Hold the Door for Others is a nonprofit organization that focuses on emotional profit. We provide resources and opportunities to inspire people to grow in healthy ways when faced with adversity. Our story was inspired by the kind act of Ron Fazio, Sr. on September 11th when he was seen helping people by Holding the Door for Others (Our Full Story). While we are inspired by his actions on September 11th, all people are welcome to attend our events and use our resources regardless of the adversity they face. Our research and experience on growth following crisis, trauma, and loss has reinforced our beliefs. We value the power of healing through human connections and helping others. We stand by our mission and know that people do not have to just cope or survive following loss, they can thrive despite it. There is a way to grieve and grow at the same time. Read more about our mission…
Mission – To Equip and Challenge People to Grow Through Loss and Adversity.
Why – Our mission was inspired by the kind and courageous actions of Ron Fazio, Sr. on September 11th when he was seen helping people by Holding the Door for Others (Full Story). While we are inspired by his actions on September 11th, all people are welcome to attend our events and use our resources regardless of the adversity they face.
How – Hold the Door for Others is a global community that supports its members as they navigate tragedy, trauma, and loss. Years of research has enabled us to assemble experts and free resources that inspire and assist people to grow in healthy ways when faced with adversity. We value the power of healing through human connections and helping others. We provide the tool kit, including seminars and Growth Conversations – to simultaneously grieve and grow.
GTAS Survey – For close to 20 years we have been researching what leads to growth before, during, and after adversity. Take our Growth Through Adversity Survey (GTAS) and learn where you have growth opportunities that will build your resilience and power to hear.
Workbooks – Click to download Gaining from Loss and Finding Your Way
Personal Growth Guide – Your Growth through Loss and Adversity Roadmap.
Doorways an Anthology – Reflections from Friends and Families impacted by 9/11 on living with loss.
Growth Conversations – Watch experts in zoom discussions on a number of topics related to resilience, post-traumatic growth and anxiety.
Attend our Next Hold the Door Day – Hold the Door Day is a free event to help individuals and their loved ones coping with loss or adversity.
We are grateful that the team at Reese’s honored our hero Ron C. Fazio with a bench dedication at the door to the Reese’s factory.
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An entire day of sharing stories, tears, fears, hopes – it was a cathartic experience, and I left feeling hopeful. That hope has been carried on throughout the years, reinforced and strong.
I love that the sole purpose of the day is to empower and equip people to heal. We all go through things in life and we can always use a little help in overcoming obstacles.
It gives people an opportunity to connect…It is hard sometimes to find someone who “truly gets you.” Here people understand, listen without judgment and offer mutual support.
HTD has encouraged me to feel that it’s ok to be hopeful about the future, that my life does not end when I lose a loved one – that I can grow and love and learn and experience life in a whole new way.
I have learned to respect and love myself, regardless of outward events…This organization believe(s) in everyone and they are so smart and genuine that they actually build confidence in others.
It made me realize we are not alone in suffering loss, and that if we reach out to others in our grief and mourning, we can honor and remember our lost loved ones, both individually and as a group.
It was a re-enforcement that this too shall pass…it has been a long and hard journey since then but it gave me the initial strength to do what I needed to do.
The people at Hold the Door are extraordinarily adept at helping others walk through their chaos, and helping them learn the navigation ropes for survival, in the process.
The compassion and caring of everyone. I feel it always helps to be in touch with someone who not only talks the talk but who is walking the walk.
Click Here to read more about what people say about Hold The Door
Everyday, people are faced with stress, adversity, and loss. Some of these experiences are more traumatic than others, but they can all challenge our core beliefs about ourselves, our world, and our future1,2.
Whether you are experiencing this adversity yourself or you’re witnessing a friend or loved one cope, there is hope in the future. Research shows that when people perceive new doors opening and make the choice to move through them, even when other doors feel like they’re being slammed shut, they are engaging their adversity in ways that allow them to grow, improve their relationships, find strength, and feel more appreciation for life2,3.
One of the biggest contributors to well-being, and people feeling like doors are open for them, is support4. Hold the Door for Others provides resources for people coping with adversity to help them grow, and offers workshops for their friends and loved ones to better support them in their journey. The Hold the Door team created the OTHERS(S) framework that includes practical skills and serves as the foundation for our initiatives.
The experience of loss and adversity is one that people face regardless of income, and we work each year to make sure that our annual event and resources are free. If you’d like to make a difference in someone’s life who is coping with loss, consider Holding a Door open by sponsoring an attendee’s participation in our annual event. We hope to connect with you soon.