Families Helping Families: A Lifeline of Support
Families Helping Families (FHF) is a unique, volunteer-based program for helping grieving families created by Dr. Ken Druck in 1996. While seeking help after the loss of his beloved daughter Jenna, Dr. Druck encountered a dire need for peer support and resources for bereaved families like his own, faced with the challenges of going on after “the worst loss.” Dr. Druck continues to honor his daughter by addressing this need directly through the collective work of Families Helping Families.
 What is the FHF Approach?
FHF approaches grief as a natural part of what we go through after the loss of a loved one. Too often, people are encouraged to deny, repress or avoid grief. Rather than “getting over it or going around it” FHF recognizes the importance of having the time and space to “go through” it. Our staff and trained peer facilitators assist families in “going through” grief at their own pace and in their own way.
We realize that grief is an individual journey, with no right way and no ‘cure.’ There are generalities that may be applicable to an individual, but each person’s journey is a result of their entire life, their existing relationships, and the relationship with the person they have lost.
“Families Helping Families” provides a network of peers for exploring the deeply personal experience of grief, in a supportive and empathetic environment. Some of grief’s darkest, most difficult moments occur as family and friends are returning to their own lives. The shock of the loss begins to wear off and reality sets in. Sometimes, all one needs is to know that they are not alone in their grief, and there is a shoulder to lean on. Our motto is “Hope Loves Company”.
The Core Values that Guide “Families Helping Families”
The FHF community provides a safe space to experience the grieving process. Our core values provide a guideline that allows facilitators and participants to navigate through the grieving process with honor and respect as they move toward peace and healing.
Respect the Uniqueness of Each Individual
The grieving process is different for each person. “Families Helping Families” provides an environment where each individual is honored as they discover their unique path to healing.
We Aspire to “Be With”
At the core of our approach is a quiet strength of presence we refer to as “being with.” To “be with” is to listen with one’s heart, suspending judgment, beliefs and assumptions. To “be with” is to be fully present to the other person. Open. Authentic. Caring. Accepting. Non-judging.
Emotional Safety
FHF provides a safe environment for the expression and inquiry into the issues, emotions and challenges that arise for grieving individuals, families and communities. Safety is always at the core of survival and healing.
Strength of Heart
The journey of healing grief is life-long and requires great courage, faith and compassion. Jenna Druck called this “strength of heart.” It takes great strength of heart to survive and then live on honorably after the loss of a loved one.
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