New Hope for the Holidays

 
For those who have experienced a death of a loved one, the holidays can heighten feelings of anxiety, sadness, longing, loneliness, guilt, and even anger. Activities that are meant to bring families together can be strained and difficult, but there are ways to cope with these challenges and make the time enjoyable.
 
This community event will help you pay attention to what matters in the holiday season. Attendees will learn specific strategies for managing the activities and emotions that come along during this time of year. The evening will include an inspirational speaker, a panel discussion, refreshments, and a luminary ceremony honoring our loved ones who have died. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, we invite you to join the support of others who are going through the same thing. Let’s get through the holidays together. 
 
The event is free to attend, but registration is required as space is limited. Please use the form below to RSVP and be sure to include if you will be bringing any guests with you so we can plan accordingly. We will send you a reminder the week of the event, if you are no longer able to attend please send us a courtesy email.  
 

Meet Our Panel

Roman Roseborough

I am the middle child of 5.  One sibling is my twin brother.  Born in Long Beach, CA, and raised in Santa Maria, CA, by a single mother who passed away in March of 2007.   I joined the Marine Corps at 19 years old and got to travel and see the world.  In 2000, I was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff for Los Angeles County, and my career lasted until the summer of 2019.  I’ve been officially retired from my law enforcement career as of 2021. 

My father, Maurice Roseborough Sr. was born on April 3, 1950, and passed away on March 27, 2022.  I met my dad at 17 years old, and since that day, my father has been active and present in our lives until the day he passed away.  My father is a Navy Veteran and served during the Vietnam War Era.  My dad was a very sensitive man with an amazing heart.  His perspective on life was so positive and amazing despite all the challenges he faced.  He was an avid writer of poetry and was a very intelligent man.  He loved to fish, barbeque, listen to jazz music, and was a faithful follower of God.  He had a great sense of humor and had no problem speaking his mind about his beliefs.  We had so many belly laughs together at the most random subjects.  My father was thoughtful, giving, determined, faithful, stubborn, responsible, funny, loving, and a true inspiration.   His will to live was second to none.  My father became my best friend.

John Boyle

My wife Claudia and I moved to Long Beach in 1973 and lived in the same house until her passing in 2022.  Our careers were both in teaching.  Claudia taught elementary grades in the El Rancho School District and I taught biology at Cerritos College.  We have two grown children, a daughter Jamie, and a son Kelly, and two grandsons Braeden and Eamonn.

 Claudia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2016 and I was her primary caregiver until her passing.  Losing my wife of 54 years was devastating.  I was fortunate to find a grief group through New Hope Grief Support Community that helped me begin the process of healing.

That process is a journey, but I have been able to channel the pain of my loss into some activities that honor Claudia’s memory.  I am a volunteer speaker for Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, a participant in a clinical trial for a drug to combat Alzheimer’s Disease, and I am a volunteer tutor in the biology department at Cerritos College.

Uli Chavez

My name is Uli Chavez and I am 54 years young and live in Corona with my loving wife Celeste Chavez and our two dogs.  I am a building Manager for a manufacturing company and have worked there for 17 years.  I am also a proud Marine Veteran and served in Desert Storm.

I am a father of two sons from prior relationships.  My firstborn is Brandon Jenkins and he is 35 and lives in San Francisco.  My second son is Uli Mason Chavez and he is a replica of me, in every way!  He was 28 when he passed away on October 12, 2021, from a tragic car accident. Every day I live my life for my boys, wife, family, and friends.  My wife tells me that I have a happy-go-lucky attitude and I enjoy life and want to live a very long life.  I am happy to share my life grief experiences and inject a smile on people.  

If you have any questions or need to cancel, please contact us at support@newhopegrief.org or call 562-429-0075 ext 2. Thank You!