Where do you go when you do not want to hold it together anymore? A safe space to grieve does not have to be a certain location. It may be a person who lets you speak honestly without trying to change the subject or make things better. It may be a support group where you do not have to explain the complicated parts of a substance use-related death. It could also be your car, the shower, a walking trail, your bedroom or anywhere you can let your guard down for a while. In that space, you should be able to say their name. You should be able to cry or not cry, talk or sit quietly. You should not have to make your grief easier for someone else to hear. You should not have to defend the person who died, explain what happened or pretend that you are doing better than you are. Sometimes the people we expected to be our safe space cannot be. That surprised me. Some may be uncomfortable with grief, afraid of saying the wrong thing or ready for us to “move forward” before we are. Realizing this can bring another layer of hurt and loneliness. I know it shook up some of my friendships. Take a moment this week to ask yourself: Where can I be completely honest about my grief? Who allows me to show up exactly as I am? Where do I feel understood rather than judged? Know that we can help you find a safe space to grieve here.
~Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
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OUR 10 YEAR CELEBRATION!
Buy your tickets now! On October 3, 2026 we'll gather for a very special evening as we celebrate 10 years of The Sun Will Rise Foundation, recognize Cheryl Juaire's incredible contributions as she retires and look ahead to this new chapter together as Team Sharing & The Sun Will Rise merge. We hope you'll join us.
Sponsor, Donate or Add a Tribute in Memory of Your Person. There are many meaningful ways to be part of this special evening. Become a sponsor, make a donation or place a tribute in our program in memory of someone you love. Your support helps ensure that people bereaved due to substance use-related causes never have to grieve alone.
ANNOUNCING LOW DIGIT PLATE AUCTION! Bid on a Low-Number Overdose Awareness Plate Our online auction for Massachusetts Overdose Awareness plates 1–99 is now open! These plates have not been available to the public until now! Bid on a meaningful number while supporting TSWR’s free peer grief support for people bereaved due to substance use-related causes. And yes, if you already have a higher digit plate and want to bid on one of these you are eligible! Auction closes 10/3/26!
HERE IS SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED AT TSWR RECENTLY!
Erica, the winner of our Ariana Grande ticket raffle, was thrilled to be able to take her best friend to the show! They had an amazing time. Thanks for supporting TSWR!
MEET THE FACILITATORS
With the departure of long time Weymouth MA facilitator Darlene Mersereau, Judy Kelly steps into the facilitator role and Kathy Ernest will serve as backup facilitator. Many of you know Judy from her event/activity planning role. Thanks to both of them for helping to continue this long standing support group.
Meet Judy: A connection with TSWR was made six years ago when Judy first became bereaved after the death of her 28 year old son Geoffrey. Devastated and heartbroken, with the support of a caring community of facilitators and grievers, she found a safe place to share her experiences, thoughts and feelings. Judy states “acknowledging the similarities as well as appreciating the different perspectives of collective grief is one way to find balance in a life that no longer feels normal.” Regular attendance at the Weymouth meetings have brought many unexpected laughs as well as shared tears. “The kindest people have come into my life through meetingsand events and have shown great compassion and resilience. I appreciate being a witness to their journey” Judy acknowledged.
From Kathy: I am a retired nurse with a 40 year career at Brigham and Women's hospital working on a thoracic surgical floor. I am also a mom who raised two children in Weymouth. I thought I had a normal existence until one day my 18 yr old daughter, told me she was a heroin addict. I was totally caught off guard, and in shock as I thought being a nurse, I would be aware of all the signs. My daughter, Ashley, was great at concealing her truths and struggles. She fought hard to live against the reality of her desire to use. She loved everything about life but drugs were always there. January of 2017, someone wrote a facebook post stating RIP Ashley. This post got back to me. I could not allow myself to believe this. Unfortunately, she was found locked in her bathroom with her 1 yr old baby in his crib and a young daughter waiting outside for her mom to come out, and finally called someone for help. Ashley had picked up drugs after being in recovery for over a year. She was going through a difficult breakup, and thought she could dull the pain. About 7 + yrs ago, I sought out the support of other moms who have lost children. I walked into Crossroads church, Darlene Mesereau, and one other person were there. It felt cleansing and a great relief to know I was with people that wanted to hear about Ashley, and let me express my pain. I left there feeling relieved and supported. I also said to myself, if Darlene can make it every other Monday, so can I. We have a group of regular moms that know they can just show up, and they will see a familiar face and know we will listen. Many tears, sometimes a good laugh, but always hugs and an understanding that we know your pain. I look forward to being a backup facilitator to Judy Kelly, and the Weymouth group!"
