GPS Hope Share & Care Groups are for parents who have lost a child and want to connect with others who share the same experience, and also want and need to have a safe place to explore their faith and relationship with God within the deep grief.
This is where you can take off your mask and be wherever you are in your grief journey without judgement or shame, and a time where you can talk about your child by name if you so choose. We will all be glad to hear your stories, and we will laugh with you, and yes, sometimes we do shed a few tears with each other.
Our time always ends with each of us acknowledging our child in some way on a certain topic (such as telling everyone his or her favorite dessert), and everyone leaves with a measure of contentment, knowing there are others who will let the light of our children still shine.
“Every day is so hard, but somehow together we all get through. Thank you for all the time you spend with us and other grieving parents! It’s impossible to put into words how much you mean to us!” (Dee and Dave L., bereaved parents who attend a GPS Hope Share & Care group regularly.)
We are in the process of expanding to have GPS Hope Share & Care groups in each of the 50 states as well as Canada. We are not looking for “leaders.” All it takes is a willingness to find a place to meet, invite other parents, and facilitate the gathering by reading something of your choice from our provided materials to start a conversation.
Click here to see what it takes to start and facilitate a GPS Hope Share & Care group, to see if it is something you might consider.
If you are interested in starting a GPS Hope Share & Care group in your area, please contact us.
SIERRA VISTA, ARIZONA
This Share & Care support group is led by Sara Nelson (author of Footsteps in Hope) in Sierra Vista, AZ. Sara and her husband Dennis are fellow pareavors and dear friends and supporters of GPS Hope. This group currently meets at 6 pm the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month. Sara is also available to talk with anyone who needs some encouragement and support after loosing a child or any other deep loss. Please email Sara for the location of the meetings as it varies as well if you just need to talk.
DELTONA, FLORIDA (Healing Under God’s Sovereignty H.U.G.S.)
H.U.G.S. is a GPS Hope Share & Care affiliate support group that shares our heart for pareavors. They also hold a butterfly release every spring. Please email the co-facilitators Pat Wentworth or Carol Keefer for more information.
When: Meets every Thursday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. in room E136
Where: Deltona Alliance Church 921 Deltona Blvd, Deltona, FL
COLUMBUS, OHIO
When: Meets every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Where: One Church, 817 N. Hamilton Rd., Gahanna, OH
For more information please email the group facilitator Yolanda.
GRANTS PASS, OREGON
While currently there are no formal group meetings, for those of you in southern Oregon looking to connect with other bereaved parents in the area, please contact Tammy.
Tammy does have a closed Facebook page for those wishing to connect and often they meet for casual outings. So we strongly encourage you to email her.
WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA
When: Meets the fourth Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m.
Where: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 1505 Dover St, Worthington, MN (Fireside Room)
For more information please email the group facilitator Roxie
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
When: Meets the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Roxbury Church of Christ, (in the office conference room next door) 2103 Roxbury Rd, Janesville, WI
