History

In 1990, HospiceMidland began to search for a program to support the children of HospiceMidland families and found nothing specifically designed to meet the unique needs of grieving children in the community.  After a nation-wide search to seek out a curriculum to utilize as a supportive tool, HospiceMidland initiated the Rainbows program in 1992 for HospiceMidland families and other members of the community.  Children in 1st through 6th grade participated in Rainbows programs held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.  The Rainbows program was expanded to include Spectrum (7th-12th grades) in 1993.  A supportive partnership with the Junior League of Midland empowered the program to grow and in 1994, Kindergarten was added to the Rainbows program.  Also in 1994, the first summer camp was held at First United Methodist Church as an opportunity for former Rainbows participants to reconnect with the valued relationships that they established during their time in the Rainbows program.

In 2001, The Shull family donated a building to be used exclusively for the children’s program! The community rallied in support of a children’s grief center, and $625,000 was raised to renovate and update the building and to make it into a space truly designed for kids. On January 16th, 2003, Rays of Hope Children’s Grief Centre was dedicated and opened its doors to the community for the first time.  Having a building specifically designed to meet the needs of grieving children allowed for programs to expand and grow to better serve the Permian Basin.  Rays of Hope has a rich history of being deeply blessed by the support it receives from the community it serves.