We often speak about the sadness and pain of grief and less often about the dual emotions that sometimes come up. We may feel joy and sorrow, relief and guilt, alone and connected, sometimes all at once and other times in different situations. For many, we have typically thought about emotions as “either you feel one way or you feel another way.” Yet, grief forces us to confront many emotions, some which may appear to be conflicting. In this workshop we will discuss the dualities of grief and how we can make space for all our emotions without feeling guilt or shame over them. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/grief-dualities.  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 

UPDATE: The butterflies have all been reserved and we cannot add any more before the event. Even if you don't have a butterfly reserved, you are welcome and invited to attend.

Join us for a powerful and peaceful morning of remembrance, hope and community.

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, we invite you to take part in our annual Butterfly Release Ceremony. Each guest will receive a live butterfly to release and/or a packet of wildflower seeds to plant in memory of a loved one.

This day is a global observance that raises awareness about overdose, honors the people who have died and supports those who live with grief.

We gather to remember without shame. We gather to say you are not alone.

This year’s theme: One Big Family, Driven by Hope.

Please RSVP by reserving a free ticket for each person wanting to release a butterfly. This helps us plan how many butterflies we need. All are welcome. Whether you come to remember someone or simply to stand in solidarity, your presence matters.

Let’s spread awareness. Let’s hold space. Let’s release hope. Share this event with others who may want to attend.

Hosted by:

The Sun Will Rise Foundation

Braintree Community Partnership

Town of Braintree

Sold out! Sign up for wait list here.

A Healing Sail on Boston Harbor For People Bereaved Due to Substance Use Related Causes

Saturday, August 16, 2025 Fan Pier Marina – Boston Seaport

Limit: 4 tickets per family

Tickets Required

Cost: FREE – but requires a $20 per person deposit. You’ll receive the full deposit back at the event. We ask for this to help us continue offering events like this at no cost to you.

Set sail with us aboard The Liberty Star, a 67-foot wooden schooner designed as a replica of an 1890s coastal sailing vessel. With its mahogany planking, oak frames and beautiful handcrafted cabinetry, the Liberty Star offers a one-of-a-kind experience. It fits up to 39 guests, plus its crew.

Important Details:

• Drinks available onboard (cash, Apple Pay, credit card)

• Outside beverages are not permitted, except water

• You may bring food onboard...just know it can get windy!

• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to allow time for boarding

Location & Directions: Fan Pier Marina, Boston Seaport

Enter “10 Waterside Ave, Boston” in your GPS. Head to the gangway to the right of Reel House Oyster Bar and follow the “Liberty Fleet Boarding” signs. Look for the schooner.

Getting There:

• 5-min walk from Courthouse Station (MBTA SL1, SL2, SL3) which runs from South Station

• 20-min walk from South Station, Faneuil Hall, or the State House

• 25-min scenic Harbor Walk from the Aquarium

• Garage at Post Office Square (112 Congress St.) $10 all-day weekend rate, 20-min walk from the marina

Questions? Contact Natalie at 774-955-7752 jeepgirl474@gmail.com

We’d love to have you with us for this peaceful and meaningful afternoon on the water.

SOLD OUT. WAITLIST AVAILABLE HERE.

Four-session virtual workshop for people bereaved due to substance use related causes led by award-winning Storyteller Meghann Perry.

You will participate in 4 virtual workshops too be held: 8/7/25, 8/14/25, 8/21/25 & 9/4/25.

Stories are a way of showing us how we see the world and what is sacred to us. When someone we care about dies, especially in a way that carries stigma, it can change the way we tell those stories. Sometimes, the story we tell revolves around pain, shame or silence. That can keep us from remembering the full truth of who they were and it can hold us back in our own healing journey. This 4 session workshop is designed to help people explore a different relationship with their story. With guidance from experienced story coaches, participants will gently reflect on how their story has been shaped, what parts might feel difficult and what other truths are waiting to be told. Through small group conversations, pair sharing and gentle coaching, we’ll begin to open space for new meaning. This doesn’t mean rewriting the past, it means allowing the complexity of love, grief and memory to come forward in a way that feels more whole. This is a space for grieving people to be honest, heard and supported in finding a story that feels more true, not just about how their person died, but about how they lived.

