Hello Friends,

We have two in-person regular groups, one specialty in-person group and six specialty zoom groups this week. Login and location information follow at the bottom of this newsletter.

Socializing

One of the things that impacted me greatly in my grief was my capacity for socializing. It was so much easier to sit on my couch and isolate. Going out with people who had not experienced a sudden unexpected death felt uncomfortable. I felt different. If I cried they felt uneasy and if I laughed they thought I was over my loss. I noticed I didn’t feel the same way when I was together with other grievers. The pressure to be the “old me” was not there. We don’t want anyone to feel alone and isolated in their grief so we try to offer events and activities that give you a chance to get together with other grievers and just be yourself. I invite you to join us at any of these events, whether in person or online, and make new connections with other grievers. Read more about How Grief Affects of Social Spheres. And remember, you can always connect our social media as well.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

CONFERENCE SWAG BAG DONATIONS

For the last three years, we have organized and packed the swag bag’s for the Finding Support In Grief Conference attendees. Please share this info with anyone you think would like to support us either by purchasing items or coming to help us fill the bags! Thank you!

Packing Date: Tuesday 10/1/24 6:00 pm 541 Washington St Braintree MA email marci@thesunwillrise.org if you can attend the packing.

We are looking for:

Promotional and non-promotional items: such as pens, notepads, magnets, coupons or keychains

Inspirational items: such as miniature books, cards, or journals with motivational messages or uplifting quotes

Self-care items: Practical and comforting items like lotions, lip balms, scented candles, soothing teas, and tissues.

Food items: Such as individual cookies, candy, snack bars

Please note that we are open to suggestions and welcome any items that align with the theme of our conference and the needs of grieving individuals. You can also shop our Amazon wish list here. Items can be mailed to The Sun Will Rise 541 Washington St Braintree, MA 02184 to reach us by 9/22/24. Questions? Email Robyn@thesunwilllrise.org

JOIN OUR TEAM!! THE FAMILY RESTORED WALK

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

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

1. INTO LIGHT Reception: Saturday September 14, 2024 1:00-3:00 pm. 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. For anyone out of state, check their website for upcoming exhibits in your area.

2. The Sun Will Rise Day at Fenway Park! Boston MA Sunday, September 22, 2024 1:35 - 5:35 pm Sold out! Click here for waitlist. Questions? Please email judyannkelly@gmail.com

3. SADOD’s September Psychoeducational Workshop: Meaning Making in Grief Tuesday, September 24, 2024 6:30-8:00pm ET 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. 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

4. NEW EVENT!! NONOTUCK PARK DAY! Easthampton MA Sunday September 29, 11:00 am-4:00 pm 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. Reserve a spot here!

5. 11th Annual Memorial Walk~The Family Restored Mystic River Reservation DCR – 4253 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford MA Saturday 10/5/24 11:30 am Select our team "The Sun Will Rise" when you register and let's spend the day together! Register here and join our team!

6. FINDING SUPPORT IN GRIEF Conference October 18-20, 2024 Framingham MA REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Discover hope, healing, support, and a sense of community at SADOD’s 3rd annual grief conference. Register now and learn more about this special event by clicking the link below: https://cvent.me/VVeBgB. Connect with others who have experienced the death of someone they care about to substance-use-related causes.

7. NEW WORKSHOP! KEYS 365 Virtual Suicide Prevention Workshop by Deb Casello Tuesday, November 5, 2024 6:30-8:00 pm ET 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. Please pre-register here.

VOLUNTEERS!!!

Big thanks to Alison Caruso (a first time table host) for letting people know about The Sun Will Rise at Wrentham Day this weekend!

We appreciate the volunteers who helped to remove the purple IOAD flags in Braintree MA!!!

CHARLESTOWN 16TH ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL - HAYES SQ 6:30PM-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST

THIS WEEK’S MEETING INFORMATION

Monday - MOM’S ONLY - ZOOM 9/9/24 6:30-8:00 pm ET.
Chris Santos facilitating.
For mothers who have experienced the death of a child(ren) due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89501963714?pwd=rzhdx7uxJO2lsP2PdpniApyhd6UZsd.1
Meeting ID: 895 0196 3714
Passcode: 957061
One tap mobile 16465588656
________________
Monday - SUICIDE RELATED DEATH- ZOOM 9/9/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
Don Lipstein facilitating/Nic Scarmeas co-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.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89707430582
Meeting ID: 897 0743 0582
One tap mobile 16469313860
_____________
Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 9/9/24 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, NATHAN’S CIRCLE, WEST BARNSTABLE, MA 9/10/24 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 9/10/24 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.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86578435343?pwd=avNFpCQpiLGCsKRKFEsexJj7E87gM5.1
Meeting ID: 865 7843 5343
Passcode: 287422 or
One tap mobile: 13052241968
__________________
Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 9/10/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
Gary Carter facilitating.
For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83028305454?pwd=h57CKzkO5toneDIdu1V3K4Vuki9yFz.1
Meeting ID: 830 2830 5454
Passcode: 574447 or
One tap mobile 13017158592
_______________
Wednesday - GRIEVING MULTIPLE LOVED ONES - ZOOM 9/11/24 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.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88620038150?pwd=tPIsgXzIez3IJB2Ly7SoeSyNN8sYkm.1
Meeting ID: 886 2003 8150
Passcode: 358575 or
One tap mobile 16465588656

____________________
Thursday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING - ZOOM 9/12/24 6:30-8:00 pm ET.
Chloe Brosnan facilitating.
For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82575673103?pwd=Xvzay1uQXyW00t8TBwwqTwElDbc7RV.1
Meeting ID: 825 7567 3103
Passcode: 847275 or
One tap mobile 13052241968

___________________

Thursday - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, KINGSTON, MA 9/12/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
Mary Peckham facilitating.
Plymouth County Outreach Office, 62 Main Street, Suite 107, Kingston, MA
For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.