Hopebeat Weekly: Growing Hope, Sharing Resilience, and Celebrating New Paths

World Suicide Prevention Day — September 10

Last week was World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a time to remember lives lost, support those struggling, and raise awareness that suicide is preventable. Hope is a proven protective factor — and it can be taught, practiced, and shared.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call your local suicide hotline. In the U.S., dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Reaching out for help is an act of courage. Sharing resources is an act of love.

Welcome Jeff Willinger, Our New Advisory Member!

We are thrilled to welcome Jeff Willinger as a new Advisory Member at The Shine Hope Company, with a focus on growth.

Jeff brings with him a career rooted in optimism and resilience — a true “lemonade out of lemons” mindset. He shared:

“The Shine Hope Company’s mission to teach and activate hope as a transformative skill resonates so deeply with me. We approach hope not as a wish, but as a science! A muscle we can all learn to strengthen.”

Jeff will be helping us scale programs like Hopeful Cities and Hopeful Minds, while also supporting iFred’s mission to expand access to hope education. His leadership and vision will fuel our growth as we bring hope to more individuals and communities.

Read his message here

Building Hope After Loss, featuring Megan Dominici

In this heartfelt episode, Kathryn sits down with Megan Dominici, a Napa-based youth director and mother who tragically lost her daughter, Addie.

Megan shares her journey of transforming pain into purpose — honoring Addie’s memory, building resilience in youth, and leaning on community support. Together, they explore:

• Creative ways to cope with grief
• The power of community in healing
• Practical strategies for finding hope after tragedy

The episode also highlights the Hopeful Cities initiative in Napa, where resources are being mobilized to support resilience and hope across the community.

Listen to the Full Episode Here

Coming Soon: Hopeful Cities in Napa

Big news for our California friends! Napa is preparing to join the Hopeful Cities movement—a community-wide effort to teach and practice the science of hope.

The upcoming Hopeful Cities Napa initiative will bring free, practical resources to residents, helping individuals, families, and organizations strengthen hope and resilience.

Why it matters: Hope is a proven protective factor for mental health and well-being. By uniting as a community, Napa is taking an important step toward creating a culture where hope thrives.

Stay tuned: We’ll share updates as Napa’s Hopeful Cities plans unfold, along with details on how you can access resources and get involved when the program officially launches.

Win Walmart Gift Cards by Joining the Recipe Remix Challenge!

Your kitchen can be a place of joy, creativity, and Hope.

Here’s how to join:

1. Pick one of our 10 healthy recipes.

2. Remix it with your own flavor or twist.

3. Share your creation on social media with #ShineHope #RecipeRemixChallenge #CreateSparks and tag @Walmart @theshinehopecompany @zoya_theexplorer.

Prizes: On November 30, we’ll select six winners → $100, $50, and four $25 Walmart Gift Cards!

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or your community—every meal is a chance to Shine Hope.

Don’t wait! Grab your recipe, remix it, and enter today!

Check out these recipe remix for inspiration!

• Tomato Caprese Salad (Watch Here)
• Watermelon Lime Slushie (Watch Here)