We have many resources we want to share with you either from our personal journeys or suggested by our Hope Sister’s 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, some of our favorite bloggers who share their journeys and unique stories in various walks and ways, and then our very own book which brought the three of us founders even closer together to serve here.
Books
The Unwelcome Committee
The Hope for Widows Board of Directors Maureen Bobo, Chasity Williams and Khadija Ali published a book in August 2016 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: Poetry & Prose and More
The Hope for Widows Foundation, Maureen Bobo, Secretary contributed to Part of the award-winning Grief Diaries book series, “Poetry & Prose and More” offers a heartfelt collection of expressive writing by 18 women as they journey through different struggles including loss, mental illness, and more.
Grief Diaries: Through the Eyes of a Widow
The Hope for Widows Foundation, Chasity Williams, President was a contributing author Through the Eyes of a Widow collection of stories by widows across the globe. Each shares 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.
With poignant narration, each shares the truths of her loss, and the hope she finds along the way.
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 hopeforwidows@gmail.com.
- Financial Guide for Widows: Building Credit – featured article in April 2018 with Hope for Widows Board Directors, Chasity Williams and Maureen Bobo (includes a downloadable widow’s financial checklist and Financial resources for military, elderly, and widows with young children)
- 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, Board Secretary and Co-Director of Hope for Widows Foundation 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
Other Helpful Books
- 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
- 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
- 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)
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
- 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
- Mesothelioma- Resources, Medical and Financial Assistance
- Mesothelioma-Grief and Loss
- 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