How do I know that H.O.P.E. will help me?
H.O.P.E. was founded in 1978 and has helped thousands of others like you. It is a comfortable place to be as everyone in the program has been widowed.
Who comes to H.O.P.E.?
People of all ages who have been widowed in the past few years and those who have not completed the grieving process will benefit from the H.O.P.E. program.
What are the qualifications of the H.O.P.E. group leaders?
H.O.P.E. group leaders are men and women who have gone through the H.O.P.E. program and who want to give something back. New group leaders have been through four or five sessions and are normally paired with a seasoned group leader for a period of no less than six months. There are also opportunities for periodic participation in workshops on grief related topics which is part of the ongoing training for group leaders.
How many people participate in the program?
In the past year, over one hundred fifty people attended sessions in each quarter. Since H.O.P.E.’s beginnings, over 12,000 individuals have been helped.
Is H.O.P.E. affiliated with any religious organization or group?
No. Some churches offer H.O.P.E. meeting space as a community service, but there is no religious affiliation. H.O.P.E. does work informally with many funeral homes, hospices, and community organizations to ensure that widows and widowers are made aware of our services.
Is there a cost for H.O.P.E.?
There is a minimal registration fee per ten-week session, but no one has ever been turned away for lack of funds. These fees help to defray operational costs.
How is H.O.P.E Funded?
In addition to the registration fee, the H.O.P.E. program is also subsidized by contributions from individuals, bequests and grants from foundations, and fundraising efforts. H.O.P.E. is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations made in its name are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. All donations are used to support activities and programs. Donors are provided a letter via U.S. mail acknowledging their donation and the tax status of the organization Should you have questions about donating to H.O.P.E., please contact H.O.P.E. at 856-234-2200.
All chapter group coordinators, group leaders, board members, and office volunteers give their time without compensation. Most all are H.O.P.E. graduates and know the value of the H.O.P.E. program. H.O.P.E. has low overhead costs and every dollar contributed to H.O.P.E. goes directly to support our programs.