Here's what I know about anniversary dates, they bring up everything. Some of us want to be surrounded by people who get it. Some of us go quiet. Some of us feel angry, or numb, sad or guilty. Some of us, even in the middle of the grief, feel moments of peace. All of it is okay. All of it belongs. I let these emotions come however they need to and I know after all these years, that I will get through this year, this month, this week and the day itself, May 23rd. But the anxiety of it’s approach is always unnerving to me. The smells of this time of year, make me profoundly sad. The warmth and welcomed blossoms seem like a betrayal. It’s so hard. But the message I read, on a warm May day back in 2015 still calls me forward. It continues to guide me toward love, connection and support for all of you.
Our senior facilitator and former Voices editor, Kerry Bickford, wrote a beautiful article in the Voices newsletter about that message. Reading it moved me deeply and I am grateful to be able to share it with all of you.
If anniversary dates are difficult for you too, this video on coping with death anniversaries may also resonate with you
~ Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
Reminder, this email may be clipped due to length, so click “view entire message” to see the full newsletter.
Find the most up-to-date meeting info, ZOOM links and LOCATION info all in one place! DOWNLOAD THE TEAMUP APP CALENDAR 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 THIS WEEK
THE LGBTQ+ group is on pause. If you would like one on one support while it is paused, please set us know.
Leslie Lagos will be facilitating the SIBLING group going forward. We are grateful to Miriah Corso for the care & support she has the provided the siblings in our community.
HELP SUPPORT THE SUN WILL RISE!
ENTER TO WIN TWO ARIANA GRANDE TICKETS
One lucky winner will receive two Ariana Grande tickets for the concert at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday 7/22/26 at 8:00 pm!
Raffle entries are $20 per ticket or $100 for six tickets. Each ticket equals one entry.
Multiple tickets may be purchased to increase chances of winning.
One winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries.
The winner will receive two Ariana Grande concert tickets at TD Garden.
Raffle ticket sales close on 07/10/26.
Winner will be drawn and notified on 07/11/26.
Winner will be contacted directly using the information provided at checkout.
You do not need to be present to win.
Must be 18 years or older to enter.
Raffle ticket purchases are not tax-deductible.
This raffle is conducted by The Sun Will Rise Foundation, a registered Massachusetts nonprofit organization.
Void where prohibited by law.
Buying a Raffle Ticket is not considered a donation for tax purposes.
HERE’S SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY AT TSWR
Rasheeda Faulk of Joy Culture Movement Workshop gave us an afternoon of movement, connection, reflection and community at The Phoenix in Boston.
Grief lives in the body as much as the mind and heart. Creating space to move, to breathe, to release and to simply be together can be a powerful part of healing.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the partners ( Madmoms, The Phoenix & NewForm) who collaborated with us on this offering. Join us at one of our next events!
Facilitator Deb Dowd-Foley tabled at the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference and shared about all our supports! Do you know we offer two virtual grief support groups a month for grandparents and kinship caregivers who have experienced the death of a child or grandchild? Visit our calendar for dates & times.
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
SADOD’s May Psychoeducational Virtual Workshop How to Become and Advocate Tuesday, May 26, 2026 from 6:30–8:00 pm ET. For some people, grief brings not only pain, but questions about how to create change. This workshop features three bereaved mothers, Robyn Houston-Bean, Barbara Allen & Joyal Mulhern, who have all transformed their loss into advocacy at local, regional, and national levels. Through their stories, participants will explore how advocacy can take many forms, and how getting involved can be approached in ways that feel intentional, sustainable, and aligned with personal values. This virtual workshop will be held and will be recorded. Learn more and REGISTER HERE. Free for MA residents (use code MASS). $10 for those outside MA. Email Laura@sadod.org if cost is a concern.
Community Meal Thursday, May 28, 2026 1:00 - 2:30 PM Taunton Peer Recovery Center Taunton MA Join us for a Community Meal to meet the people behind the free services and support available in Taunton MA & the surrounding communities. Give-aways - Literature - Lunch - 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.
Three Dimensional Wool Felting Workshop at The Felted Bee May 30, 2026 10:00 am- 12:00 pm Rockland MA LEARN WHAT WOOL FELTING IS In this beginner friendly class you will learn the basics of needle felting. The class will go through safety, tips and tricks and you will go home with the beginner knowledge of felting in three dimensions. Participants will transform carded wool fibers into beautiful cardinal. Registration required. 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. 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? Contact Judy Kelly judyannkelly@gmail.com 781-264-0557
Third Annual Men’s BBQ Sunday 5/31/26 1:00 pm Wrentham MA We are proud to sponsor this annual event hosted by Gilly’s House. Free for men bereaved due to substance use related causes or suicide. Come stand Shoulder to Shoulder with other men and experience a day of food, cornhole and community! Register here. Questions? David@thesunwillrise.org
Community Hub Info Session Tuesday 6/2/26 6:00-7:00 pm ET Zoom LInk Learn more about Mosaic’s Community Hub. This platform was born from a desire for a dynamic, online, knowledge-sharing platform to help people in the field find and post opportunities for funding, jobs, upcoming events, publications, and information about current and promising interventions, services, and programs. Membership in Mosaic’s Community Hub is free and available to individuals, organizations, municipalities, and state agencies across Massachusetts.
Community Meal Thursday, June, 4 2026 4:30-6:00 PM CORE Peer Recovery & Resource Center Gloucester MA Join us for a Community Meal to meet the people behind the free services and support available in Gloucester MA & the surrounding communities. Give-aways - Literature - Dinner - 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.
Renew, Refresh, Reset Grief Retreat for Bereaved Parents Date: June 26-28 2026 or August 14-16 2026 SOLD OUT. Response was well beyond capacity. Emails were sent out this week regarding the June retreat to let people know that they had a spot or were put on the waitlist. August notifications were delayed and will go out this week. Questions about the retreat? Contact Cheryl Juaire Cherju4339@aol.com
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