Transforming Grief into Purpose: Honoring Alexis Hill's Legacy through the Giving Purpose Project

On May 14, 2021, the world as I knew it ceased to exist. That day I received a call that no parent wants to get. I had lost my daughter, Alexis Hill, to suicide, and with her, a piece of my soul was forever taken. Alexis was my light, my joy, and my inspiration. She was more than just my daughter—she was my heart walking around in the world. When she left, the world kept spinning, but for me, it felt as though time had stopped. I found myself waking up each day pretending to be okay because that’s what the world expects of you, even though inside, I was broken in ways I never imagined possible.

Grief is not a linear journey. Some days, it feels like I can breathe again, like I’ve taken a small step forward. But more often, it feels like I’m drowning, overwhelmed by waves of pain and loss. Losing Alexis was not just losing her presence—it was losing the future we imagined together, the moments we would share, and the memories we would create. Her absence is a void that will never truly be filled.

In the midst of this unbearable grief, I knew one thing: I could not let Alexis’s life be defined by the way it ended. She was so much more than her final moment. Alexis was strong, brilliant, compassionate, and fiercely determined. She touched so many lives, and her work at Waypoint New Hampshire's Childhood Wraparound Program reflected her deep commitment to helping others. She believed in the power of strong families, of lifting up women and children, and of creating a better world for those in need.

That belief became my inspiration. Even in the depths of my pain, I knew I wanted to honor Alexis’s life in a way that celebrated who she was—not the tragedy of her death, but the beauty and strength of her spirit. I wanted to keep her name alive, to ensure that she would never be forgotten, and to shine a light on the incredible young woman she was.

That’s how the Giving Purpose Project was born.

The Giving Purpose Project is more than just a nonprofit. It is a way to carry forward the work Alexis cared so deeply about. Through this initiative, we provide support to women and children, build strong families, and create opportunities for those who need it most. Every step I take with this project feels like a step with Alexis by my side. I feel her presence in every decision, every event, and every life we touch. It’s as if she’s guiding me, reminding me to keep going even on the hardest days.

Starting this project gave me something I desperately needed: purpose. After losing Alexis, it was hard to find a reason to keep moving forward. The Giving Purpose Project became that reason. It has allowed me to channel my grief into something meaningful, to turn pain into action, and to keep Alexis’s memory alive in a way that uplifts others. I believe with all my heart that Alexis is proud of the work we’re doing, and that gives me strength.

Grief is a long and difficult journey, but through the Giving Purpose Project, I have found a way to honor Alexis’s legacy and make the world a little brighter in her name. If you’d like to learn more about the work we’re doing and how you can help keep Alexis’s legacy alive, please visit www.givingpurposeproject.org. Together, we can continue her mission and create something beautiful out of loss.

Thank you for letting me share Alexis’s story. She was, and always will be, my heart.