There is a light that shines in some people compelling them to set aside their own fears and reservations, while selflessly they run directly into tragedy and crisis situations. Why do they do this? Because someone needs their help. They are our healthcare providers, our EMT’s, our clergy, our police, our firefighters, our mental healthcare providers, our teachers, and our military service people. These people face danger head-on, without regret of consequence. These people serve us with the highest level of sacrifice every single day. These people are Compassionate Responders and these are the people we intend to support.
A Place for Hope and Healing’s
sole purpose is to reach out to these Compassionate Responders and do two things:
1. Help them all to experience our appreciation and encouragement.
2. Help those whose hope may be wavering, to feel restored and hopeful again.
These Compassionate Responders see too much, know too much, and in spite of attempts at self-care, they carry burdens that the majority of us would not be able to carry. They deserve to not just be “fine”, but to be “great” and their families and those they love, deserve for them to be healthy, to live hopeful lives and not lives with any hint of despair or hopelessness.
And, since, they are there to save us, protect us, and carry us through difficult times – we all should be there for them and be bold to walk alongside them when they need someone to be there.
US
People hurt. People need help. We hurt, we need help.
After enjoying successful careers spanning over 30 years,Mary and Ken Perry realized their dream to open A Place for Hope and Healing. It had been a long passion of theirs to find a way to encourage, support and restore those who are dedicated to serving others everyday. The Perrys have a profound appreciation for those people who protect us, care for us and comfort us, under the most extreme circumstances.
Sometimes what they see, what they do and what they go through can pile up. One burden turns into two and two turns into three, until it is hard to remember what it felt like before they were there. It becomes too heavy for one person to carry alone. We don’t always remember how important hope can be to a person. Without it, some may begin to feel as though they aren’t helping anyone or maybe even start to believe what they do doesn’t matter.
This is where Hope can begin to waiver.
By allowing them to receive the thanks of their neighbors and to experience the feeling that what they do matters, they can begin to restoring their Hope – and Hope is the basis of all positive change.
Our mission is to encourage and care for Compassionate Responders. We will create a community who walks alongside them in their world and supports these men and women when they may feel overwhelmed and their hope begins to fade. When the possibilities of life seem dimmer than they used to, we will connect, listen, walk, guide, share and thank them. We will be that arm around the shoulder without judgement or advice. Just a presence of love, if that is all that is needed.
What exactly is hope? Simply, hope means seeing the possibilities inherent in life. Songwriter Leonard Cohen says, “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Hope is that light in darkness, that anticipation of goodness. Hope is a vision, an image, a picture of what can be.
One can help build hope in others in many different ways. A Place for Hope and Healing will provide those ways and means for people to build hope in others who need it. Hope is an attitude, not a permanent state of mind so the work is urgent.
What We Do
We provide hope to others by using some proven methods of offering, sharing and creating an environment of hope that Compassionate Responders can experience.
This doesn’t mean what they experience, see, and feel everyday goes away; unfortunately it won’t. But with Hope, those who give their all for all of us, may be able to get up, go out, and feel encouraged to do another day’s difficult work.
And maybe, just maybe, they will feel like they made a difference. As they should!
Our Calendar is full of programs, workshops and activities to support our mission.
INVOLVED
A Place for Hope and Healing is all about collaboration. There are so many ways for you to join us in our mission dedicated to creating and offering programs and events that will be a safe harbor for restoration for our Compassionate Responders. Our goal is to help facilitate a return to a hopeful life. Donate, volunteer your time or use your voice to raise awareness…the possibilities are limitless!
View a complete list of ways where you can make a difference.
- Stay Informed
Be inspired by the impact we have on the lives of those who help others and learn how community support helps us achieve our mission. Join Our eNewsletter
- Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are an essential component to fulfilling our mission of restoring, reenergizing and healing. We welcome your support for a day, a week, a month, a year or a lifetime. Apply to be a Volunteer
- Give Monthly
Your generosity is what makes our programs of renewal possible. Help us show Compassionate Responders how grateful we are for their strength and dedication. Donate Online
A Place for Hope and Healing relies 100% on your donations. We envision a world where, all of us who can, will donate. The intent being that everyone who gives their all to our communities can be provided the opportunities to know our appreciation and ultimately experience hope!
Our monthly giving program is a wonderful way to make a recurring gift and provide the reliable support that is so vital to our mission. Your monthly donation is processed automatically helping us reduce our costs, which allows us to fund more programs and support more Compassionate Responders.
This designation is given to a donor who supports the campaign at a level of at least $500. Recognition will be offered with a plaque on the Giver’s Wall.
This designation is given to a donor who supports the campaign at a level of at least $1,000. Recognition will be offered with a carved brick on the path leading to the building.
This designation is given to a donor who supports the campaign at a level of at least $2,500. Recognition will be offered with a plaque on a Giver’s Wall and a carved brick on the path leading to the building.
US
55 Walnut Tree Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, CT
mary@aplaceforhopeandhealing.org
203.304.1805
We’d love to hear from you
Please contact us with
your questions or
comments about
A Place for Hope and
Healing
