1-844-42-GLADD
1-844-424-5233

About Us

We're here so no one has to grieve alone.

GLADD is a global grief support community providing hope, healing, and connection 24/7. Whether you’re preparing for the loss of someone you love, grieving a recent death, or carrying a loss from years ago, you’ll find compassion, understanding, and resources to help you navigate grief at your own pace.

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Who is GLADD?

GLADD is a global grief support community dedicated to ensuring that no one has to navigate loss alone. With a compassionate and honest approach, we help individuals and families find connection, comfort, and understanding through shared experiences, supportive resources, and a community that truly cares.

Whether your loss is recent or something you have carried for years, GLADD is designed to meet you exactly where you are. We are not here to tell you how to grieve or how quickly to heal—we are here to walk beside you, honor your journey, and remind you that support is always within reach.

Who is 24hr Pet Grief?

24hr Pet Grief is a compassionate community dedicated to supporting pet parents through one of life’s most heartbreaking losses. With an understanding and nonjudgmental approach, we help people honor the bond they shared, find comfort through compassionate connection, and take gentle steps forward in their grief journey.

Whether your loss is recent or something you have carried for years, our community and support resources are designed to meet you exactly where you are. We’re not here to tell you how to grieve or how quickly to heal—we’re here to walk beside you and remind you that you are not alone.

Our Mission

To ensure that no one grieves alone.

Our mission is to create space for individuals to grow, heal, and thrive. We provide 24/7 support, resources, and a compassionate community to help people navigate grief and find hope. We're here to support lasting change by helping each person uncover their strength, trust their voice, and live with intention.

Community Centered Support

We're here 24/7 to listen, support, and help you through every step of your journey.

Global Access

You are not alone. Connect with others who understand what you're going through, from anywhere in the world.

Helpful Resources

Access helpful resources, workshops, and tools to guide your healing journey.

Collective Impact

Healing is possible. We walk beside you with hope for a brighter tomorrow.

New Book From Our Founder

8 Lessons the Dying Taught Me

Written from the bedside, not from theory, 8 Lessons the Dying Taught Me is a deeply human reflection on love, loss, forgiveness, presence, and connection.

After two decades as a hospice nurse, Christa McDonald, founder of GLADD, began to notice something extraordinary: in their final days, people often spoke with striking clarity about what truly mattered.

Through eight profound lessons, Christa shares the wisdom of the dying and offers comfort to those navigating grief, supporting a loved one, or searching for meaning in the face of loss.

At its heart, this book carries one essential truth: grief does not mean letting go. It means discovering new ways to stay connected.

"Grief doesn’t mean letting go. It means finding new ways to stay connected."

Purchase Book

Meet The Team

Christa McDonald

FOUNDER

Christa McDonald is a registered nurse and hospice nurse whose work has been shaped by more than two decades at the bedside. Through years of walking alongside patients and families during life’s most tender final moments, Christa began to recognize the extraordinary wisdom that often rises when time becomes precious and what truly matters becomes clear.

Her book, 8 Lessons the Dying Taught Me, was written not from theory, but from lived experience — from quiet rooms, honest conversations, final goodbyes, and the deep human need for love, forgiveness, presence, and connection. Christa’s voice is compassionate, grounded, and deeply comforting, offering readers a reminder that grief is not about forgetting, but about learning how to stay connected in new and meaningful ways.

As a soul worker, nurse, and guide for those navigating loss, Christa brings a rare blend of clinical experience, emotional wisdom, and spiritual tenderness to her work. Her message is simple and powerful: even in the presence of death, love endures.

Mitchell Flecker

DIRECTOR OF IT OPERATIONS

Mitchell Flecker is the founder and owner of FleckTech Solutions LLC, a full-service IT consulting and digital solutions company based in New York. With a passion for technology, systems, and helping organizations grow, Mitchell brings a hands-on approach to every project he takes on, from website development and CRM implementation to automation, SEO, and digital strategy.

As the Director of IT Operations at GLADD, Mitchell oversees the organization's entire digital infrastructure, including the website, platform management, community operations, and day-to-day technical upkeep. His work ensures that GLADD's mission of 24/7 grief support is backed by reliable, modern, and well-maintained technology that keeps pace with a growing global community.

Through FleckTech Solutions, Mitchell specializes in helping nonprofits, small businesses, and service-based organizations build a strong digital presence and keep their operations running smoothly. He is committed to delivering real, measurable results, and to building long-term partnerships with every client he serves.

Nicole Chong

INTERIM CFO

Nicole Chong serves as the Interim Chief Financial Officer of GLADD, bringing over 15 years of accounting and finance experience to ensure the organization's financial foundation is as strong as its mission. She partners closely with leadership and the board to align financial resources with GLADD's goals, operating with full transparency and long-term sustainability in mind.

Nicole's expertise spans budgeting, forecasting, grant and fund management, and nonprofit compliance — the systems that allow GLADD to confidently expand its programs, serve more families, and steward every dollar with integrity. Her approach combines technical precision with a collaborative, purpose-driven mindset, ensuring that financial strategy always serves the mission first.

Beyond GLADD, Nicole has spent her career partnering with nonprofit organizations as an interim CFO, helping mission-driven teams strengthen their operations and amplify their community impact.

Doug Clark

Director of Development / Fundraising

Doug Clark serves as GLADD’s Director of Development & Fundraising, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership, international development, donor cultivation, and mission-driven operations experience to the organization. His work has helped purpose-led organizations build sustainable relationships, secure transformational support, and expand the reach of programs that serve communities in need.

