NOTICE
If you or someone you love is in a crisis situation and needs immediate help please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Who We Are
Our MISSION is to ensure no one has to experience suicide loss alone. Our group offers a listening ear. We labor to support survivors of loss helping them navigate their grief by providing community resources, support groups, and fostering community awareness.
Our VISION is for an empathetic community providing loving support, fostering healing, and hope for survivors of loved ones who have taken their own life.
Resources We Can Offer...
To learn more about these resources or if you have a special need, please Contact Us.
Support Groups
Our support groups offer support, comfort, and encouragement after the loss of a loved one to suicide. We are not trained therapists, and our groups are not therapy sessions. We offer a safe environment where we share our frustrations, provide the ability to ask questions, and help one another cope. We walk with you so you don’t have to be alone as you navigate your journey of loss back to a life filled with purpose. Our groups meet monthly. Please check our Facebook page for more information.
Professional Counseling Referrals
The following organizations and therapists have training in both grief and trauma.
Stability Counseling
Henderson Office, 230 Second Street, Suite 406
(270) 854-3132
Jennifer Phillips
jenniferphillips@stabilitycounseling.org
Referral necessary: Please contact Infinite Hope for the referral
The Alliance of Hope offers specialized support for those who have been impacted by suicide loss.
https://allianceofhope.org/find-support/counseling/
Our phone, Skype, or Zoom Video consultations transcend time and distance, making expert help available to all. While we cannot change what happened, we can help you to answer questions, understand what you are experiencing, and locate resources to build a foundation for surviving and healing. Survivors consistently say that our consultations leave them feeling more hopeful and less alone. Learn More...Lighthouse Counseling Services - lcsinc.org
Henderson office @ 203 N Elm Street Henderson, KY 42420
(270) 826-8761
Jane Brown, LCSW
Janet Messer, LPCC-S, MAC
Bonnie Thomas, LPCA, TCADC
Madisonville office @ 1830 Lantaff Boulevard Madisonville, KY 42431
(270) 821-8884
Jessica Thomas, LPCC-SOwensboro office @ 920 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 689-0073
Sonja Cook, LPCC
Rhiannon Gray, LPCA, TCADC
Barbie Matthews, LCSW
Stephanie Montgomery, LPCC-S
Jenni Owen, LCSW
Bree Simone, LPCC-S, RTCBiohazard Scene Clean-up
We offer financial assistance with biohazard cleanup and funeral expenses based upon the means of the victim and whether the homeowner's, rental or landlord insurance policy covers the cost. Please contact us as we can assist in this process.
Board Members
Our talented staff who passionately give of their time
Chip Stauffer
Board Chair
Sherrif, Henderson County
Shelly Sutton
Board Coordinator
Shelly was born and raised in Henderson and rural Henderson County. She is a retired elementary school teacher that was blessed with two busy, but beautiful boys. After losing her youngest son, Ross, to suicide in 2021, she decided she needed help navigating such a huge loss. She found Infinite Hope and started attending their monthly support group. With her own healing journey well underway, she jumped at the chance to become an active member of Infinite Hope by way of joining our Hope Team. Helping others deal with this type of loss has become her passion, and she uses the love she has for her son and God’s help to be a compassionate shoulder for those experiencing such a travesty. In March of 2025, Shelly accepted the position of Board Coordinator and remains an active member of the Hope Team.
Helen Posey
Treasurer
Dawn Givens Caton
Secretary
I grew up in the Little Dixie area of rural Henderson County. I currently live on my family farm. I have been married for 34 years and have two sons. I graduated from Murray State University with my degree in Elementary Education/Math. I taught Kindergarten and First Grade for 17 years. I now work within our family owned businesses which allows me a little more freedom to participate in “life” on the terms that are best for my family.
A fellow church member of mine lost her son to suicide in 2008 when he was only 19 years old. We were acquaintances, but not really friends at the time. Over time, I realized that she needed help and that she wasn’t getting any from the people who had been there for her and her family in the beginning. I believe that God pushed me (and I resisted for as long as I could) in the direction of my now closest friend. I resisted because “I didn’t know what to say.” I was uncomfortable… and it took a while for me to come to the realization that if I was that uncomfortable, it must be excruciating for that family. I wanted to help, but didn’t know how. Over time, I have learned a little more.
