Bereaved individuals are often told to “move on” or to “let go.” Yet, for many, that is the last thing they want to do, or feel that they can do. Continuing Bonds is a grief theory that describes this very desire and for many, need, to stay connected with our deceased loved ones. SADOD’s Continuing Bonds workshop will discuss the theory, how it can be helpful to the bereaved, and of course, ways to continue bonds with our loved ones.  This workshop will be recorded and added to PSCP's On-Demand Workshop Library. By participating, you are acknowledging that your image, likeness, and comments may be included in the recording, which will be distributed at the sole discretion of Peer Support Community Partners. There is no charge to attend regardless of where you live. Registration Required. Questions? Contact Laura@sadod.org

Join us at Norwell Library for an Tree of Life Arts & Crafts Project!

For people bereaved due to substance use related causes.

At this event, artist Alissa Aronson of Bringing Smiles Unlimited, will guide you in creating your own unique Tree of Life art using various objects. Alissa is experienced with utilizing arts and crafts as a therapeutic outlet. No previous experience is necessary - just bring your creativity! Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring items such as small pictures or artifacts of your choosing. All ages welcome. Sign up now!

As with our previous events, we are requiring a deposit to hold your spot. You will receive the deposit back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding.

Questions? Please contact Natalie Patricio: 774-955-7752 jeepgirl474@gmail.com

Make your own Evergreen Angel at Bemis Farms located in Spencer MA!

This lovely angel stands over two feet tall. Draped in fragrant greens, adorned with dried everlastings, and glimmering with gilded holly and ornaments, she is a sight to behold.

Space is limited to 15 people.

For people bereaved due to substance use related causes.

As with our previous events, we are requiring a deposit to hold your spot. You will receive the deposit back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding.

Questions? Please contact Aileen Lovejoy: 774-239-1905 aileen@peersupportcommunitypartners.com

Registration is required. Sign up here.

The number of emotions that we experience when we are grieving the death of somebody we care about can be overwhelming. We are often told to “not think about it” or “let go,” which are much easier said than done. In comes Mindfulness- a practice in which we lean inwards and pay non-judgmental attention to our thoughts, feelings, the surrounding environment, and more. By doing the opposite of “not thinking about it,” we may disarm the hold that these thoughts and feelings have on us.

Join in for a discussion on the beneficial role that Mindfulness can play in our grief journeys. You will discuss tips for getting started and engage in some introductory Mindfulness practices during the workshop. 

This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/mindfulness-grief-workshop. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org 

Come join The Sun Will Rise for a relaxing afternoon of tea and community with other bereaved due to substance use related causes before the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays. Enjoy great food and conversation with your peers in this small and quaint tea room. Each guest will receive their own pot of tea in a delicious flavor of their choice. There will also be a variety of scrumptious finger sandwiches, scones, mini desserts, and cookies for all.

Vegetarian and GF options are also available.

Space is limited to 15 people.

As with our previous events, we are requiring a deposit to hold your spot. You will receive the deposit back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding.

Contact Natalie Patricio at jeepgirl474@gmail  or (774)955-7752 with any questions and to inform of any food allergies or special accommodations.

Registration is required. Sign up here.

KEYS 365 VIRTUAL Suicide Prevention Workshop by Deb Casello

This free KEYS 365 class is designed to empower participants with essential tools to recognize risk factors and warning signs of suicide, understand recommended suicide prevention verbiage, engage in open discussions, and foster hope and help-seeking behaviors.  Self-care and resilience-building techniques for attendees to practice and share with others are included. This dynamic session focuses on early intervention and is interactive; participants will actively engage with each other as they are introduced to life-saving suicide prevention skills.

• recognize warning signs and risk factors

• understand recommended suicide prevention verbiage

• practice guidelines for listening and engage in open discussions 

• learn ideas for fostering hope and help-seeking behaviors

  Please pre-register here.

Instructors will create a safe space for healing and calming the body for people bereaved due to substance use related causes. Release. Reset. Renew.

Relish in a 15 minute all levels gentle stretch Vinyasa yoga session as we then settle into our Yoga Nidra Practice. Grab a scented eye towel and a blanket as we fall into a deep guided meditation. All while bathing in the vibrations & reverberations of beautifully orchestrated Soundwaves.
Space is limited to 15 people.

Registration is required

As with our previous events, we are requiring a deposit to hold your spot. You will receive the deposit back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding.

Questions? Please contact Aileen Lovejoy: 774-239-1905 aileen@peersupportcommunitypartners.com
Instructors:
A collaboration between Beyond Yoga & Wellness as well as S.C. Wellness
Owner of Beyond Yoga And Wellness- Ashley Bousquet / S.C. Wellness owner- Sarah Coyne

REGISTER HERE!

