Helping Others When We’re Hurting

In my early days of grief I didn’t know what to do with myself. The pain was too big and the quiet was too loud. I ended up finding an organization that helped people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Boston. Late at night we’d walk through the city, talking to people, handing out supplies, just being there. A lot of them were struggling with substance use or mental health challenges. Some wanted help. Some just wanted to be seen.

I didn’t go into it thinking it would help me, but it did. In a time when I felt lost and disconnected, it gave me purpose. It reminded me that even in the hardest moments, showing up for someone else can be healing. Grief can make us feel helpless. But sometimes, stepping outside of ourselves, even just for a little while, can bring a kind of peace we don’t expect.

As that group disbanded, our organization started doing collections for the homeless in other communities as well. This month we will be supporting the organization The Boston Backpack Project by doing a collection drive for their outreach. This organization was created by bereaved mom, Elaine Mitrano, in memory of her son Michael.

Have you ever found comfort in helping others during your grief? Share what you’ve done on our private facebook page. It may inspire another griever! Read more about volunteering as a coping strategy.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

MEETING CHANGES

NEW MEETING LOCATION FOR THE BRAVEHEARTS FALMOUTH MA GROUP!

The BraveHearts peer grief support meeting is moving! Starting this week, the new location address is 840 Sandwich Rd Falmouth MA. Are you located on the cape? Please join us!

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

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

Please join us! Visiting together allows us to experience beauty, history and connection in a space shaped by resilience and creativity. Did you know Isabella was a bereaved mother? 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.

SADOD’s Tools & Strategies for Grieving as a Family Virtual Psychoeducational Workshop March 25th 6:30-8:00 pm ET

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 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

OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND UPDATES

MILTON MA RESIDENTS’ VOICES NEEDED!

This week! Two different focus groups. Please join in the conversation. The first group is for people who have someone they care about that currently or in the past has had opioid related issues or for anyone who has had someone they care about die due to opioid use. The second group is for individuals who are in recovery from opioid related issues. Please share with anyone you know who could lend their voice to this topic. Sign up here.

Northeast Region Communities

MA Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS), and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) are hosting a series of listening sessions on the opioid settlement funds. The listening sessions are intended to provide information about the state’s portion of the opioid settlement funds and how these monies are being used to align with the strategic priorities identified by the Opioid Recovery & Remediation Fund (ORRF) Advisory Council. More importantly, community members will have an opportunity to provide input on how these funds should be used in the future to support individuals and families disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis. The first listening session will be held in the Northeast Region (see map below) on Wednesday, March 19th from 1:30-5:30pm at the Lynn City Hall Auditorium. Sign up here.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

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 th last 2 years, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial support. Apply here.

THIS WEEK’S MEETING INFORMATION

Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 3/3/25 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.

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Monday - ZOOM - 3/3/25 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.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86930927959?pwd=i4N7hWEhAtD4HPnBKCBi9LGEF7AGbt.1

Meeting ID: 869 3092 7959

Passcode: 239207 or

One tap mobile +16469313860

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New location!! Wednesday - IN-PERSON, BRAVEHEARTS FALMOUTH MA 3/5/25 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.

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Wednesday - ZOOM - 3/5/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89339848976?pwd=ayd1jLi4bBYapnBuybFIkmTE7fhDfq.1

Meeting ID: 893 3984 8976

Passcode: 135336 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

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Wednesday - IN-PERSON, TAUNTON, MA 3/5/25 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.

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Wednesday - IN-PERSON, PORTLAND, ME 3/5/25 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.

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Thursday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS - ZOOM 3/6/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2334755647

Meeting ID: 233 475 5647 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

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