I wanted to be a part of Infinite Hope because I believe providing immediate help during a crisis situation is imperative to a surviving family’s ability to process and to heal, both in the moment and in their future.
Patti Hunnicutt
Advocate
I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother employed with One Life Church as a housekeeper. Having personal experience with suicide with the loss of my youngest son in 2003, I became involved with Infinite Hope. I hoped being part of a support group setting would help someone experiencing the same emptiness I was, even if it was only a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. I truly believe that sometimes God allows us to go through things so we will have more compassion for others experiencing the same thing. I have found that to be true in this support group. Being there for others allows me to bring something positive from the most negative thing in my lifetime.
Tracy Vaughn
Advocate
Tracy Vaughn was born and raised in Henderson, KY. Upon hearing Infinite Hope's organization's story, she knew she wanted to join in with their work. In the fall of 2022, she became a Board Member. She is also a member of Infinite Hope’s recently formed Hope Team. Although she has never had a personal experience of suicide, she is passionate about helping those who have lost a loved one and wants to do all she can to help in suicide prevention and postvention efforts. She is the First VP, Director of Retail Banking at Field & Main Bank, is married, and has one adult son.Tracy Vaughn was born and raised in Henderson, KY. Upon hearing Infinite Hope's organization's story, she knew she wanted to join in with their work. In the fall of 2022, she became a Board Member. She is also a member of Infinite Hope’s recently formed Hope Team. Although she has never had a personal experience of suicide, she is passionate about helping those who have lost a loved one and wants to do all she can to help in suicide prevention and postvention efforts. She is the First VP, Director of Retail Banking at Field & Main Bank, is married, and has one adult son.
Landon Chandley
Advocate
Brooklyn Burris
Advocate
Sean McKinney
Advocate
HOPE Team
Our Hope Team members are dedicated to ensuring no family must endure suicide loss alone. Two of our administrators have been personally trained by Frank Campbell, the creator of the first L.O.S.S. (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) team, on the postvention model that now helps guide our teams when responding to suicide calls. This model involves two or more trained volunteers who proactively go to the scene of a suicide to provide immediate support to those left behind. At least one of these trained volunteers is a survivor of suicide loss themselves, and there to connect with those left behind in a non-intrusive manner. Meet our HOPE team members below:
Patti Hunnicutt
Shelly Sutton
Darin Townsend
Tracy Vaughn
Erika Nicholas
Conni Stoner
Helen Posey
Stories of Healing & Remembrance
If Only...
Grandparents, oh what joy they bring! The unending smiles of adoration, the unconditional acceptance and unlimited amusement create a cocoon of respect and love, unlike any other relationship. The seasoned lifetime of experiences provides wisdom, guidance, and direction grandchildren cherish and remember forever. So, what happens when death robs children of the most loving relationship? Even worse, what happens when the death was a choice, not a natural act of nature? Unfortunately, I am a surviving suicide victim of my dad. Meaning, I am also a parent trying to fill the lost love and the lost relationship my children should have with their grandfather. Instead of cherishing the experiences my children share with a man they would have intimately known as Grandaddy, I am left recalling memories to imagine what my children’s experiences could be. These stories are my only hope for my children to develop a heartfelt love and connection to their grandfather! Continue Reading
My Blue-eyed Boy
Joshua was 27 when he left this world by his own hands. He was the youngest of 4 and, ironically, the father of 4. At 23, Josh was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental disorder his dad also had. People with this disorder go through periods of extreme highs, mania, and extreme lows, depression. Josh’s depressive episodes were also stronger and longer lasting than his manic episodes. I remember on the morning after he left us, I decided to walk down to the corner Kwik-Pic and get a cup of coffee. It was mid-August. When I stepped outside the sun was shining bright and warm on my face, birds were singing, there were 2 baby rabbits playing in the grassy area by the parking lot, cars were going up and down the road. I could hear kids laughing and playing at a school bus stop. Everything was going on the same as the day before as if nothing had changed. My soul was screaming “This is not right! It’s not fair! Everything is not the same!” My child had left this world by his own hands, everything had changed. Everything for myself, his children, and his siblings; nothing would ever be the same again. Some years back I read a poem written by another parent who had lost a child. One sentence, in particular, stood out to me. It has stayed with me since. It stated, “I am constantly aware of the presence of the absence of my child.” Constantly aware at every ball game of his son, every birthday party, every graduation, every wedding, every birth of one of his grandchildren…constantly aware.
