New Hope Center for Grief Support is now celebrating its 5th year in assisting hundreds of grieving individuals through one of the most challenging circumstances anyone can face.

Grief is a journey that does not have to be taken alone…

Grieving the death of a loved one is something everyone faces at some time in their lives. Since September 11th, the media continually brings us stories about people who are facing a life they never imagined possible just a few short months ago. New Hope Center for Grief Support has been asked to reach out to these families. We have been offering a support group for families in Michigan who lost a loved one on September 11th. This is what we do – we offer specialized support to all who need it at no charge. We do it because it’s needed and we believe that no one should have to face his or her grief alone.

New Hope Center was established as a Christian based bereavement outreach center in January 2000 with 501c3 non-profit status. Since that time we’ve provided grief support to over 2000 adults, teens and children throughout southeastern Michigan. All of these services are provided at no cost. As a non-denominational bereavement outreach center, we help all who are in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Grief is something most of us don’t think about until it personally affects us, or someone we care about. We get calls regularly from people who don’t know where to turn. They just know that they need to talk to someone and try to gain some understanding of their overwhelming feelings. Everyone who calls New Hope is given compassionate, individual attention and care. We help them determine whether a grief support group or individual counseling would be appropriate for them. The services we provide to grieving individuals include availability, understanding, and a wide assortment of grief support groups that can help them as they try to make some sense out of their loss:

• New Hope for KIDZ & TEENS meets in Plymouth and Shelby Township twice each month and help children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have lost a loved one. These groups are for children who have lost a significant loved one – the majority having lost a parent. The surviving parent attends a group at the same time, which provides them with a forum in which to deal with the unique issues of being young and widowed while, at the same time, helping them learn how to help their children. Visit New Hope Center for Grief Support’s website for a complete listing of the support groups offered by New Hope Center.
   
• Circles of Hope, Fresh Start, and Wayfarers are some of the groups we provide that include specialized groups for widows and widowers, which give them an opportunity to meet with others in their age group.
   
• 9-11 and Parents of Hope provide specialized support for those whose loved one died in the terrorists’ attacks on 9-11 or for those whose child of any age died.
   
• "From Grief To New Hope" is our 8 week grief workshop, often dividing people in small groups according to their loss – widows and widowers with other widowers and widowers, adults who have lost a parent with others who have lost a parent, parents who have lost a child, etc. Trained, experienced, facilitators, many of which have personally experienced a similar loss, lead all of these groups. Many of our groups meet in Northville, Plymouth, Livonia, and the surrounding communities.
   
• Pet Loss Support is offered at Sunrise Assisted Living of Northville the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

To make all of our services possible New Hope Center relies on the financial support of individuals and businesses. The reason many individuals give financially is because New Hope has touched their life in some way or the life of someone they care about. Businesses provide financial support to assist a local worthy organization stay on its feet and for the recognition they receive at our fundraising events and in our newsletter. New Hope Center would welcome your contributions.

New Hope also relies on fundraising events. The following is a list of upcoming events:

May 13, 2005 "Laughing on the Outside" Comedy Night Sept. 17, 2005 "Good Grief" Golf Outing Oct. 28, 2005 Sock Hop Dec. 9, 2005 "Evening of Elegance" Holiday Event

"In January 2000, I decided to take a tremendous step in faith and start New Hope Center for Grief Support. It became apparent to me that I wanted to blend my faith with my desire to help the bereaved and provide Christian-based bereavement outreach services. It has been an enormous endeavor but, again, one that has been extremely rewarding. Supported by a board of directors, dedicated volunteers and two part-time staff members, New Hope has helped numerous people journey through the grief process. As a resource center, we are available to anyone who needs guidance after they have lost a loved one.

God has used my life and experiences in ways I never would have imagined. I have found great joy in helping people journey from a time of great distress and grief to discovering that they, too, can make a new life – and find happiness once again. I have been truly blessed and have met the most wonderful people – and all because of a loss that I never thought I could handle. New Hope has been a great privilege and joy"

 ~Cathy Clough, Executive Director, New Hope Center

If you have any questions, would like to make a donation, or would like more information on New Hope Center, please call (248) 348-0115.

Information for the May Business of the Month was compiled by Sandy Prebenda, Special Events Coordinator for New Hope Center for Grief Support

New Hope Center for Grief Support
501 c3 ~ tax
ID#38-3517205