Open to Hope Conference 2025

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Dr. Ken Druck: The Path Forward After a Loss What to Say ‘Yes’ To

Posted on April 7, 2025 - by admin

Dr. Ken Druck is an international authority on courageous living and healing after loss. Recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Contribution to Psychology award, Ken has inspired and guided clients, communities, readers, audiences for over 45 years. His books, including Courageous Aging and his new best-seller, How We Go On, are about mastering the “What now? Moments” in this life — and summoning the courage to meet them. Ken’s life’s work after the tragic loss of his daughter, Jenna, come through his work as an educator, speaker, trainer, coach, consultant and community leader. Dr. Ken presents a variety of world-class programs […]

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Sibling Loss Panel

Posted on April 7, 2025 - by admin

Zander Sprague, Moderator – Elizabeth Devita Raeburn, Cindy Tart, Dr. Chris Lourenco, Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki and Jordan Ferber discuss how they have gone on to find hope after the loss of a sibling. The International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss is a free online experience brought to you by the Open to Hope Foundation with the mission of helping people find hope after loss. Our expert presenters have generously donated their time, talents, and advice to share with you.

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Dianne Gray – The Long Tail of Grief Change, Communication & Community

Posted on April 7, 2025 - by admin

Dianne is a 34-year End-of-Life Doula, Grief Educator, Grief Specialist, Tech Innovator, Patient Navigator, and Global Palliative Care Advocate. She helps people understand the mind-body-spirit connection during end of life, death and grief find answers to their most difficult questions surrounding meaning, purpose, hope, faith, legacy building, belonging, spirituality, unconditional love, boundaries, control, the ego, and change navigate the healthcare system while finding medical resources for patients and family coping with serious illness, death and/or grief challenge imbalances in communication norms between patients & clinicians find peace amidst chaos, especially following tragedy, loss, estrangement, separation better understand our resistance to […]

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Partner Loss Panel

Posted on April 7, 2025 - by admin

Jill Johnson Young- moderate, Abel Keogh, Tysha Scott, Red Hoffman, and Dawn Nargi share their journey after the loss of a partner. The International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss is a free online experience brought to you by the Open to Hope Foundation with the mission of helping people find hope after loss. Our expert presenters have generously donated their time, talents, and advice to share with you.

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Dr. Eric Brewer: Navigating Death and Loss Life Transitions, Trauma, and Faith!

Posted on April 7, 2025 - by admin

Dr. Eric Brewer is the Founder & Senior Pastor of Transform Church Global Ministries, bringing over 30 years of ministry experience and a heart for serving others. A graduate of Morehouse College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Drew University, where he earned his Doctorate of Ministry, Dr. Brewer’s work focuses on healing, resilience, and grief recovery—particularly within the Black community. A COVID-19 survivor and widower, Dr. Brewer founded a national support group for Black widowers and is a Certified Thanatologist and grief coach. His upcoming book, From Grief to Growth: A 31-Day Journey of Healing and Renewal Through Love and Loss, […]

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Parent Loss Panel

Posted on April 7, 2025 - by admin

Meghan Riordan Jarvis, Moderator, Hope Edelman, Barri Leiner Grant, Brennan Wood, Claire Bidwell-Smith, and Heidi Gessner discuss the loss of a parent. The International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss is a free online experience brought to you by the Open to Hope Foundation with the mission of helping people find hope after loss. Our expert presenters have generously donated their time, talents, and advice to share with you.

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Dr. Donna Schuurman: Five Life Lessons from Teens Who are Grieving

Posted on April 7, 2025 - by admin

Dr. Schuurman has a 35-year history with Dougy Center, the first bereavement center for children in the U.S. She serves on the board of The Compassionate Friends Foundation, and is a Founding Board member of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief. She loves to ski, camp, and ride her Harley-Davidson. The International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss is a free online experience brought to you by the Open to Hope Foundation with the mission of helping people find hope after loss. Our expert presenters have generously donated their time, talents, and advice to share with you.

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David Kessler – How to do Grief Work in a World that Wants You to Move On

Posted on April 7, 2025 - by admin

David Kessler is a grief specialist, speaker, and author of six books, including his latest bestselling book, Finding Meaning. He co-authored two books with Elisabeth Kübler Ross. His first book received praise from Saint (Mother) Teresa. He facilitates a new model of online grief groups that are attended by people worldwide and leads one of the most respected online grief certificate programs. He is the founder of Grief.com which has over five million visits yearly from 167 countries. The International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss is a free online experience brought to you by the Open to Hope […]

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