I have learned that a mother’s love truly knows no boundaries, not even in death. Until my last breath, I will be Josh’s mom. He will forever be my blue-eyed baby boy.
By AnonymousKaylee's Story
When My Worst Days Became My Best Days
May 10th, 2006, I’m 11, outside playing with my friends. Just a normal kid until I went inside to get a popsicle. My Mom is on the phone crying. My whole world changed when she said, “Kenny’s gone.” He was my Dad and lived six hours away; it had been four years since I last saw him. My whole existence died when my Dad took his own life.
Throughout my teenage years, I was angry. I hated my Dad for leaving and was mad at the world and everyone else. At 18, I gave birth to my daughter Isabella. Boy! When I was pregnant with her, I was really angry. Then I remember the day I found peace with my Dad being gone. I was seven months pregnant with Isabella. Even though I hated my Dad, I would regularly talk to him. I forgave him for leaving me the way he did. Fast forward two more years, and I gave birth to my son Kendre Rayjon Anderson. I wasn’t so angry, so I named him after my Dad. I gave him my Dad’s initials, KRA. I have the same initials. There was a point in my pregnancy when I didn’t think I could care for another child. Adoption was a heavy thought for me. I remember the day I talked to my Dad about it, and he said, “keep him, he will have my eyes, and he will stand tall like me.” Kendre is the spitting image of my Dad. He definitely has his big green eyes.
I remember having to write a paper in elementary school about the worst day of my life. I wrote about the day my Dad died, which became“The Day My Dad Died.” Then the year 2020 came, and I experienced the worst day of my adult life when I temporarily lost custody of my son due to bad relationships and declining mental health. Once again, I felt my entire world change. Yet again, my existence died. It was an eye-opener that I had to get my life together. I talked to my Dad a lot during that time. Saying to him, “Daddy, please help me get him back. I can’t live without him.” I frequently called the Suicide Hotline. Then I spiritually woke up and started a journey of healing. Funny how the worst days of our lives become the best days.
Two years later, in 2022, I continue to heal, grow and learn. It’s been 17 years since I lost my Dad, and I’m 28. I am just three weeks away from buying my first house. Today, I have been free from bad, toxic relationships for over a year. I’m no longer angry. I love myself in so many ways beyond my appearance. I’m in love with all I have become and at peace with all the bad that happened in the past. Today, I miss my Dad, but we are closer than before he was gone. Today, I am free! Today, I am proud of who I am and all I have accomplished. Having to dig into my heart to write this has been emotionally difficult. But it has allowed me to reflect. The reflection reminded me that I am still healing daily and growing. I know my Dad is still with me every day. And as the tears flow, I remember reading somewhere that crying is healing. Therefore, I will express gratitude daily for all things.
Letter To Daddy
Daddy,
As I sit here and think of what I can say, all I can think is that I miss you. I have written hundreds of letters, but no other people will read them. This one is extra special. It's dedication day! Since the day I got the Habitat acceptance letter, I knew you and uncle Curt was behind all of it. Little did I know you would give me the strength, and courage, and will to follow through. This past year I've put in more than sweat. I've put in tears. When I felt like giving up, I had to come here when the guys were off to lunch and talk to you. I would beg you to keep me in this. When it was overwhelming and terrifying, I'd sit here when only the foundation and studs of the house were up. When I was cussing the goo to be gone, I had to stop and talk to you. You got me here. I look for you in every crowd. At Walmart, at the park, in the car next to me at the red light, as I stand here listening to Cat read my letter to you, I'm looking for you in the crowd of people at our new home. What makes this easier is that you're standing next to me. Daddy, this is one of my three greatest accomplishments. Thank you. I wouldn't have any of this without you by my side, spiritually pushing me to grow, heal and prosper. I wouldn't have the courage to want better for my family. I wouldn't have the strength to put in the work. I've worked hard for this. So thank you for being there when I was frustrated when I felt like I didn't deserve this, during the big days when Bruce poured concrete or put the roof on, on the Saturdays when I did not want to get up and go to the restore for the meetings I was nervous about. But today, I say! Thank you! Daddy!, and I miss you. Volunteering at the Salvation Army would have probably been emotionally easier than all of this, but you know we do the hard work, laugh out loud.
If you would like to have your story added, Contact Us.
Events
Remembrance Event 2023
Remembrance Event 2022
