about us
In 2008 my wife, Denise Brack, seized her vision to create Hope Floats, born in part from the loss of our son, Michael, six years earlier. We created a non-profit foundation and educational center in a restorative, retreat setting where people can deal with their life struggles and improve their wellness. Having learned how such a loss can be devastating and isolating, we wanted to offer support and resources for others going through similar crises. The mission, as conveyed in the name Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center, remains focused on two core areas: providing counseling, free support groups and healing workshops to help people grieve or face other struggles; and offering wellness classes and retreats with practitioners experienced in an array of mind-body-spirit healing arts.
Three years in we continue to be lifted up by people who find help and revitalize themselves at Hope Floats. The center has given emotional, therapeutic and wellness supports to hundreds of individuals while growing organically. In the fall of 2011 we are affiliated with five experienced counselors and about 35 practitioners licensed in a variety of wellness and healing practices. We are thrilled to continue expanding our partnership with Cranberry Area Hospice of Plymouth, which provides incredible support groups and family programs. With help from many practitioners, Denise has also focused on facilitating special retreats for moms and for military families. In addition, our monthly healing circles and frequent wellness workshops, including introductory wellness clinics, continue to grow in popularity. We are also active in and connected to a larger community of bereavement centers and practitioners through leading centers in Massachusetts and the National Alliance for Grieving Children. We are proud of Hope Floats’ outreach, and it is our shared commitment and passion.
We are also thankful for the work of talented and thoughtful practitioners and counselors we are connected with. They contribute so much to the lives of clients and our program participants, and the overwhelmingly thankful and positive feedback they and Denise receive reflects this.
Both of us are former educators — Denise taught first grade for 13 years and I taught high school English for seven years — and while we’ve left public school settings, in some ways we both continue to teach. We strive to continue applying those skills and life experience to support adults and adolescents around healing and wellness. As full-time director of Hope Floats, Denise is the primary contact and daily manager. She spearheads our growth keeping a close eye and ear on which services and programs are most beneficial or useful to our guests and clients. I support the center with operational planning and maintenance. And as a full-time writer, I’m attempting to express the struggles of grieving and its potential to transform lives in a different way, writing a book in 2011-2012 that chronicles people doing extraordinary works after suffering loss or another trauma.
We also value and expect to continue Hope Floats’ connection with the community, which in the past has included partnering with events like the Kingston Arts Festival and Kingston Garden Club tours. Being active in the community has long been important to us. Starting in 2004, we joined with other parents to bring drunk-driving prevention and safe driving programs to the Silver Lake Regional School District through Safe Teen OUI Prevention (S.T.O.P.)
Our logo was created by Amanda Brack. She drew this beautiful picture of the girl on the swing with the three dragonflies for her mom for Mother’s Day a few years after the loss of her brother Mike. The dragonfly has very special meaning to our family.
– Ken Brack
2011 Services Highlights
• Hope Floats Healing Circle – A monthly collaboration between Hope Floats and Cranberry Hospice Holistic Helpers, offering meditation and mini-treatments, such as Reiki, Chair Massage and Healing Touch. Open to the community, bereavement groups, patients, families, and caregivers
• Fragile Footprints summer day camp in collaboration with Cranberry Area Hospice – adult and teen support groups, music, arts therapy, and lots of fun
• Mother’s Retreats – a relaxed, informal day for women to meet each other and enjoy their choice of healing treatments, guided meditation, yoga and more
• Military Families Support Retreat – a day-long respite for spouses and significant others of active-duty service members that includes introductory healing treatments, yoga and more. Offered in December, 2010 with another planned in December, 2011.
• Wellness Clinics – Introductory, 60-minute sessions in relaxing and stress-reducing bodywork that includes Reiki, Healing Touch, Reflexology and more at a reduced rate
• Ongoing bereavement support groups for women and men
Community events
* Hosted Circles Touching Circles fundraiser in conjunction with Kingston Arts Festival, September, 2010
* Hosted Kingston Garden Club tours, June, 2010
Professional affiliations
* Member, National Alliance for Grieving Children, 2011
* Collaboration with Cranberry Area Hospice, 2009-present
Recognition
* Outstanding Community Service — South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.,
Lela Ray President’s Award, 2011
* Healthy Living Magazine Recognition Award, 2010
Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center is a non-profit foundation with 501(c)(3) status offering educational, support and wellness services.
