Our Story
A Place to Begin Healing
Restoring Hearts Outreach is a Florida nonprofit that helps people move beyond the pain of loss — through evidence-based, action-oriented programs led by Certified Grief Recovery Specialist Holly A Jones.
Meet
Holly A Jones
Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®
Holly A Jones has over 20 years of ministry experience and a strong background in education and leadership development. She holds a business degree from Excelsior College and brings more than a decade of experience working in education.
Holly is a certified Grief Recovery Method specialist and has served in various leadership and advocacy roles, including as an Ombudsman for the United States Navy. She has also served as a Director of Education with Toastmasters International, supporting communication, confidence, and personal growth.
Holly is passionate about guiding individuals through healing, development, and transformational growth in both personal and professional settings. She serves Ocala Florida, The Villages, and other surrounding areas.
Behind the Mark
The story of our logo
Every element of the Restoring Hearts Outreach mark carries meaning — a split heart at its center, a sunburst behind it, a landscape base below, and a winding pathway leading home. Each piece tells part of the story of grief, healing, and the journey between them.
- The split heartRed represents human grief, emotional pain, and loss. Teal suggests healing, restoration, and peace. The crack down the middle symbolizes the brokenness of loss — but also implies a pathway through it. Not just damage; transition.
- The paw printPositioned on the healing side, the paw print clearly signals that pet loss belongs here too — a loss as real as any other.
- The sunburst behind the heartRadiating golden rays symbolize hope, renewal, and divine light. Centered behind the heart, it suggests that healing comes from a higher source — or from a single breakthrough moment.
- The landscape baseGreen hills represent growth, new life, and stability after grief. Soft curves give the foundation a calming, nurturing feeling.
- The pathwayA winding path leads toward the heart — symbolizing the journey through grief. It implies direction, guidance, and progress.
- The treesBalanced on either side, the trees stand for stability and support — life continuing on both sides of loss.
What Guides Us
Mission, vision, and values
Our Mission
At Restoring Hearts Outreach, our mission is to make healing accessible to all.
Our Vision
We envision a community where individuals experience true emotional healing, restored hearts, and the freedom to fully live and love again.
Our Core Values
Structured Healing
We believe healing happens through a proven, evidence-based process — not opinions or endless conversations — so people can move toward real completion.
Compassionate Presence
We create a safe, judgement-free space where every story is honored and every emotion is welcome.
Courageous Honesty
We guide clients to face the truth of their loss with honesty and bravery, knowing that real healing requires both.
Relational Connection
We believe healing happens in connection — not isolation — through trusted relationships and shared human experiences.
Hope in Action
We don't just talk about hope — we equip people with practical tools to rebuild their lives and move forward with purpose.
The Approach
Why the Grief Recovery Method
“Grief is the normal and natural reaction to loss of any kind. The problem is that we’ve been taught to believe that these feelings are abnormal and unnatural.”
— The Grief Recovery Handbook
Every program at Restoring Hearts Outreach is built on the Grief Recovery Method — an evidence-based, action-oriented approach developed by the Grief Recovery Institute and refined over 40+ years of helping people move beyond the pain of loss.
The method works because it doesn’t just talk about grief — it gives you something to do about it, week by week, in a structure that’s gentle but real.
It addresses 40+ types of loss: death, divorce, retirement, health, career, faith, trust, identity, and more. Whatever you’re carrying, the method has a path through it.
See how the method runs through every program →What Makes Us Different
Four things you should know
Action-based, not just talk
Every program has homework that moves you forward. Talking about grief is part of healing, but the action steps are what actually change things.
Faith-friendly, not faith-based
The method itself is secular and welcomes anyone. Our church partnerships honor faith communities without requiring participants to share their beliefs.
Time-limited, not endless
Most programs run 8 weeks. You complete the work and move on — with tools that stay with you for life.
Accessible, on purpose
As a nonprofit, fees are kept low and scholarships are available. Cost should never be the reason someone doesn’t get help.
Meet our board
Our Leadership
Restoring Hearts Outreach is led by a board of directors who share a deep belief that healing is possible — and that no one should walk through grief alone.
Holly A. Jones
President & Co-Founder
Founder, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, and Trauma Reboot Leader. Holly brings 20+ years of ministry experience plus a background in education, leadership development, and storytelling — including a decade as editor-in-chief for nationally distributed newsletters and service as an Ombudsman for the United States Navy. She is deeply committed to guiding others through healing, growth, and transformation.
Tom Jones
Executive Director, Co-Founder & VP of the Board
Mission-driven leader with a foundation in military service, defense industry operations, and faith-based community outreach. United States Navy Master Chief (Ret.) and Production Operations & Program Planning Manager with Lockheed Martin (Ret.). PMP-certified, Lean Six Sigma trained, and an ordained minister. Tom also serves as Veterans for Worship Chapter Leader and Community Chaplain.
Sandra Gospodarec
Director of Governance
30+ years in IT, including service as a customer satisfaction manager at Ft. Knox. Since retiring in 2019, Sandra has served full-time managing operations at His Compassion Foodbank and Operation Compassion of Florida. Her heart is for ensuring every person is fed, loved, and seen, no matter their life circumstance.
Lori Porter
Director of Finance & Compliance
Financial professional with 30+ years in nonprofit accounting and strategic CFO services. QuickBooks Pro Advisor with a BSA in Government/Nonprofit Accounting, MSA in Accounting & Tax, and MSA in Executive Leadership. Lori is committed to helping nonprofits like Restoring Hearts Outreach thrive financially and serve well.
Naomi Jones
Director at Large
Brings four+ years of volunteer experience with organizations like ROC Solid (Virginia) and United Way (Ocala, FL). Holds a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Mary Washington with two years of teaching experience in the U.S. and abroad. Naomi is passionate about service, education, and strengthening communities.
Want to talk?
Whether you’re here for yourself, someone you love, or a community you lead — reach out and Holly will help you find the right next step.