A Legacy of Compassion Continues in Mosinee

At 409 2nd Street in Mosinee, the work of ministry is continuing in a powerful new way.

The former Episcopal church building is now becoming home to Born Abel, a growing nonprofit ministry dedicated to supporting medically complex children, NICU families, adoptive and foster families, and parents navigating grief and loss. Rather than standing empty, the building is once again becoming a place centered on care, hope, accompaniment, and community.

Founded in 2023 by Jessie Tieva in memory of her son Abel Isaac, Born Abel began from a hospital NICU room while Jessie cared for Abel and his twin brother Oren. Abel, who was born with Trisomy 18, inspired a mission rooted in one core belief that we echo in our own Episcopal faith:

Every child carries inherent worth, dignity, beauty, and purpose.

Today, that ministry has grown into a remarkable network of support reaching families across the country.

Angel Tree mural being painted!

Born Abel now operates dozens of family support groups, hospital outreach efforts, NICU care programs, sibling support initiatives, medically complex adoption resources, and inclusive educational programs for children and parents alike. The organization has also created more than 90 colorful children’s books featuring real medically complex children, NICU babies, disabled children, siblings, and “angel families,” helping children see themselves represented with joy, dignity, and love.

Their mission statement explains it simply and beautifully:

“Born Abel exists to highlight and normalize the humanity, worth and abilities of babies and children born with complex medical conditions.”

That spirit is already taking root inside the Mosinee church building and it’s doing it with color!

Videos shared by the organization show volunteers painting stairwells, preparing gathering spaces, cleaning rooms, and bringing warmth and color back into the building one project at a time. Plans are underway for grief groups and support gatherings within the space, including a memorial “Angel Tree” mural honoring children remembered by their families.

In many ways, it feels deeply connected to the long legacy churches often carry within communities.

For generations, church buildings across Wisconsin have served as places where people come carrying both joy and heartbreak. They have hosted baptisms and funerals, recovery groups and prayer circles, holiday meals and moments of quiet refuge. They become woven into the emotional and spiritual life of a town. That legacy is continuing here.

The building in Mosinee is still becoming a place where people are accompanied through difficult seasons. It is still becoming a place where stories are honored, where compassion is practiced, and where people are reminded they are not alone.

Only now, that ministry is reaching families navigating NICU stays, rare diagnoses, disability journeys, foster care, adoption, and child loss.

There is something hopeful about watching old spaces receive new life without losing their deeper purpose.

The walls are being repainted. New children’s laughter echoes through the hallways. Volunteers gather with paintbrushes and plans. Families who have experienced profound grief are finding a place intentionally designed to hold both sorrow and hope together. What better legacy could we ask for?

Learn more about Born Abel.