For many grievers, The Holidays are one of the most difficult times of the year. Although society floods us with images of joy and expectations to embrace the holiday season, this is often not the experience of individuals that are grieving. Some may want to skip holiday traditions, others may want to find ways to honor their loved one(s) throughout the holidays, others may want to create new traditions in the wake of the death, and all of these are OK. 

Join SADOD for a discussion on boundaries and coping strategies for the holiday season, as well as an opportunity to find comfort in sharing a space with others who feel similarly. Most importantly, we hope this workshop will convey the fact that you are not alone in feeling apprehensive about the holidays. 

This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/sadod-holidays. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org

The Sun Will Rise Foundation invites people bereaved due to substance use related causes to join together in an autumn walk at Borderland State Park. We will make stops along the way to “Call Their Names” at a few locations as a way to carry our person with us on this outing. Everyone is welcome…friends, family, kids, as well as dogs on leashes.

Borderland is a history and nature preserve on the Sharon/ Easton line. It was formally the Ames Estate, the home of Gov. Oaks Ames and artist/suffragette Blanche Ames. There are over 8 miles of trails. We will walk about 4 miles. The paths are mostly open, flat and fairly  easy to navigate. The nature, scenery, and variety of landscapes are truly breathtaking. The great Leach Pond is central to the over 1000 acres in the park.

Wear weather appropriate clothing and good shoes for hiking. Use sunscreen and bug spray if  needed. We will provide bottled water and snacks. 

We will meet at the BS Park Visitor Center. The parking lot is large. There is a $5.00 fee to park. Free if you have a DCR pass. Out of state parking is $20.00.  We will reimburse parking fees.

Let us know you are coming on the hike via the facebook event page or by emailing marci@thesunwillrise.org

Call or text Cindy Kaplan 508-269-8428 for group questions.

Want to join other people who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use related causes and raise money for a great cause? The Family Restored is hosting their 11th annual Memorial Walk on 10/5/24 in Medford MA. The Family Restored is a New England based nonprofit organization that provides vital resources to families and individuals affected by addiction. You know the name because we partner with them to offer two of our monthly griefs groups that are facilitated by Karen Walsh & Rachel Solomon. Select our team "The Sun Will Rise" when you register and let's spend the day together! Register here and join our team! Please note the deadlines below.

Names of loved ones can be added onto the t-shirt through the registration form and pictures for memorial signs along the walk route can be sent to brittney@thefamilyrestored.org 

Deadline to submit names on t-shirt: September 11th

Deadline to send photo for memorial sign: September 20th

Join Sarah Blacker, award-winning singer/songwriter, LMHC, Board-Certified Music Therapist with over 20 years in the field working with adults and youth with mental health challenges, and those affected by substance use for an interactive and experiential presentation on the benefits and application of Music Therapy.

You will experience Music Therapy first-hand, learn about its powerful effects on the mind, body and spirit, and leave with takeaway tools to use in your own life every day. 

Sign up here for zoom link.

Volunteers needed to help pack the swag bags for the Grief Conference attendees! Please email marci@thesunwillrise.org if you can help us out!

Join us for a free day of friendship, food, activities, crafts, trail walking or just relaxing!! Anyone bereaved due to substance related causes is welcome, including Direct Service Providers impacted by the overdose crisis.

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER SO WE CAN HAVE ACCURATE FOOD COUNT

Nonotuck Park - Pavilion #1

1 Daley Field Road, Easthampton, MA 01027

$3 parking costs will be reimbursed at event

September 29th, 2024 from 11 am to 4 pm. Lunch served at 12:30 pm

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

Please email david@thesunwillrise.org with any food allergies when signing up.

Map of park

Grief following the death of a loved one due to substance-use-related causes is often filled with questions as to why this happened. Searching for answers to the “why” can lead us down rabbit holes that may set us further back in our grief journeys. For many, it is helpful to shift from “why” to “what next.” Instead of moving on from our loved ones, we may move forward with them by finding meaning. Meaning making is a grief support model that focuses on integrating the loss and ensuing grief into our present and future. Join us for this workshop to learn more about this grief model and ways to practice it. 

This SADOD workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/grief-meaning-making. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org 

Join Us for The Sun Will Rise Day at Fenway Park!

UPDATE as of 8/19/24 This event has sold out. Wait list available here.

We are excited to invite you to a special day at iconic Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox play baseball! This is a wonderful opportunity to come together, share in community, and enjoy America's favorite pastime. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just looking for a fun outing, this day promises to be filled with memorable moments.

