Notification of Closing
After almost 27 years of serving families who are grieving, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors. The past two years have been financially challenging for Journey, as it has for many non-profits. As a result of several factors, the board has decided to cease operations effective April 30, 2025.
This decision was not made lightly. The board has carefully assessed all possible avenues to continue Journey’s mission, but ultimately, the financial realities have led us to this difficult decision. And while this may not be the kind of loss we typically talk about, we recognize that it still brings up feelings of grief. Change—especially the ending of something meaningful—can stir up sadness, uncertainty, and even frustration. Just as we have walked alongside families in their grief, we want to acknowledge and honor those feelings now.
While Journey, as an entity, will no longer exist, our focus is to continue the mission of helping children and families navigate grief. We are actively working with potential sponsor organizations to carry forward some of our key programs, so that Journey’s impact can live on in a different way.
As we transition toward closure, we remain committed to ensuring that families continue to have access to grief support. Over the next six to eight weeks, we will finalize work to transition our program and related assets to one or more North Texas organizations that will use all or parts of our work to continue this invaluable service. We will update you via email, the Journey of Hope website, and social media accounts. We ask that you please consider supporting those organizations that step up to take on the Journey of Hope mission.
Thanks to your generosity over the years, we have been able to support thousands of children, adolescents, and their families through their grief journey. Your contributions have made a lasting difference in the lives of so many, and we are profoundly grateful for your support of our mission.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our Journey of Hope family. Journey’s legacy is the impact we’ve had on countless children and families, and that is something that will continue beyond the organization itself.
With gratitude,
Dick Evans
Executive Director
Important Update
Wellspring Counseling has generously committed to continuing the groups at two locations.
Wellspring is excited to announce the continuation of the Journey of Hope program, which has provided hope and healing to thousands of families grieving the loss of a parent, guardian or sibling. Journey of Hope provides help through:
Children and Teen Support Groups
Children and teens are placed in a group based on their grade level so they are with similar-aged children who have also experienced a death. The curriculum for all groups is planned to assist children in focusing on their feelings and learning strategies to express their grief through Art, Stories, Play and Music. Participants are given a chance to focus on special memories and to talk about their loved one in a nonjudgmental and confidential setting.
Parent/Adult Caregiver Support Groups
While the children and teens meet in their groups, parents and adult caregivers meet in groups based on their relationship with the person who died. Parents have the opportunity to express their grief by discussing cooping skills, ways to help their child navigate their grief, and strategies for caring for a grieving family.
Journey of Hope grief support groups will continue at two locations:
- Grace Avenue United Methodist Church
- First United Methodist Church of Plano
By combining resources, expertise, and passion, they are confident that they can better serve those in need and expand their reach. Together, they will continue to provide essential services, support, and hope to individuals and families, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Joining Groups: If you are a current family who is interested in registering for the groups, please email kerri@wccplano.org.
Volunteer: If you are interested in volunteering, email kerri@wccplano.org.
Other Organizations for Grief Support
Access Our Curriculum and Resources
This Google Drive link will give you access to our six-week grief group curriculum for children and teens, as well as all of the additional resources we have developed over the years. It will also give you access to an Ambiguous Grief Curriculum that we have recently developed. Keep in mind that our Ambiguous Grief Curriculum was in the process of being piloted and hasn’t been thoroughly tested. Make sure you download these Google Drive folders by April 29th, 2025, or risk losing access to these resources.
We remain dedicated to supporting our families, volunteers, donors, advocates, and supporters through this transition. If you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we are here for you. For nearly 27 years, Journey of Hope has stood beside those navigating grief, and in this difficult time, we extend that same care and support to our entire community.
How to Get in Touch With Us
While this may be a different kind of loss than we usually discuss, we understand that it still brings feelings of grief. The closing of something so meaningful can bring sadness, uncertainty, and even frustration. Just as we have supported families through their grief journeys, we want to recognize and validate those emotions now.
We remain dedicated to supporting our families, volunteers, donors, advocates, and supporters through this transition. If you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we are here for you. For nearly 27 years, Journey of Hope has stood beside those navigating grief, and in this difficult time, we extend that same care and support to our entire community.
A Message of Gratitude
Thank you to all of our supporters, donors, and volunteers for the generous and loving support over the years. It’s because of you that we were able to provide hope and healing to thousands of children and families who are grieving navigate their grief journey.