New Hope Center for Grief Support Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Posted on 04/30/2025
For 25 years, New Hope Center for Grief Support has worked alongside individuals and families navigating one of life’s most difficult journeys—the loss of a loved one. Founded in 2000 by Cathy Clough, a young widow who transformed her personal grief into a mission of healing, the organization has become a trusted source of comfort, connection, and hope for people across Southeast Michigan. This year, New Hope is marking its milestone 25th anniversary with a special Celebration of Hope Gala, honoring a legacy of compassion and the thousands of lives they have touched.

The mission of New Hope Center for Grief Support resonates through thousands of individuals and families that have found healing through New Hope’s peer-based grief support programs. Whether mourning the loss of a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or friend, participants find a community that honors the individuality of their grief and pain. New Hope brings guidance, hope, and new beginnings to those in need.

The uniqueness of New Hope Center for Grief Support is highlighted by their staff, board, and volunteers, most of whom have had experience with loss and turned to the New Hope Center for Grief Support for support during their own difficult times. While there, they found optimism, healed day by day, and now live to help others in honor of the loved ones they have lost. 

Twenty-five years is just the beginning for this amazing organization. New Hope is excited about their growth as an organization and is growing faster than ever. They have strengthened preexisting programs to allow for more capacity. They also implemented more day-time groups to meet the needs of those unable to attend in the evenings. They offer in-person, virtual, and hybrid program options to ensure everyone who needs support, has an option that fits their personal needs.

One of the organizations fastest growing programs is the school-based initiative that helps grieving students process loss and build emotional resilience. New Hope trains professionals on grief awareness and cultural sensitivity. This allows other professionals to support students during different stages of grief, understand specific needs tailored to each student, and create a safe space for students to grieve.

“Grief is a universal life experience we will all experience at one point in our lives.” said New Hope Center for Grief Support’s Executive Director Jennifer Frush.  “We are often left feeling overwhelmed and unaware of how to deal with death because we don't talk about it.  With the focus on Mental Wellness, grief falls into this category and the more we create space to not be okay and talk about hard emotions the more we can help individuals of all ages be aware of these emotions and reactions feeling better equipped to deal with them and applying them to other areas of life.”

The upcoming Celebration of Hope Gala is more than a fundraiser or formal event, but a tribute to every tear shed, every hand held, and every life honored. It’s a space for past participants, staff, volunteers, and supporters to reflect on the lives touched and to celebrate the promising future of New Hope Center for Grief Support. Looking ahead, the message is clear: grief is normal, natural, and necessary. And no one has to walk through it alone.

The Celebration of Hope Gala is on May 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets to the gala are on sale now. For more information about the Celebration of Hope Gala, or New Hope Center for Grief Support, please visit www.newhopecenter.net.

Story By: Courtney O’Hara