Amiyah King, WAKE Board Member

Last year, I joined the board of WAKE because I’ve seen what happens when people are left to navigate life’s hardest moments alone. I’m an only child, and as a teenager, I was faced with choices no young person should have to make navigating my father’s death, understanding what a DNR meant, and carrying the weight of those decisions without a roadmap. That experience led me to become a death doula, so that others don’t have to carry that kind of burden without guidance, support, or someone by their side.

WAKE is actively closing the gaps that people like me once had to navigate alone by creating spaces where no one has to make life-altering decisions in isolation. 

With your support this GiveNOLA Day, we will pilot The Community of Care Program, that engages 50 trained volunteers to walk alongside 30 older adults through ongoing, meaningful connection. Volunteers will assist with daily living needs, offer companionship, and hold space for real conversations about life goals, caregiving preferences, and even end-of-life planning. 

The kinds of conversations many people never get the chance to have, but deserve.

I believe in this work because I’ve seen the cost of its absence. I believe in it because I know what becomes possible when people feel supported, seen, and connected.

If that resonates with you, I invite you to give. 

Thank you for considering supporting this meaningful cause ✨