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Living with Loss Program launching in Guelph

When a loved one dies, feelings of grief, loneliness and isolation can be overwhelming. To help support community members during a profoundly difficult time in their lives, Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region (BFO-MR) is launching its Living with Loss Program in Guelph in September 2017.

“Sharing stories, experiences and coping strategies helps normalize the grief experience,” says Jaime Bickerton, BFO-MR Executive Director. “Being in a room with people who empathize and understand what you’re going through is very powerful.”

Living with Loss is a monthly drop-in peer support group for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. Registration is not required and people are welcome to attend as often or as little as they would like. The group is offered free of charge and is facilitated by volunteers who are themselves bereaved.

“We are excited to be bringing this program to Guelph and for the opportunity to provide another support to individuals and families in this community who are grieving,” says Bickerton. “We are grateful for the support of a City of Guelph Community Wellbeing Grant and Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home for making this possible.”

BFO-MR’s Guelph group is launching September 6, 2017. It will be held the first Wednesday of every month at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home at 1099 Gordon Street. For a complete list of dates and monthly topics, click here.

The Living with Loss Program is also offered in Mount Forest on the first Wednesday of each month, as well as in Kitchener and Cambridge on the first and third Tuesday of the month.