LISTEN to today's show featuring
Lauren Schneider of OUR HOUSE!
Lauren Schneider of OUR HOUSE!
Providing resources, support, and care at the moment when we most need it, OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center marks its 25th anniversary this year. OUR HOUSE reaches individuals, families, organizations, and communities in need when someone dies, guiding people through the delicate process of grief. Serving thousands of children, teens, and adults every year, OUR HOUSE relies on trained volunteers and expert guidance as one of the most unique support centers in the country, subject of an Emmy-winning film, and recipients of a 4-star rating with Charity Navigator.
A number of events are lined up for 2018 to mark OUR HOUSE’s auspicious milestone: the RUN FOR HOPE 5K walk/run will welcome hundreds of participants to walk in honor of remembering their loved ones, and is scheduled for April 29. Later in the fall, the annual House of Hope Gala (October 6) and Night for Hope will continue to foster awareness and community building.
But perhaps most notable is the program Camp Erin, run twice every summer, which gives grieving children ages 6-17 the opportunity to bond with others in a safe, playful setting. Camp Erin was the subject of “One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp,” the HBO documentary that was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program in 2014.
In addition to Camp Erin and the annual events, OUR HOUSE offers three core programs year-round: grief support groups for adults, children, and teens, run by trained volunteers, are available at support centers across the southland; OUR HOUSE also offers educational seminars, intensives, and programs for medical and social work professionals; and on-site grief response brings OUR HOUSE’s experts to community locations where grief might extend to coworkers, neighbors, or others impacted by death.
OUR HOUSE trains volunteer group leaders with a three-day seminar, and are always welcoming laypeople into the fold, regardless of their own background or connection to the programs. This reflects the ongoing commitment to the original impulse of founder JoAnn Lautman, inspired to start a support group after a young parent in her community died suddenly, leaving a grieving spouse, small child, and circle of friends emotionally shattered. By empowering people to help each other, OUR HOUSE makes connections between those who are willing to give their guidance and sympathy with those who are suffering the devastating loss of a loved one.
Our House Grief Support Center
Hosts 9th Annual Run For Hope, April 29
Celebrating The Grieving Community And The Power Of Uniting Hands With Paws
OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, one of the most respected non-profit grief centers in the nation, will host its ninth annual Run for Hope 5K Festival on Sunday, April 29 at the West Los Angeles Civic Center & Bandshell. The Run for Hope is the only event of its kind in the nation- a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the memory of loved ones who have died. Every year, the Run focuses on community engagement, and bringing people together to support each other in memory of their loved ones. Deeply rooted in the community are the Presenting Sponsors – The Hollander Family and Karma Rescue– who will honor this commitment by showcasing the power of unity by uniting hands with paws.
“We are proud to help unite the community in the memory of their loved ones,” said Michele Prince, Executive Director, OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, “The Run for Hope is our largest event of the year with an expected 1,700 attendees who have pledged to raise over $500,000 for essential grief support services and the collective benefit of our community.”
The event will be filled with activities for those participating in the walk or stopping by to show their support. With registration, participants can personalize t-shirts with their loved ones' photos commemorating and celebrating their memories, and on Sunday, April 29 take part in three key events: The In-Memory Ceremony, 5K, and Festival. Additionally, there will be an In-Memory Wall inviting participants to write and place the name of their special person who died amongst others also being remembered.
The Presenting Sponsors - The Hollander Family, and Karma Rescue– are further exemplifying community commitment by bringing smiles to participants with a dog-kissing booth where all can receive a smooch by a pooch. Karma Rescue will also bring some of their rescue dogs, as many who are mourning the death of a loved one are often calmed and reassured by the loving companionship of a pet. Jackie Hollander says, “My vision for OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center and Karma Rescue is to have these two wonderful organizations collaborate by uniting people and animals at their most vulnerable times, helping them provide solace and support for each other.” To honor the memory of participant’s pets who have died, all will be able to memorialize them on the Zuma Memorial Wall.
A variety of vendors likely in attendance include: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, BAI Water, Yelp, New York Life, Trader Joes, YogaWorks, LA Trial Lawyers’ Charities, VI Aesthetics, Nature’s Bakery Bars, Homemade Harvey, and Di Dio’s Italian Ice.
9th Annual Run for Hope In-Memory Walk & 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, April 29, 2018 7:30am-Noon
OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Run for Hope is a day to share grief, loss & love; providing the community with a sense of hope & connection.
Where: West Los Angeles Civic Center & Bandshell 1645 Corinth Ave. LA 90025
Schedule of Events
6:30am: Check-in/Registration/Packet Pickup opens
7:30am In-Memory Walk Sponsored by The Rapaport Family
An intimate ceremony for adults-only led by OUR HOUSE’s Adult Clinical Team where participants have the opportunity to share about their loved one who has died, and listen as others share their stories of grief, hope and healing.
9:00am 5K Run/Walk & Family Fun Run
10:15am: Awards Ceremony
11:00am: Raffle Draw
8:30am- Kid Zone + Festival
12:00pm: Spread the Love. Spread the Hope. #OHRun4Hope #pawsandhands #karmarescue
Registration and Info:
http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/runforhope/
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About OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center:
OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center is one of the nation’s most respected organizations for grief support and education. For 25 years, OUR HOUSE has helped thousands of grieving children, teens, and adults as they embark on their journeys to hope and healing following the death of someone close. The safe, warm, and nurturing environment of their Los Angeles centers offer support groups specific to age and relationship. OUR HOUSE is a leading provider of grief education, offering workshops, seminars, and in-service training to mental health and medical professionals, clergy, educators, and other members of the community who interact with bereaved families. The OUR HOUSE grief education program is part of the curricula for students at USC’s Keck and UCLA’s David Geffen Schools of Medicine. To learn more, please visit www.ourhouse-grief.org or call 1.888.417.1444.
About Karma Rescue:
Karma Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving animals in need by finding them permanent homes and providing the resources for successful companionship. Through education, Karma Rescue instills the critical need for spay/neuter, and offers guidance to strengthen the animal-human bond. Karma Rescue’s vision is to help create a compassionate society, which provides safety, refuge, and protection for all animals.
http://www.ourhouse-grief.org
