We have many resources we want to share with you either from our personal journeys, suggested by our Hope Sisters (widows), or others in our Community. We imagine after the loss of your loved one you not only feel shocked and lost, you also have scoured the internet trying to find resources and people like you, who can relate. This page serves as a place that provides some of the books and sites we endorse and if you know of more please share with us at info@hopeforwidows.org.
Books
The Unwelcome Committee
The Hope for Widows Foundation Executive Director, Chasity Williams published a book in August 2016 in collaboration with two other widows, that shares three different perspectives of how becoming a widow and dealing with the process of grief changed their lives forever.
The ladies cover various topics such as what happened, solo parenting, finances, balance, coping mechanisms, digression, resentment, complicated grief, gaining to be understood, and so much more. This book is raw, uncut, and has many personal reflections that may be surprising to read.
Grief Diaries: Through the Eyes of a Widow
Hope for Widows Foundation, Chasity Williams, Executive Director, was a contributing author of Through the Eyes of a Widow collection of stories by widows across the globe. She shared her own personal insight into the hidden and often unspoken challenges of losing a husband, including the emotional, mental, and social shifts she’s forced to reckon with in the aftermath.
Widows in today’s world find little support to recover and adapt to a life they didn’t plan. Friends, family, and others have little idea about how to help, leaving them in a vulnerable spot when they need support most. What can widows do? Where do they turn for help? How do they face the future and rebuild their lives?
Articles and Books by Community Members
These resources are provided by members of our community and other collaborative scenarios within the grieving community. If you would like to feature your products and/or services or want to add a suggestion to the list please email us at info@hopeforwidows.org
- Financial Guide for Widows: Building Credit – featured article in April 2018 with Hope for Widows Leadership team (includes a downloadable widow’s financial checklist and Financial resources for military, elderly, and widows with young children)
- When Your Miracle Doesn’t Come: Holding Onto Faith, Hope, and Strength Through the Struggle Jacki Corta, Hope Sister and Board member published her book in summer of 2023 where she invites you into the turbulent journey she and her husband embarked upon when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer. Jacki writes with an intensity that offers a view of her authentic self-struggling to make sense of the situation. Dive into her story and be inspired, feel empowered, and walk away with a new perspective on what miracles really are.
- I Wanted To Grow Old With You: A Widow’s First Year of Grief Poetry by Hope for Widows Community blogger- Katherine Palmer
- Interview with Grief Expert, David Kessler Maureen Bobo, former Board Secretary was interviewed on July 6, 2020 by David Kessler, an author, public speaker, and death and grieving expert. In this video, Maureen was honored to discuss the loss of her spouse, her widowhood journey, solo parenting, Hope For Widows Foundation, healing, and her overall life then and now.
- Faith and Grief Podcast: Ajai Blue-Saunders, Community Blogger guest on Faith and Grief Podcast where she talks about her grief journey.
- Important Time to Talk about Death: Susan Kendal, a Community Blogger published a news article, for Now Toronto to talk about death and widowhood.
- Overcoming Grief and Loneliness– Susan Kendal, Community Blogger interviews on a local TV news program to speak about grief and loneliness.
Other Helpful Books
- See Me Grieve– Note: Half of the royalties for this book will be donated to the Restoring Hope & Peace grant through the Hope for Widows Foundation.
- Grief Day By Day: Simple Practices and Daily Guidance for Living with Loss
- The One Thing: 100 Widows Share Lessons On Love, Loss, And Life
- A Grief Observed
- How to Survive the Loss of a Love
- Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart
- Embracing Life After Loss: A Gentle Guide for Growing through Grief
- The Smallest Lights in the Universe
- The Choice- Embrace the Possible
- The Pink Steering Wheel Chronicles
- Wife, Widow, Now What?
- Hurt 2 Hope: Heal the Pain of Loss, Grief, and Adversity
- Grief Survivor: A Love Story
- Confessions of a Mediocre Widow: Or, How I Lost My Husband and My Sanity
- Mountain Healing
- Boys, Booze, and Bathroom Floors: 46 Tales About the Collision of Suicide Grief and Dating
- Option B
- The Widow or Widower Next Door
- Second Firsts: Live, Laugh, and Love Again
- My Favorite Color is Blue. Sometimes. : A Journey Through Loss with Art and Color. (for children and all ages)
- The Widow’s Handbook: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Survival
- Reflections Through The Widow Pain
- Moving Through: Lessons in Grief, Love, Courage and Making Peace with the Past
- In His Absence I Can Still Feel His Presence (for younger children)
- Let’s Get A Grip on Grief (for younger children)
Other Helpful Grief sites
Resources for Children
- Comfort Zone Camp- Nationwide
- Camp Erin
- The Warm Place- DFW, TX
- Grief Camps for Children
- Sutter Health Children’s Bereavement Art Group- CA
- Kobacker House- Columbus, OH
- Corner Stone of Hope- Independence, OH
- Big Brother Big Sister- Worldwide (Mentorship)
Resources for Mental Health
- Therapy Inspired– Hope for Widows Foundation partner, provides virtual and/or in-person individual grief counseling, group therapy, tailored workshops, and life coaching seminars to assist with navigating grief while re-engaging and embracing life. No medical insurance required and low discounted rates for our Community.
- Theravive– is a network of licensed therapists and psychologists committed to helping people receive the best mental health care available. We also work in our communities to raise mental health awareness, lower stigma, and help educate people in all things mental health.
- Symptoms of Major Depression and Complicated Grief
- Guidelines for Helping Grieving Children
- Sleep Guide for Anxiety
- Grief At Work: A Guide For Employees and Managers
- Depression and Addiction
- DrugDangers.com
- Suicide Prevention
- Therapy Route
- Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention: A Guide for Educators, Students, and Parents
- Coping with Grief and Death