New Hope for Kids

We are pleased to introduce today’s Maitland Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight, New Hope for Kids.

New Hope for Kids is a nonprofit organization that provides services and resources to kids and their families living through the trauma of illness and death. It has been serving the Central Florida community since its founding in 1996. The organization has two programs that help them in this goal: the Center for Grieving Children and Wishes For Kids.

The Center for Grieving Children provides grief support for kids dealing with the death of a loved one. They guide these children and their families through the grieving process through peer support groups. Each group meeting is divided into age groups, including a special support group for parents and legal guardians. Different age groups require different avenues to express their grief. New Hope for Kids acknowledges this, and thus tailors different methods and approaches for each age group. Groups are led by staff and volunteers who are specifically trained for working within our program.

The Wishes for Kids program grants wishes for children under the age of 19 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The program is not affiliated with any national program but serves the Central Florida community, and thus relies on local donations. New Hope for Kids Wish Program doesn’t just grant wishes to seriously ill children; they include them and their families in continuing support activities and events after the wish is granted.

The New Hope for Kids site contains indoor spaces that allow children and teens to express their emotions through a variety of activities. The newly added “Garden of Hope” includes an outdoor play area that adds an extra layer to the healing process through fresh air, exercise, and more. Another benefit offered by New Hope for Kids is the Dr. Alan J. Saffran scholarship, which awards two $1,500 scholarships to students in the grief program each year.

New Hope for Kids chose Maitland for its original location on Maitland Avenue in 1996 due to the opportunities it provided and its centralized location. When they needed to expand, the opportunity to purchase the former HBA building on Mayo Avenue meant they could remain in the community they loved. To them, “Maitland means family”. The value they place in being part of this community is seen in their membership in the Chamber. They consider the Chamber a friend that has been greatly supportive of their program.

As with all non-profit organizations, funding is an ever-present challenge for New Hope for Kids.  However, the rewards of knowing how the participants strengthen and heal on their grief journeys make the work worth it. Therefore, they are excited about planning and celebrating their 25th year of service. The New Hope for Kids site is located at 544 Mayo Avenue, Maitland. They are always welcoming volunteers to help assist children in both the Center for Grieving Children and the Wishes for Kids Program. For more information, visit newhopeforkids.org.