Plan to attend all four sessions.

Sign up required. Reserve your spot here.

A zoom link for the four sessions will be sent prior to the workshop sessions.

Questions? Email robyn@thesunwillrise.org

In uncertain times, such as when we are grieving, many of us are asking: “How do I make new connections?” Author, bereaved person, rehabilitation consultant, and Psychology Today blogger, Val Walker, will lead a discussion where we will share ideas and real-life success stories of how we can expand and enrich our social life. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/building-community-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 

Join us for an enjoyable day in nature at Francis William Bird Park. We will enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the sun or shade at this lovely country park setting, boasting 2 ponds, paved walking paths, picnic tables, bridges and a playground. We ask that each person or small group bring a dish for the picnic. A salad, chips, main course, or dessert. It could be your person’s favorite food! Bring lawn chairs or a blanket for sitting as there is a limited amount of seating at the picnic tables. We will have outdoor games available for group activities. We’ll also walk the paths as a group or individuals if we choose and “Call Their Names” and share our stories. Bring yourself, your family, your dog (with leash), children, grandchildren, friends. Dress for a day at the park. Take bug spray. We will supply drinks and water and plates, utensils, etc. If you play a guitar, bring it! Register to let us know what food item you are bringing. We will reach out to you to find out!

For questions, please contact Cindy Kaplan at (508) 269-8428.

Grief is complex, and often the loss we experience is more than just the death of a loved one. Secondary losses—the ripple effects of that death—can impact many aspects of our lives in unexpected ways. Whether it’s the loss of social connections, identity shifts, or changes to our financial stability, these secondary losses can be just as profound as the death-loss itself.

 In this workshop, we will explore the often-overlooked secondary losses that arise after losing a loved one to substance-related causes and what we can do to work through them.
This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/secondary-loss-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 

Grief is a complex, personal journey and sometimes words aren’t enough to capture the emotions we experience. Join us to discover the peaceful art of doodling combined with some writing prompts as a way to gently process grief. In this guided session where we’ll use simple, creative exercises to bring feelings to life on paper, finding comfort and clarity in the process. The act of doodling, often spontaneous and free, will serve as a form of meditation, helping to release tension, quiet the mind, and foster self-compassion. This is also an opportunity to write about a person, animal, relationship, or place that we miss in a supportive group session. No previous art experience is needed. This workshop focuses on personal expression, not artistic skill, and offers a safe, non-judgmental space to honor your emotions. Presented by Cara Bean, cartoonist, art educator and author of Here I Am, I Am Me.

REGISTER HERE. Free to attend.

To also pre-register for peer grief support, sign up here.

We have 50 tickets available for our group! All ages are welcome! We are excited to invite you to a special evening at Gillette Stadium to watch the New England Revolution take on their opponents FC Cincinnati! This is a fantastic opportunity to come together, connect with others and enjoy a thrilling soccer game. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the sport, this event promises to be a fun and exciting outing for all ages. A huge thanks to the generosity of the Highland Street Foundation for this wonderful opportunity! The event is free to you, but to secure your spot, please RESERVE YOUR TICKETS HERE. We will meet outside the stadium to hand out the actual tickets, t-shirts and gift cards. Info will be emailed to you with details before the event. Questions? Please email robyn@thesunwillrise.org

Gilly’s House is hosting it’s second annual Men’s BBQ, Sunday June 8th 1:00 pm ET Wrentham MA. This is for any man, bereaved due to substance use related causes or suicide. Sign up here. Scroll for an available spot. Any questions, please reach out to Maureen Cappuccino maureen@gillyshouse.com or Dave Swindell at david@thesunwillrise.org This is an easy no pressure way to get together with other grievers. Please share with any men who you think may benefit being around other men who understand.

Join us for SADOD’s psychoeducational workshop, Holistic Healing for Grief with Jean Bradley, on Tuesday, May 27th, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Grief affects us on all levels- not only emotionally and spiritually, but also physically. We know support groups and therapy are out there, but many of us wonder what else we can be doing to work through our grief. Sometimes taking care of our physical bodies and the impact that grief has had on us can be very beneficial. 

