Notes From The Founder: Learning to Fly Again 

 

When I started Sparrows of Hope, I couldn’t help but think of the sparrow—small, fragile, and often overlooked—but with a strength that’s unseen. It’s the kind of strength that comes not from being big or loud, but from continuing, from surviving the storms and finding the courage to fly when the world feels heavy. And that’s how I’ve come to see us. I see us in those sparrows—soft and fragile, but stronger than we give ourselves credit for.

There was a time I felt completely alone, lost in the pain of my own trauma, especially after being hurt in a place where I thought I was safe. In the Christian community that was supposed to love and protect me, I was betrayed. And when that happened, I felt like I fell from the highest branch and was left there, exposed and broken. I asked myself, “How could this happen to me? How could I be hurt in the very place where I was supposed to feel the safest?”

For a long time, I wondered if I was somehow to blame. Maybe I wasn’t worthy of love, of safety, of peace. Maybe I did something wrong. But then I realized something—God had not forgotten me. Just like the sparrow that falls to the ground, He saw me in my pain and never took His eyes off me. And in Luke 12:6-7, it says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” This verse became my lifeline when I felt invisible, reminding me that no matter how small or broken I felt, I was always seen, always loved by God.

When I think of sparrows, I think about how they build their nests. It’s not with perfect branches or soft feathers right away—it’s little by little, piece by piece. That’s what healing is like. Sometimes, we don’t even know what to grab onto first, but we start, with the small pieces we can find—our faith, a friend’s encouraging word, the love we still have deep inside, even when it feels buried.

Healing takes time, and there are moments when we feel like we’re falling, like we won’t make it. There were days when I couldn’t even imagine finding my wings again. But just like a sparrow, I kept gathering what I could, little by little. Slowly, I found myself starting to believe again. And when I look back now, I realize that I wasn’t flying alone. I was held by the same God who watches over every sparrow in the sky.

You’re not alone, either. You’re not forgotten. Even when the world feels cold, even when you feel small and broken, there’s a place for you. There’s a nest being built around you, made of love, compassion, and a community that understands the journey. Sometimes it’s hard to see that, especially when you’re in the thick of it. But I promise, you are being carried.

Sparrows may look fragile, but they are mighty. I want you to know that your story, your healing, matters. Just like a bird builds its nest with whatever it can find, you are rebuilding yourself, step by step, piece by piece. And one day, you will spread your wings again. When you’re ready, you will fly.

And that’s exactly why Sparrows of Hope exists. We are here to offer a blanket—a tangible piece of love and hope for you to wrap yourself in while you rebuild your nest. Because when I was in your shoes, there was no blanket for me. There was no safe, comforting gesture to remind me that I wasn’t forgotten. But now, through Sparrows of Hope, I’m able to offer you a blanket—a symbol of warmth, compassion, and strength. It’s more than just a physical gift; it’s a reminder that you are seen and cared for, one step at a time.

Just as the sparrow rebuilds its nest, you too can begin to rebuild your life. And you don’t have to do it alone. With every blanket you receive, know that it comes with the hope that you too will find your strength again and one day spread your wings and fly.

With all my love and hope,
Kathe'rine 
Founder, Sparrows of Hope