New Hope Grief Support Community

David Leonard, Executive Director

With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, David has devoted his career to uplifting the community. His journey began with serving children and families at the YMCA, extending his support to Iraq/Afghanistan War Veterans and their families, and fighting hunger.

David’s personal encounters with loss, particularly the passing of his mother, ignited within him a profound commitment to guiding others through their own grief journeys. After participating in New Hope’s program and serving as a volunteer he knew he was in the right place. As the Executive Director David leads efforts to provide hope and healing to bereaved adults, children, and families through connection and support.

David’s wife Gerty and his son Isaiah are the center of his world, embodying his deepest loves and bringing boundless joy to his life.

Chris L. Cano, Director of Bereavement Services

Chris attended Fuller Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2009.  He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northcentral College.

In addition to experiencing significant loss in his own life, Chris spent several years as a funeral service professional working with the bereaved.  He later became an adjunct instructor in the Mortuary Science Dept. at Cypress College equipping other professionals.  Chris has spent the majority of his career working in full-time pastoral ministry with both teens and adults.  His personal and professional experiences have given him the heart and passion to work with those who are living with grief.

Chris started volunteering as an adult group facilitator in 2016 and joined the New Hope team in 2018. More than anything else, Chris loves spending time with his wife and children.

Jill Arbini  – Program Manager

Jill has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Azusa Pacific University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver. She is currently pursuing her licensure to become an LCSW. Jill has spent over 20 years working with organizations that help support individuals, children, and families who have experienced the grief, loss, and trauma associated with foster care, illness, educational inequity, homelessness, and human trafficking. 

In her personal experience with grief and loss, she has felt both the challenges and burdens that come when grieving in isolation and the immense benefits of a supportive community. She was thrilled to find New Hope during her MSW field placement in 2022 and is glad to be part of an organization that provides normalization, support, connection, and hope for folks walking through the loss of loved ones. Her husband and three kids are her absolute favorites. 

Shiela Hambrick  – Outreach & Marketing Assistant

Shiela has been working closely with the Long Beach community for over 7 years as a Fitness and Wellness Coach. Her mission is to uplift her city on every level. The untimely passing of her father propelled Shiela towards a path of compassion and community service. She wished she had found New Hope when she was a child and supports our commitment to healing. She intends to share the services of New Hope in the belief that families have a better chance of coping with loss, especially at a young age.

In addition to her coaching role, Shiela is also the founder of The Ugly Duckling Chat blog, a nonprofit communal blog dedicated to Mental Health and Women Empowerment.

Jennifer Bamberg, MSW Intern

After many years working in health care administration, Jennifer has
chosen to pursue a second Master of Science degree at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1994, a Master of Science in Health Care Administration at CSULB in 1999 and plans to obtain a Master of Science in Social Work from CSULB in 2026. Jennifer’s experience includes but is not limited to: working with adolescents in schools, a skilled nursing facility, and a group home; has worked for numerous health plans and with hospitals; and has dedicated her adult life to volunteering at non profit organizations throughout Los Angeles and Orange County.
Jennifer hopes to increase access to care and community servies and make a positive impact on individuals, children and families. She is grateful for her husband of over 25 years, her four children, and the opportunity to intern at New Hope.

Chris Vital, MSW Intern

Chris graduated with a bachelor’s in Communication Studies from Cal State University Long Beach, and will continue pursuing his education in the Master’s program for Social Work at CSULB. 

For the past 3 years Chris has been working with For The Child as a part of an assault response team & currently works as a substitute teacher in LBUSD. 

His career goal is to become a therapist, but his passion is to bring awareness, love and more knowledge back to those in his community. He is also very excited to face the new experience of being a part of the New Hope team !

Tatum McCandless, Psychology Intern

Tatum is currently completing her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Cal State University of Long Beach. She initially connected with New Hope as a volunteer facilitating grief groups and is now grateful to intern with New Hope in her last semester before graduation. 

The connection and healing found through her volunteer work have ignited a motivation to continue working with and learning from the amazing volunteers, families, and staff who make up New Hope’s community. 

She hopes to pursue her Master’s in Social Work and is enjoying opportunities to gain practical experience before she applies to and begins graduate school. 

Joy Hansen, Social Work Intern

Joy is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Cal State University, Long Beach. After this, she plans to pursue a Master’s of Social Work as well. Coming from a long line of family members involved in social service and teaching, Joy has been exposed from a young age to disproportionate communities and bringing resources to those in need however possible. She has a passion to bring individuals, families, and communities to live happy, healthy, thriving lives. Also growing up in Humboldt County, California, she was exposed to a high frequency of intergenerational trauma, high ACEs scores, substance abuse, and unhoused communities. From this, she felt a responsibility to give back to her community and attack discrepancies from the top-down. She hopes with her degrees to become involved in policy change and advocacy. She is greatly looking forward to the opportunity of interning at New Hope.