Throughout his career, Doug has led fundraising and development initiatives across India, Cuba, and Latin America. As Vice President of Asian Projects for an international nonprofit organization, he helped grow annual donations from $1.5 million to more than $7 million, secured a $2 million single-donor gift for a school project, and helped raise more than $5 million for humanitarian construction efforts in Cuba. He is also the Founder and Director of Cross Culture Connections, a 501(c)(3) organization supporting international humanitarian work.

At GLADD, Doug is focused on building meaningful partnerships, cultivating donor relationships, and creating sustainable opportunities that help expand grief support, community resources, and compassionate care for individuals and families. His approach is grounded in integrity, service, and the belief that thoughtful collaboration can create a lasting impact.

Alison Obee

Marketer

Alison Obee brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing, sales, and relationship building to GLADD. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating meaningful connections, supporting others, and helping organizations grow through thoughtful communication, trusted partnerships, and community engagement.

Alison is honored to contribute her professional experience to GLADD’s deeply personal mission of supporting individuals and families navigating grief after the loss of someone they love. She believes compassion, understanding, and genuine human connection can make a meaningful difference during life’s most difficult moments.

Through her work with GLADD, Alison is committed to expanding awareness of the organization’s mission, strengthening community partnerships, and helping connect people experiencing loss with the support, resources, and compassionate community they need. Her relationship-centered approach reflects GLADD’s belief that no one should have to grieve alone.

Stephanie Flores

Marketer

Stephanie Flores brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare, including 8 years dedicated to hospice care.

Throughout her career, she has been passionate about supporting patients, families, and those navigating some of life’s most difficult moments.

As a member of the marketing team for GLADD, an international nonprofit grief support organization, Stephanie is committed to connecting individuals and communities with resources, education, and compassionate support through the grieving process.

Her passion for this work is also deeply personal. After experiencing the loss of her own father, Stephanie

understands firsthand the profound impact of grief and the importance of having support and connection during such a difficult time. She is honored to use both her professional experience and personal journey to help others feel less alone in theirs.

Meet The Board of Directors

Nicholas

McDonald

Deanna

Hall

Christa

McDonald

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is GLADD for

GLADD is for anyone experiencing grief or loss after the death of a loved one — whether your loss was recent or years ago. You do not need to be at a certain stage of grief to reach out. If you are hurting, you are welcome here.

What kind of support does GLADD offer?

GLADD provides grief support through our Support Line, community connection, healing classes, support groups, educational resources, and access to compassionate grief coaches. We also offer a free Facebook community and a private paid community with monthly, annual, and lifetime membership options.

Is support available 24/7?

Yes. Grief does not follow a schedule, and neither do we. Our helpline is available day or night, anywhere in the world. Call or text 1-844-42-GLADD (1-844-424-5233) at any time.

How do I join the GLADD Community?

You can join GLADD’s free Facebook community or choose a paid plan for the private GLADD Community. Paid options include Individual Monthly at $19.44 per month, Individual Annual at $194.44 per year, Individual Lifetime at $522.11 one time, and Family Lifetime at $885.75 one time. Select the plan that fits your needs, complete the secure enrollment process, and follow the access instructions sent to your email.

What a Grief Coach Is & What They Do

A grief coach is a trained guide who helps people navigate the emotional, practical, and life‑shifting impact of loss. They don’t replace therapy or try to “fix” grief — they walk with you through it, help you understand what you’re feeling, and support you as you rebuild your life around the loss.

A grief coach provides both emotional support and practical guidance. They help people:

- Understand their emotions and why grief feels the way it does

- Cope with the waves of sadness, confusion, guilt, or overwhelm

- Reduce isolation and feel less alone in the process

- Make decisions when grief fog makes thinking difficult

- Create structure, stability, and supportive routines

- Rebuild identity and daily life after loss

- Honor the person who died in healthy, meaningful ways

- Move forward without feeling like they’re “leaving them behind”

They act as a stabilizing presence — part emotional support, part practical guide, part accountability partner.

How long is a coaching session?

Session length varies by coach and the type of support you are seeking. You can view each coach's availability and session details on our Our Coaches page or by booking directly through the site.

Is everything I share kept confidential?

Yes. GLADD operates in full compliance with HIPAA. All private coaching sessions are strictly confidential and are never recorded or stored. What is shared in private sessions stays private.

Is GLADD a nonprofit organization?

Yes. GLADD is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All membership fees and donations go directly toward running the organization and expanding our ability to serve grieving families worldwide.

How do I get started?

You can call the GLADD Support Line at 1-844-42-GLADD (1-844-424-5233), join our free Facebook community, or explore the paid membership options on this page. Our team is ready to meet you wherever you are in your journey.

Why Someone Might Work With a Grief Coach

People seek a grief coach when grief feels too heavy, unpredictable, or isolating to manage alone. Common reasons include:

- Feeling overwhelmed or unable to function day‑to‑day

- Wanting tools and guidance rather than just sympathy

- Not wanting to burden family or friends

- Feeling misunderstood or alone in their grief

- Wanting to heal without forgetting

- Wanting to feel “normal” again

- Needing someone who understands grief deeply and isn’t afraid of it

A grief coach provides clarity, structure, and steady support at a time when life feels chaotic — helping people move through grief with compassion, confidence, and connection.