SURVEY: MASS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE SURVEY
MBHP launched the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) in January 2023. They are asking people to take a few moments to tell them about your experience referencing, referring to, or interacting with the BHHL. COMPLETE SURVEY
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
SADOD’s July Psychoeducational Workshop: A Brief Introduction to Neuroscience as it Pertains to Substance Use and to Grief Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 6:30 - 8:00 pm ET Many people feel that they are forever changed after the death a loved one, yet not many know how their brain has been impacted. This workshop will provide a brief introduction to neuroscience and how substance use and grief each affect the brain. This is not a clinical training, nor is it a training that will diagnose or provide any medical information. REGISTER HERE. 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.
Create a memorial lantern in memory or honor of someone you care about as we prepare for the Braintree/Weymouth MA International Overdose Awareness Day Lantern Walk & Glowstick Ceremony at Pond Meadow Park on 8/27/26. All materials provided. Each lantern created during these workshops can be carried or displayed during our IOAD Lantern Walk & Glow Stick Ceremony, where we will come together as a community to remember those who have died due to substance use related causes and support one another in hope and healing. Questions? robyn@thesunwillrise.org
We are offering a virtual workshop and a 5th in-person workshop because the two remaining in-person workshops are filled.
7/29/26 6:00 pm Hope Beyond Hope Weymouth MA FILLED-REGISTRATION CLOSED
8/3/26 Thayer Public Library Logan Auditorium Braintee MA FILLED-REGISTRATION CLOSED
8/10/26 1:00 pm A New Way Recovery Quincy MA REGISTER HERE.
8/20/26 6:30 pm ET Virtual. Zoom Link. Material list that you will need.
Pick Your Own Flowers Sunday August 9, 2026 2:00-4:00 pm. Cross St Farm Norwell MA Our group will have the farm fields to ourselves as we gather together to admire the blooms spread throughout the seven acre flower farm. Walk the rows at your own pace, choose your stems, and bring home a hand-cut bouquet straight from the field. We will have the opportunity to cut 20 stems of beautiful summer blooms to bring home. Zinnias, lisianthus, cosmos, snapdragons, celosia, sunflowers, pincushion, globe amaranth, grasses are among the possible varieties that may be bursting! 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. The ground is uneven so may not be easy to navigate for those with mobility difficulties. Questions about the event? Please email judy kelly judyannkelly@gmail.com 781-264-0557 REGISTER HERE!
Renew, Refresh, Reset Grief Retreat for Bereaved Parents Date: August 14-16, 2026. All spots filled. Questions about the retreat? Contact Cheryl Juaire Cherju4339@aol.com Sign up here for waitlist.
International Overdose Awareness Day Lantern Walk & Glowstick Remembrance Thursday August 27th, 2026 6:00 pm ET Braintree MA Join The Sun Will Rise Foundation, the Town of Braintree, The Braintree Community Partnership, the Town of Weymouth and the Weymouth Prevention Alliance as we come together to honor International Overdose Awareness Day. This evening is an opportunity to remember those who have died due to substance use-related causes while standing alongside others who understand the lasting impact of these deaths. We will gather at Pond Meadow Park for a remembrance ceremony where participants will be invited to take part in our glow stick ceremony. This is a meaningful ceremony that honors the lives of those we carry in our hearts and reminds us that their light continues to shine. Stay for just the ceremony or walk with us, carrying our own handmade illuminated memorial lanterns, around Pond Meadow. Together we remember. Register here. Make a lantern to carry at one of our workshops! There will not be a separate Braintree butterfly release this year or a Weymouth vigil. Questions? Contact robyn@thesunwillrise.org
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.
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“Please be happy. The sun will rise” ~Nick Bean