After her son Julian was diagnosed with childhood cancer in 2019 and died in 2020, Jennifer Bridges, founder of Embrace Compassion, decided to honor his memory by making life brighter for kids with cancer. She and her family opened their farm to local families with a child in treatment, gifting them a break from trauma, a chance to play and just be kids.

Now Candlelighters is working with Jennifer to introduce more families – in treatment and bereavement – to this special space of healing, Pearl Street Urban Farm in Sherwood, OR. Families through all walks of the cancer journey are encouraged to join: families in treatment, beyond treatment, and in bereavement.

Shane and Jennifer Bridges have been married 26 years. He is a seasoned professional in the finance industry. Jennifer was a successful real estate broker. Kaytlynn and Harrison are both in College locally. Kate is studying to be a teacher and Harrison is at studying business and marketing. As a family they love to work hard and to give of themselves generously.

Pearl Street Urban Farm offers planned monthly visits for kids (aged 1-18) in active treatment and their families to feed the animals, harvest chicken eggs, seasonal vegetables, and fruits. Kids will leave with a take-home Brighter Box connected to what they are harvesting, with reading materials, stickers, a small gift for the family, and a recipe with the ingredients to making something from the farm. Sign up for the Brighter Box Farm Experience here

 

Volunteer Farmhands

Families beyond treatment or in bereavement are welcome to come volunteer and learn from urban farmers and mentors. Working together on garden tasks, our farmhands will engage in conversation, laughter, and learning. Most of the time, each family will be on-site at one time, maintaining familial pods.Those interested in volunteering, sign up here.

You may also email Lisa@candlelightersoregon.org with questions.