Hope Grows Launches “The Legacy Project” to Amplify the Voices of Hospice Caregivers Through Healing Retreats and Storytelling
Founder & Clinical Director
Hope Grows
412-369-4673
lisa@hopegrows.org
Each retreat will host an intimate group of 10–12 caregivers at the Iris Respite House, 183 Shafer Road in Moon Township. Participants will engage in guided reflection, creative expression, and therapeutic activities that foster emotional healing and self-care. Guests will also enjoy a nutritious meal and receive a self-care kit to continue their wellness journey at home.
Retreat Dates:
Saturday, November 8 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 12 | 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Retreats are complimentary, but registration is required. Interested participants can register at hopegrows.org/legacyproject or contact Lisa Story at 412-369-HOPE (4673) or lisa@hopegrows.org for more information.
“The Legacy Project bridges the gap between lived experience and professional care,” added Michelle Mikus, a Public Health Intern from the University of Massachusetts working with Hope Grows. “Caregivers’ stories can guide hospice teams to provide more compassionate, person-centered support.”
Phase 1 of The Legacy Project focuses on the retreats. Future phases will include a book sharing caregiver reflections and a documentary film that amplifies their voices to a wider audience — educating communities and inspiring more holistic, compassionate approaches to end-of-life care.
Through Michelle’s internship research, Hope Grows is also identifying how caregiver experiences can inform hospice practice. In a recent survey of hospice professionals, 75% reported caregiver burnout and unmet needs, underscoring the importance of projects like The Legacy Project that honor caregivers and help them heal.
Hope Grows extends heartfelt gratitude to the McKees Rocks Rotary Club and two anonymous sponsors for their generous support. Their contributions make it possible to offer these healing retreats at no cost to caregivers, ensuring that those who give so much of themselves have a chance to rest, reflect, and be cared for in return.
Hope Grows invites media, hospice providers, and the community to follow The Legacy Project as it evolves from retreat to book to documentary — honoring caregivers’ stories and shaping a more compassionate approach to end-of-life care.
About Hope Grows
Founded in 2010, Hope Grows is a nonprofit organization based in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, dedicated to supporting family caregivers through counseling, respite, education, and therapeutic horticulture. Its mission is to inspire hope through nature while empowering caregivers to seek wellness of mind, body, and spirit. At the heart of this mission is the Iris Respite House, a peaceful, home-like setting where caregivers can rest, reflect, and reconnect with themselves through nature-inspired healing. Learn more at www.hopegrows.org.
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