Blog: Angel of Hope Project

Between 2007 and 2010 Carroll County families experienced the loss of 32 children.  That is almost one percent of all deaths in Carroll County occurring to children under the age of 19.  Where can these families turn to share their grief and memorialize their loved one?

I learned of a new initiative in Carroll County recently and wanted to share the news.  The Angel of Hope Project is an initiative of the J.O.S.H. Foundation that is building a memorial garden as a permanent, common place of healing for parents, families and friends that have suffered a loss of a child.  There are over 100 Angel of Hope gardens spread through out the United States and Maryland will soon have their own garden here in Carroll County.  The memorial garden will include the Angel statue which has become a symbol of family grief since it was introduced in the book "The Christmas Box" by Richard Paul Evans. The site of the future garden will be at the South Carroll Senior and Community Center in Sykesville, Maryland.

The J.O.S.H. foundation is a nonprofit organization that was founded in memory of Joshua Samuel Hughes who died in 2003.  J.O.S.H. stands for "Joining Others, Seeking Healing".  The foundation is currently raising funds to build the memorial gardens on the land that was donated for this wonderful garden. 

You can help by contacting the J.O.S.H foundation either through their website www.JOSHFoundation.org or email:  J.O.S.H.Foundation@comcast.net

As a community we can come together to support other community members as they journey through the grief that comes from losing a child.