Finding What You Need, When You Need It

Grief can make it hard to plan. Hard to remember. Hard to show up. We know that. Some days you need connection. Some days you need quiet. And some days, you just want to know what’s happening without having to dig for it. That’s why we’ve created a new calendar page where all of our support group meetings, zoom links, flyers, events and activities live in one simple place. You can check it by day, week, or month. Whatever feels most manageable. It’s easy to use and updated regularly.

You can view the new calendar here. This is where you will get the zoom links!

I’ve made a short tutorial for how to find the meeting & event info. Watch that here.

We hope this helps make it just a little easier to find support on the days when everything feels like too much. Take a look. Bookmark it. And if you see anything missing or confusing, just reach out.

Read more about why having a support system and plaaning ahead can be beneficial in coping with grief.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

MEETINGS UPDATES

THE TAUNTON MA REGULAR MEETING IS CANCELLED GOING FORWARD. REPLACED BY NEW BROCKTON MA MEETING

NEW MEETING ALERTS

Announcing a new general in-person peer grief support group starting this week in Brockton, MA, for anyone 18+ who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use related causes.

Location: Stairway to Recovery, 90 Main Street
When: First Wednesday of each month
Time: 7:00–8:00 PM ET

Facilitator: Sandra Chase

Please join this new safe, compassionate space to connect and share!

We’re also launching a new peer grief support group specifically for People in Recovery in GLOUCESTER MA. This in-person group welcomes anyone 18+ who identifies as being in recovery from any substance, including alcohol who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use related causes.

Location: Core Peer Recovery & Resource Center, 11–15 Parker St
When: Third Monday of each month (Starts 6/16/25)

Time:10:30–11:30 AM ET

Facilitators: Melissa Lezynski & Rebecca Murray

No judgment. No expectations. Come as you are.

MEET THE NEW PEOPLE IN RECOVERY FACILITATORS

Rebecca Murray is the Programming & Membership Coordinator at Core Peer Recovery. From Rebecca: I have a deep interest in helping and supporting others in recovery who are also struggling with grief of their own, as I am both in long term recovery, and have lost many people in my life to overdose.The one person I really "do it all for" today, who continues to inspire me to support my community and take care of myself, too, is my ex husband and best friend, Mick. Mick was my rock, my confidant, and always helped to keep me grounded and grateful. He was also my biggest source of laughter! Although our marriage had not worked out, our friendship certainly did. We shared a beautiful black lab, Gussie, and lived onto two houses apart from each other. Mick still came over for birthdays and holidays and remained very much a part of my family and was definitely loved like family. We spoke nearly every day. Mick was in long term recovery; he had even celebrated 17 years of abstinence. I was so honored and touched to be a part of that. Somewhere along the way, Mick had lost touch with his recovery and picked up substances again to attempt to cope with some difficult things in his life. Despite being a total force and one of the most intelligent people I'd known, he lost his battle with addiction in June of 2023. I will never have another friend like Mick and am grateful every day that he was put in my life. Still, the grief has been totally debilitating at times. Addiction and overdose are capable of shaking any group, any family, and any person. I truly believe that we are all worthy and deserving of support in getting better and in processing our very real grief and emotions. Humans are built for connection, we thrive in feeling connected, cared for and listened to, and in knowing this I feel so lucky to be able to be a part of that connection today.

Melissa Lezynski is a Peer Grief Specialist & RIZE HR Project Manager at Peer Support Community Partners. From Melissa: Although I have always felt called to serve the marginalized populations working with people experiencing SUD, homelessness, poverty etc... I do what I do now in loving memory of my Beloved Son Sean Steven who we lost to an overdose August 13th, 2023. Sean was my only son and truly such a part of my soul I am no longer whole. I knew if I was going to survive this, I would have to change what I was doing for work. I had to immerse myself in the world of grief because I truly had no room for anything else. Having a peer grief support group for anyone who considers themselves in recovery (whatever that means for you) has been on my to do list since Sean died. Grief had such an impact on him when he lost his grandmother at 11 years old. There was no support for him, and I was just a young mom who did what I could, but he needed more. Grief continued to pile up for him and all of us as overdose deaths rose and demolished his classmates and our family. We lost 2 of my nephews before Sean as well as a cousin and so many others. I didn't know there was a place where grief was welcome. I'm so grateful to have found this world of peer grief support when I didn't think I could make it another minute. That gratitude extends to the honor of starting this "Come as you are" group. Sean never cared what you were wearing, what you looked like, what you had. If you needed help, he helped. If he couldn't, he asked me to. So, it is such an honor to create a space where folks can come and share their grief journey without stigma, judgement or conditions. Just show up. We all need to be seen and heard just as we are.

FEEDBACK NEEDED FOR OUR IOAD EVENT

Please complete this quick 5 question survey about the annual International Overdose Awareness Ceremony to be held in Braintree MA. Survey closes 6/10/25.

UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Gilly’s House is hosting it’s second annual Men’s BBQ, Sunday June 8th 1:00 pm ET Wrentham MA. This is for any man, bereaved due to substance use related causes or suicide. Sign up here. Scroll down on the sign up form for an available spot. Any questions, please reach out to Maureen Cappuccino maureen@gillyshouse.com or Dave Swindell at david@thesunwillrise.org Please share with any men who you think may benefit being around other men who understand.

The Sun Will Rise Night at the New England Revolution Soccer Game! June 14, 2025 7:30 PM Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA. Limit 5 tickets per family. All ages are welcome! We are excited to invite you to a special evening at Gillette Stadium to watch the New England Revolution take on their opponents FC Cincinnati! The event is free to you, but to secure your spot, please RESERVE YOUR TICKETS HERE. As with previous events, we are requiring a $20 deposit to hold your tickets. You will receive the full amount back in cash at the event. Please note that if you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the ticket is non-refundable and you will not receive your deposit back. This policy helps us continue to offer events like this at no cost to you. Thank you for your understanding. Questions? Please email robyn@thesunwillrise.org

June 15, 2025 8:00 pm ET Father’s Day Zoom Mark your calendars for a special Father’s Day evening zoom facilitated by Don Lipstein.

OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS LISTENING SESSION

You are invited to an upcoming Listening Session on Thursday, June 12th from 5-7:30 pm where you can share how you’d like the state to spend its portion of the Opioid Settlement Funds. This meeting, one in a series of regional listening sessions, will take place in Plymouth and virtually. You’ll have an opportunity to learn about the settlement agreement and then provide comment. Register here or drop in. This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard.

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.