ABC'S OF HOPE
HELPING FAMILIES COPE WITH GRIEF AFTER THE LOSS OF A CHILD
ABC'S OF HOPE is commited to sharing hope, encouragement, and resources to families who have suffered the loss of a child. We believe in taking action with urgency in order to help families cope with the most devastating thing a family will ever face. Please join us by supporting our efforts to help families who are grieving the loss of a child.
Who We Are
Here at ABC'S OF HOPE, we are driven by a single goal; to help families know that there is HOPE after loss. The loss of a child or parent has devastating impacts on parents, children, and marriages. Our personal experience with witnessing our seven-year-old son get tragically killed in a vehicle related accident enables us to empathize with families who are suffering with loss. We strive to build authentic relationships with families and make a positive impact by sharing the HOPE we have in Christ with all of our pursuits.
WHAT WE DO
Making A Difference
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
PROVIDING BASIC NEEDS FOR GRIEVING FAMILIES
COPING RESOURCES & REFERRALS
With our organization’s mission always in mind, we strive to share the Hope that is found in Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our team is working each and every day to share the love of Jesus with others. One of the ways we honor our son is by awarding annual scholarships to college bound seniors. This year we will award $1,000 scholarships to a college bound senior at Halifax Academy in Roanoke Rapids, NC and at Randolph Early College High School in Asheboro, NC. This unique scholarship challenges students to stand firm in their Christian faith while attending college. Donate Today to support this ministry.
At ABC'S OF HOPE, we are dedicated to stepping up our efforts in helping grieving families meet basic needs (especially after losing a child). After the loss of a child, families miss extensive time at work and often struggle providing the basics for their families (funeral costs, groceries, utilities, etc). Meeting every need is by no means possible, but through cooperation and community empowerment, we believe we can facilitate meeting some of the basic needs of families. We are always striving to make a difference, and invite you to learn more and lend your support. Contact us to help or refer a family in need.
With this initiative, our goal is to promote great opportunities to help children and teenagers cope with loss and grief. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the strength to effectively cope with grief. There are numerous programs, camps, support groups, and resources throughout the state and and along the East Coast to help children cope with grief. Learn more by getting in touch with our team today.
A - ADMIT (We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23)
B - BELIEVE (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life - John 3:16)
C - CONFESS (If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be savedRomans 10:9)
OUR STORY
April 2013
Most people associate Spring as the time of year when things come to life. The transition of bidding farewell to the short, dreary days of winter to welcoming the sunnier, warmer, days and bright blue skies that come with Spring. A time of new beginnings. The Spring of 2013 was no exception. However, the new beginning was not what we expected.
Wesley and Thomas (our two boys) were typical nine and seven year old boys that loved exploring nature. They had captured a marbled salamander and wanted to keep it as a pet. We agreed to allow it for a short time only if they agreed to care for it appropriately. They made the salamander a habitat, provided it food and water, and learned how to care for a salamander in captivity. They took it to show & tell at school, kept it beside their bed at night, and even tried to bring it to the dinner table on occasion. After a couple of weeks, Leslie and decided it was time to release the salamander. We explained why we should release the salamander but Thomas insisted we keep it. We told him it was more likely to die in captivity. Leslie overheard Thomas explain Gods plan of salvation (using the ABC acronym) with the salamander. Thomas told us the salamander was not afraid to die because he told him how to go to Heaven. It was a beautiful story until we returned the salamander to the creek the next day. While walking home from releasing the salamander, Thomas ran out in front of a car and was hit. Me, Leslie and Wesley witnessed Thomas get killed.
We believe that God allowed us to hear Thomas share God's plan of salvation with the salamander to prepare us for what was about to happen. Thomas, at the young age of seven, had professed his faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I am reminded by the ABC's that there is Hope in Christ. There is Hope that I will see my son again.
While at times I still do not understand why it happened, and while I still grieve Thomas' death, one thing I do not question is the Hope God promised through His Son Jesus. We live in a broken world full of heartache. Without Christ, we are separated from God and have no Hope. We can find peace and Hope when we seek God.
After losing Thomas, ABC'S OF HOPE was established to share the Hope found in Christ and to keep Thomas' memory alive.