NewsOur Colorado

Actions

Fort Collins nonprofit that helps grieving parents is set to lose home because of redevelopment

Posted at 6:31 PM, Jan 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-23 21:58:37-05

Editor's Note: 'Our Colorado' helps us all navigate the challenges related to growth while celebrating life in the state we love. To comment on this or other 360 stories, email us at OurCO@TheDenverChannel.com. See more 'Our Colorado' stories here.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — It’s easy to drive by 3HopefulHearts in Fort Collins, without realizing the work that’s being done inside.

Betsy Fecteau, the co-founder of the nonprofit, is one of three women who founded the organization which helps parents who have experienced the death of a child.

"We support families whose children have died from miscarriage all the way through adult child loss, suicide, substance losses, car accidents, illnesses," said Fecteau.

Chris Smith is one of those parents.

"Back in 2007, we lost our little son, Carter. I remember holding him after my wife delivered him. The hardest part really was getting in the car and going home. The car seat is in the back and there’s supposed to be a baby in the car seat and there’s not," Smith said.

Shortly after his son’s death, Fecteau reached out to Smith and his wife and they’ve been a part of the 3HopefulHearts family for more than a decade.

"Being around other people who have been through having to deal with that, having to bury their own children, it means something", said Smith.

After helping more than 800 families, the building they’ve called home will soon be gone.

Kristen Glenn, the founder of the organization, said the property the home they use sits on has been slated for redevelopment, so they're searching for a new building that fits all their needs.

3HopefulHearts is trying to find its new home by this summer.