources.
- LOVE. MOVE. RIZE. Women's Group = A community of support made up of everyday women. We walk, hike, run, connect, encourage, and volunteer in our communities.
- Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors toward college & trade school in honor of Reagan & Grant.
- Scholarships for First Responders to attend therapy and programs that help address the mental health challenges they face in their field.
*A special thanks to the Melissa Education Foundation and Van Alstyne Education Foundation, through which we also award local high school graduates THE REAGAN AND GRANT SMALL ENDOWED MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS.
Our LOVE NEVER ENDS TRAIL SERIES races raise funds to support TGRM's mission: uplifting those in need, building bonds across communities, and igniting the spirit of Love. Move. Rize.
Our three annual races invite participants of all skill levels to come together, fostering unity and well-being through movement and shared purpose while supporting TGRM.
-Love Never Ends Trail Run
-Always Running With R&G 5k
-The Great Root Trail Race
TGRM Scholarships
RIZE PROGRAM
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
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 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 who lost her children. After my suicide attempt, my family intervened and got me the help I needed. While attending long-term therapy, God restored my identity and purpose. My journey will always be a struggle, but I know I am rooted in love. There is hope in the darkness through therapy, running, mental health awareness, and a caring community.
The Great Root Movement is named after my children, Grant & Reagan ("G" for Grant, "Rea" for Reagan, and the "t" is the cross that makes them great). They loved big, moved boldly, and would always rize to meet life's challenges. My most important title will always be "Reagan and Grant's Mom." My mission is to share our story and help others like us.
Our Impact 2025
TGRM started in 2018. We provide access to mental and physical health resources for women, volunteer in our community, and provide scholarships for bereaved mothers, domestic abuse and trauma survivors for therapeutic programs. In memory of Reagan and Grant, we provide scholarships for high school graduates for college and trade school.
- We began our RIZE Scholarship in 2023 and to date we have helped 20 women with scholarships, reached over 300 in our Love. Move. Rize. Women's Group, and over 10,000 through social media.
- In 2025 we partnered with The Onsite Foundation, Haven of Hope, Sparrow Collective, The Storehouse, to provide resources and volunteers.
- To date we have provided 125 high school scholarships through our collaboration with Reagan & Grant Small Endowed Memorial VAEF/MEF and our TGRM Scholarships in various schools in Texas and the United States.
- Our Love. Move. Rize. Women’s Group provides a safe space for women to walk/hike/run in nature and we encourage one another during our exercise. We volunteer with other nonprofits in Collin County to provide food, serve food, over 115 coats for children, and court advocacy for women in our group.
- This year our Love Never Ends Trail Series expanded from 1 race to 3 races with the participation numbers increasing over 1,600 since its inception - Love Never Ends Trail Run (Atoka, OK), The Great Root Trail Race (Dallas, TX), Always Running With R&G 5k (McKinney TX).
- We have volunteered at multiple community races throughout DFW and donated to other nonprofits who serve women and children.
- Representing TGRM, Karen has spoken to high school graduates, and school programs, and paced runners in local and national races – as she represents resilience, determination, inspiration and message of love and hope.
Geographic Area Served:
- Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New York, California (RIZE & High School Scholarships).
- Other U.S. states (Love. Move. Rize.) - Outreach is worldwide.