We will be offering a bus from Weston MA to Fenway so you do not have to pay parking fees. A link will be sent at a later date after your tickets are reserved.

As with our previous events, we are asking for a deposit to hold your spot. In this case, because we are using an outside ticketing service, you must pay the total cost of the ticket to reserve. You will receive the full ticket amount back in cash at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the ticket is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding.

Sign Up Today!
Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon. We can't wait to see you there and share in this special day together. Five tickets per family limit. Reserve your tickets here!

If we sell out, you can complete this form to be added to the waitlist.

Questions? Please email judyannkelly@gmail.com

Many of our group members will have their loved one featured at this exhibit that opens this Tuesday, August 27 and ends November 8, in the The Beard and Weil Galleries at Wheaton College, 26 E. Main Street, Norton, MA.

All are invited to attend the reception and/or view the exhibit during the gallery hours:

1–5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday + Saturday

1–8 p.m. Thursday
10–5 p.m. Sunday
The galleries are closed Monday and during college breaks. There is no admission.

Read more about the INTO LIGHT Project. For anyone out of state, check their website for upcoming exhibits in your area.

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day our annual butterfly release ceremony will be held on Friday 8/30/24. Each attendee will receive a live butterfly to set free or a wildflower seed paper. Please rsvp to the Facebook event or email marci@thesunwillrise.org so we know how many butterflies are needed. All are welcome.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held each year and aims to raise awareness in the community of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.

You are not alone.

Rain Date: 8/31/24

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by grief and not sure how to cope? Do you wish you had more coping skills in your toolkit? Join us for this workshop where you will hear from SADOD staff who have found creative ways to cope with their grief. From song writing to karate, the possibilities are endless when it comes to finding the things that lift us up when we are feeling down.

This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/creative-coping. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org 

Join families from Team Sharing and The Sun Will Rise at our Family Fun Day, dedicated to families who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. This event is designed to bring families together in a supportive and joyful environment, offering a day of activities, food, and shared experiences. Reserve your family's spot today. Please provide the food choices and the names of each attendee during the registration process. Two adults per family.

We look forward to seeing you there!

As with our previous events, we are asking for a deposit to hold your spot. You will receive the deposit back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding! Register here!

Questions? Email Cheryl Juaire: cheryl@teamsharinginc.org

It is no secret that grief changes our entire lives, world, and relationships. The people in our lives may at times cause us pain and distress. Boundaries are crucial to mitigating such pain and distress. For many, boundaries sound great in theory, but implementation can be confusing and intimidating. Join SADOD for their July workshop on Boundaries in Grief to discuss when, why, and how we can each work to set boundaries in our own ways to improve our wellbeing and relationships. Please note that due to our funding by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, these Workshops are free to all residents of Massachusetts by using promo code: MASS. Individuals outside of Massachusetts are asked to pay $10 per workshop at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org. Register here.

We extend a welcoming invitation to gather with other people bereaved due to substance use for an afternoon cruise on the Charles River on Saturday, July 13 at 3:30 p.m! We have reserved the entire vessel so bring your supportive friends or family members! Enjoy a 70-minute, fully-narrated sightseeing tour with the Charles River Boat Company. Sign up here! The captain and crew will both entertain and educate while pointing out the historic and cultural sights of Boston and Cambridge. Sights include Beacon Hill, Esplanade Park, the Back Bay, Boston University, M.I.T., Harvard and countless sailboats and rowers!

The tour departs from Lechmere Canal in Cambridge. The ticket booth and boat departure is located outside the doors at the canal side of the CambridgeSide Mall. Charles River Boat Company offers discounted parking at a rate of $4.00 for up to 8 hours at The CambridgeSide Mall parking garage. Guests may park at the main garage at 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge MA 02141. Once you enter the garage go straight, do not turn left into the Royal Sonesta parking. Bring your parking ticket to the ticket booth for validation. Parking kiosks are located on each floor of the mall before entering the garage. Please pay for parking prior to returning to your vehicle.

This tour offers a full service bar with beverages available for purchase including water, soda, beer, wine and cocktails. Please note, no outside alcoholic beverages are allowed. They offer small bags of chips available for purchase. They ONLY accept debit or credit cards. The vessel is fully enclosable and sails rain or shine. The temperature is normally cooler on the water. Please remember sensible shoes on board. The vessels do not have AC. On a warm day, windows can be opened to enjoy the fresh air!

As with our previous events, we are asking for a deposit to hold your spot. You will receive the deposit back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding.

Questions? Please email judyannkelly@gmail.com

Harm reduction is a term that has been thrown around a great deal lately in many different ways for many different purposes. This begs the question: What is harm reduction and how can it be applied in people's personal lives as well as broadly? This workshop, led by Gabriel Quaglia, SADOD's Direct Service Provider Program Manager,  will cover the history of harm reduction, and what it could mean in different contexts as well as how we might practice it.

