Connect Today to Start the Healing Process
Our grief peer support programs and memorial events support more than 2100 people in their grief journey every year. We help and support people in Ottawa who are experiencing grief that stems from many different types of losses.
Our programs are currently being offered virtually, and our memorial events are held in person as well as virtually.
Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of religion, culture, ethnicity, physical ability or gender. Call the office for more information, or to find out which programs are best for you.
Suggested donations are appreciated.
On the first Tuesday of every month, from 7 to 9 pm, we welcome a guest speaker and then break out into peer support groups for loss of child, loss of spouse/partner, loss of parent, sibling, relative or friend, or loss by suicide.
There are no fees for our programs. Suggested donations of $25 per session are appreciated. If you can, please donate.
Join us for our next monthly SSN on Tuesday April 4 at 7 pm.
Our guest speaker is Suzanne Duc, RP, MACP
"An Introduction to Understanding Grief".
Presented by local grief and trauma expert Suzanne Duc, Registered Psychotherapist, this 30-minute presentation will provide introductory grief education, advice and coping strategies. There will be time allotted following the presentation for questions and comments from the participants.
Before joining, please review the attached documents about how to participate in a Zoom call, our virtual disclaimer and etiquette guidelines.
Visit our Youtube channel to watch videos of our past speakers.
Join us each Wednesday from 12 to 1:30 pm for a socially distant walk with others, along the Ottawa River and behind Parliament. Sign up begins at 11:50 am in the lobby of the Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Avenue. Our volunteer facilitators will be there to greet you.
Our programs are free. Suggested donations of $10 per weekly sessions are appreciated. If you can, please donate.
Experience the benefits of a peer support group in an open and safe space. Connect with others on their healing journey through grief. A trained grief facilitator led group, welcoming individuals with all types of losses.
This group takes place virtually via Zoom every Thursday from noon to 1:30 pm. Registration closes at 11am Thursday, or earlier if the group has reached its full capacity, so register in advance!
There are no fees for our programs. Suggested donations of $15 per session are appreciated. If you can, please donate.
Before joining, please review the attached documents about how to participate in a Zoom call, our virtual disclaimer and Etiquette guidelines.
Closed Groups are held twice a year in the spring and fall.
These groups run weekly for 8 sessions with the same group of participants. Together with trained facilitators, they discuss different topics each week. These groups allow for a deeper exploration of grief.
An 8-week attendance commitment is required. Group size is limited. Priority is given to people who have attended our other support group programs.
5 groups are offered specific to type of loss: Loss of child, loss of parent, loss of spouse/partner, loss of relative/friend/sibling, loss by suicide.
Our spring Closed Groups registration is now closed.
Information on our fall 2023 Closed Groups will be posted here in late summer.
Expressive art therapy is a form of working through bereavement. It explores & gives expression to the challenging feelings of grief. This is NOT an art class. There is no requirement to be artistic.
The same group of participants meet weekly for 6 weeks. An attendance commitment is required.
Our Art Therapy spring group registration is now closed.
Information on the fall 2023 Art Therapy will be posted here in late summer.
Types of Losses
Loss of Child
Participants and facilitators who take part in our programs have lost children of different ages and by different causes. They are all united in sharing the indescribable pain associated with losing their child. By sharing their stories, as well as the courage and strength they’ve gained through their grief journey, our facilitators and participants help guide each other through their bereavement. Loss of child peer support groups are available through our monthly Support and Share Nights as well as Closed Groups offered in the spring and fall.
Loss of Spouse or Partner
Losing a spouse or partner can feel like losing a piece of yourself. No longer having your partner there through the ups and downs of life can be scary and lonely. We have many participants and trained facilitators who have each gone through the loss of a spouse or partner. By sharing our stories of loss, we support one another with friendship, compassion, and understanding. Loss of spouse or partner peer support groups are available through our monthly Support and Share Nights as well as Closed Groups offered in the spring and fall.
Loss of Parent, Sibling, Relative, or Friend
They each play many different roles in our lives. They may be mentors, dear friends, or an irreplaceable branch of our family tree. We use the life experience of our trained facilitators and participants who have lost a parent, relative, sibling, or friend to help us work through the worst parts of our grief. Loss of a parent, sibling, relative, or friend peers supports groups are available through our monthly Support and Share Nights as well as seasonally Closed Groups.
Loss by Suicide
Loss by suicide can be traumatic and devastating. In addition to losing a loved one, it can be difficult to deal with the stigma often associated with such a loss. Our facilitators who have experienced loss by suicide provide an environment of trust and understanding, where participants share their stories and support each other. Our monthly Support and Share Night includes a peer support group for loss by suicide. We also offer a loss by suicide Closed Group in the spring and fall.