Mourning Hope Grief Center

04/30/2026

Applications are now open for Camp Erin Lincoln, taking place October 16–18. 💜

Camp Erin is a free weekend camp for youth ages 6–17 who are grieving the death of someone significant—offering a space to connect, share, and be with others who understand.

Families can now apply for children and teens to attend, and we’re also seeking caring volunteers to help create a safe, supportive experience for every camper.

✨ Apply or learn more on our website: https://www.mourninghope.org/services/programs/camperin.html

04/29/2026

A small but meaningful part of our Family Grief Support Group: a free dinner before each meeting 🍕

We heard from families that fitting in dinner between work, school pick-ups, and getting to group could be especially challenging—particularly when the death of a caregiver has shifted daily routines. Thanks to generous meal sponsors like Union Bank & Trust () and partners like daVinci's (), families have one less hurdle on group nights 🧡

This optional, family-style meal helps ease the transition into the evening and creates space for connection. We are incredibly grateful to sponsors like Union Bank & Trust for consistently stepping up to make grief support more accessible for everyone. If you or your employer wishes to become a meal sponsor, please reach out to Tara Gregg (tgregg@mourninghope.org).💜

And do you recognize these friendly faces serving pizza? That’s Mourning Hope founder Pam Dinneen and her husband, John! We can always use more volunteers to help serve dinner—contact Hope DaCosta-Schiltz (hdacosta@mourninghope.org) to get involved 🔆

04/28/2026

Our friend Alex is running the Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon in memory of her mom, Kirsten Stephan. Kirsten was an art teacher in Lincoln for 27 years, encouraging kids to express themselves through creativity. After she died, Alex and her family found support at Mourning Hope.

"As a mother raising young daughters without my own mom, I found a place where I could be honest about the heaviness of grief. My girls were able to process their loss through play and art, guided by incredible staff (and therapy dogs we still talk about!). Mourning Hope was there for us when simply getting through each day felt impossible. In honor of my mom, I’m hoping to raise $1,000 per mile — $26,200 total — so more families can feel the same support we did."

Follow the link below to learn more about and support this incredible effort.

We're cheering you on, Alex! Thank you for honoring your mom in this special way! 💜🧡💛

Send a message to learn more

04/28/2026

There’s still time to join our next Adult Grief Support Group, beginning Thursday, May 7. 💜

This 8-week group meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon and offers a space for adults navigating life after the death of someone significant.

You don’t have to go through it alone—being with others who understand can help.

Participation is free but pre-registration is required. Learn more or sign up: https://tinyurl.com/MH-groups

04/27/2026

We're pumped to be selected by Tony at Iron Brush Tattoo and Body Piercing () for the annual Charity Flash Day on May 15th!

All proceeds for both tattoos and piercings that day will go to local charities of each artist's choice. That means 100% of the cost of your piercing with Tony will go to Mourning Hope!🤘💜

Call ahead to reserve your spot with Tony: (402) 474-5151. Spots are limited, so be sure to call soon!

And don't be surprised if you bump into some Mourning Hope staff and volunteers that day -- we love the folks at Iron Brush and how they give back to the community!

04/27/2026

Grief is not something to “get over,” but something we learn to live with. A companion to our love, not a sign of weakness, but of just how deeply we cared.

To all those carrying grief: your love still matters, and so does your sorrow. 💜

04/26/2026

Last week at Hope in the Morning, we were given a moment that lingered long after the final note.

“You Will Be Found,” from Dear Evan Hansen, holds space for what so many in grief know well...loneliness, disconnection, and the quiet belief that no one else could possibly understand. And then, almost gently but with conviction, it answers...you are seen. You are not alone. There are people who will stay.

In grief work, those truths feel especially close. Not abstract. Not theoretical. Real, lived, and often carried in ways words can’t fully hold.

If you’re in another grief center, this piece is worth a listen. There are threads throughout that speak directly to the work of supporting grieving children and families...their longing, their resilience, and the importance of not carrying it alone.

Thank you to the Lincoln Southwest students for reminding us that even in moments like this, beauty and connection remain possible.

04/26/2026

With Give to Lincoln Day coming up on May 28, we invite you to show your support in a simple, visible way—by wearing your purple. 💜

Wearing Mourning Hope apparel is a simple way to share our mission and spark meaningful conversations in the community. Plus, every purchase gives back to the children, teens, and families we serve.

Let’s come together to paint the town purple this Give to Lincoln Day!

Shop now and wear your support → tinyurl.com/MHGCmerch

04/25/2026

Behind every grief support group is a volunteer facilitator creating a space where healing can happen. 💜

We honor the compassionate individuals who show up, sit beside families in their hardest moments, and gently remind them they are not alone. You don’t rush grief. You don’t try to fix it. You listen, you validate, and you hold space with courage and care.

Because of you, children, teens, and caregivers can share their stories, speak their loved ones’ names, and begin to find hope again.

Thank you to our facilitators for being steady, for being kind, and for being there. Your presence matters more than words can say. 🧡

As we close out Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re grateful for the many ways our volunteers show up—with compassion, dedication, and heart. Each and every role plays a part in creating a space where connection and healing can begin. 💛

04/24/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Julianne to Mourning Hope as our new Camp and Program Coordinator!

Julianne first joined us as an intern several years ago, and we are so grateful that her journey with Mourning Hope has continued into a staff role. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is currently working toward full clinical licensure.

For more than 12 years, Julianne has worked at overnight camps - where she picked up the nickname “Joules.” Through that experience, she developed a deep passion for supporting youth with additional behavioral needs. Over time, she began to recognize a common thread in that work: grief often sits at the center of what young people are carrying. That realization ultimately led her to grief work and to Mourning Hope.

Julianne believes in the unique power of camp to create safety, connection, and space for healing. She meets young people where they are and supports them as they explore and express their grief in the ways that feel right for them.

We are so grateful for the experience and heart she brings to this work.

Welcome (officially), Joules, to the Mourning Hope Family. 💜

04/24/2026

Today, we’re feeling especially grateful for the steady support of the dedicated members of the Mourning Hope Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.

Your leadership, care, and commitment help ensure our organization continues to meet the needs of our community—supporting not only the families we serve, but also the staff and volunteers who walk alongside them.

Because of you, this work continues to grow and reach those who need it most. Thank you for your guidance and meaningful impact.💜

04/23/2026

Last Thursday, we had the honor of celebrating two extraordinary women whose vision helped shape not just an event, but the very heart of Mourning Hope.

Twenty years ago, Jenny Amend and Cheri Parent saw a need, and chose to lean in. From a small breakfast raising just a few thousand dollars, Hope in the Morning has grown into a tradition that fills rooms, stirs generosity, and carries hope forward year after year.

What began quietly has become something enduring. And last week, that legacy was unmistakable...the room full, the community gathered, the impact still unfolding.

None of this happens by chance. It begins with people willing to act boldly and stay committed over time.

Jenny and Cheri remind us why we gather: to honor what has been, to hold what is, and to keep building what can be.

With deep gratitude, we were proud to present them with this year’s Spirit of Hope Award. 💜