Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions that we receive about our offerings. If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please reach out.
Answers To Your Questions
We know that the grief journey can be long and is always unique to each individual. Below are some of the most common questions we receive at Collective for Hope and our responses. Please don’t hesitate to Contact Us if you have questions that are not answered here.
Access & Cost
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No need! All our programs are completely free and available to anyone, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
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We rely on the generosity of individuals, families, grants and community sponsors. If you'd like to support our mission, visit our Support page or reach out to us directly.
Therapy & Support Options
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While we do intend to begin offering individual counseling in the future, we do not offer them currently. We are happy to share a referral list of local therapists who are trained in grief support and come highly recommended by our families.
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The best way to register for any of our programs is on our Grief Support page. If you'd prefer a more personal touch, feel free to call us and our caring staff would be honored to walk you through the process. All of our programs are completely free, and we kindly ask for advance registration so we can thoughtfully prepare—i.e. making sure we have the right volunteers, staff and materials in place to support you and your family in the best possible way. We understand that our forms can feel a bit long, but please know that you're not alone in filling them out. We’re here to help in any way we can, because your healing matters to us.
Language & Accessibility
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Yes! With advance notice, we’ll make every effort to arrange interpretation services for groups or events. We also offer bilingual Spanish-language support groups when interest allows. If you or someone you know is multilingual and interested in volunteering, we’d love to connect.
Children & Families
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Our family support groups are designed for families to attend together. Because grief touches everyone in the household, we ask that an adult caregiver participate in a concurrent adult group while children attend their sessions. In special circumstances, caregivers may remain on site without joining a group if a prior exception has been approved. We also offer some drop-off events for youth, such as Creative Nights and quarterly gatherings. Keep an eye on our social media pages and website, especially our Calendar page, for special events.
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While we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 3 during support group programs, we understand how important your little ones are to your family. Due to the sensitive and structured nature of our sessions—and to create the most supportive space for everyone—we ask that children under 3 not be present during group time as we are not able to provide childcare. We warmly encourage families to find childcare during group nights or return once their child is old enough to participate. That said, we love seeing babies and toddlers at our remembrance events, where the whole family is welcome to join in honoring and remembering together.
About Us
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We did! Our roots go back to the late 1990s when we were founded as Ted E. Bear Hollow, a name that became well known for providing grief support to children and families. In 2017, we transitioned to Grief’s Journey to better reflect our mission of walking alongside people of all ages through their grief. Then in 2019, we merged with HEALing Embrace and became Collective for Hope, uniting multiple programs under one compassionate umbrella. We've grown through seasons of change and continue working toward a lasting home where healing, connection and hope can thrive.
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Our groups are led by compassionate, trained volunteers who complete a 20-hour Grief Facilitator Training and pass background checks. Each facilitator brings a deep commitment to holding space for others along with diverse life experiences that help them connect with group members in meaningful ways. Many have walked their own grief journey and choose to give back by supporting others—bringing empathy, understanding and a quiet strength to group settings.
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Many families are referred to us by schools, hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, churches and counseling offices. Others hear about us through word of mouth from volunteers or past participants.
Experiences of Hope
Talking about our children and their grief—where they are, and how we are helping them on this path.
Family Group Participant