On July 29, 2002 the vision of Nancy Bollman and Jay Vandiver for the LightHouse for New Hope began to take root with the first organizational meeting at New Hope Funeral Home in Sunnyvale, Texas.  As Jay and Nancy laid out their vision to start a new nonprofit organization to build a grief support center in our community; six others caught the vision and volunteered to serve on the Board of Directors for The LightHouse for New Hope, Beverly Vandiver, Cyndie Ewert, Cindy Lawrence, Tonya Cunningham, Nancy Williams and Lisa Lane. 

    In January 2003 the curriculum for the adult groups was completed by Nancy Bollman and we held our first support group.  By the Fall of 2003 the remaining curriculum was finalized by Nancy Bollman and Nancy Williams  and we began children group sessions at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Mesquite. By the start of 2004, curriculum was expanded so we could now serve children starting as young as age 5.  

  The LightHouse for New Hope established a building fund and it continues to grow at a steady pace. We are excited about bringing our vision to fruition soon with the building of a grief center in our community.

Our Vision 

Our youth are hurting, our families are grieving, our Senior citizens are mourning. The most vulnerable in our community need a place to turn to. None of us can escape the pain of grief and loss. Our Vision at The LightHouse for New Hope is to establish a facility that will be there for our community when loss occurs.

A “Safe Haven”,
A place where memories can be remembered and wounds healed.
A place to play and feel and talk and listen to life’s experiences.
A place for children and adults to not feel so alone with their loss.
A place that brings “Light” into families dark and stormy days.

Note from Nancy
President

      I get so excited when I see others catching the vision that the Lord revealed to Jay Vandiver and me. I remember in October of 2001 going to talk to my Pastor and telling him that I knew what God was calling me to do. I was to build a grief center for children and families. With fun playrooms and art activities, games, and music. I said to him “I don’t know how to build a building and I don’t know where I will find the property, but I know how to run a grief program and I will have to trust God to provide.”

Just one month later, “Hutch” Hutchinson and Jay Vandiver were in my office ordering supplies to furnish their new funeral home which was scheduled to open soon. A couple of hours later after as we completed our business, Jay looked at me and said, “I have something that I am excited about and I understand you are the person to talk to.” He said “I have a vision to build a grief support center for children. I have the property and I know how to build a building, but I don’t know how to set up and run a program.”

Two Visions Collided!

When I opened my mailbox on September 11, 2002 and saw the letter from the State of Texas saying The LightHouse for New Hope was officially a nonprofit corporation, I knew the Lord was truly revealing His hand and heart. On the 1st anniversary of the terrible tragedy of this country, God was birthing His Vision for this community.

We now are turning to you to catch the vision, we have the property donated, we have an architect that is donating his time to draw up the plans, and an engineering firm is donating their expertise with zoning and surveying for the property. We have two professionals donating their talents to write curriculum, and a board that is committed to making this happen. What is God calling you to do to bring healing in our community ….your time…..your money….. your talents…..your prayers?

Catch the Vision!