Fox Valley Hands of Hope celebrating 40 years with Feb. 3 program on hope and growth
Fox Valley Hands of Hope has come a long way since its early beginnings in the basement of a church back in 1981. First known as Fox Valley Hospice, then Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, and now Fox Valley Hands of Hope, the agency has experienced many blossoms in its illustrious tenure. What has remained constant in all of these years of service is their dedication to compassion, comfort, and hope.
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, join an online panel discussion focusing on hope and growth from the experience of grief and loss. There will be two free live sessions: noon and 7 p.m.
The panelists from Fox Valley Hands of Hope include: clinician Pamela Bills, board member Edward Hunter, and volunteer Marcia Dingman. The Zoom session will be facilitated by clinician Jacquelyn Jennings. The panel will begin with a discussion on grief and the ways that the panelists have helped clients heal and find a way to grow from their losses. The second portion will be an opportunity for participants to ask the panelists their own questions about grief, programing, and other relevant topics.
For information and free registration, visit one.bidpal.net/fvhhisforty/welcome. Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link for the panel.
Fox Valley Hands of Hope was originally founded to help individuals in hospice care. Today, they dedicate their attention to the needs of the grieving and those facing life-threatening illness. The pain of grief can disrupt all aspects of life, including sleep, appetite, emotions, function, and interact with others.
Research shows that avoiding support for grief can have a significant impact on physical health and relationships. The harsh implications of COVID-19 only deepen these grief issues, but Fox Valley Hands of Hope is here to help. By choosing support, their clients are choosing wellness, choosing to thrive as best they can, given the circumstances.
The licensed clinical staff and dedicated volunteers serve grief clients by providing group programs, family and individual counseling, as well as supportive companionship for nursing home and hospice patients. Fox Valley Hands of Hope works collaboratively with several local hospice and nursing homes by providing supportive volunteers to their patients. The nonprofit has school partnerships throughout the area so that they can provide grief services to youth in school.
Additionally, Fox Valley Hands of Hope partners with other social service agencies to deliver grief support to clients. The free medical equipment loan program is also available to those who need temporary use of equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and commodes.
Although they are not accepting donations at this time due to COVID-19 restrictions, Fox Valley Hands of Hope is still loaning out items available in the inventory. All of its services and programs offer emotional support, respectful caring, and nonjudgmental listening while providing a healing presence to clients and their families.
Many of the grief programs are running virtually right now.
Prospective clients can always check out www.fvhh.net or email griefsupport@fvhh.net for updated information. The programs are designed to support children, families, and adults, regardless of age, income level, race, or religious beliefs. The programs are community-funded, allowing them to deliver the best guidance at no cost - they believe that every person should be given hope without any restriction.