My Nonprofit Reviews

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who has volunteered for Journey of Hope Grief Support for 17 years, since it's founding. As a Facilitator, I have worked with children, teens and adult groups helping participants process their grief. Our program exists first for children since they are the forgotten mourners. Their parents feel trauma, chaos, pain and fear when facing a death of a family member so children are often alone and feel isolated, scared, confused and left out of the family loss. At JOH we have developed outstanding curriculum following Dr. Alan Wolfelt's model for healthy grieving. Facilitators are trained to lead the support groups which are divided by age or type of loss. Families receive a free community sponsored meal. They develop new relationships and no longer feel alone in facing their sadness. Together they learn to share their loss and receive support from others who "get it." They feel understood and welcome the "family atmosphere" " which assists them on the journey toward recovery. The number of families receiving help at Journey continues to grow with over 550 a year receiving services. I love my volunteer work at JOH because I see hope developing as individuals beginning to change their focus from death to life. It is at JOH that "children's hearts begin to heal."