The Shelter Foundation Blog

Read below for stories, resources and community news from The Shelter Foundation.

Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

Embracing Flexibility with Your Spouse Through Grace, Humor & Understanding

Fostering flexibility as a spouse plays a crucial role in the overall health of a relationship. However, embodying this trait can be challenging, particularly in marriages involving first responders who face immense demands in their roles. Here are five tips to improve your flexibility with your spouse for a stronger marriage…

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Michael Petrelli Michael Petrelli

New Year’s Resolutions for a Stronger Marriage

Did you know January is the leading month for divorce? While every situation is unique, common reasons can include individuals looking for a fresh start for the new year, added stress around the holidays and financial hardship. We want to help. Here are six actionable steps for a stronger, healthier marriage for this year and beyond…

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

Bring the Magic of Christmas to Your First Responder Schedule

Christmas can be challenging for first responders with different schedules as they often find themselves on duty and away from their loved ones. However, with a little planning and creativity, Christmas can still feel like Christmas throughout the season even with a demanding schedule.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

Dear Chiefs Podcast Turning Loss into Love: A Police Widow’s Story

Gracie Parrish Miller joined Audra & Chelsi, fellow fire wives and hosts of the Dear Chiefs Podcast, to discuss her story of first responder loss along with first responder marriage. She discusses regrets, differences between being a police and a fire wife, and her desire to build a community within the first responder community.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

Gear Up for the Holiday Season with These Special Discounts for First Responders

First responders play a crucial role in safeguarding our communities. Many businesses and retailers across the United States and locally here in Colorado recognize their dedication by offering special shopping discounts from apparel and footwear, travel, experiences and more. Here is a list of participating retailers and tips on how to access the savings.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

10 Practical Tips to Effectively Manage a First Responder Schedule

First responder schedules are demanding, often involving long shifts and unpredictable hours. Managing this schedule can be challenging but, with the right plan of action and mindset, it's possible to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here are 10 tips to assist first responders in effectively managing their schedules.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

Introducing The Shelter Foundation Store!

The Shelter Foundation is proud to announce the launch of our online merchandise store! In addition to your financial contributions, 100% of all store proceeds are stewarded by The Shelter Foundation to stand in the gap for First Responder families and marriages by way of support, counseling, retreats and community outreach events.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

Ultimate Colorado Summer Bucket List for Families

We are all blessed to call Colorado home, where the stunning landscapes, vibrant cities and boundless outdoor adventures await us in summer. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adrenaline junkie, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking to relax and rejuvenate, we put together 20 adventures for your bucket list designed to make your family’s summer in Colorado truly exceptional.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

2023 Buckaroo Days: Loads of Fun for First Responders and their Families

The Shelter Foundation is proud to partner with Eagle’s Nest Ranch to sponsor The First Responder Families’ Buckaroo Days this summer! The event includes three fun-filled days of games, hayrides, horse fun, crafts, snacks and a devotional and local law enforcement and firefighters with children 5 - 17 are invited to attend this no cost day of fun at the Ranch as a thank you for continued service to our community.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

Spring Brings National Recognition Dedicated to First Responders

The month of May brings specific opportunities to honor the heroic efforts of those who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. These observances include International Firefighters Day on May 4th, National Police Week May 14-May 20, 2023 and National EMS Week May 21-May 27, 2023.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

How to Effectively Communicate in your First Responder Marriage

Intentional communication is an art form. Some are gifted the skill and others (most of us) have to work diligently to have our words be understood. Compound this with our complex emotions and you have the perfect storm for miscommunication or worse - no communication at all. Many marriages struggle with the constant clutch of life’s responsibilities. Often no one understands this or feels this more than the spouse of a first responder.

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Krystal Ruddy Krystal Ruddy

Spectacular Colorado Hikes for Couples to Enjoy This Spring and Summer

Spring is the season of growth and development, not only for the wilderness that surrounds us but for ourselves as well. Be it an easy trail or a more advanced hike, there are countless ways to enjoy spectacular Colorado hikes for couples. Here are 9 trails and parks near the Denver area to try for your next hike.

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Michael Petrelli Michael Petrelli

6 Mental Health Tips for First Responders

First Responders devote their lives to serving the community, but shouldn’t neglect self-care. Try some of these tips below to boost your mental health, with some suggestions specifically for First Responders. No two days as a First Responder may look the same but if you have a general, consistent health plan to fall back on, you can navigate the unsteady schedule to your best ability.

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Michael Petrelli Michael Petrelli

10 Simple Date Ideas for First Responders in the Denver Area

We believe the happiest and most successful marriages happen when couples invest time, effort, intentionality and a shared commitment to biblical principles within the marriage. Try these 10 simple date night ideas in the Denver, Colorado area.

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Michael Petrelli Michael Petrelli

The Shelter Foundation Looks to 2023: A Message from Gracie Parrish Miller

The Shelter Foundation is ready to enter 2023 in its fifth year of standing beside families, spouses and widows of first responders and we are grateful and humbled by all the support we have received from our community. It is our goal for First Responder families to know that they aren’t in this fight alone. The need for that community is as evident now more than ever.

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Michael Petrelli Michael Petrelli

Folds of Honor Expands to Include First Responder Families

Gracie Parrish Miller, Founder of The Shelter Foundation, appeared on ‘Fox & Friends’ with host Ainsley Earhardt along with Folds of Honor founder Dan Rooney to discuss a major announcement that the organization, which has long been an advocate for military families, is now expanding their mission to include first responder families.

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Michael Petrelli Michael Petrelli

A Call for Help and a Promise to Answer

When fear and danger surround us, we know we can call on God. But our first responders also are there to pick up our calls as well. So is it a divine coincidence that the numeric representation of this Bible verse has a certain ring to it? Maybe. Or maybe not.

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