Grief Support Meeting Information
Our peer grief support meetings meet either in person, via Zoom or a combination of both. You must complete a one-time pre-registration to receive our weekly meeting zoom links. In addition to our regular in person and zoom grief support for a death due to overdose or other substance use related causes for anyone 18+, we also offer a special men’s only zoom grief group, a grandparents group, a partner/spouse group, a sibling group, a mom’s only group, a death of multiple loved ones group, a substance use related suicide loss group, an LGBTQ+ group, a people in recovery roup, a young person group (18-35), a faith based group and people in recovery group. All zoom meetings are based on Eastern Time. If it just says ”ZOOM” and no other qualifier, it means anyone 18+ who is bereaved due to substance use related causes are welcome to attend. The in person meetings are also for anyone 18+ who are bereaved due to substance use related causes. Meetings subject to change. Check back for updates. PRE-REGISTER HERE!
December 2024 Meetings & Events (remaining)
Monday - ZOOM 12/23/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Don Lipstein facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
New Date for December only! Monday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 12/23/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating. For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, BRIDGEWATER, MA 12/24/24 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Annie Avitabile facilitating. Trinity Episcopal Church 91 Main St Bridgewater MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. Postponed until January.
Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 12/24/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Kar-Kate Parenteau facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a partner, spouse or significant other due to substance use. Postponed until January.
Thursday - ZOOM 12/26/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Janice Kaplan facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Sunday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING, IN-PERSON, MEDFORD, MA 12/29/24 10:00-11:30 am ET. Michelle Rueda and Chloe Brosnan co-facilitating. 96 Winchester Street, Medford, MA. For anyone 18-35 who has experienced the death of someone they care about to substance use.
Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 12/30/24 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Darlene Mersereau facilitating. Crossroads Church, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
New Date for December only! Monday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 12/30/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating. For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - HYBRID - LEARNING TO COPE WITH GRIEF MEETING - IN-PERSON & ZOOM, GLOUCESTER, MA 12/31/24 7:00-8:00 pm ET. Colleen and Gordon Bullard facilitating. CORE Peer Recovery and Resource Center 11 - 15 Parker Street, Gloucester, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. Postponed until January.
January 2025 Meetings & Events
New Year’s ZOOM Wednesday - 1/1/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Robyn Houston-Bean facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - ZOOM - 1/6/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Aileen Lovejoy & Deb Dowd-Foley facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
NEW OFFERING! Monday - IN-PERSON BERKELEY, CA 1/6/25 7:00-8:30 pm PT. Randi Schalet facilitating. Berkeley Town House/Library Room, 2550 Dana Street, Berkeley, CA. (Text 857-540-9596 to be buzzed into building). For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - IN-PERSON, FALMOUTH MA TBA 1:30-3:00 pm ET. Kerry Bickford facilitating. Learn to Cope Office 24 Spring Bars Road, Suite 1A, Falmouth MA. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
New Date for this month only! Wednesday - IN-PERSON, TAUNTON, MA 1/8/25 7:00-8:00 pm ET. Sandra Chase facilitating. Learn to Cope Office, 4 Court Street, #110, Taunton, MA. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
New Date for this month only! Wednesday - IN-PERSON, PORTLAND, ME 1/8/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Karen Walsh and Rachel Solomon facilitating. The Family Restored, 631 Stevens Avenue, Suite 205, Portland, ME For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - GRIEVING MULTIPLE LOVED ONES - ZOOM 1/8/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Annie Avitabile facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of multiple loved ones due to substance use.
Thursday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS - ZOOM 1/9/25 5:30-6:30 pm ET. Kerry Bickford facilitating. For grandparents that have experienced the death of a family member due to substance use now navigating grief and other issues with their grandchildren. The focus of this Thursday group will be on the grandchildren.
Thursday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING - ZOOM 1/9/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Chloe Brosnan facilitating For anyone 18-35 who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Thursday - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, KINGSTON, MA on ZOOM 1/9/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Mary Peckham facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Special In-Person Event! Saturday 1/11/25 2:00-3:30 pm ET. Join us at Just Smash It 53 East Main Street, Avon, MA (map) and let go for a little bit. Come on down and smash away your frustrations in a safe and controlled environment. Don't miss out on this opportunity to let off some steam. Registration Required! For people bereaved due to substance use related causes (must be 17+) Questions? Please contact Judy Kelly: 781-264-0557 judyannkelly@gmail.com
Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 1/13/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Darlene Mersereau facilitating. Crossroads Church, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 1/13/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Cheryl Juaire facilitating. Greater Grace Christian Fellowship, 187 Pleasant St Marlborough MA. For anyone 18 and over of the Christian faith who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. There is a special sign-up process for this group to ensure a supportive and understanding environment for all participants.
Monday - MOM’S ONLY - ZOOM 1/13/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Tracy Carter and Karen Swindell facilitating. For mothers who have experienced the death of a child(ren) due to substance use.
