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!
May 2025 Meetings & Events
Thursday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS - ZOOM 5/1/25 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.
Sunday - MOVING FORWARD-PEER GRIEF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS IN-PERSON, NORTH ATTLEBORO MA 5/4/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Kathi Sullivan facilitating. Sullivan’s Message Resource Community Center, 218 Park Street, North Attleboro, MA. For parents who have experienced the death of a child due to substance use.
NEW OFFERING! Monday - JOURNEY TO HOPE-PEER GRIEF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS - ZOOM 5/5/25 6:00-7:00 pm ET. Gail Langley & Robyn Stokowski facilitating. For parents who have experienced the death of a child due to substance use.
Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 5/5/25 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 - ZOOM - 5/5/25 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.
Wednesday - IN-PERSON, HEART TO HEART GROUP, FALMOUTH MA 5/7/25 1:30-3:00 pm ET. Kerry Bickford facilitating. UU Falmouth MA, 840 Sandwich Road, East Falmouth, 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 5/7/25 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 - IN-PERSON, TAUNTON, MA 5/7/25 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 - ZOOM - 5/7/25 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.
Thursday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING - ZOOM 5/8/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Chloe Brosnan and Liz Driscoll 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 5/8/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Mary Peckham facilitating. Plymouth County Outreach Office, 62 Main Street, Suite 107, Kingston, MA. For anyone 18+ over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. Postponed until June
EVENT! Saturday - 5/10/25 10:00-11:00 am ET. REMEMBERING OUR ANGELS 5K RUN/WALK! Loyal order of Moose Lodges, 67 Fitchburg Street, Marlborough, MA. 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, reach out to robyn@thesunwillrise.org.
EVENT! Saturday - 5/10/25 2:00-4:00 pm ET. MOTHER’S DAY LUMINARIA WORKSHOP Compass Rose, 1106 Main Street, West Barnstable, MA - Attendees will make a beautiful memorial candle holder that they will stamp or inscribe themselves. Rev. Tara O'Keefe will also offer a Mother's Day blessing and Kerry Bickford will provide support as needed. Questions? Please contact Kerry Bickford: 1-508-932-1981 kerry@peersupportcommunitypartners.org REGISTER HERE
Sunday - SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY ZOOM 5/11/25 11:00-12:00 pm ET. Judy Kelly facilitating. For anyone who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use wanting some extra support on this holiday.
Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 5/12/25 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 5/12/25 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 5/12/25 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 5/13/25 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 - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 5/13/25 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 5/13/25 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, AUBURN, MA 5/14/25 3:00-4:00 pm ET. Kathryn Peirce facilitating. Kiva Centers, 206 Southbridge Street, Auburn, 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 5/14/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Franklin Cook facilitating/Tavyn Thuringer co-facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who identifies as being in recovery from any substance including alcohol who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - GRIEVING MULTIPLE LOVED ONES - ZOOM 5/14/25 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.
For this month - Held 3rd Sunday- YOUNG PERSON MEETING, IN-PERSON, MEDFORD, MA 5/18/25 6:00-7:30 pm 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.
Sunday - MOVING FORWARD-PEER GRIEF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS - ZOOM 5/18/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Kathi Sullivan facilitating. For parents who have experienced the death of a child due to substance use.
Monday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS - ZOOM 5/19/25 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.
NEW OFFERING! Monday - JOURNEY TO HOPE-PEER GRIEF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS - ZOOM 5/19/25 6:00-7:00 pm ET. Gail Langley & Robyn Stokowski facilitating. For parents who have experienced the death of a child due to substance use.
Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 5/19/25 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.
New Offering!! Monday - LATE EVENING PEER GRIEF SUPPORT ZOOM - 5/19/25 9-10:30 ET. Randi Schalet facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. Moved to 4th Monday this month only.
New Date & Time!! Tuesday - IN-PERSON, WINTHROP, MA 5/20/25 6:30-8:00 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 - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, HANSON, MA 5/20/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Mary Peckham facilitating. Calvary Baptist Church, 429 Monponsett Street, Hanson, MA. For anyone 18+ over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, QUINCY, MA 5/20/25 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.
NEW MEETING! Wednesday -PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - IN-PERSON & ZOOM (HYBRID), WEYMOUTH, MA 5/21/25 12:00-1:30 pm ET. Leslie Lagos facilitating. Wey of Life Peer Recovery Center, 383 Bridge Street, Weymouth, MA. For anyone 18 and over who identifies as being in recovery from any substance including alcohol who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Wednesday - IN-PERSON, CHARLESTOWN, MA 5/21/25 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 5/21/25 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 5/21/25 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.
For this month - Held 4th Thursday - LGBTQ+ ZOOM 5/22/25 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.
Thursday- NEW BEGINNINGS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP - ZOOM 5/22/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Janice Kaplan facilitating. For anyone 18 and over newly bereaved due to substance use related causes and/or new to The Sun Will Rise Foundation.
Thursday - IN-PERSON, BRIGHTON, MA 5/22/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Liz Driscoll facilitating. PSF Community Center, 640 Washington Street, New Balance Room, Lower Level, Brighton, MA. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
New Offering!! Monday - LATE EVENING PEER GRIEF SUPPORT ZOOM - 5/26/25 9-10:30 ET. Randi Schalet facilitating. For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Monday - ZOOM 5/26/25 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. Postponed until June
Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 5/26/25 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.
Tuesday - IN-PERSON, BRIDGEWATER, MA 5/27/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET. Natalie Patricio 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 5/27/25 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 5/27/25 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 - LEARNING TO COPE WITH GRIEF MEETING - IN-PERSON & ZOOM, GLOUCESTER, MA 5/27/25 7:00-8:00 pm ET. Melissa Lezynski (filling in for 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.
Wednesday - PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - ZOOM 5/28/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET. Jill Shanahan and Leslie Lagos 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.
New Offering!! Wednesday - IN-PERSON, EAST BOSTON, MA 5/28/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Rose Stone facilitating. Recovery on the Harbor, 983 Bennington Street, East Boston, MA. 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.