Our founder, Judy Pedersen, envisioned a safe and welcoming space for those experiencing loss. As she often shared, “grief is a lonely place, and people who are grieving often don’t know where to turn or what services are available to them.”
In the wake of 9/11, that vision became reality, and Hearts of Hope was born.
The organization began with its healing art initiative, Hearts of Hope Community Service, first serving families impacted by 9/11. The response was profound, and the movement has continued to grow, with hundreds of thousands of Hearts of Hope gifts created and shared around the world.
But this was only the beginning.
The mission soon expanded to include grief support programs for youth and adults, along with trauma resources and referral services for individuals and families facing loss.
Today, this work is more urgent than ever. Stories of tragedy and loss appear daily in our communities and news, and young people are especially affected. Approximately 1 in 12 children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. In response, GRIT™ Support, a Tier 2 mental health program, helps address the immediate impact of grief in youth.
Hearts of Hope grief support programs, educational workshops, and youth curriculum equip individuals of all ages with evidence-based tools to navigate loss, strengthen coping skills, and build resilience.
Born from tragedy, Hearts of Hope continues to serve with a deep commitment to healing, resilience, empowerment, and growth.
Join our movement of hope and become part of something truly extraordinary.
