About Story of Hope
We partner with the community and the local church to care for, equip, and encourage widows and their children.
Grief has a way of making the world feel quieter, lonelier, and overwhelming—and for widows, it can be especially isolating. At Story of Hope, we believe that no widow should walk this journey alone.
Our mission is simple: to remind widows they are seen, supported, and deeply loved—by a caring community that shows up and by reminding them that there is hope in Christ.
We serve widows across Northwest Georgia—offering intentional care, heartfelt encouragement, and practical support in the days, months, and even years after loss.
Whether it’s a card on a hard day, a gathering surrounded by others who understand, or a workshop that offers tools for navigating this next season of life, Story of Hope is here to walk alongside widows. Every effort is rooted in our belief that God brings comfort, purpose, and hope even in sorrow.
Meet Jeni Farnell
Story of Hope was founded by Jeni Farnell and her husband, Justin. The ministry was born out of Jeni’s story and the stories of the many widows they have walked with throughout the years. As Jeni shares, "Widowhood can be exhausting. It can be overwhelming. It can feel like a roller coaster of emotions. In addition to grieving the loss of their husbands, widows are suddenly faced with what feels like hundreds of decisions to make and tasks to accomplish."
Jeni experienced this firsthand when she tragically lost her first husband, Alton, in December 2006, leaving her a young widowed mother to their 2 year-old daughter Emma. "When I lost my husband at the age of 30, everything I thought I knew about my life changed in an instant. Every dream I had for our future was gone. I was exhausted by grief and overwhelmed by all the things I had to tackle. Though I had a strong support system, I still felt lost. The days were long and the nights were lonely. I didn’t know where to turn for help or where to find people who understood this new chapter in which I suddenly found myself."
Jeni's desire to connect with and support others who understood her experience grew into a passionate calling. As she met other widows along her journey, she recognized the shared need for care and encouragement.
Five years after Alton's passing, Jeni and Emma began Chapter Two when she married Justin in September 2011. They are parents to three girls, Emma, Harper, and Lily. They are actively involved in their local church and are passionate about living out God’s call to serve widows in their community.
WHAT WE DO
We center our ministry around three core pillars
Care
01
At Story of Hope, care is personal. Each widow is paired with a Care Team Member who regularly checks in, offers support, and ensures she never feels forgotten—especially on significant dates that can bring fresh waves of grief. Beyond emotional care, our ministry helps lighten her load by connecting her with trusted professionals for practical needs. Through both compassionate presence and real-life help, we walk with her every step of the way.
Equip
02
We offer workshops that help widows confidently navigate life after loss—from budgeting and home maintenance to car care and self-defense. These practical tools are paired with spiritual encouragement to remind each woman she is capable, equipped, and never alone.
Encourage
03
We create joyful, low-pressure spaces for connection—brunches, craft nights, game nights, and more. These gatherings are designed to be gentle and welcoming, helping women form friendships with others who truly understand the path they’re walking.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every widow knows—without a doubt—that she is not forgotten, that she is loved, supported, and surrounded by both a community and a Savior who will never leave her side.
Lead Team
Cynthia Tidwell
Board Member
Cynthia Tidwell brings a heart for service and a wealth of practical experience to the board. As a seasoned Property and Office Manager, she has managed day-to-day operations, coordinated events, and expertly handled complex scheduling needs. She has also spent many years as a dedicated stay-at-home mom—juggling countless roles with care, creativity, and grit.
Cynthia's passion for supporting widows is deeply personal. Having experienced the loss of her husband Shane, she understands the unique journey of grief and healing. In a moment of uncanny timing, she was actively searching for a volunteer opportunity when Shane passed—a clear nudge toward the mission she now embraces wholeheartedly.
A proud mom living in Powder Springs, Cynthia thrives in the outdoors, finds joy in music, and has a special talent for sewing. She particularly enjoys creating meaningful memory items, using her gifts to bring comfort and connection to others. Her blend of professional skills, life experience, and compassion makes her a valued voice and presence on the board.
Taison Andrews
Board Member
As an executive leader with nearly 20 years of experience in a Fortune 500 company, Taison brings an understanding of building people, leading teams, and creating sustainable organizations with employees and customers at the center.
Taison is passionate about community involvement and engages with several groups through his company to ensure all people are given support and opportunity to be seen and uplifted.
He has seen first-hand the impact of loss in his own family with both his grandmothers and his mother being widowed at different stages of their lives. This experience has provided passion and perspective to the value of having a "village" to lean into in times of hardship.
Taison resides in Dallas, GA with his wife and two teenage daughters. He enjoys hiking, soccer, sushi, and Smoothie King.
Jeni Farnell
Board Member
Jeni Farnell is the co-founder of Story of Hope and serves in full-time ministry as an executive assistant. With a background in education and a deep love for organization and detail, she brings both structure and heart to her work. Jeni’s passion for supporting widows is rooted in her own journey—after losing her first husband in 2006, she experienced the emotional and practical challenges of widowhood firsthand. In the years that followed, she watched God show up again and again, providing miraculous provision, strength, guidance, and hope in grief. Her story is a testimony to the promise of Isaiah 61:3—how God brings beauty from ashes. Now remarried to Justin and a proud mom of three daughters, Jeni enjoys laughing with her people, watching documentaries about almost any topic, and cheering on ATL UTD at their matches. She is firmly convinced that dogs are nature’s antidepressants and that her home state of Texas has the best Mexican food on the planet.
Dean Gyzymala
Board Members
Dean Grzymala is one of the early and dedicated Board Members of Story of Hope, bringing with him his experience in management and previous nonprofit governance. In addition to his role with the organization, Dean serves as Vice President of Aviation for Enterprises Aviation, where he has provided global aviation support for a Fortune 500 company for over 25 years.
A resident of the Atlanta area since 1990, Dean and his wife live in Northwest Atlanta and are proud parents of two college-aged daughters. His long-standing commitment to both his professional career and community involvement reflects his dedication to service and leadership.
Marlena Wix
Board Member
Marlena is passionate about ministry and about caring for others. Her six years working in early childhood education, her devotion for extending God’s word, and her own personal journey through widowhood have placed her in an position to show her deep passion and care for the widow community. Residing in Dallas, Ga with her husband (also a widow) and their combined family of six, she understands the value of support, care, compassion, and above all others, love that every widow deserves to feel. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and enjoying nature through hiking and other outdoor adventures.
Justin Farnell
Lead Team
Justin Farnell brings a background in finance and a deep love for details to his role as co-founder of Story of Hope Ministries. Alongside his wife, Jeni, Justin launched the ministry with a shared passion to serve widows and the fatherless—a calling that became deeply personal through their marriage.
As a co-founder, Justin helps guide the vision of the ministry, contributes to overall strategy, and oversees its tech and financial operations. He also stays involved through prayer and by lending a hand with service projects whenever possible.
Outside of work and ministry, Justin enjoys watching just about any sport—especially Atlanta United soccer and the Georgia Bulldogs—and spending time with his wife and three daughters.
Heather Hodson
Lead Team
Get Involved
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Story of Hope relies on your donations to help meet the needs of widows in our community.
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We host both large and small gathering for widows to meet and chat.
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Here are some practical tips for how to navigate the early days of widowhood.