Monday - SUICIDE RELATED DEATH- ZOOM 1/13/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Don Lipstein facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. Whether you know for sure that suicide was the cause of death or you are uncertain, you will find support here.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, NATHAN’S CIRCLE, WEST BARNSTABLE, MA 1/14/25 5:30-7:00 pm ET. Kerry and Richard Bickford facilitating. Compass Rose Center 1106 Main St West Barnstable MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, WINTHROP, MA 1/14/25 4:30-6:00 pm ET. JoAnn Rivieccio facilitating. 196 Winthrop Street, Winthrop, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 1/14/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Kar-Kate Parenteau facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a partner, spouse or significant other due to substance use.
Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 1/14/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating. For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - IN-PERSON, CHARLESTOWN, MA 1/15/25 6:00-7:00 pm ET. Shannon Lundin & Michael Cain facilitating. St. John’s Church 27 Devens St 2nd Floor Charlestown MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - ZOOM 1/15/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Karen Walsh and Rachel Solomon facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - SIBLING ZOOM 1/15/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Miriah Corso facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a sibling due to substance use.
Thursday - LGBTQ+ ZOOM 1/16/25 6:00-7:30 PM ET. Jill Shanahan (she/her) facilitating. For anyone 18 and over and identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS - ZOOM 1/20/25 12:00-1:00 pm ET. Kerry Bickford facilitating. For grandparents that have experienced the death or estrangement of a grandchild due to substance use (theirs or their parents.) The focus of this Monday group will be on the grandparent.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, HANSON, MA on ZOOM 1/21/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Mary Peckham facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, QUINCY, MA 1/21/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Robyn Houston-Bean facilitating. New Way Recovery, 85 Quincy Avenue, Quincy, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - ZOOM 1/22/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Jill Shanahan facilitating/Leslie Lagos co-facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who identifies as being in recovery from any substance or alcohol who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Sunday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING, IN-PERSON, MEDFORD, MA 1/26/25 10:00-11:30 am ET. Michelle Rueda and Chloe Brosnan co-facilitating. 96 Winchester Street, Medford, MA. For anyone 18-35 who has experienced the death of someone they care about to substance use.
Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 1/27/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Darlene Mersereau facilitating. Crossroads Church, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 1/27/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Cheryl Juaire facilitating. Greater Grace Christian Fellowship, 187 Pleasant St Marlborough, MA. For anyone 18 and over of the Christian faith who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. There is a special sign-up process for this group to ensure a supportive and understanding environment for all participants.
Monday - ZOOM 1/27/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Don Lipstein facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - HYBRID - LEARNING TO COPE WITH GRIEF MEETING - IN-PERSON & ZOOM, GLOUCESTER, MA 1/28/25 7:00-8:00 pm ET. Colleen and Gordon Bullard facilitating. CORE Peer Recovery and Resource Center 11 - 15 Parker Street, Gloucester, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, BRIDGEWATER, MA 1/28/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. TBA facilitating. Trinity Episcopal Church 91 Main St Bridgewater MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 1/28/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating. For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 1/28/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Kar-Kate Parenteau facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a partner, spouse or significant other due to substance use.
Thursday- ZOOM 1/30/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Janice Kaplan facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
February 2025 Meetings & Events
Monday - ZOOM - 2/3/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Aileen Lovejoy & Deb Dowd-Foley facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - IN-PERSON BERKELEY, CA 2/3/25 7:00-8:30 pm PT. Randi Schalet facilitating. Berkeley Town House/Library Room, 2550 Dana Street, Berkeley, CA. (Text 857-540-9596 to be buzzed into building). For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - IN-PERSON, FALMOUTH MA 2/5/25 1:30-3:00 pm ET. Kerry Bickford facilitating. Learn to Cope Office 24 Spring Bars Road, Suite 1A, Falmouth MA. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - ZOOM - 2/5/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Robyn Houston-Bean facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - IN-PERSON, TAUNTON, MA 2/5/25 7:00-8:00 pm ET. Sandra Chase facilitating. Learn to Cope Office, 4 Court Street, #110, Taunton, MA. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - IN-PERSON, PORTLAND, ME 2/5/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Karen Walsh and Rachel Solomon facilitating. The Family Restored, 631 Stevens Avenue, Suite 205, Portland, ME For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Thursday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS - ZOOM 2/6/25 5:30-6:30 pm ET. Kerry Bickford facilitating. For grandparents that have experienced the death of a family member due to substance use now navigating grief and other issues with their grandchildren. The focus of this Thursday group will be on the grandchildren.
Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 2/10/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Darlene Mersereau facilitating. Crossroads Church, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 2/10/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Cheryl Juaire facilitating. Greater Grace Christian Fellowship, 187 Pleasant St Marlborough MA. For anyone 18 and over of the Christian faith who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. There is a special sign-up process for this group to ensure a supportive and understanding environment for all participants.
