For 11-year-old figure skater Rivkah Chavez Herrera, the rink is more than ice—it’s a place of refuge, joy and rebuilding after the loss of her father, Army veteran Jorge Chavez, who died from a gunshot wound in 2016. Executing jumps, spirals and spins gives her an outlet for her grief and an identity apart from it.

Rivkah and her mother, Norma Herrera, cherish memories of husband and father Jorge Chavez.

Her lessons at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center arena are made possible by Angels of America’s Fallen, a Colorado Springs nonprofit founded and led by 57-year-old veteran Joe Lewis. Like many local seniors who work and volunteer with the organization, Lewis knows how loss can ripple through families and how mentorship can help kids heal. 

Angels of America’s Fallen connects the compassion of community members with the dreams of children who’ve lost a parent serving in the military, law enforcement or emergency response. Volunteers devote countless hours to ensure kids like Rivkah have the chance to chase their passions.

Since September 11, 2001, the organization has helped nearly 16,000 children nationwide by funding healthy youth activities that honor their parent’s ultimate sacrifice. Rivkah will continue receiving support for her ice skating lessons every year until she turns 19. Angels allows children to explore different interests as they grow, switching activities whenever their passions change without ever having to reapply. 

Rivkah’s mother, Norma Herrera, said that knowing others were supporting her daughter’s dream alongside their family felt like a gift from heaven. 

“After a tragedy [like losing a parent], no one’s mind is in the right way,” said Herrera. “Ice skating helped keep my daughter on the right path while processing the loss.”

Once lessons began, Herrera saw her daughter’s confidence and focus grow. 

“She healed through ice skating,” Herrera said. “The pain of losing her father gradually transformed when she understood that ice skating was another way to honor him.” 

Herrera said enrolling her daughter in the Angels program lifted a weight off her own shoulders. 

“Everything was a worry—even the simple things,” she recalled. “It was a warm embrace in the overwhelming world I lived in.”  

TURNING GRIEF INTO GROWTH

Children who lose a parent are considered at-risk. Yet when given a healthy outlet—whether it’s sports, art or music—they’re more likely to stay in school, improve academically and steer clear of drugs and other destructive behaviors. 

Lewis, a 25-year Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, knows how the loss of a parent can change everything. Years ago, his neighbor was killed during a low-altitude military flight training exercise, leaving behind a young widow and a 2-year-old son.

The tragedy weighed heavily on Lewis. As a father of two boys, he couldn’t stop wondering how that little boy would grow up without his dad.

Thinking of the many children who had lost a parent in the line of duty—including two fellow Marines who died before meeting their newborns—Lewis felt compelled to act. 

He launched Angels of America’s Fallen in 2013 to ensure that children of fallen military, law enforcement, fire and EMS heroes could continue to grow, heal and dream. The organization places no restrictions on how their parent died, offering support and healing to every family who has suffered a loss. 

Angels of America's Fallen volunteer Betsy Burkhalter assists Emma with putting on her tap shoes for an upcoming dance class. 

Angels also provides individualized case management utilizing a strengths-based, trauma informed approach. Its peer support program connects widowed spouses to help one another rebuild family life after loss, while its Voices program gives children and surviving spouses the opportunity to share their stories, honor their loved ones and inspire others to heal.

The young recipients receive a $3,000 stipend that funds their active engagement in sports, music or arts per year. To date, there are 62 recipients enrolled in Colorado.

“We focus on positives and possibilities,” Lewis said. “We fuel kids’ dreams beyond the ultimate loss.”

Recognized as El Paso County Veteran of the Year in 2024 for his continued service to veterans and the community, Lewis remains devoted to helping children of the fallen rebuild their lives.

VOLUNTEERS KEEP ANGELS FLYING

The Angel Gala celebrates the healthy growth and development of young activity-fee recipients like brothers Aiden and Evan, pictured with Jennifer Hicks of Purpose Planning, the gala's presenting sponsor. 

While Rivkah found her footing on the ice, another kind of commitment keeps Angels of America’s Fallen soaring—the dedication of its volunteers.

Nancy and Gary Snyder, both 67, became involved nine years ago because they wanted to give back to families who had sacrificed so much.

Nancy, retired military, first learned about the nonprofit when she spotted a truck with the Angels logo parked in her neighborhood. After researching the organization, Nancy was inspired by its mission and began volunteering in 2016.

“I told Gary that as soon as I finished projects for two other nonprofits, I was going to ring their doorbell and see if there was some data work I could do for them,” she said. 

The couple volunteered at one of the early galas and were quickly drawn in by the mission, the stories and the people they met.

“The more we learned about the supported families, the Angel family and the hearts of Joe and [his wife] Shelli, the more we wanted to help,” Gary said.

During gala season, the Snyders open their home to collect, build and store auction items and decorations.  

“In the first years, I worked just about every day,” Nancy said. “Then they brought me on part-time, but I still seemed to dedicate almost every day to the work.” 

Founder and CEO of Angels of America's fallen Joe Lewis, and his wife Shelli at the nonprofit's primary fundraiser, the Angel Gala.

Gary began as a volunteer treasurer and later became a part-time bookkeeper, continuing to give well beyond his paid hours. 

“Shelli and Joe are such an inspiration,” said Nancy. “They saw a critical need that wasn’t being addressed and jumped in to do something about it.”

Nancy said the Lewises work tirelessly to ensure funding is in place to support every child they’ve committed to.

“Joe and Shelli are stalwart in that commitment,” she said. “Duty and honor translate into every aspect of the organization. They make it easy to follow their lead.” 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

To donate, volunteer, register a child or find out more, visit AoAFallen.org/get-involved 

or call 719-377-7352.

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