The Promise We Made
Transforming Grief into a Force for Good
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Pub Date 8 Dec 2026 | Archive Date 8 Dec 2026
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Description
When Larry and Sherry Swank lost their son Jaxson at twenty-two months old, the grief was all-consuming. But in the darkness of that first night, they made a promise: they would find a way to give their son’s brief, radiant life lasting meaning.
The Promise We Made: Transforming Grief into a Force for Good tells the story of how that promise became the JWAS Foundation, an organization providing full scholarships, leadership development, and whole-family support to children from preschool through college.
Inside, readers will discover:
- How the Swanks turned devastating loss into a thriving foundation
- The Trilogy of Care model that supports scholars, parents, and families together
- Practical lessons in building a purpose-driven nonprofit from the ground up
- How faith, community, and intention can carry you through the unimaginable
- Stories from the Jaxson Scholars and families whose lives have been transformed
Written with vulnerability and warmth, this book is for anyone who has faced profound loss and wondered whether joy and purpose could ever return. The answer, the Swanks discovered, is yes.
Advance Praise
“Sherry and Larry have both done a marvelous job in creating a narrative that is captivating on more than one level. Not only does the reader gain an understanding of where you are and where you have been, but where the JWAS Foundation is—its purpose, its growth, and its potential. As bereaved parents, my wife, Cindy, and I encourage you to read The Promise We Made and walk away challenged to be a better person, make a difference, and be an encourager.”
— Pete Hodo III
Chief Financial Officer, Highland Commercial Mortgage
“Transforming the pain of grief into a source of strength, purpose, and deeper connection—The Promise We Made is a love story, inspired by the light of a lost child, fueled by faith, and filled with hope and healing.”
— Dan and Tricia Luck
JWAS Supporters
“This is the story of how one family’s heartbreak has been the catalyst for them to make the world a better place. It is a lesson for everyone in how to turn loss into purpose by creating light for others.”
— Nancy Mercurio
Executive Director, Unity of Tampa
“Imagine the darkest moment of despair you’ve ever lived through—and then imagine that instead of allowing it to consume you with hate and resentment, you used it to inspire you to give, share, and provide for others. Sherry and Larry’s story is heartbreaking and extraordinary, and the reach of their Foundation already extends far beyond them. But the true legacy of their work, lives, and this book is that they provide what the world needs more than anything right now: a model for how, instead of being lost in grief, we each can use our hurt to heal.”
— Jeff Shuck
Founder & President, More For Many
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9798891884137 |
| PRICE | $29.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 216 |