Testimonials

Professional

"H.O.P.E. harnesses the power of the village to heal the pain of losing a loved one. In community we find the understanding, solace and support to heal the ache which feels as though it will never end. As group leader with H.O.P.E. for 5 years, I witnessed over and over this wonderful process pulling those grieving through very dark times. In sum, H.O.P.E. provides hope."
- Quin Crosbie, Ph.D.

"In 1993, as the Director of an 8 county Family Care Services bereavement and grief outreach program, I became aware of the work of the H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation. H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation has an excellent and unique approach to bereavement and grief. It is an organization typified by loving concern and caring acts of menschlichkeit."
-Lawrence Gilbert Leib Lehmann, PhD, You & The Light & The Music Pathways & Environments for Energetic Healing, LLC

"Having been a therapist facilitator for the H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation enhanced my personal and professional life. The wisdom and courage of the attendees never ceased to amaze me. The individual styles and personalities of each therapist were crucial to the program's success. I always left each group with hope and encouragement for each attendee and the H.O.P.E. process."
- Marcia Craig-Smith, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist

"H.O.P.E. is more than an acronym, it is the spirit of Godliness binding the bruises of men and women who have lived under the shadow of death."
- Rabbi Harold Schulweis

"I have witnessed the skill and compassion of therapists who have helped guide the wounded through the valley of the shadow into the light of life. These healers have made the heart of the frightened, the widow and widower, sing with joy. To uplift the fallen, to raise up the mourner, to strengthen the morale of the broken - what greater evidence of the reality of Godliness?"
- Rabbi Harold Schulweis

"People come to H.O.P.E. because H.O.P.E. heals. H.O.P.E. provides a place to share the hurt, to cry in the presence of others who understand the depth of these tears. H.O.P.E. provides a circle of listening, of caring, of wisdom and of reassurance. And slowly, they emerge from the tight grip of bereavement into light, into happiness and the celebration of life."
- Rabbi Edward Feinstein, Valley Beth Shalom, Encino

"I have witnessed the miracles of H.O.P.E. - the resurrection of the spirit of so many who mourn. I heartily commend this organization for your support. We will all, at some time in life, reach out from the darkness. Let there be H.O.P.E. when we need it."
- Rabbi Edward Feinstein, Valley Beth Shalom, Encino

"The group experience has proven to be invaluable to people who have suffered a devastating loss....Both personally and professionally, I believe this to be the best program anywhere for helping people work through life changing loss."
- Joan Mardell, M.A.,M.F.T.

“As a current therapist facilitating groups for the H.O.P.E. Foundation, and a former member of one of their bereavement groups, I get to see both sides of the organization and the work they do.  The service provided is priceless and saved my life.  I am honored to be part of an organization that provides such a valuable service.”
- Natalie Taback, MA, MFT

“I have been facilitating groups for H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation for many years. I feel honored and in awe of what happens in these groups. There is tremendous healing and meaning that unfolds as individuals walk through their grieving and join with others. It’s so rewarding to watch someone go from feeling that they’ll “never have a real life’ again to feeling joy and happiness as life becomes redefined. I, indeed, feel humbled. amazed and blessed to work with these wonderful, courageous souls in this very difficult journey.”
- Jo Christner, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist

"After having worked as a therapist for thirteen years with the H.O.P.E. Foundation, I want to say that I as a therapist and the members of my groups learned the following: 1) Grief is about living again and unfolding. How does one face painful memories and learn to live again? We heal by helping others. 2) Life is about birth and loss. We heal our grief by continuing to love. No one that has ever been known and loved can be lost. 3) Every living thing dies. From death, we have life. To grieve comes from French, which means to bear a burden. Bereavement means to kill. Therefore, in the grieving process we kill off a burden.and from our cacoon state re-emerge ready to live again. The H.O.P.E. Foundation provided this proces of learning to the community."
- Eileen Pola, MFT

Group Members

“ It works. It takes you from a place where you have no one and nobody and then you can cope with life again. It is safe to express your feelings, emotions, fears - whatever you feel like - others know what you're going through. You can all relate to each other because we have all suffered loss. ”
- D. at 8 months of mourning

“ I find these meetings are helping me. I'm getting out of denial. I'm more able to talk about my feelings now.”
- M. at 5 months of mourning

“ I find it very valuable to hear what other people are saying and see how they are coping. ”
- L. at 7 months of mourning

“ This experience has been a saving grace for me, a salvation. The people, the community has been wonderful.”
- H. at 15 months of mourning

“ I wish I had come from the beginning. The connection I've made with other people suffering from loss has allowed me to heal. ”
- T. at 22 months of mourning

“ The insight from leaders and group members has saved my sanity.”
- N. at 18 months of mourning

“ Frankly I feel closer to this group than other friends I've had for 50 years.”
- I. at 7 months of mourning

“I never thought that I could heal and have a life again. Now, I feel as though I can go forward with my changed life. I'll never forget my husband, but I know that I can find happiness again.”
- J. at 24 months of mourning