What do you need?
In the early days of grief, people often asked what I needed. I didn’t really know how to answer that. Everything felt shattered. What I needed most were people who were willing to sit in the reality of it with me. People who said Nick’s name. People who didn’t rush me to get past the pain. This kind of presence is what peer grief support is meant to be. A place where you can say their name. A place where you don’t have to explain why it still hurts. A place where people understand because they are walking their own grief too. I hope you can find a little of what you need here.
This week we are beginning a new virtual group for adult’s who have experienced the death of a parent due to substance use related causes. If that is part of your story, please join in this new group.
Read more: The Kindness of Strangers
with care
~ Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
Find the most up-to-date meeting info, ZOOM links and LOCATION info all in one place! DOWNLOAD THE TEAMUP APP ON YOUR PHONE. Click here for how to join app! The teamup calendar automatically updates to your timezone.
Please check the calendar before you drive to an in-person group…last-minute changes can happen. If it is not listed on the monthly calendar, it is cancelled for that date.
If you’re receiving this email, you do not need to pre-register again.
MEETING CHANGES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
New DEATH OF A PARENT group starts 3/11/26
Deb Dowd-Foley filling in for Kathryn Pierce WORCESTER MA 3/11/26
EAST BOSTON group starting new day and week of the month starting 3/12/26
ENTER TO WIN LADY GAGA TICKETS & SUPPORT THE SUN WILL RISE!
LAST CALL!!! Ticket sales close 3/14/26
Enter our raffle for a chance to see Lady Gaga live at TD Garden in Boston while helping The Sun Will Rise keep peer grief support free for people bereaved due to substance use-related causes.
Only 1,000 raffle tickets will be sold! Raffle entries are $20 per ticket or $100 for six tickets. Two winners will each receive:
• Two Lady Gaga tickets • Sunday, March 29, 2026 • TD Garden – Boston • Section Loge 21 • Retail value: $476.85 per ticket
Take your chance. Support the work.
With only 1,000 tickets available and two winners, the odds are better than most raffles. When they’re gone, they’re gone.
Ticket sales close 3/14/26. Winners drawn 3/15/26.
HERE’S SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY AT TSWR
Members of the Partner/Spouse virtual group got together for a wonderful brunch! Facilitator Kar-Kate said, “Our hearts were so full! We laughed (a lot), let tears out, shared photos and memories, had rich conversation, and left with a lightness that inspires hope on each of our journeys.”
Continuing the Men's Group outreach efforts, Jim Faust (Men's Group member and Founder of Adam's Parachute) handing encouragement cards to Kenny Pina, owner of Patty's Sanctuary, a men's sober home in Waltham.
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Community Meal Wednesday, March 18, 2026 5:30 PM 7:00 PM Wey of Life 383 Bridge St Unit 2 Weymouth MA Join us for a Community Meal to meet the people behind the free services and support available in Weymouth MA & the surrounding communities. Give-aways - Literature - Dinner/Dessert - Community - Care - Free Services - Support - Raffles All ages welcome Registration appreciated but not required (we’d like to prepare for the meal.)
If you are a local community organization offering free services for those in or seeking recovery and/or grieving the death of someone they care about to a substance use related death, please join and bring your literature to share.
We will be doing more Community Meals throughout the state this year.
Saturday March 21, 2026 or March 28, 2026 1:00-3:00 pm Mashpee MA. Join us for an intimate, hands-on silver stamping experience at Spoon & Hammer Studio. In these small gatherings you will create a personalized keepsake, choosing either a bracelet, keychain or pendant and stamp a name or meaningful word into metal as a lasting tribute. If you have already attended this workshop, we ask that you keep spaces open to others who have not yet attended. March 21st date has filled. REGISTER HERE!
18 and over event. 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. Thanks for your understanding. Accessibility: Please don’t let the deposit be a barrier, if cost is an issue, just let us know. We’re committed to making this event accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility needs (physical or otherwise), please reach out. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported. Questions about the event? Please contact Kerry Bickford: 508-932-1981 kerry@pscpllc.net
Red Door Escape Room Adventure Sunday, March 22, 2026 1:30 - 3:00 PM Foxborough MA Join us for an afternoon of connection, teamwork and problem solving. Whether you love sci-fi, fantasy or treasure hunts, there’s something for everyone. REGISTER HERE!
Important: Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 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. Thanks for your understanding. Accessibility: Please don’t let the deposit be a barrier, if cost is an issue, just let us know. We’re committed to making this event accessible to everyone. If you have any accessability needs (physical or otherwise), please reach out. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported. Questions about the event? Please text Cindy Kaplan- 508-269-8428
SADOD’s March Psychoeducational Workshop Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 6:30 - 8:00 pm ET
Grief leaves us with so many words left unsaid and thoughts to process. For many people, writing can be a helpful avenue for channeling these thoughts and feelings. However, not many know where to begin when it comes to the idea of writing for grief. In this workshop, we will feature three guest speakers (Tom Flanagan of Blue Skies Rhode Island, Luna Jaffe of Look Mom, I can Fly, and Tanya Lord of Peer Support Community Partners) who will share their experiences with writing throughout their grief experiences, from poetry to a published book. Join us to learn more about how anyone, regardless of background and experience, can utilize the process of writing in their grief journeys to find some comfort. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/love-letters-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. Non-MA residents, if cost is an issue, use promo code SCHOLARSHIP to register for free.
JOIN OUR VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB!
The April 2026 book choice is After Annie by Anna Quindlen.
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.
Do you know someone bereaved due to substance use related causes that would appreciate our weekly email? Have them sign up here for support!
Join our private Facebook page.
Want to volunteer for The Sun Will Rise? Sign up here!
Click here to view past newsletters on our website
“Please be happy. The sun will rise” ~Nick Bean