On a cold afternoon, with a snow storm looming in the East, a group of people gathered at a meet-up event in Silver Spring, MD to discuss the launch of the Hope Hub™ DC North Metro location. Over ice cream and hot cocoa, current volunteers shared with prospective serving team members details, plans, and ideas on their desire to deliver hope-filled resources and relationships to hurting families through a new Hope Hub™ in the north metro region of the DMV (DC, MD, VA) area.
The Hub Captains (lead volunteers), Bonnie Sutton and Lauren Nguy, helped build excitement as they answered questions and shared highlights of their experience with Hope Hub™. Bonnie and her teenage son, Judah, started serving at the Hope Hub™ DC South Metro location when it first launched close to 4 years ago. Since then, she’s also started serving families on Legacy Retreats®. Lauren was first a part of the Hope Hub™ DC South location when her family joined after her husband Brian’s cancer diagnosis. Lauren, Brian, and their two young daughters connected with other families who knew what it was like to navigate a parent’s terminal illness. A caring team of Hope Hub™ volunteers helped encourage and equip this young family facing the unimaginable. After Brian’s death, Lauren continued to load up her two little ones and drive over an hour to Hope Hub™, finding connection and community with others who understood what they were going through.
When reflecting on the impact of Hope Hub™, Lauren shared, “My girls are the youngest at our Hope Hub™ location and the volunteers take their time working with them and making them feel cared for. As a mom, having other people in your kids’ lives caring for them during an especially difficult time like this means so much.”
Wanting to walk alongside other families impacted by terminal illness, Lauren went through the volunteer process. She now joins Bonnie as a Hub Captain to serve families, oversee volunteers and facilitate monthly programming at the new Hope Hub™ DC North Metro location. Lauren continues to wear two hats as a family served by Hope Hub™ and now serving as a volunteer, knowing first hand the power of hope-filled community and care when a family faces a parent’s terminal illness and loss. From her caregiver role through Brian’s illness to supporting and navigating difficult conversations with her children through their grief, Lauren’s desire to serve others at Hope Hub™ will offer families the gift of connecting with someone who understands and gets it.
Family registration is open for Hope Hub DC™ North and those interested in joining the serving team can complete a volunteer application.
Launch night is coming up February 21 at The Well Community Church in Silver Spring, MD. Join us for this special night complete with dinner, family fun, and of course connection with other families and volunteers who “get it.” There is something for EVERY member of the family!
For more information, contact Hope Hub™ Manager Tessa Martinson at Tessa@InheritanceOfHope.org
Tessa Martinson is a Hope Hub™ Manager at Inheritance of Hope. Her family was served by Inheritance of Hope in 2019. As a mom of two who lost her husband to terminal illness, Tessa has a deep understanding and compassion for families walking a similar path. She is passionate about creating spaces where they feel seen, supported, and encouraged in a community with others who “get it.”