MetroWest Nonprofits Offer Coronavirus Grief Support

Framingham MA

27 January, 2021

8:00 AM

Description

Press release from Jeff's Place: Jan. 27, 2021 Jeff's Place Children's Bereavement Center, the Framingham-based not-for-profit that provides free grief support groups for families who have experienced a significant death loss, The Parmenter Foundation and Advocates today announced a new virtual grief support group for adults coping with loss in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is underwritten by a $13,000 grant from Parmenter as part of its COVID-19 crisis response grant program, and will be administered by Advocates, a leading human services provider in Framingham for people who face developmental, mental health or other life challenges. The grief curriculum will be developed by bereavement experts from Jeff's Place. The closed, 12-week support group will be conducted via telehealth and will focus on different kinds of grief: loss due to death or life-limiting illness; loss of standard memorial rituals; and more. It will also address the many ways in which people grieve and offer coping strategies and mechanisms. Participants will learn to work through the grieving process with support from group facilitators and others facing similar challenges. "The COVID pandemic and subsequent isolation has presented a unique set of issues for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. It's our hope that our virtual support group will help people who are grieving feel less alone in their grief journey," said Jenny Kaplan, PhD, FT, Founder & CEO of Jeff's Place. Angela Crocker, Executive Director of Parmenter, added, "We are proud to fund these innovative and impactful MetroWest programs for those suffering from grief, loss and economic hardship due to the pandemic. Responding quickly to provide hope and build resiliency in our community is our highest priority." Diane Gould, President and CEO of Advocates, acknowledged that the pandemic has been difficult for everyone. "People are experiencing profound loss, stress and anxiety," she said. Groups will meet weekly for one hour. The start date will be determined pending enrollment. To make a referral or for more information, visit http://bit.ly/AdvCCBHC, call Karen Katz at 508-661-2038 or email [email protected]. Jeff's Place is located at 281 Pleasant Street, Framingham, Mass., 01701. For additional information, visit www.jeffsplace.org, call 508-879-2800 or email [email protected]. The Parmenter Foundation is located at 260 Boston Post Road, #5, Wayland, Mass., 01778. For additional information, visit www.parmenterfoundation.org, call (508) 358-3001 or email [email protected]. Advocates is located at 1881 Worcester Road, Framingham, Mass., 01701. For additional information, visit www.advocates.org, call (508) 628-6300 or email [email protected]. This press release was produced by Jeff's Place. The views expressed here are the author's own.