Honorable Mention: Hope for the Bereaved, Inc.
4500 Onondaga Blvd., Syracuse, NY 13219
(315) 475-9675
Help line: (315) 475-HOPE www.hopeforbereaved.com
This is an amazing place created by a grieving mom in 1979. They have specific support groups for the loss of a spouse, sibling, parent or child. They also personalize each group (ie: suicide, murder, SIDS, prolonged illness, sudden death, etc.) It is worth the travel. It is known as the leading grief support resource in Central New York. Wonderful people!
MONROE COUNTY
We found great support at:
The Center for Compassion and Healing Lifetime Care
3111 Winton Road South, Henrietta
(585) 475-8800 www.compassionandhealing.org
They offer a variety of group meetings where grieving men, women and children can discuss ideas, encourage each other, or just listen. Many people begin in their general, open, drop-in support sessions listed below. One-on-one bereavement support is also available by special arrangement, with a donation to Hospice requested.
Specific to Loss of a Child:
Henrietta:
Compassionate Friends (For Bereaved Parents)
For parents who have lost a child of any age.
Ongoing sessions on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays each month,
7:00-9:00 p.m. The Center for Compassion and Healing,
3111 Winton Road South. Facilitated by Cathy Spoto and
chapter leaders; donation requested. www.tcfrochester.org
Connecting Parents of Infant Loss
Parent Link Support Group They meet every 4th Tuesday
of the month from 7-9 pm at Edgewood Free Methodist Church,
Professionally led, age-related structured sessions for children, teens and their parents or guardians. The Center for Compassion and Healing, 3111 Winton Rd. S., Group sessions are professionally led and focus on therapeutic activities. All sessions will be open to new families. Calling Lori Newland at (585) 475-8825 for information on the next series.Fee: $10 donation to hospice suggested for 8-week cycle for a parent & child; maximum $20 per family. Next series runs on Mondays, October 17-December 5, 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
Henrietta:
Young Adults Grief Support Group For anyone between the ages of 18-28 who is coping with the death of a significant person in your life. Held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month from 6:00pm -7:30pm. 945 E. Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY. Please call Michele Allman, LMSW to register for the group at 787-2233 ext. 8241
Open, Drop-In Bereavement Groups:
For people who have lost a family member (any relationship, any length of time)
Henrietta: “Healing & Hope” every Thursday evening, 5:30-7 p.m. The Center for Compassion and Healing,
3111 Winton Road South, Henrietta. (585) 475-8800
Facilitated by Cindy Iversen and Glen Burkhardt.
Gates: “Westside Group” 2nd & 4th Tuesdays each month,
5:30-7 p.m., Gates Presbyterian Church, 1049 Wegman Rd. Facilitated by Pat Fitzpatrick
Upcoming Grief Events/Workshops:
Writing: A Way Through Grief People who are looking for active ways to express and manage challenging grief reactions will find this class to be helpful. Topics will include tips on journaling, reprints, suggested books (such as Transcending Loss), and support for personal exploration. No previous writing skills are necessary. This program is limited to 12 participants. For more information and to register, contact Theo Munson at (585) 214-1414.1st and 3rd Tuesdays, September 20-December 20, 7-9 p.m. Cost: $5 per session.
Ceremonies of Remembrance and Thanksgiving
An opportunity to celebrate the memory of loved ones who have died, and acknowledge the enduring strength of their families, friends and caregivers. Music, readings, family tributes and memorial rituals highlight the ceremony. Open for the general public as well as hospice families. No charge. Sponsored by Lifetime Care Hospice.
Rochester: Sunday, November 20, 1:00 p.m. at Harold K. Coleman Chapel, Murphy Hall, St. John Fisher College, Fairport Rd., Pittsford, NY. (near the south entrance of St. John Fisher). Call (585) 214-1574 by November 15 to RSVP.
Wayne/Seneca Counties: Sunday, December 14 at 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Waterloo/Seneca Falls, 2468 Route 414, Waterloo, NY. Please RSVP by November 28 to Lori at 315-332-2563 or 800-562-1650.
Ceremony of Remembrance for our Children (any age) who Have Died Before Us
RSVP by December 8th with full name of child honoring and number of people who will be attending to email or phone numbers below.
Ceremony with music, harpist, children’s names read, candlelighting, poetry.
Bring photos (framed pictures able to stand work best, no larger than 8 x 10) by 6:15 p.m. on Dec. 11th.
Light refreshments following the event.
Please submit by December 5th picture of your child to be included in a slideshow.
If you are not able to RSVP in time, please come anyway
Limited transportation assistance may be available
For information call: Elaine Deacon, 585-889-2574; Peggy Solka, 585-265-4585 or contact childrenneverforgotten@gmail.com
Area Hospital Mental Health Centers And Many Agencies Provide Care on a Sliding-Scale Basis. Check with:
AGAPE Counseling Assoc. (585) 594-4800 and (585) 385-6030
Catholic Family Center (585) 546-3617
Family Service of Rochester (585) 232-1840
Jewish Family Service (585) 461-0110
St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center (585) 325-5260
Spiritus Christi (585) 325-1180
Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center (585) 473-2671
NIAGARA COUNTY
The Niagara Grief Center
36 Pine Street Lockport NY 14094
(716) 433-3780
The Niagara Grief Center's Mission is to provide sustained emotional support to people of all ages affected by sudden traumatic death and grief. Adult and Teen support groups.
Hospice of Wayne & Seneca Counties
A Service of Lifetime Care
1120 So. Main St., Newark, NY 14513
(315) 332-2563 or (800) 562-1650
They offer Open, Drop-In Bereavement Groups. (No registration is required) These groups are for people who have lost a family member (any relationship, any length of time). Not necessary for them to have been on the Hospice program. Call the above phone numbers for times/dates/locations.
Children & Youth Bereavement Services: Stepping Stones Group
For young people ages 5-17 who have lost a loved one and for the adults who care for them. This group provides children and youth the tools to explore and understand how they feel about a loved one's death. Call Bereavement Services for more information about upcoming sessions in Waterloo and Newark. (315) 332-2563.
Other Resources Available To Find Support/Assistance While Grieving:
Your clergy, local hospital, school counselor, or physician. Email us for more information on area grief specialists.
We found that many people wanted to help us but were hesitant to reach out to us. They waited for us to reach out to them.
