Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Awareness Project
Thank you for the support from our 2026 sponsors:
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ABOUT US
On July 16, 2013 our family went to our local obstetrician to hear our baby's heartbeat and determine if we were having a brother or a sister for our then six year old son. As most parents and siblings, we were beside ourselves with excitement. Almost immediately, we were informed that our baby boy did not have a heartbeat. It was in that moment that everything changed for me. I delivered Samuel Louis McCoy at 19 weeks on July 18, 2013 and he was absolute perfection. We buried him in a private ceremony on July 22, 2013. It didn't take long for women and men to come to me to tell me their stories. It was then I realized that to honor our Samuel I had to raise awareness for Pregnancy and Infant Loss. I needed to find a way to support families affected by this loss. I soon learned that October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Although I got a late start, I was determined to gather family, friends, and the community together to remember all the babies, gone too soon. --Julie McCoy, Mother to Samuel
Our First Annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month walk occurred on October 17, 2013. In the Spring of 2019 we received our non-profit status and established a Board of Directors. Pregnancy and Infant Loss is important to each of us, for many different reasons. Although your loss may have occurred thirty years ago or yesterday your baby still existed. You may have known the sex of your baby, and you may not have. You may have named your baby, or you may not have. All are welcome, no matter your stage in healing. We encourage one another to talk about our babies, without judgment or striking fear in our friends and family. We are proud of them, no matter how short their time was here on this earth. On November 4th, 2019 we delivered our first batch of Comfort Kits to the Medical Center at Bowling Green to aid parents and siblings of babies born still. We continue to work with the Medical Center and Fairview Health. We presented to the Labor and Delivery nursing staff in May 2026.
Board of Directors
Left to Right:
Charles McCoy, Sarah Jackson, Crystal Townsend, Ciara Mayes, Stacy Mosier, Julie McCoy, Julie Griffin, Lindsey Sila, Caitlyn Dailey (intern), Liv Cumbo (intern)
CHARLES MCCOY, MA
PRESIDENT/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Mr. Charles McCoy is the Academic Technologist for University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Bowling Green campus. In that role he provides classroom technology support and training for faculty, staff and students. Prior to his employment with UK he was a seventeen year employee with Western Kentucky University in their IT Supoort Department. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in Leadership from Western Kentucky University. As President for our organization he also organizes the mulitmedia and information technology. Charles is the father of Samuel, the namesake of the organization.
CRYSTAL TOWNSEND, MSW, LCSW
Mrs. Crystal Townsend is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been involved with Steps since it’s founding. Crystal received her Masters of Social Work degree from Western Kentucky University. Crystal has worked in several areas of the social work field including; Child Welfare, Foster Care and Private Practice. Crystal has experience in working with a variety of youth and adults including those in foster care, those who have experienced trauma and those with substance abuse issues. She is a Famliy Resource Coordinator with Warren County Schools.
JULIE MCCOY, MSW, LCSW-S
VICE-PRESIDENT/FOUNDER
Mrs. Julie McCoy is the owner of McCoy Counseling Center. She is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and works with clients affected by infant loss and infertility in her practice. She received her Masters of Social Work degree from Western Kentucky University. She is a former adjunct professor for WKU and Brescia University and is currently teaching social work with Columbia College. She has worked in many different areas including foster care, sexual trauma, substance abuse and acute psychiatric hospitalization. She has also served on the WKU Social Work Department's Departmental Advisory Committee. Julie is the mother of Samuel, the namesake of the organization.
JULIE GRIFFIN, MSW, LCSW
Mrs. Julie Griffin is a therapist at McCoy Counseling Center. She received both her undergraduate and Master’s degree from Western Kentucky University in Social Work. Prior to joining McCoy Counseling Center, she worked at Hospice of Southern Kentucky providing bereavement services for families and caregivers of terminally ill patients. She has also worked at Senior Perspectives, an organization that provides mental health services for older adults.
In addition to her work at McCoy Counseling, she has been active in the Franklin community where she has served on the Board of Directors at Life Skills, Inc., the Boys and Girls club and Chairperson for Relay for Life. She is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist.
SARAH JACKSON
Ms. Sarah Jackson is a nursing student at Western Kentucky University with a passion for serving others and making a positive impact in her community. Sarah joined us at Steps for Samuel and is honored to support the organization's mission of providing hope, encouragement, and resources to families. As a member of Chi Omega, she is passionate about spreading this mission to the college age women in our community. She looks forward to making a difference both through Steps for Samuel and in her future career as a registered nurse.
LINDSEY SILA, CSW
Mrs. Sila joined the Board in September 2024. Lindsey has been actively involved in with Steps for Samuel for many years prior to joining the Baord by attending Steps events. She has been a strong support to our organization and helped spread awareness long before we were a non profit. Lindsey is the Bereavement Coordinator at Hospice of Southern Kentucky. She is the former Administrator for Signature Healthcare. She holds a Masters of Social Work Degree from Western Kentucky University.
CIARA MAYES,RN
Mrs. Mayes joined our board in July 2026. Ciara became a nurse in 2016 after she graduated from Madisonville Community College with an Associate of Science in Nursing. She began her Women Services journey in the nursery/NICU in 2020 at Med Center Health before transitioning to Labor & Delivery in 2022. She is a passionate advocate and caregiver from families and has found exactly where she's meant to be. A true nurse, she has a passion for comforting and spreading love.