WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND STAGES OF LIFE EMPHASIZE RELATIONSHIPS AND ONGOING CONNECTION TO REDUCE SUFFERING WHEN LOSS AND DEATH OCCUR
our mission
Empower people to normalize life’s transitions through multigenerational resources and education, intentionally designed to creatively reimagine loss, death, and grief – increasing resiliency and a deeper sense of belonging
who we are
"When designing homes no longer fueled my spirit, I began seeking out ways to design better ‘exit strategies’. I believe, focused attention on cultivating a sense of belonging to oneself and others creates relationships that can be creatively re-imagined amidst loss and death." Kristyn's MA in Transformative Leadership & Spirituality emphasizes her commitment to guiding diverse peoples through life's transitions. As a death midwife she specializes in engaging with children and families to create and maintain connections that extend beyond separation, loss, and death. Kristyn is a designer, author, and artist - utilizing each of these attributes to create and implement resources intended to help people of all ages seek out and build confidence in their innate ability to be the architects of their own lives. An avid reader and storyteller, Kristyn is well known for her ability to compassionately listen and bring to life meaningful conversations in safe spaces where vulnerability creates a pathway for curiosity and healing.
"My greatest professional joys have included traveling the World where I was able to enjoy the company of diverse peoples and carry home a deeper sense of place and belonging." Ed Manemeit’s career as an Associate Director for a multinational corporation has been marked by his enthusiasm for engaging in new programs and utilizing his strong leadership skills. With a degree in Business Administration, Ed was able to take on various roles which broadened his expertise. His dedication to mentoring has been a consistent theme throughout his career, making him an ideal candidate to provide guidance and support to others for more than forty years. His love of children and commitment to helping them achieve their life goals at every age led him to seek out a certification as a Pediatric End of Life Doula. He believes everyone has the right to live life to the fullest until their very last breath. A lifetime sports enthusiast, both on the field and off, Ed values all sports for the individual empowerment they offer as well as the benefits of participating within a team environment. He is a coach at heart, initially coaching his own children and later in life volunteering within his community.
“Over several years in the technology industry, I’ve adopted the characteristics of a "Swiss-army knife." These skills have elevated my youth and community engagement, therapeutic gaming, assistive technology, and program development.” Annie’s passion for gaming and technology as a way to create connections and empower players of all ages, led to her role as the first Gaming and Technology Specialist - a vital role she has been instrumental in designing and implementing within the Child life team at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Annie believes play helps reclaim kids’ right to be kids first which is a phenomenal tool to use as a distraction from pain and discomfort when a diagnosis, loss, or grief occur. Annie is a lifelong “gamer” and in addition to her local endeavors, she enjoys traveling and engaging with other cutting-edge thinkers in the field. She is sought out as a leader and generously offers her wealth of creative experience.
“Love and compassion are the most powerful tools for bringing about change. Willibald Vinland Saga With more than a decade of experience, Brandon leverages technology as a vital tool to support nonprofits and small businesses. He consistently prioritizes the clients’ individual needs first and focuses on making a positive impact in the community, especially in underserved areas. His people-first approach and empathetic leadership style align well with his commitment to helping nonprofits confidently achieve their technology objectives. His expertise and dedication to digital art made him the ideal collaborator for co-creation of the kristynity Foundation logo and branding. Brandon values the legacy of technology and gaming for its lasting influence on society and culture, especially through its ability to foster shared experiences. He believes multiplayer games create chances to connect with new people and maintain relationships across distances. Whether he’s crafting unique decks for TCG’s to play face-to-face or joining friends online, Brandon recognizes how gaming intersects with the way relationships form and grow.
