Dear HealingStrong family!
Wherever I go to represent HealingStrong, I have people come up to me and tell me that everyone they meet through HealingStrong is different, and I often hear the word “special”. They talk about their loving kindness, support and servant hearts. If they have attended a group, they tell me how different the group is from other cancer support and education groups, and how they always leave uplifted.
I am so proud of the team that God has brought together for HealingStrong. I could not have asked to serve with a better bunch of folks then those in HealingStrong who selflessly serve others because of their personal experience and passion to see truth and HOPE prevail.
Just today, I received this message from one of our participants of our Monday Mornings Online Group who shares her experience with HealingStrong.
Wow I just want to thank you for this program and group of prayerful women. It’s been a really wonderful part of my Monday. I’m so grateful I found something positive. I joined another cancer care group & it was so negative — this group is a huge relief. Thank you! — Justine
HealingStrong’s message is hope-filled and made possible because of people like Mary and Brook, and countless others.
These two ladies hold a special place in the history of HealingStrong. Meet Mary Ryder and Brook Thornton.
Thank you for taking a moment to acquaint yourself with Mary and Brook.
Mary Ryder inspires me everyday. She is always encouraging others. If you are feeling helpless or hopeless, Mary is the one to sit with. She has a way of lifting people high above their circumstances. She was one of our very first group leaders, serving as a Test Group Leader when we were first trying to figure out how groups would be managed, taught, and supported. Her feedback has been vital to the organization, and her perseverance and passion for helping others to find hope, no matter the prognosis, has forever changed the landscape of her community. Her Houston, TX HealingStrong Group is the current reigning Outstanding Group of the Year (2019). She, along with her Houston co-leaders (Angelica and Corinne), are movers and shakers. They each have inspiring testimonials and offer monthly meetings with outstanding speakers, even in this season of meeting online. If you are in the Houston area, check out their group! In addition to leading her current group, Mary volunteers to serve as a Regional Mentor to other group leaders and is currently helping us plan our first ever Group Leader Conference later this year.
Brook was awarded our Volunteer of the Year in 2019. She has led a local group in Yorktown, VA, and mentors group leaders. She has also traveled with HealingStrong to events to help share our mission in hopes to recruit and encourage new group leaders. She LOVES meeting with new group leaders and makes them all feel like winners. Like Mary, she is one of our four Regional Mentors who volunteers to help new group leaders find their footing. She will spend hours on the phone answering questions, encouraging the group leaders and giving them a helping hand. Brook has been on the challenging side of caregiving and can empathize with those whose heart and lives are devoted to helping their loved ones. She is such a blessing to all of our HealingStrong family.
CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL HEALINGSTRONG GROUP
Statewide restrictions have some groups meeting online.
Check for local group listings, like Mary’s in Houston, TX or Brook’s in Yorktown, VA!
Supporting HealingStrong’s Mission Has Never Been More Needed
A FINANCIAL UPDATE:
As many of you know, we rolled out a membership platform in January to help cover our administrative costs and budget needs. Thank you so much for those who have already joined.
In normal times, this is an excellent model to grow the organization from the inside-out. Our members are our supporters and they help to drive our mission.
With most of our groups not meeting, our donations and financial support from new members and partners is very low.
In response to this, HealingStrong has two immediate goals:
- To survive through this year.
- To adjust and prepare for the tidal wave of people who need a HealingStrong connection, education, and help. What HealingStrong teaches, and how we teach it has never been more needed than it is now!
In response to our loss of revenue, we have implemented the following plan:
- Furlough: We have furloughed our one full-time staff, cutting payroll and also cutting contract labor.
- Conservation: We cut monthly operating costs by closing our offices and moving headquarters back into our homes.
- Community Support: We are asking you to help see us through the end of this year. We have set our goal to raise $65,000.
Today, more than ever, we need our community to come together and financially support our mission and efforts. Will you help us? The support from your memberships help us to provide the outreach with excellence that makes an eternal impact in other’s lives.
One-time donation
Monthly Membership with Benefits
Corporate Partnerships
Or mail your tax-deductible donation to HealingStrong:
1862 Auburn Rd, Ste 118-I, Dacula, GA 30019
Financial Support Can Be Made Online or Mailed.
LIVE: UPCOMING JULY WEBINAR FOR MEMBERS
Best Selling Author
Dr. Bernie Siegel, M.D.
Special invitation: Join our members for upcoming special presentation in July by Dr. Bernie Siegel, MD. Dr. Siegel is an American writer and retired pediatric surgeon, who writes on the relationship between the patient and the healing process. He is known for his best-selling book Love, Medicine and Miracles.
Membership options provide many benefits. Check out options today.
Finally, last week, I sent an email entitled: What Are You Fighting For? Thank you to everyone who responded. I am humbled by everyone’s love and support, and especially those of you who shared your personal stories with me. It is obvious to me that the enemy of our soul is truly out to keep us distracted from God’s best, but together we are keeping our eyes focused on the goal. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
I’m so thankful for you, my HealingStrong family!
Sincerely,
Suzy Griswold
Founder, President