After this training you will be able to:

• Understand the roots of harm reduction and what it means

• Discuss how we can practice harm reduction with ourselves and others

• Understand how practices may or may not be harm reduction-focused or informed.

 This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register here. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org 

Are you a father/step-father/father figure/son who lost a father and are bereaved due to substance use related causes? This Father's Day zoom is for those like minded men (18 and older) seeking support

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96961980647?pwd=cFVTMHR3VE9COGc3UGdIZHo4TWVaZz09#success
Meeting ID: 969 6198 0647
Password: 300626 or
One tap mobile 16465588656

Free BBQ for men bereaved due to substance use related causes or suicide. Guest speakers, food and cornhole! Wrentham MA.

Registration required. Sign up here!

Any questions, feel free to contact Maureen Cappuccino maureen@gillyshouse.com or David Swindell dks27@comcast.net

We have changed the location of our annual Spring Hike.

Ponkapoag Pond is the largest of the lakes in and around the Blue Hill Reservation. The Trail scans the perimeter of the pond for about four miles and lasts about 2 hours.  This hike is long, magnificent and not difficult. Pre-register here

We will walk on a path through the active golf course, to a breathtaking vista of open water, dense woods, rock formations, campgrounds, cabins, big sky, and a few hills. Nature will greet you on every path. You will see other hikers, dog walkers, horseback riders and families with baby carriages. It can be a quiet hike or a very populated hike. There is lots of room for everybody..

We have scouted out 3 special sites to do our ritual “Calling of Their Names”. This event may help relieve the stress that we carry in grief, if only for the day. It validates our loved ones presence, sends out our love and feel the power of unity of our shared circumstances.

Please Note:

Please cancel if you can’t make it  Be on time so we can hike together.

Dress for weather. Use sunscreen and bug spray. Wear good comfortable, hike appropriate shoes.

There are 3 entrances. USE ONLY THE GOLF COURSE PARKING LOT and walk toward the back where the course begins, Look for our group. There, we will provide you with bottled water, a snack bar and name tags.

There is one set of bathroom facilities on the trail. The rustic wooden “out house”  type for the cabins. Go before you hike!

YES!: You should bring your (leashed) dogs and other friends and  family members! Your support people.

We really hope to see a good crowd. This is a spectacular walk. No one will be disappointed.

Directions: 2167 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021

This is where Rt# 138 and Washington St, converge. It is on Washington St. Rt #138. 

From Boston it is on the left. From Stoughton/ Providence it is on the right. (It’s not very well marked) The Metropolitan Skating Rink is next door. WE WILL MEET AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WALKWAY (Toward the golf course).

*For information Text Cindy at 508-269-8428 or email at cinkap56@gmail.com

Rain Date: Sun. June 9th 2:30- 4:30

Join SADOD on May 31st, 2024 at 12pm EST for "Don't Walk the Road Alone" to learn more about SADOD's grief resources. This is a monthly online open house where they give an overview of everything they do. It is held for human service agency staff, employers, people who encounter the bereaved in their work, the general public, or anyone else who would like to learn about the way SADOD provides peer grief support after a substance use-related death in Massachusetts.

If you would like to join us, please register here:
https://wkf.ms/3V8eVLa

SADOD May psychoeducational workshop: Love Winks: Signs, Symbols, and Dreams. May 28, 2024 6:30-8:00 pm ET Registration link When our loved ones die, they do not disappear. We feel their presence all around us through our ongoing love, memories, and for some people, through signs and symbols. Whether you are out and about and see something that instantly makes you feel like your loved one is with you or watching you, or you have moments where you feel a deeper sense of connection, you may consider them to be winking at you with love. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org

JOIN Val Walker, author, rehabilitation consultant, and blogger for Psychology Today, and Robyn Houston-Bean, founder of the Sun Will Rise Foundation and a grief support group facilitator, to share your stories of healing experiences with awe and wonder. Val and Robyn will be co-hosting storytelling guests virtually with conversations about life-changing and profound encounters with awe and wonder for their project called Healing Through Wonder: Stories of Moments that Take Our Breath Away. These stories will be posted publicly on youtube, TikTok and other social media channels and may be used for an upcoming book.  Please sign up to share your story. You can watch past episodes here.

Zoom grief support meeting for anyone who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use related causes, wanting some extra support on this holiday.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81883230252?pwd=Jq6FWmZkaCw7I1F2rD0R8xztGoBYf2.1
Meeting ID: 818 8323 0252
Passcode: 213911
One tap mobile 13017158592