A $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is helping Ronnie’s House For Hope expand its services. The grant marks a pivotal time for the nonprofit, which recently moved into a Palm Desert facility that will offer grieving families a safe space to heal.
Founded in 2018, Ronnie’s House For Hope provides support for children, teens, and their families following a death. The nonprofit accomplishes this through peer support groups and education. Ronnie’s House for Hope offers a variety of programs for sharing experiences, feelings, developing coping skills, and creating connections with others who understand.
“This grant is a game-changer for us,” said Jennifer Loza, who founded the organization after the loss of her husband Ronnie. “It allows us to extend our services beyond school groups and venture into evening sessions, accommodating those who may not have had access to our support during daytime hours.”
The grant was not only a boost to help the organization secure a physical presence, but it will also enhance the organization’s commitment to addressing the diverse needs of people coping with grief. Volunteers and trained counselors lead peer discussion groups, with additional comfort coming in the form of stuffed animals, grief pillows, grief journals, and other program support.
“The impact of these programs extends far beyond immediate comfort and support,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. “These services lay a foundation for resilience and positive transformations in the lives of grieving youth in our community and their families.”
Ronnie’s House for Hope offers youth support groups for ages 7-17, concurrent with caregiver support. As the demand dictates, the organization plans to expand its offerings, ensuring a tailored approach to the varied needs of the Coachella Valley. The new facility will serve as a sanctuary for shared activities, play, connection, and family nights, reinforcing a holistic approach to healing.
“Ronnie’s House For Hope is the only nonprofit in the valley that is focused on this very important need, so we are happy to spread the word about the programs and services available,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2.
Ronnie’s House For Hope was featured on News Channel 3’s “Eye on the Desert,” in public service announcements and on kesq.com throughout the month of November. For information about Ronnie’s House for Hope visit www.ronnieshouseforhope.org.
Left to Right:
Catharine Reed, Peter Daut, Kat Williams, Stephen Schmidt, and Jennifer Loza.
Photo: Catharine Reed of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, and Peter Daut, of News Channel 3, present a $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant to Jennifer Loza, Founder of Ronnie’s House for Hope, a grief support nonprofit organization.
Photo Courtesy of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. No Photo Credit Necessary.
