“The first year following a grief event is the worst.” That’s what everyone says, right? The first birthday, the first holiday, the first new year spent without the person you miss. And there’s no denying that it’s difficult, in an intense, overwhelming kind of way. Every family gathering or yearly tradition for that first year […]
Grief rarely looks the same from one parent to another. One parent may need to talk often about their child, while another may grieve more quietly. One may find comfort in keeping traditions alive, while another struggles just to get through the day. Neither response is right or wrong. Grief is deeply personal because love […]
At the Heart of It Stigma and shame reinforce the idea that there is something fundamentally wrong with who we are. The LGBTQ+ community is a stigmatized group, and its members commonly experience the effects of stigma and shame, which negatively impact their mental health and wellbeing. Coping with shame involves strategies like practicing self-compassion, […]
As we look back this month in celebration of 25 Years of Hope, we thought it was high time to hear from some of the people without whom our work would be totally impossible: Hearts of Hope volunteers. Hearts of Hope volunteers find their way to us through many avenues, but more often than not, […]
Ask any parent of an autistic child, and they will tell you: raising a child with autism is one of the most rewarding, eye-opening, and joy-filled experiences life can offer. There are as many reasons to celebrate autism as there are ways that it presents itself. But good things often come in complicated packages, and […]
As part of our celebration of Hearts of Hope’s 25th anniversary, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane every month and sharing some of our favorite stories of hope. And while we’ve got countless examples of lives touched and connections made through the painting and delivery of our hearts, we also want to talk about […]
At the Heart of It A Heart of Hope passes through many, many hands from inception to delivery. That means that every act of kindness, now matter how small, has the power to make a difference in others’ grief journeys. What we do and share every day can inspire others to do the same, forming […]
How it all began It’s January 2026, and just like everyone else, Hearts of Hope is welcoming in a new year. Typically, that means we’re looking forward: embracing new ideas, new challenges, and new energy for the road ahead. But this January looks a little different. This new year, we’re taking a moment to look […]
For her kids, it was magic. For her, it was a turning point. She was the youngest one in the room, and everyone knew it the moment she walked in. Hearts of Hope’s Moving Forward Bereavement Group met once a week for eight weeks, a small circle of a dozen or so people gathered to […]
At the Heart of It Caregivers often feel exhausted, isolated, and unrecognized. It’s normal to feel anger, resentment, and guilt as a result of the stress of caring for another. There is no such thing as “perfection” in caregiving. This is a unique experience that can be challenging, but meaningful. Your best is good enough […]
