Rachel Lane responded with a heartfelt “yes” when we asked if we could tell about her experience with New Hope for Kids, and she hopes readers will understand the importance of the work that we do. She said, “I honestly don’t know what my family would look like now if it weren’t for this organization.”
In 2009, Rachel and her husband, Rafi, were 24 years old with 3 kids: an 8-year-old, a 3-year-old and an 8-month-old. It was during this year that Rafi died and she had to learn how to manage being a parent without him. Thankfully, someone suggested she reach out to New Hope for Kids.
As a young widow, Rachel supported her family by working the 1pm to 8pm shift at the hospital and relied on her mom to help with the kids. Grandma often brought the kids to New Hope, and Rachel attended the adult support group when she could. In the raw stages of early grief, she said she felt angry that this was her life. Once she felt ready to share in her group, the healing began.
Rachel remembers those times with gratitude. “New Hope for Kids played a pivotal role in my healing and that of my kids. I started opening up and talking about my loss. This was huge in helping me get to acceptance. My kids blossomed with the support of NHFK, knowing that while their experience wasn’t common, they weren’t alone.”
Isaiah, then 8, and 3-year-old Gianna attended the kids’ support groups where they met other children who talked about their grief during activities and in circle time. Baby sister Ruby was only 8 months old when her father died, but mom feels she has benefited from the stories she’s heard from her brother and sister. Today, all 3 children are leading healthy, fulfilling lives that make their mom proud.
Since that time, Rachel’s heart has been set on giving back to New Hope for Kids. “I put it on my list of goals for 2022, signed up for and attended training, and now I’m officially a Grief Facilitator!” Our new volunteer shared, “It brings me so much fulfillment, so much joy, to give back to this amazing organization that was there for me and my children in our darkest hour of need. I pray I can have an impact on the lives of grieving children in the same way the facilitators before me were able to impact my children.”
This story of healing illustrates the importance of receiving grief support during this vulnerable time in a child’s life. We know that it can be difficult for parents and caregivers to know how to help their grieving children. That’s why New Hope for Kids exists. We want to be part of a whole-family approach that will provide a safe place for everyone to grieve and heal.
If you know a family who could benefit from our services, please encourage them to visit our website, www.newhopeforkids.org/grief-support/
And if you feel inspired to become a Grief Facilitator, please click here:
www.newhopeforkids.org/ways/grief-facilitators/