In the weeks and months that followed 9/11, we shared with our church family, our friends, and colleagues the news of Becky’s tragic passing. Our church family kept saying how “strong” we were during this trial. We didn’t feel strong at all; I give God all the glory for any strength others observed in us. He was truly our rock and our fortress through this dark time in our lives.
There are so many situations in our lives where we withdraw from or exclude what makes us uncomfortable and confused, whether it is our own grief or another’s. How important it is though, for us to be present to the situation or the suffering, even if we are helpless to do anything else.
I have thought of this memory often since his passing; the image of my dying father on his knees will stay with me forever, teaching me a profound lesson each time the memory comes.
While there is an invitation to begin again at any time, the start of a new year can be a unique opportunity to strive towards something new or set a new goal for ourselves. During a season of intense grief and pain, however, this concept can seem impossible.
Arguably one of the most beautiful, poetic descriptions of what we can hope for, both for ourselves and our loved ones who have died, is the verse from 1 Corinthians: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man what things God has prepared for those that love Him.”
No matter what loss you’re grieving, we don’t want you to be alone. Ever. But the truth is that many people are alone with their grief. There are myriad reasons for this reality, and one of the most painful is because a loss isn’t seen by many, or if it is, it’s far too devastating for most people to acknowledge.
Article Introduces Team to Crawford County Residents and Shares Mission to Help Survivors of Suicide and Overdose Loss, Need for Volunteers
Bucyrus, Ohio (September 1, 2022) - Cornerstone of Hope's Mid-Ohio Traumatic Loss Response Team was featured in the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum, a local newspaper serving the Crawford County, Ohio area. Crawford county is one of four counties served by the Team.
The feature article, "'Nobody grieves alone': Team will help after loss of a loved one to suicide or overdose" by Gere Goble, highlights the launching of the Mid-Ohio Traumatic Loss Team and how it will serve those in the community who have lost a loved one to suicide or overdose loss.
Learn more about the Mid-Ohio Traumatic Loss Team→
A loved one dies, and so many blocks come crashing down. Plans crash. Dreams crash. A future comes to an end. The pain of our losses is shattering; our broken hearts don’t quite know how to mend. On our walk of faith, our spiritual journey, it’s precisely amidst the shambles that God can work most powerfully.
July 11-15, 2022, Cornerstone of Hope in Independence, Ohio was filled with the chatter and excitement of 77 campers who attended Camp Cornerstone. Many enjoyed the travel theme and the field trips to Play: CLE, Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Lakewood Park, and Emerald Marina. The children also participated in various small group activities, such as arts & crafts, yoga, team building games, and much more. The last day ended with a balloon release for the children and their families as a way to remember their loved ones.
Visit cornerstoneofhope.org/info/camp-cornerstone to learn more about Camp Cornerstone.
Visit our services page to learn more about our camps and other programs for grieving children and teens.
Cleveland Grief Center’s Signature Fundraising Event Sets Stage for Further Expansion of Services
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (June 23, 2022) – Cornerstone of Hope (COH) hosted its 19th Annual Gala on June 11, 2022. 600 guests were treated to a captivating evening on the beautiful grounds of Cornerstone of Hope for an enchanting outdoor dining experience with unforgettable ambiance, dinner and drinks under the stars. The Gala is the grief center’s signature fundraising event, providing financial breath to the organization and generating a significant source of operating revenue for Cornerstone of Hope to continue providing the critical support needed for those grieving the loss of a loved one.
Each year, the Gala offers attendees a live and silent auction, raffles and Open Your Heart donations, to help raise additional funds for the organization. Last year the Gala raised $720,000. This year, the Gala raised a record amount, netting $750,000. Funds from this year’s Gala will allow COH to hire more clinicians and expand grief support services within Ohio and beyond in 2023.
Highlights from this year’s Gala included Country Line Dancing by Nick Morris and a moving and powerful testimony from speaker and former client, Kodi Pride. Kodi’s daughter, Lorelle Faith, passed away at the age of 6½ years old due to complications from a rare condition, Trisomy 13.
“…When I read the story of Mark & Christi (Tripodi) and why Cornerstone was founded, I knew it was the place for us to get counseling. When I saw “Never Grieve Alone” on their website, I knew I wanted to be part of that world,” Kodi shared.
Additionally, every year Cornerstone of Hope honors a different Champion of Hope who has given above and beyond to the organization. This year, COH honored Maria & Angelo Petitti (Petitti Garden Centers) as the 2022 Champion of Hope. Former Champions of Hope were invited to attend a special induction ceremony early in the evening’s festivities.
“The Petitti family was instrumental in the site development of Cornerstone of Hope when we moved into our new center in 2008, providing truckloads and I do mean truckloads of trees, boxwoods, evergreen plants, flowers and ornamental grasses. Their support and generosity has continued to evolve as our ministry has grown. Maria and Angelo Petitti have enormous, compassionate hearts for those who suffer loss. Their authentic care for those who grieve is so natural because they treat everyone like family. They have never forgotten their Italian roots and through their own grief journeys truly understand and empathize with those who seek help at Cornerstone of Hope,” explains Mark Tripodi, CEO and Founder.
Presenting Sponsors this year included Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, CBIZ Retirement Plan Services, DiGeronimo Companies, Down to Earth Landscaping, Electronic Merchant Systems, Enerco Group Inc. (Cynthia and Allen Haire), Kurtz Bros., Inc., Minute Men Staffing/888-Ohio Comp, Petitti Garden Centers, Premier Truck Sales & Rental, Inc., Quasar Energy Group, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Cornerstone of Hope is a nonprofit comprehensive bereavement support center that has served Northeast Ohio communities for the past 19 years. Cornerstone of Hope is dedicated to providing counseling, support, and education to grieving children, teens and adults. Therapy and Christian counseling services, support groups, children’s grief camps, and professional trainings are conducted by Master’s level, licensed clinicians who have extensive experience working with grief and trauma. All of Cornerstone’s support services are offered at an affordable cost. For more information and contact details for each office location, visit cornerstoneofhope.org.
Article Highlights Importance of Grief Camps for Children
COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 17, 2022) -Cornerstone of Hope's Camp Memory was featured on Columbus NBC affiliate WCMH-TV online at NBC4i.com. The feature includes interviews with Camp Director, JoAnn Borer and camp attendee, Keystin Barnhart, and Emerson Woodworth.
The feature article, "At Columbus camp, kids learn to cope with grief, death" by Cyn Rosi, highlights the importance of Grief Camps for Children, teaching coping skills and allowing them to heal along others with similar experiences.
Learn more about our Summer Camps →
Cornerstone of Hope brought HOPE to the community for Christmas 2021 with its 2nd Annual Grieve With Hope Virtual Christmas Concert. This free virtual music event premiered live on the organization’s Facebook and YouTube channels at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2021, with a reprise on Sunday, December 26, 2021 also at 7 p.m.
Discussed Cornerstone of Hope's Mission on Mornings with Mark & Gabe, WKJA 91.9 FM
BARBERTON, Ohio (May 12, 2022) - Cornerstone of Hope's CEO and founder, Mark Tripodi was a guest on Heartfelt Radio's "Mornings with Mark and Gabe" morning show on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Mark was invited to share about how the organization began, Cornerstone's mission and recent Brand refresh to the WKJA audience, which spans from south of Canton, Ohio to the Cleveland, Ohio area.
Heartfelt Radio station is owned and operated by Christian Healthcare Ministries. Heartfelt Radio is dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and presenting uplifting music and quality Christian programming for the entire family in northeast Ohio. Visit heartfeltradio.org/ to learn more.
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