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 (Footsteps of Hope Grief Support)
Footsteps of Hope is a GPS Hope Share & Care affiliate support group led by Sara Nelson. Although it is not a group specific to child loss, Sara and her husband Dennis are fellow pareavors, dear friends and supporters of GPS Hope. The group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month in their hometown of Sierra Vista, Arizona . If you are in that area and would like to know more about the group, please email Sara for more details.
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
GRANTS PASS, OREGON
When: Meets the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 7:00 p.m. starting February 4th, 2020.
Where: Grants Pass, OR
For more information and exact location, please email the group facilitators Tammy or Kevin
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
