FALL HOLIDAY SEASON BEGINS…

The Halloween displays with ghost/cemetery/death imagery seem to be everywhere and it can stir up emotions we didn’t see coming. For many of us, Halloween isn’t just about fun and candy anymore, it can bring back memories, increase feelings of fear, highlight who’s missing or just feel out of sync with how our hearts feel. If this season feels heavy, that’s okay.

Then, just a few days later, comes the Día de Muertos/Day of the Dead, a beautiful time when people honor those who’ve died by remembering and celebrating their lives by lighting candles, putting out photos, building altars with flowers, food and water and sharing stories. It’s a reminder that remembering can hold both sorrow and love. Whether you feel like stepping back or finding your own quiet way to honor someone, this time of year gives us permission to do what feels right and to hold space for our grief with compassion.

~ Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

MONTHLY CALENDAR

Find the most up-to-date meeting info, ZOOM links and LOCATION info all in one place! Please check the calendar regularly…last-minute changes can happen.

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THE WEEK AHEAD

The Christian Faith Based group is no longer meeting.

HERE’S SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK AT TSWR!

The Milton MA Coalition & Health Dept. hosted an remembrance event where Robyn Houston-Bean was the keynote speaker and other bereaved mom’s Elaine Rico-Moore and Mary McCole got to share their stories. Katie Moore’s sweatshirt was on topic for the keynote speech!

YOUNG ADULT GROUP MEETUP!

Great evening sharing some delicious Raising Cane’s Chicken and getting to know some new Young Adult group members!

BEREAVED MOTHERS SHARE THEIR WRITINGS

Read Nellie King’s commentary, My only child died of a drug overdose. She's one of 1.1 million Americans lost since 2000

Read facilitator Randi Schalet’s newest published piece, The Backseat is Full

RESEARCH STUDY

This short study is being conducted by Claire Yi who is studying Psychology at Washington University in St. Louisto, explores the effects of expressive writing on the mental well-being of people experiencing grief. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a poetry condition, narrative condition, or control condition where they will write for 15 minutes a day for 3 consecutive days. The control condition will be asked to write about something trivial, like a number 2 pencil, and the poetry and narrative conditions will be instructed to write about their experiences and emotions as someone experiencing grief. They will be asked to fill out surveys measuring their anxiety, depression, social isolation, grief, and mood. The study requires a week of participation and would total around 90 minutes of participation over the week. Participants who complete the study will be compensated with a $15 Amazon gift card. If you are interested in participating or have any further questions, please email Claire Yi c.h.yi@wustl.edu .

UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

SADOD’s OCTOBER PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP- COMFORTING OTHERS WITH VAL WALKER: WHAT TO SAY & DO. Tuesday October 28, 2025 6:30 pm ET. When comforting others in grief, knowing what to say or do can be tough. This workshop will discuss compassionate ways to support those facing loss. Practical tips and real-life examples await! This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/comforting-others-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

HEALING THROUGH LAUGHTER, PLAY & GAMES Saturday 11/1/25 10am-5pm. Weymouth MA. For ages 18+. Register Required. Our storytelling virtual workshop was such a hit that we brought award winning Meghann Perry back for a full day in-person event! Our bodies, hearts and voices hold and carry so much for ourselves and for others. Spend the day with others in our grieving community. There will be time to play, relax, connect with self and others. We’ll be using theater improv and storytelling exercises but don’t worry - you won’t be on the spot! The Embodied Storytelling method is a gentle, easy, no-pressure series of group exercises. Tap into your inner healer through an essential part of human nature - play - to relax, connect with self and others through joy, and release tension and weight. REGISTER HERE Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive 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. Please don’t let the deposit be a barrier, if cost is an issue, just let us know. We’re committed to making this event accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility needs (physical or otherwise), please reach out. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported. Questions? Email robyn@thesunwillrise.org

Virtual Workshop! Setting A Place at the Table November 2, 2025, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm ET. At this time of year, conversations in many of our grief support groups begin to focus on how to include our loved ones in our holiday celebrations. It doesn't feel right to move on without them, and we struggle to find ways to include them. Please join Robyn Houston-Bean and Kerry Bickford as we help you “make a plate” to represent those we are grieving. This plate will be created on a pie plate or dish and set at the table or somewhere nearby to represent the love and memories that will always be present in our hearts throughout the holiday season. You are welcome to join us live as we demonstrate ideas and examples of what this plate might look like. You can either follow along while using your own supplies (list of suggested items) or imagination or just observe and create your own memorial off-screen at another time. We will leave time at the end for you to tell us about your creation and who you are honoring. Register Here! Questions? Email kerry@peersupportcommunitypartners.com

JOIN OUR BRAND NEW VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB!

Just read the first book Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall and we will have a facilitated discussion about it on 11/9/25!

HALO INITIATIVES: FAMILY OVERDOSE SUPPORT FUND

Boston Residents! If you are a BOSTON resident who has experienced the death of a family member to overdose within the last 2 years, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial support. Apply here.