“Keep an open mind, don’t judge a book by its cover, and remember to be the turtle – take it slow, be kind, and enjoy your surroundings.” Cathy is a bilingual Public-School Health Aide with thirteen years of professional experience supporting students from elementary through high school.Her dedication to sharing her nonprofit involvement within her community has afforded her the special opportunity to build lasting relationships that extend beyond the schoolyard. Outreach is personal for Cathy. In 2017, her 5-year-old son Ethan was diagnosed with DipG and Cathy immediately sought out ways to “put a human face on the disease.” Throughout his diagnosis, treatment, and hospice care, Cathy, Ethan, Team Ethan, and Ethan’s Superheroes raised awareness and volunteered for organizations that support others facing life-threatening diseases. Cathy continues to support these causes as a community leader for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center “PJ Day” and as a “Gold” team Captain (childhood cancer specific) for the American Cancer Society. Throughout his 15-month battle, Ethan always found ways to connect with others – bringing smiles and thumbs up wherever he went. Cathy embraces and shares “E’s” legacy of kindness and generosity and is called to pay it forward. She cherishes bringing joy to kids as a “wish granter” for Make a Wish, another way she offers her heart and soul to people enduring loss and grief.
“Personal attention and relationship building are the hallmarks of my longstanding connections with the people and organizations I have empowered with an unwavering commitment to a standard of excellence that enables nonprofit leaders to make informed decisions that drive program effectiveness and maximize their impact.” Michael is a dedicated CPA with over 40 years of extensive experience serving mostly non-profit organizations, including those needing federal and state single audits. He is well respected for his body of work in the non-profit sector. He has also served over 30 years on the CTCPA peer review committee and twice on the national AICPA Peer Review Board, which oversees the accounting profession’s self-monitoring process in the U.S. Mchael’s commitment to maintaining connections and insatiable appetite for new experiences keeps him on the go. Traveling near and far to visit family and old friends, often making new friends along the way. His passion for music and the comfort it brings led him to pursue learning the guitar at 66 years young which he has been enjoying ever since!
“Wouldn’t it be beautiful if we could grow and evolve together?” Growth and personal evolution are the principles that have guided Brittany's work as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is intimately attuned to life’s emotional landscapes and utilizes her expertise in sociological psychology to cultivate compassionate environments where vulnerability is met with empathy. Brittany emphasizes normalizing transitions as opportunities to creatively reimagine belonging – recognizing the transformative power of self-discovery and insightful collaboration. Her clients feel welcomed within a culture of acceptance and inclusion. Navigating grief, anxiety, identity shifts, and trauma is complex, and Britt seamlessly blends mind – body awareness with therapeutic methods that enrich each person’s unique experience. Her solution-based strategies emphasize her client’s strengths and capacity for renewal. Curiosity and exploration are a pathway for Britt and her children to experience a deep sense of community. Whether they are spending time at the library or exploring a local watershed on a paddleboard, their family embraces their connections to the natural world, themselves, and others.
“I believe community and open conversations are the heart of healing… Grief softens when it is spoken aloud and shared. Now, more than ever community support is beyond valuable – it is essential!” Tim has spent a lifetime emphasizing the benefits of a balanced mind, body, and spirit. As a yoga and meditation leader in multigenerational settings, he freely shares his kindhearted presence – always with uplifting encouragement. A multimedia content creator, Tim excels at developing characters with heart. He brings these characters to “life” by reimagining and combining unusual mediums. The essence of his clever, often surreal sense of humor is evident in every creation. This multifaceted playfulness carries over into his love for music. His exploration of the relationship between sound and feeling are resonant in his compositions. Tim values collaborative efforts. He is a skilled listener and fosters inclusive settings where all voices are heard, feel welcomed, and diverse opinions are explored with curiosity and confidence. An avid tree climber and river walker, Tim is deeply grounded by his relationship with the Earth and all her inhabitants in this life and beyond. Tim expresses his deep sense of belonging to nature through his ecologically motivated environmentalism.
the values that guide us
We choose EMPATHY and COMPASSION as our driving forces in all aspects of or mission as a way forward - supporting individuals, families, and communities as they navigate life, loss, legacy, and grief.
We strive to create and engage in INCLUSIVE environments where diverse peoples and ideas are welcomed and embraced for the unique contributions they offer in an ever-changing cultural atmosphere with an eye on areas for growth.
Through active listening we learn from the people we serve and aim to offer ENCOURAGING and SUPPORTIVE exchanges cultivated to build self-confidence
As NATURE ENTHUSIASTS - We do our best to tread lightly in this world, honoring all life, as we strive to be good stewards of our planet and all her inhabitants.
The kristynity Foundation is a pending 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization