‘Grief Recovery Method’ joins our Night of Hope partners

Westerville Education Challenge is pleased to announce the addition of the Grief Recovery Method to our Night of Hope 5K, 1-mile, and Family Fun Run.

The 2024 Night of Hope is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Westerville North’s Jim McCann Stadium, 950 County Line Road.

The event aims to raise awareness of mental health issues in the community and raise funds to support the Westerville Education Challenge’s social-emotional learning initiatives in the Westerville City School District. Those currently include the Hope Squad suicide prevention program, Parent Prep, the W.E.B. mentorship program in our middle schools, the new Link Crew mentorship program starting at the high schools this fall, and sponsorship of Twinkle, our Canine Companion support dog trained to provide emotional support for Westerville students.

Several great pre-race activities are featured and offer fun for all ages. Families are encouraged to show up early, grab a shaved ice treat from our visiting Kona Ice truck, enjoy the games and entertainment, and browse the informational tables set up inside McCann Stadium by many local stakeholders.

Those sharing resources at our 2024 Night of Hope will include Concord Counseling of Westerville, NAMI Mid-Ohio, the Westerville Public Library, Ellie Mental Health, and now, the Grief Recovery Method

The Grief Recovery Method is an innovative, evidence-based structured approach to help individuals cope with and move through the pain of loss, whether due to death, divorce, or other significant life changes. Attention to helping children cope with loss involves understanding the child’s developmental stage, and providing appropriate support and guidance.

After walking or running and of our race options on North’s beautiful cross-country course, please stick around for great post-event ceremonies, including the Lighting of the Luminaries around the Jim McCann Stadium track. Get to know Twinkle, Hope Squad students and our wonderful WEC volunteers.

Registration is still open at Night of Hope. If you can’t attend, please consider a Helping Hands donation, for this annual campaign to raise funds for WEC.

See you at the Night of Hope Aug. 24!