Monday - MOM’S ONLY - ZOOM 2/10/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Tracy Carter and Karen Swindell facilitating. For mothers who have experienced the death of a child(ren) due to substance use.
Monday - SUICIDE RELATED DEATH- ZOOM 2/10/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Don Lipstein facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. Whether you know for sure that suicide was the cause of death or you are uncertain, you will find support here.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, NATHAN’S CIRCLE, WEST BARNSTABLE, MA 2/11/25 5:30-7:00 pm ET. Kerry and Richard Bickford facilitating. Compass Rose Center 1106 Main St West Barnstable MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, WINTHROP, MA 2/11/25 4:30-6:00 pm ET. JoAnn Rivieccio facilitating. 196 Winthrop Street, Winthrop, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 2/11/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Kar-Kate Parenteau facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a partner, spouse or significant other due to substance use.
Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 2/11/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating. For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - GRIEVING MULTIPLE LOVED ONES - ZOOM 2/12/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Annie Avitabile facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of multiple loved ones due to substance use.
Thursday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING - ZOOM 2/13/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Chloe Brosnan facilitating For anyone 18-35 who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Thursday - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, KINGSTON, MA on ZOOM 2/13/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Mary Peckham facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS - ZOOM 2/17/25 12:00-1:00 pm ET. Kerry Bickford facilitating. For grandparents that have experienced the death or estrangement of a grandchild due to substance use (theirs or their parents.) The focus of this Monday group will be on the grandparent.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, HANSON, MA on ZOOM 2/18/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Mary Peckham facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, QUINCY, MA 2/18/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Robyn Houston-Bean facilitating. New Way Recovery, 85 Quincy Avenue, Quincy, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - IN-PERSON, CHARLESTOWN, MA 2/19/25 6:00-7:00 pm ET. Shannon Lundin & Michael Cain facilitating. St. John’s Church 27 Devens St 2nd Floor Charlestown MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - ZOOM 2/19/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Karen Walsh and Rachel Solomon facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - SIBLING ZOOM 2/19/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Miriah Corso facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a sibling due to substance use.
Thursday - LGBTQ+ ZOOM 2/20/25 6:00-7:30 PM ET. Jill Shanahan (she/her) facilitating. For anyone 18 and over and identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Sunday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING, IN-PERSON, MEDFORD, MA 2/23/25 10:00-11:30 am ET. Michelle Rueda and Chloe Brosnan co-facilitating. 96 Winchester Street, Medford, MA. For anyone 18-35 who has experienced the death of someone they care about to substance use.
Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 2/24/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Darlene Mersereau facilitating. Crossroads Church, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 2/24/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Cheryl Juaire facilitating. Greater Grace Christian Fellowship, 187 Pleasant St Marlborough, MA. For anyone 18 and over of the Christian faith who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. There is a special sign-up process for this group to ensure a supportive and understanding environment for all participants.
Monday - ZOOM 2/24/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Don Lipstein facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - HYBRID - LEARNING TO COPE WITH GRIEF MEETING - IN-PERSON & ZOOM, GLOUCESTER, MA 2/25/25 7:00-8:00 pm ET. Colleen and Gordon Bullard facilitating. CORE Peer Recovery and Resource Center 11 - 15 Parker Street, Gloucester, MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, BRIDGEWATER, MA 2/25/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. TBA facilitating. Trinity Episcopal Church 91 Main St Bridgewater MA For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 2/25/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating. For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 2/25/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Kar-Kate Parenteau facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a partner, spouse or significant other due to substance use.
Wednesday - PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - ZOOM 2/26/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Jill Shanahan facilitating/Leslie Lagos co-facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who identifies as being in recovery from any substance or alcohol who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Thursday- ZOOM 2/27/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Janice Kaplan facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Basic Zoom preparations:
Don’t know how to zoom, no worries! Follow the directions below.
Go to to the Zoom download page and get:
Zoom desktop software for a desktop or laptop computer
And/or the Zoom tablet/phone app
Equipment
Recommended: Computer or laptop with Zoom desktop software
Tablet or phone with Zoom app
Go to the pregistration page, complete and you will get a emailed a link for the next Zoom meeting.
Our meetings are for people 18 and older looking for peer to peer, in person or virtual group grief support. The group was started for for those in Massachusetts, then expanded to New Hampshire & Rhode Island, and now welcome anyone from any state or country who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use disorder, addiction and/or overdose. We welcome anyone who has experienced this type of loss.
Please pre-register before your first meeting using the grief group pre-registration tab. Meetings are on an open ongoing basis after pre-registration. The meetings are not intended to replace therapy and/or counseling and the facilitators are not licensed doctors or therapists.
If you have any questions, please email robyn@thesunwillrise.org.