When You Don’t Have the Words

Sometimes you can’t explain your grief. You try to talk about it and the words just won’t come. Or they do, but they don’t feel right. There have been so many times I’ve sat there with a pen and journal in front of me and nothing that I wrote made sense. But when I stopped trying to “say” it and just let myself doodle or scribble it helped because it gave all the noise in my head somewhere to go.

That’s what our next virtual event is about. This isn’t about making “art.” It’s about letting your grief show up on the page. We’ll use doodling and writing prompts to get a little of it out. Maybe quiet the brain a bit. Maybe even feel a little lighter for a while.

No experience needed. Just bring yourself, some paper and something to write with. Thursday at 7:00 pm ET. Signup is below.

If you are out of state and can’t get to our in person events, please join us at this online event to create community!

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

MONTHLY CALENDAR

You can view the new calendar here. This is where you will get the zoom links and location information! I’ve made a short tutorial for how to find the meeting & event info using a laptop or desktop. Watch that here. NEW: You can also download it as an app on your phone or ipad. Learn more here or watch here.

THIS WEEK’S MEETINGS UPDATES

People In Recovery Gloucester starts this week.
People In Recovery Taunton starts this week.

MEET THE FACILTATOR

Meet Katie Bradley, co-facilitator of the Auburn MA group: “My name is Katie and I use she/her pronouns. I am a full-time peer specialist at Kiva's Recovery Learning Community, but more importantly, I am a mother, a daughter, and a person in long-term recovery. I lost my mother, Miss Jami Lee Bradley-Hand, for the last time at the young age of 60 in October of 2022, to complications of long-term alcohol use. My first experience with grief support was coupled with recovery support, and the two have been intrinsically linked for me since. Everyday in my work, I meet someone that reminds me of the magic that she was and I am honored to be able use my experiences to sit with and be of support to others in their journeys to healing.” Welcome Katie!

UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

VIRTUAL EVENT! Exploring Loss Through Mindful Doodling June 19, 2025 7:00 pm ET Grief is a complex, personal journey and sometimes words aren’t enough to capture the emotions we experience. Join us to discover the peaceful art of doodling combined with some writing prompts as a way to gently process grief. In this guided session where we’ll use simple, creative exercises to bring feelings to life on paper, finding comfort and clarity in the process. The act of doodling, often spontaneous and free, will serve as a form of meditation, helping to release tension, quiet the mind, and foster self-compassion. This is also an opportunity to write about a person, animal, relationship, or place that we miss in a supportive group session. No previous art experience is needed. This workshop focuses on personal expression, not artistic skill, and offers a safe, non-judgmental space to honor your emotions. Presented by Cara Bean, cartoonist, art educator and author of Here I Am, I Am Me. REGISTER HERE!

SADOD's June Psychoeducational Workshop~Secondary Loss Tuesday, June 24, 2025 6:30-8:00 pm ET Virtual Grief is complex, and often the loss we experience is more than just the death of a loved one. Secondary losses—the ripple effects of that death—can impact many aspects of our lives in unexpected ways. Whether it’s the loss of social connections, identity shifts, or changes to our financial stability, these secondary losses can be just as profound as the death-loss itself.

In this workshop, we will explore the often-overlooked secondary losses that arise after losing a loved one to substance-related causes and what we can do to work through them.
This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/secondary-loss-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

Pot Luck Picnic Sunday June 29, 2025 12:00 pm. Walpole MA Join us for an enjoyable day in nature at Francis William Bird Park. We will enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the sun or shade at this lovely country park setting, boasting 2 ponds, paved walking paths, picnic tables, bridges and a playground. We ask that each person or small group bring a dish for the picnic. A salad, chips, main course, or dessert. It could be your person’s favorite food! Bring lawn chairs or a blanket for sitting as there is a limited amount of seating at the picnic tables. We will have outdoor games available for group activities. We’ll also walk the paths as a group or individuals if we choose and “Call Their Names” and share our stories. Bring yourself, your family, your dog (with leash), children, grandchildren, friends. Dress for a day at the park. Take bug spray. We will supply drinks and water and plates, utensils, etc. If you play a guitar, bring it! Register to let us know what you are bringing.

NE REVOLUTION GAME

The weather cooperated and we were able to have a blast at the NE Revolution game at Gillette Stadium! Here’s a peek at just some of the TSWR soccer fans! We can laugh, we can cry and we can holler while waving rally t-shirts! Join us at one of our next events!

MEN’S FLY FISHING TRIP

A special thank you to group member Jim Faust for providing the opportunity for some the men’s group to go on a Fly Fishing Trip. It was powerful time away in nature with other men who understand. Jim has created a foundation in his son’s memory called Adam’s Parachute, which provides therapeutic Fly Fishing.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM THE BUREAU OF ADDICTION SERVICES

If you identify as a person who has received substance use or addiction-related services (and/or family members and loved ones of those individuals) from Prevention, Harm Reduction, Treatment, Recovery Support, Housing, and other programs, particularly those representing underserved and marginalized communities, please complete this anonymous RFI by 7/11/25. Purpose of this RFI: To gather input from a wide range of community members, students, educators, substance use and addiction workforce members, and service providers that will help BSAS shape a funding opportunity to support culturally responsive addiction education and collaborative community supports.

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.