BRIDGES OF HOPE NEWSLETTER | FALL 2023
Dear Friend,

You've been dedicated. You've been generous. You've helped grieving children learn, connect, share, & grow, so we are delighted to launch Kite Tales, a newsletter to highlight your impact. As we emerged from the pandemic the number of requests for our services reached unprecedented levels. Last year, with your engagement, we served nearly 400 children/teens - a record high. Now, in 2023-24, we're counting on your continued support to grow even further to meet the needs of local families. Thank you for being on our team. Thank you for being a bridge-builder. Together, we are making sure children have the coping skills they need to heal after a death and reach their full potential.

Gratefully,
Jonathan Wright
Executive Director
Growing with Grief
Leading the Way
Every organization has dedicated leaders, but Chris Wells takes it to a whole new level. Chris has been leading grief groups at Shannon's Hope Camp for more than 30 years!

"By giving young people the space to be sad, have fun, make friends, and be in the healing wonder of nature, we not only help them learn important lessons, we learn some, too."
Making a Difference
Rewarding, impactful, enjoyable - those are three words Marlena uses to describe her experience volunteering with us. "As a hospice nurse, I see how children's grief can be overlooked."

"I've been volunteering at Shannon's Hope Camp since 2012 where I see first-hand the huge impact camp has on these kids. And the candlelight ceremony leaves an imprint on my heart every time."
Working Together
Music brings so much comfort and solace during times of grief so we are proud to partner with Sing Me A Story Foundation in Nashville and singer/songwriters around the world to bring our teen's stories to life.

Alex, a 15-year-old in our Stepping Stones Program wrote a touching story about hanging with his friends. So, Brian Fuller, a songwriter from Savannah wrote a song called "A Night with the Bros" inspired by his story and drawings!

Waves of Grief
insights on life, loss, healing, and hope
"I will never forget sitting on an airplane reading my newly discovered copy of Khalil Gibran's The Prophet. His words bold in my memory,

'Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be?'

I remember feeling something awaken in me as I read the arrangement of words that so beautifully articulated an idea I had felt in my heart but was never quite able to express..."
Learn More
We recently released our 2022-23 Impact Report. Read the full report now!
call: 843-216-7323
Get Involved
Walk, run, hike, ride - do whatever you do; just join Team HOPE so we can #GearUp4GriefSupport together! Click here to learn more.


Make a Referral
Give a child or teen access to our grief support services in 3 simple steps:

  1. Familiarize yourself with our services
  2. Complete our brief Referral Form
  3. We'll follow up to get things started.
Upcoming Events
Hope & Hooves Orientation Sept. 30
Shannon's Hope Camp October 7-8
Hopes & Hooves Series November
Community Candlelight November 5
Stingrays Night December 1

grief gleanings
"We cannot prevent children from experiencing tragic loss, but we can let them know that they are not alone; we can help them find a path of self-compassion & resilience."
Chris Wells, Facilitator