About us
it all starts with
our mission
New Hope Center for Grief Support is a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and new beginnings to adults and children grieving the death of a loved one.
Our vision as a bereavement resource center for Southeast Michigan is to see those who’ve come through our program create a safe, understanding community for others in grief and help change the way our culture responds to grief and loss. We do this through two methods:
- Direct grief support services
- Community Outreach, Training, and Practical Resources
As a Christian organization, New Hope Center for Grief Support is committed to serving all members of the community with love, courage, and humility. Our program is open to everyone, regardless of beliefs. Our primary purpose is to help people process their grief in a safe environment while staff and volunteers reflect the characteristics of Christ through our actions and service. Key scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:4
Our Program is built on Five Pillars:
- Age and loss specific Peer Support
- Grief Education built to help understand the uniqueness of each person’s grief journey
- Connection to others who’ve experienced loss, including social outings and events
- Empowerment of volunteer leaders to guide others along the grief journey
- Service opportunities that bring meaning and purpose after loss
History
New Hope Center for Grief Support was founded in 2000 by Cathy Clough, a woman who had experienced the pain of grief and the challenges of being a young widow raising three kids. As she healed, she found new beginnings in life by supporting countless others of all ages and losses through their own grief journey. Since then, New Hope Center has served thousands of grieving individuals and families throughout Southeast Michigan.
Our Team
Rick Guttersohn, LLMSW
Executive Director
Rick started with New Hope Center for Grief Support in the summer of 2014, serving as Fund Development Director and Program Director before accepting the Executive Director position in May of 2017. Rick received his MSW from Wayne State University with a concentration in
nonprofit leadership. He received his BSW from Spring Arbor University and completed a two-year ministry internship at Lifechurch Canton leading small groups and serving people in recovery. Prior to that, Rick worked for ten years in sales and retail management before changing career paths and dedicating his life to serving hurting people.
Jennifer Frush
Assistant Director
Jennifer was brought on staff as outreach and event coordinator in the summer of 2018. Her passion and energy helped increase New Hope’s reach and impact, leading to her taking on the position of Assistant Director in April of 2019. She is a member of the Northville community and has two children who attend Northville Public Schools. She truly takes pride in the community she serves! Jennifer first connected to New Hope several years ago when her father passed away and her mother joined the program. She attributes the program to bringing hope, healing, and a new beginning to her family and is grateful to now help others.
Valerie Brda
Program Administrator
Valerie joined the New Hope staff in May of 2018 as the Office Administrator. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in writing. Valerie’s connection with New Hope started at a young age when, after losing her father, her family reached out for support and was one of the first families to go through New Hope’s program. Because of her experience, she grew up wanting to help others through grief and had even considered New Hope her “dream job” as a high school student! Prior to New Hope, Valerie worked with children who have autism and continues to volunteer at her church helping adults with special needs.
Amy Marmaduke
Peer Support Specialist
Amy joined the New Hope team in the summer of 2019 as a volunteer and ministry intern before accepting a full time staff position as Peer Support Specialist. She is passionate about supporting people of all ages and life experiences. She is a part of our local community and raised four children in the Northville Public Schools. She is very active in her church community and enjoys volunteering with the youth programs. Amy first came to know New Hope in 2012 by attending the From Grief to New Hope eight week workshop after the death of her husband. She attributes this program to giving her the strength to move forward in healing and hope and is now very excited for this new beginning as a staff member!
Colleen Agrotis
Office Administrator
Colleen came to New Hope in the spring of 2018 as an office volunteer and joined the staff in late November 2019 as Office Administrator. She experienced the loss of her mother among others, and also wanted to get involved in the community as she has done while living in many cities across the U.S. Colleen has utilized her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling degree to coordinate services for several populations of people in need, both in counseling and management roles. She felt ‘at home’ with New Hope and wanted to share in the passion of this team to support those in grief. Originally from Ohio (but moved to our area from New York), Colleen resides with her husband in Canton, and has four young adult daughters.
Board of Directors
Steve Rowley, Chairman
Tom Krause, Secretary
Jim Pilat, Treasurer
Kevin Bullock
Debbie Damesworth
Bob Kalec
Maryellen Lewandowski
Ashley Sword
Alan Walthall
Advisory Committee
Chip DeClue
Ed Doody
Rich Kern
Barry McKenna
Beth Voyles
Founding Directors
Cathy Clough, Founder & Executive Director Emeritus
John Baird, Founding Board Chairman