In this workshop, Jean Bradley, reiki master, energy medicine practitioner, and bereaved person, will discuss her experiences incorporating reiki, reflexology, and the use of essential oils in her grief journey and how these have helped her. This workshop will provide an overview on what these practices are and how one might get started. Please note that none of these practices will be formally conducted in this educational workshop.

This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/holistic-healing-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

Enjoy a group walk together where we share our stories, fill the air with our loved one’s names and find a bit of tranquility with a stroll on Deer Island while overlooking the Boston skyline. This walk has a flatter paved walking surface. Please join in to meet other group members! Sign up here.

A few of the highlights:

60 acres of open space, including 2.6 miles of paved handicapped accessible perimeter path

10 landscaped overlooks with interpretive signage

Memorials and dedicated benches

Dramatic views of the Boston skyline and Harbor Islands

Spectacular closeups of airport landings and takeoffs

Elevated look-in locations of to learn about the wastewater treatment plant

Link to locate entrance gate. No entrance fee.

About Deer Island

For any questions please contact Judy Kelly at judyannkelly@gmail.com 781-264-0557

Attendees will make a beautiful memorial candle holder that they will stamp or inscribe themselves.

Assembly and stamping on the 10th and the potter, Holly Heaslip will take attendees to her shops to fire and glaze.

We will arrange pick-up a week or so later.

Rev. Tara O'Keefe will also offer a Mother's Day blessing and Kerry Bickford will provide support as needed.

REGISTER HERE

Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Registration Required.

Questions? Please contact Kerry Bickford: 1-508-932-1981 kerry@peersupportcommunitypartners.org

Join the The Sun Will Rise team and walk/run with us at The Remembering our Angels 5k Run/Walk!!! The Sun Will Rise Foundation, Inc. is honored to walk again this year in support, remembrance and community. Last year, over 50 of us came together as a team and we’re ready to do it again! We walk to honor them, to support each other and to show that no one has to grieve alone. Join our team! If you have already registered individually and would like to join the team, email robyn@thesunwillrise.org

Want to try something new? Join us for 90 minutes of Social Darts! Fast-paced multiplayer games, groundbreaking tracking technology and instant scoring built to bring people together, whether you're a rookie or a self-proclaimed pro! A time to share some fun with our Sun Will Rise community! Registration Required Here!

Transportation Information: 

Parking on SpotHero App: 

- Flex Lot - 230 A Street: current price to reserve spot is $10.00 through SpotHero app (12 minute walk to flight club) 

- 17 Farnsworth St. - Farnsworth Garage: current price to reserve spot is $20.00 through SpotHero app (3 minute walk to flight club) 

Public Transportation:  South Station to Flight Club: 12 minute walk

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? Contact Danielle Lagos, email: daniellelagos24@gmail.com or cell: 617-694-1194

Drumming Through Trauma – Registration Required!

Drumming isn’t just music. It’s movement, it’s rhythm, it’s release. A way to express what words can’t.

For thousands of years, people have used drumming to heal, connect, and find strength. Today, science backs what ancient traditions have always known…group drumming helps ease stress, process trauma, and build community.

Drumming Through Trauma is a space to let go, feel the beat and release what’s been held inside. No experience needed. Registration Required!

The class is taught by Sam Holmstock, a founding member of the band Entrain and teacher of Afro-Caribbean drumming for 30 years.  For the last 7 years, he has taught on the Cape at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

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 Judy Kelly: 781-264-0557 judyannkelly@gmail.com

Author and Psychology Today blogger Val Walker will share healing stories from trauma and grief survivors who’ve been transformed by encounters with awe and wonder. She will also report on recent neuroscience research that shows how experiences of awe and wonder restore our outlook and wellbeing and strengthen our spiritual awareness. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/healing-through-wonder. Please note this SADOD 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 

Grief is a deeply personal experience, and even when family members are grieving the same loss, they may process it in very different ways. One person may want to talk about their pain, while another may prefer to grieve quietly. Since there is no “right” way to grieve, it’s important to make space for these differences within the family. Join us for a workshop that will explore practical tools and strategies for grieving together as a family, supporting one another despite varying needs and approaches. This SADOD workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/family-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

Explore the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum with The Sun Will Rise

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of Boston’s most unique and celebrated museums. Built in 1901, it remains just as Isabella left it, a reflection of time, place and her extraordinary vision. Inside, you’ll experience European and ancient art from her collection, along with stunning architecture, interior design and artifacts. At the heart of the museum is the breathtaking Garden Courtyard, a space unlike any other. Isabella Stewart Gardner was a wealthy socialite who, like many of us, experienced profound loss. To cope with her grief, her doctor encouraged her to travel, a journey that ultimately led to the creation of this museum. Throughout the galleries, you’ll find several masterpieces depicting mothers and children, offering a deeply personal connection to her story.

