"Going to Journey of Hope saved my life. I looked forward to each night I attended my support group because I was given the only place to share my grief during that time."
- Amy, 15 year old participant
Who We Are
In late 1996, searching for a way to help children deal with death, Hila Pepmiller and Judy Sims, school counselors in the Plano Independent School District (Plano ISD), attended a presentation by the WARM Place in Fort Worth. What they saw convinced them that a facility was needed to serve families in the Dallas and Collin county area.
Within months they were joined by five others: Sandra Aikins, Plano ISD Director of Counseling: Gaye Ratcliff, a Plano Senior High teacher, Vanessa Moore-Hundley, school counselor, Mark Hundley, school counselor whose first wife had died in 1989; and Ginny Robinson, R.N. in charge of Healing Matters Support Group at Medical Center of Plano.
Through their efforts, the organization was granted a 501(c)3 tax exemption status by the IRS in June of 1997.
Shortly thereafter, the Christian Living Sunday School class at St. Andrew United Methodist Church added their support and financial backing. This was followed by grants from the Junior League of Plano and Junior League of Richardson, NationsBank and various other individuals and organizations of the community.
On June 9, 1998, Journey of Hope opened its doors to its first no-fee support group for children and their families experiencing grief from death. Journey of Hope relies on the support of community donations and grants to continue its mission.
“Journey of Hope is an oasis in the midst of a chaotic world. It’s a place…perhaps the place in this part of our area where we can guarantee that an individual, a child, and a family can come and receive appropriate support for the work of mourning that they must do in order to heal. “
-Mark Hundley, Co-Founder of Journey of Hope
Journey Supporters
Our program would not exist without our generous donors. We appreciate you!