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VNA & Hospice offers a variety of bereavement support programs for youth and adults.
Youth Groups
The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens
The Garden provides support to grieving young people ages 5-18, and their families following the death of someone close, including parents, siblings, other family members, or friends. We have an on-site program for the whole family, and support area schools with our outreach program. There are no limits on how, where, or when the death occurred.
Our aim is to give grieving young people a safe place to share, remember and connect with others who are also grieving. The Garden will open for new and returning families on Sunday, March 5. Intake required. Call today to schedule.
For more information, call us at 413-727-5749.
Adult Groups
An in-person, drop-in Walking Group for bereaved adults that takes place at Childs Park in Northampton. This group aims to meet on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 am. The next group meets on Friday, February 3. These walks are weather-dependent. After a brief welcome, bereaved adults walk, share, and connect around their grief experience. For location and date information, call 413-727-5749.
Expressive Bereavement Arts Group
This virtual, drop-in Expressive Arts Group for bereaved adults meets monthly on the last Tuesday from 5 – 6:30 pm. The next group meets on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
This group aims to provide a safe space for each participant to work on a collage aimed at supporting their grief journey using prompts provided. Recognizing that the word “ART” can be scary for some, this group isn’t about what is made, but instead about one’s individual and unique process. Following a short work session, time is allowed for sharing.
Supplies needed include note card-sized paper, magazines, glue, and scissors. Other items and mementos can be used as well. Adults only and free of charge.
For Zoom link and more information, call 413-727-5749.
A virtual, drop-in bereavement book group for bereaved adults meets every other month on the 2nd Wednesday from 5:30-7 pm. SPECIAL DATE FOR FEBRUARY – The next book group meets on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, with the next book being ‘The Five Invitations’ by Frank Ostaseski. We discuss, share highlights, and comment on a book connected to grief and loss. Books are chosen at the end of each group. Adults only and free of charge.
For Zoom link and more information, call 413-727-5749.
Previous books include:
- It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand by Megan Devine
- Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
- Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush
Grief Support Group
This in-person support group for bereaved adults meets weekly on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 7 pm in 8-week sessions. The group consists of 5-10 participants and includes a mix of journaling, sharing, grief education, and learning coping skills. The group meets at 168 Industrial Drive, in Northampton. There is a required intake and commitment to schedule. Free of charge.
Call 413-727-5749 for schedule and intake.