Visiting together allows us to experience beauty, history and connection in a space shaped by resilience and creativity.

Additional highlights include:

• Café G – A lovely spot to enjoy coffee or a meal

• Gift Shop – A well-curated selection of books, gifts, and art-inspired items

• Education Center – Located in the museum’s new wing

Event Details:

• Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that will be refunded at the event

• Capacity: Limited to 20 attendees

• Parking: Free street parking on Sundays; underground parking available nearby at Simmons College.

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.

For questions, please contact Cindy Kaplan at (508) 269-8428.

*************REGISTER HERE**************

Substance use related deaths leave behind grieving families, including grandparents and other relatives who often take on the role of caregiver. This workshop, led by TSWR Senior Facilitator & SADOD's Peer Grief Support Specialist focusing on grieving grands, Kerry Bickford along with Nancy Frumer Styron (Clinical Director of The Children’s Room), and Deb Tobin (Bereaved Mother Raising a Grandchild), will focus on supporting grieving grands and those who care for them. It’s open to grieving grands, those looking to help them, and anyone interested in this topic. Register at bit.ly/grieving-grands-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 

EVENT SOLD OUT. WAITLIST AVAILABLE

Join us for a two hour Clay Therapy workshop focused around processing grief. The group is run by a Licensed counselor and will be held at Local Pottery Studio and Gallery in Norwell, MA. For people bereaved due to substance use related causes.

What is Clay Therapy?! Clay Therapy is a form of sensorimotor, art therapy. A counselor trained in clay therapy will use person-centered counseling and art therapy principles to allow for a hands-on exploration of emotions. What comes from working with the Clay can be a powerful image that we give meaning to through group discussion. Working with clay can ground us, help us explore potential, allow space to process and bring calm to our body and mind.

The group setting allows opportunities to make connections with others and/or practice skills in a safe community with healthy boundaries. This is not an "art class" though art will be made. Registration 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 Judy Kelly: 781-264-0557 judyannkelly@gmail.com

We are capable of experiencing hope, healing, well-being and growth in the face of loss. It is possible to make meaning of our losses and regain energy and spontaneity. Our guest speaker, Randi Schalet, is a clinical psychologist who has been providing psychotherapy for thirty years. Randi is the peer facilitator for The Sun Will Rise Group in Berkeley CA. It is through her own lived experience as well as through reading and her belief in the value of peer grief support that Randi has begun to understand how a grieving person can find meaning again after a profound loss.

This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/finding-meaning-sadod. 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 

This intimate and interactive workshop is designed to honor the memories of those who have died due to substance use related causes. Participants are invited to share personal stories and reflections about their loved ones in a supportive and compassionate environment. Through guided discussion and activities we will explore the power of talking about memories. Whether someone is looking to speak openly or simply listen to others, this workshop intends to provides a safe, brave space to connect, remember and heal together. This workshop is being presented by Robyn Houston-Bean and was offered at the 2024 Finding Support In Grief Conference. Reserve your spot here.

Questions? Email Robyn@thesunwillrise.org

For people bereaved due to substance use related causes.

Join us at Just Smash It 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. See you there! Registration 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.

Before you enter the smashing rooms and start wreaking havoc, there are a few rules that you must understand first.

– Waivers must be filled out before entering the rage room.

– You must wear closed toed shoes.

– No expectant mothers.

– No persons with major injuries.

– No persons under the influence of drugs/alcohol.

– MUST BE 17 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

What to Bring:

1. Closed Toed Shoes

2. Photo ID

3. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time. 

Questions? Please contact Judy Kelly: 781-264-0557 judyannkelly@gmail.com

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.