FORT WAYNE, IND. – Jan. 21, 2025 – When a loved one passes away, grief can be overwhelming and isolating. While each person experiences grief in their own way, getting support to understand your grief and find companionship with others can help you navigate your feelings and move forward.
Parkview Hospice counselors facilitate bereavement support groups across the region. Any community member who has experienced the loss of a loved one, recently or longer ago, and seeks a compassionate, supportive environment in which to heal is welcome to attend.
The groups focus on concepts in the book, “Understanding Your Grief,” by noted author, educator and grief counselor Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Wolfelt’s exploration of grief, self-compassion and practical steps toward healing has been a helpful guide for thousands of people nationwide.
Support group members will receive a free copy of the book, which they will read and discuss during the meetings as they explore the normal emotional responses to illness and death and ways to cope.
Support group meeting times and locations
LaGrange County
4 – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Jan. 14 – Mar. 18, at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Michigan St., LaGrange.
Noble County
4 – 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 16 – Mar. 20, at the Kendallville Public Library, 221 S. Park Ave., Kendallville.
DeKalb County (two groups)
• 4 – 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Jan. 15 – Mar. 19, at Miller’s Merry Manor, 1367 S. Randolph St., Garrett
• 1 – 2:30 p.m. on Mondays, Jan. 13 – Mar. 17, at the Heimach Center, 1800 E. 7th St. in Auburn
Steuben County (two groups)
• 1 – 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Jan. 15 – Mar. 19, at the Stroh Church of Christ, 4540 S. 1100 W., Hudson
At the church, enter door 2 and go to Room 208.
• 1 – 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Jan. 14 – Mar. 18, at Fairview Missionary Church, Fireside Room, 525 E. 200 N. in Angola
Whitley County
Times and dates are still being determined; call 260-373-9800 for information. Location: Big Lake Church of God, 6955 State Road 109 in Columbia City.
Experienced hospice social workers encourage group members on their grief journey. Rev. Ken Weaver, LCSW, LMFT, hospice chaplain, and Cathy Petrie, LCSW, MSW, bereavement counselor, have led support groups together in Noble and LaGrange counties for 16 years. Other group leaders include Angela Beer-Walker, LCSW, hospice social worker; Amber White, LCSW, hospice social worker; and HaEun “Sam” Cho, hospice chaplain.
Participants in Understanding Your Grief meetings have commented that the group gave them a safe place to express their thoughts and equipped them with the tools to share their feelings with friends and family members so they feel less alone in their grief. Group leaders strive to create a warm, accepting, non-judgmental atmosphere.
For inquiries and enrollment in a LaGrange, Noble, DeKalb or Steuben group, call 800-292-9894. For the Whitley group, call 800-373-9800.
Bereavement support groups are also available on an ongoing basis in Allen and Huntington counties on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
Allen County
5:30 – 7:30 p.m., PACH Conference Room at Parkview Randallia Hospital, 2200 Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne. Participants should use ground floor entrance 2 to access the PACH room.
Huntington County
5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Parkview Hospice, 2708 Guilford St., Huntington.
For information about the Allen or Huntington County groups or other bereavement support, call 260-373-9800.
Retreat offers a day of reflection to tend to grief
Area residents are also invited to participate in a free Reflection Day retreat on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Chapel of the Lakes, 2955 W. Orland Road, in Angola. Parkview Hospice grief facilitators Rev. Ken Weaver and Cathy Petrie will facilitate the retreat, which is organized by the non-profit organization Kerith Brook.
Kerith Brook was founded by a woman who lost her husband suddenly when he was struck by a car and killed during a Sunday bicycle ride. In her early thirties and married for only three years, the woman found herself dealing with tremendous grief. She was moved to develop a non-profit organization to help other grieving people by offering retreats where they can take a break from the demands of daily life and rest because grieving can be exhausting. More information can be found at kerithbrook.org.
The Jan. 25 retreat will offer the opportunity for grieving people to get a change of scenery and participate – as much as they are comfortable with – in gathering with caring staff and others, hearing a presentation on grief, spending time in nature, enjoying lunch, and taking part in discussion, guided meditation and even unstructured time. The relaxed, informal nature of the retreat recognizes that grief is a journey unique to each person.
Lunch and the event are provided free of charge. Individuals interested in attending on Jan. 25 should reach out to [email protected].