About Us
We started with hope, providing grief companionship to families after the loss of a child of any age and cause. Our hope to help bereaved families led to the inception of 3Hopeful Hearts, a 501c3 non-profit organization, with the mission to help bereaved families through events, support, education, and remembrance.
As a community based organization 3Hopeful Hearts and our Center for Hope believes it is important to express our solidarity with people of color and minority groups. We are an inclusive agency that provides services to all members of our society, regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or any other factor.
3Hopeful Hearts Board of Directors
Britta Davis (President)
Jamie Self (Vice President)
Amber Leis (Treasurer)
Kurt Blum (Secretary)
Mindy Koehnen
Erin Hall
Dan Miller
Sarah Saltee, Interim Executive Director
I’m Sarah Saltee and I’m so honored to be part of an organization that has been so impactful throughout my grief journey. Child loss is something that is almost unfathomable until it becomes a part of your story. After my 21 year old son died unexpectedly in 2017, I had no idea how to move forward. 3Hopeful Hearts gave me the space to be supported by others who had started this journey before me. Seeing that it was possible to survive child loss, gave me hope I’m not sure I could have found anywhere else. When I’m not passionately advocating for the importance of grief literacy, I enjoy spending time with my family, taking care of my excessive houseplant collection and raising seahorses.
Michelle Bechtel, Resource Coordinator
Hi, I’m Michelle Bechtel. I was pulled to 3Hopeful Hearts first as a supported mom, then as a volunteer and now, I am so grateful to be a part of the staff team. In 2015 my husband and I lost our son Greyson. It was devastating but I was in search of an outlet for all of the energy and a way to honor our son. I love being able to give back by helping other families in our community. Some of my favorite pastimes include playing and watching (KC/Lawrence) sports, going to concerts, visiting breweries and spending time with my family-my husband, three kids, and two dogs!
Danielle Stenger, Marketing and Development Coordinator
Danielle’s bio coming soon!
Alexa Dominique, Program Assistant
Hi there! I’m Lexi and I am so happy to be a part of the 3Hopeful Hearts family. As someone who has experienced significant loss and trauma before, I cherish this opportunity to offer support to grieving families, children, and individuals. My background in administrative work, being a sibling of eight, and my life experiences have prepared me to empathize with and help people in any way I can! In my free time, I enjoy music, nature, great food, and most of all- spending time with family and friends!
3Hopeful Hearts Founders & History
Bonnie Cochran, Kristin Glenn, and Betsy Fecteau-3Hopeful Hearts Cofounders
The Beginning Years (2008-2012)
In 2008, a simple candlelight memorial for bereaved families in Fort Collins, Colorado brought together three women—Kristin Glenn, Bonnie Cochran, and Betsy Fecteau. Bonded by loss and yet strengthened by a passion to help support parents and families experiencing the loss of a child through events, remembrance and grief companionship. Poudre Valley Health Systems invited 3HH to operate under their Foundation umbrella until 12/2012 when the IRS recognized 3Hopeful Hearts as a 501c3 organization. During these early years 3HH joined the Poudre Valley Hospital Bereavement Support Team, launched the monthly Perinatal and Grandparent Support Groups and held the Annual Candlelight Tribute and Walk to Remember. The 3HH Parent Perspectives Panel was created and offered to local Clinics, PVH NICU departments, Hospital Residents from PVH Family Medicine Center, local Funeral Homes and Coroner’s on best practices after a child loss in our community. These presentations laid the groundwork that would put 3HH on the map for the go- to organization when a child dies in northern Colorado for years ahead.
Changes and Growth (2012-2016)
3HH created strong bonds of collaboration with Larimer County’s law enforcement, first responders, hospitals and clinics, hospices, child advocacy services, business community, and the local school districts. Our services expanded to offer training healthcare providers, chaplains & social work departments at local hospitals and bi-yearly training for victim advocates with Police and County Sheriff’s Departments.
Programs added included Camp BraveHeart for grieving children ages 5-18, Teen grief mountain retreats, Mother’s Retreat and Grandmothers Tea held on Mother’s Day weekend, Couples Retreats and staff grief support sessions in the Emergency and Woman Care Units at hospitals throughout northern Colorado.
2016 to Present Day
In 2017, 3HH moved into its first rental to allow space for administrative duties and provide a safe space to host families and support activities. With 3 annual fundraisers; The Benefit Golf Tournament, The Community 5K, and the Music Benefit and Auction, awareness increased and our donor base has grown exponentially. In June of 2020, 3Hopeful Hearts found the opportunity to purchase its forever home, The Center For Hope, in Southeast Fort Collins, and with the generous donations from our community this mortgage was paid off in January 2022. The welcoming space provided at the Center for Hope includes 3 Listening Session rooms, a Wall of Hope for reflection and message- leaving, the Bear2Hope program and a Great Room that allows 3Hopeful Hearts to offer several monthly support groups.