Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day can be especially tough when the person who once filled the space next to you is gone. The commercials, the cards, the social media posts… ugh the reminders can be everywhere.

For some people, the day passes like any other, just another date on the calendar to get through. For others, it brings a sadness, a longing for the way things used to be. If this holiday feels hard, this is a reminder that you don’t have to grieve alone. Our Partner/Spouse Support Group is meeting this week, offering a space to talk with others who understand. No pressure, no expectations, just a place to be real about love, sadness and everything in between. And we have NINE other groups this week to support everyone who is feeling some kind of way with this holiday. We see you.

Tips for coping on Valentine’s Day from What’s Your Grief.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

Local friends! Help support The Sun Will Rise Foundation, Inc.

We will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 Stop & Shop reusable Community Bag sold during all of February 2025 at: Stop & Shop 316 Grove Street, Braintree MA!

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Clay Therapy Workshop Monday February 17, 2025 2:00-4:00pm Norwell MA

One ticket has become available. Register here. Wait list also available. Questions? Please contact Judy Kelly: 781-264-0557 judyannkelly@gmail.com

SADOD’s Supporting Grieving Grands Virtual Workshop Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6:30 - 8:00 pm ET

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 grand), Kerry Bickford, 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

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Visit Sunday March 23, 2025 11:00 am Boston MA

Visiting together allows us to experience beauty, history and connection in a space shaped by resilience and creativity. 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. For questions, please contact Cindy Kaplan at (508) 269-8428. Register Here.

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.

THIS WEEK’S MEETING INFORMATION

Meeting note: Kingston MA paused

Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 2/10/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Kathy Ernest (filling in for 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.

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Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss- IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 2/10/25 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.

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Monday - MOM’S ONLY - ZOOM 2/10/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81904227569?pwd=YnSJwFTN6DFsHTYnPhfMHqUue9ZaL9.1

Meeting ID: 819 0422 7569

Passcode: 807237 or

One tap mobile 13052241968

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Monday - SUICIDE RELATED DEATH- ZOOM 2/10/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84104821860?pwd=gwiYOLLDBU5dcbDRYCjQW3bxKYQ9DK.1

Meeting ID: 841 0482 1860

Passcode: 886489 or

One tap mobile 13017158592

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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, NATHAN’S CIRCLE, WEST BARNSTABLE, MA 2/11/25 5:30-7:00 pm ET.

Hybrid option available please request zoom link.

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 - IN-PERSON, WINTHROP, MA 2/11/25 4:30-6:00 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.

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Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 2/11/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86578435343?pwd=avNFpCQpiLGCsKRKFEsexJj7E87gM5.1

Meeting ID: 865 7843 5343

Passcode: 287422 or

One tap mobile: 13052241968

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Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 2/11/25 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.

Time: Feb 11, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/93073077484?pwd=pRlUQKDWvqrpjObltczKOyEGHggvqx.1

Meeting ID: 930 7307 7484

Passcode: 715924 or

One tap mobile 13092053325

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Wednesday - GRIEVING MULTIPLE LOVED ONES - ZOOM 2/12/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88620038150?pwd=tPIsgXzIez3IJB2Ly7SoeSyNN8sYkm.1

Meeting ID: 886 2003 8150

Passcode: 358575 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

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Thursday - YOUNG PERSON (18-35) MEETING - ZOOM 2/13/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Chloe Brosnan facilitating

For anyone 18-35 who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92570225816?pwd=b5V5xeeVB3I3O3Qu32Me4V7WfrbXPm.1

Meeting ID: 925 7022 5816

Passcode: 646974 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

Do you know someone bereaved due to substance use related causes that would appreciate our weekly email?