About New Hope

Having experienced widowhood, New Hope  volunteers believe that those who have walked the journey of grief are uniquely able to offer empathy and care to those who are mourning the death of a spouse.

 Based in the beautiful Okanagan valley of BC, we offer support groups in Vernon and Kelowna for widows and widowers in the first two or three years of adjustment and we have a contact person in the south Okanagan with a possibility of initiating a group there.

 New Hope was begun in Vernon , BC by  Grace Wulff , who was widowed in her thirties. . Her concern for the griever, her gentle wisdom and compassionate heart endeared Grace to all who know her and have earned her a well deserved sabbatical after ten years in leadership. For the past two years ,our Director has been Liz Friedrichsen Hromek,who holds an MA in Pastoral counselling and  a BA in Social Development from the University of Waterloo. After 10 years of widowhood, Liz married Ron Hromeck in Regina, August 29, 2009 and in October left her position to return to the prairies. Presently our office is being managed by Karen Bouchard and our programs are continuing under the direction of our very capable Board of Directors and with the help of our caring volunteers, all of whom have experienced loss of a spouse.

At our support group meetings, our annual spring Retreat , and in each personal interaction, we strive to provide a safe setting for sharing our stories of loss so that together we can learn and grow, as we move forward to healing and hope.