THE HELPERS

When we think about our grief, we think about the person who died. But sometimes we also carry a deep gratitude for the people who were there for them and for us. The therapist who never gave up. The EMT who showed up more than once. The recovery coach who called to check in. The shelter worker who treated them with dignity. The friend who dropped everything just to sit beside us. They were the ones walking beside our people in their struggle, sometimes in moments we didn’t even see. And now that they’re gone, our grief carries a quiet thank you to the people who tried. Our grief doesn’t just remember the loss. It remembers the effort. The compassion. The humanity. On this Easter Sunday, a day some people connect with hope, renewal and love, it feels right to also remember those who showed up in the hardest seasons and helped carry some of the weight.

Do you want to acknowledge someone who showed up for you or your person? Let us know who they were on our private facebook page.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

SADOD SURVEY

Have you connected with SADOD in any way, such as psychoeducational workshops, the Voices newsletter, The Sun Will Rise grief groups, etc…? If yes, please complete this short survey.

COMMUNITY EVENTS, TABLING & TRAININGS!

We were grateful to be part of Gregory’s Run for Hope and the Together in Hope Conference at Boston Medical Center. Two events that bring together communities working toward healing, awareness and change. It’s always powerful to stand alongside others who care so deeply.

Would you like to help us at tabling events across MA? Please complete this inquiry form.

Special thanks to some of our incredible facilitators, who headed to a grief training recently at Hope Floats. This helps them to keep showing up with even more heart, knowledge and support for our community!

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Healing Through Wonder SADOD Psychoeductional Workshop April 22, 2025 6:30-8:00 pm ET Author and Psychology Today blogger Val Walker will share healing stories from trauma and grief survivors who’ve been transformed by encounters with awe and wonder. She will also report on recent neuroscience research that shows how experiences of awe and wonder restore our outlook and wellbeing and strengthen our spiritual awareness. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/healing-through-wonder. 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

Drumming Through Trauma April 27, 2025 12:30-2:00 pm Cotuit MA. !!!! FINAL CALL FOR REGISTRATION!!! Drumming isn’t just music. It’s movement, it’s rhythm, it’s release. A way to express what words can’t. Drumming Through Trauma is a space to let go, feel the beat and release what’s been held inside. No experience needed. Drumming Through Trauma – REGISTER HERE! Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Questions? Please contact Judy Kelly: 781-264-0557 judyannkelly@gmail.com

New Event! Flight Club ~ Social Darts May 4, 2025 2:00-3:30 pm Boston MA Want to try something new? Join us for 90 minutes of Social Darts! Fast-paced multiplayer games, groundbreaking tracking technology and instant scoring built to bring people together, whether you're a rookie or a self-proclaimed pro! A time to share some fun with our Sun Will Rise community! Register HERE! Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Questions? Please contact Danielle Lagos: daniellelagos24@gmail.com or cell: 617-694-1194

Mother’s Day Luminaria Workshop May 10, 2025 2:00 pm West Barnstable MA. Attendees will make a beautiful memorial candle holder that they will stamp or inscribe themselves. Assembly and stamping on the 10th and the potter, Holly Heaslip will take attendees to her shops to fire and glaze. We will arrange pick-up a week or so later. Rev. Tara O'Keefe will also offer a Mother's Day blessing and Kerry Bickford will provide support as needed. REGISTER HERE!. Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Questions? Please contact Kerry Bickford: 1-508-932-1981 kerry@peersupportcommunitypartners.org

Remembering our Angels 5K TEAM! May 10th 2025 10:00 am 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, just let me know. DEADLINE to sign up and get a race t-shirt is 4/16/25.

May 11, 2025 4:00 pm ET Mother’s Day Zoom Mark your calendars for a special Mother’s Day late afternoon zoom facilitated by Judy Kelly.

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.

MEETING CHANGES THIS WEEK

New meeting in East Boston MA starts this week.

New time for Young People in-person meeting.

Moving Forward Parents meeting next Sunday due to Easter.

THIS WEEK’S MEETING INFORMATION

Monday - GRIEVING GRANDPARENTS ZOOM 4/21/25 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 grandparents.

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Meeting ID: 233 475 5647 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

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Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 4/21/25 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 - JOURNEY TO HOPE-PEER GRIEF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS - ZOOM 4/21/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94114510999?pwd=XPycxdOzIsNYzFy58Jk3VW7a4lG4Wd.1

Meeting ID: 941 1451 0999

Passcode: 953667

One tap mobile 16469313860

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Monday - ZOOM - 4/21/25 6:00-7:30 pm PT. (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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94390650873?pwd=QCnk9cqJwOQvs2u2jkUPRgXUpFT5D7.1

Meeting ID: 943 9065 0873

Passcode: 578972 or

One tap mobile 13126266799

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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, BRIDGEWATER, MA 4/22/25 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.

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Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 4/22/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96961980647?pwd=cFVTMHR3VE9COGc3UGdIZHo4TWVaZz09#success

Meeting ID: 969 6198 0647

Password: 300626 or One tap mobile 16465588656

___________________

Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 4/22/25 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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Wednesday - PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - ZOOM 4/23/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET.

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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86324167889?pwd=nrGKjzkr7MyLBnQBfLoUj9Sc43O1r6.1

Meeting ID: 863 2416 7889

Passcode: 428961

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Wednesday - IN-PERSON, EAST BOSTON, MA 4/23/25 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.

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Wednesday - ZOOM 4/23/25 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.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82388932694

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Thursday- NEW BEGINNINGS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP - ZOOM 4/24/25 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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/93853426722?pwd=zhxz5RYig8tunxUyGp6K8Uk19XKxgw.1

Meeting ID: 938 5342 6722

Passcode: 756069 or

One tap mobile 13017158592

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Thursday - IN-PERSON, BRIGHTON, MA 4/24/25 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.

_______________________

Sunday - 4/27/25 12:30-2:00 pm ET Drumming Through Trauma

Cotuit, MA. Registration Required!

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Sunday- YOUNG PERSON MEETING, IN-PERSON, MEDFORD, MA 4/27/25 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 4/27/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Kathi Sullivan facilitating.

For parents who have experienced the death of a child due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81399455192?pwd=abdXEKMYpoAXvdsafjI4uf3jBKjykn.1

Meeting ID: 813 9945 5192

Passcode: forward

or one tap mobile 16465588656

FOR FUTURE DATES, CHECK OUT OUR MEETING SCHEDULE PAGE

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