OPINION: Column: After 40 years of service, grief group wants Fox Valley to know 'we are still here'

Jan. 30—It's a small group. Perhaps you are not familiar with the name. But Fox Valley Hands of Hope has been around a long time. Forty years to be exact.

And in all that time, it could be said, the group's mission to help those struggling with grief or facing life- threatening illnesses has never been so critical. Or so challenging.

A year into a pandemic that has created so many levels of despair, this Geneva-based nonprofit that provides free support for those battling loss is, without question, more important than ever. Yet the pandemic itself has made it harder to do that job.

Dealing with death is rough at any time, particularly when the world is turned upside down. Imagine what it must be like to face a terminal illness without being able to see family. Or coping with grief when it's impossible to even hold a proper funeral.

The need is great. Restrictions are many.

And so, as the licensed clinicians and accredited volunteers with Fox Valley Hands of Hope celebrate four decades of service, they are more intent than ever on "reminding people we are here," said spokesperson Claire Culton.

"We want people to know we are still providing services and at no cost to you or your insurance company," she said.

A little history in case you are not as familiar with this small but mighty organization: Fox Valley Hands of Hope started in the basement of a church back in 1981 and was first known as Fox Valley Hospice, then Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice.

Those are the names I mostly remember, and recall writing more than a few columns that featured the hospice group's expertise on the subject of death and dying.

But over the years, as hospice became more of a business and part of health care systems large and small, this local volunteer group realized it was time to refocus. And so, the name was changed about six years ago to Fox Valley Hands of Hope, zeroing in on support for those facing life-threatening illnesses and helping survivors after a loved one had died.

As Culton points out, grief can disrupt all aspects of our lives, including our health and how we interact with others. Avoiding support, she added, can have an even more damaging impact.

By partnering with local hospices, nursing homes, social service agencies and schools, Fox Valley Hands of Hope's group programs and individual counseling reach all ages, races, religions and income levels in the Fox Valley. It also features a free medical equipment loan program for those in need of walkers, wheelchairs and commodes.

But like so many programs, particularly those critical to mental health, COVID-19 has been a major disruptor. In the first few months of the pandemic, "people were still in survival mode," noted Culton, referring to what she described as "an eye-opening" public survey the group sent out through agency partners to assess issues facing residents.

Worried about basic needs like job loss, putting food on the table or child care, "people were focused on survival," she added. "It became obvious mental health care and wellness were not at the top of the list."

Every level of loss is valid. But for those also struggling with end of life issues, support becomes more critical, which is why the organization "really stepped up its virtual programs" since summer and continues to look for ways to reach people who are grieving and not sure where to turn.

Online programs are not ideal for many people, of course. Grief can be so overwhelming, said Culton, it can prevent people from even picking up the phone. But when they do, she added, clients soon realize Fox Valley Hands of Hope offers a safe place "to open up." Going to the website www.fvhh.net or email [email protected] she hopes will be a little less intimidating.

"With so much anger and unrest in our country now especially, we need to lean on each other to build an environment of compassion and trust so we can get through this," Culton said.

Fox Valley Hands of Hope is "here to foster that kindness and to inspire it."

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