Hello Friends,
We have one in-person regular group, one in-person specialty group, one hybrid group, two regular zoom groups, three specialty zoom groups and one limited time in-person group this week. Login and location information follow at the bottom of this newsletter.
FINDING SUPPORT IN GRIEF CONFERENCE
The annual grief conference just for people bereaved due to substance use related causes is fast approaching. Attending this conference gives you a chance to be around others who really get what you’re going through. There’s no need to explain yourself or worry about judgment, because everyone there understands the unique challenges that come with this kind of loss. It’s also a space where the workshops and conversations are focused specifically on the issues you’re facing, which makes the support feel more personal and relevant. You can connect with others who have experienced similar pain, and that can help ease the sense of isolation. It’s also a chance to honor your loved one in a way that feels meaningful, surrounded by people who understand how complex and heavy this kind of grief can be. I hope you can join us. Register here.
Sign up for volunteer opportunities at the conference. We could use the help!
Want to remember your person by donating a centerpiece? Here’s your chance! You do not have to attend to do so.
~ With care
Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
NEW GROUP ALERT!
We are very excited to announce a new group and facilitator. We are pleased to introduce you to JoAnne Rivieccio who will facilitate an in-person group in Winthrop MA starting 10/8/24. Meet JoAnn!
“My name is JoAnn Rivieccio. I have two sons. My oldest is Franke. He was born on 7/16/77, arrived seven weeks early and won the struggle coming into this world. He passed on 11/15/09 and he also struggled when leaving this world. Addiction is a family disease many of us suffered, grieving while going through addiction until either they find recovery or lose their battle. After a ten year long battle with addiction that started when a motorcycle accident left Franke totally dependent on pain medication, he died. I felt hopeless and alone. I found that many avoided me because they really didn't know how to deal with what I was going through.
My other son Patrick was born on 05/27/80. He also had addiction issues but has found recovery for many years now. He has long term employment and has had the pleasure of having his own family. A son Mason age 16 and Shay age 11.
After losing one of my gifts from god, it was very hard to find services for my grief! My journey was a series of steps, starting with attending vigils and taking a course to become a recovery coach, as well as going to Washington DC and rallying at the Whitehouse and speaking at the Statehouse. I started a weekly one hour show called SOA (Somerville Overcoming Addiction) a group I co-founded with Matt Ganem, Mike Duggan and a few others. My show lasted four years, we interviewed judges, politicians, parents, etc. I took the CCAR course and became a Recovery Coach.
Now is the time to help others with their grief as well as mine.”
Thanks to JoAnn for joining the team to support our community of grievers!
RED SOX
Our grief group members had an incredible time at the Red Sox game, filled with laughter, connection, and shared memories. The sun came out and the sox won! A few people enjoyed their very first time at Fenway! What a beautiful day of community at Fenway Park. Here is just a small glimpse of some of the moments shared. Join us at one of our next events! For those of you who attended post your pictures on our facebook page!
INTO LIGHT
Three opportunities for grief support at the INTO LIGHT exhibit in NORTON MA. Two peer grief groups facilitated by Robyn Houston-Bean and one facilitated tour led by SADOD’s Peer Grief Support Specialist, Melissa Lezynski. The guided tour will provide an opportunity for individuals to explore the exhibition more deeply while connecting with others and experiencing the power of peer grief support.
SURVEY FOR MA RESIDENTS
Here is survey that you may be interested in taking. The survey, sponsored by RIZE Massachusetts, is focused on learning how substance use and overdose have affected families and children in Massachusetts. This survey will help us understand your family’s needs and how community programs and services can better support you and your community.
Your answers will be private. All responses will be kept confidential and anonymous. By sharing your experiences and ideas, you are helping us end the overdose crisis in Massachusetts and improve the lives of the people affected by it.
As a thank you, you have the option to enter a raffle to win one of ten $25 Visa gift cards if you provide an email address or phone number that receives texts. Your responses will still remain private.
Survey Links:
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
1. SADOD’s September Psychoeducational Workshop: Meaning Making in Grief Tuesday, September 24, 2024 6:30-8:00pm ET Meaning making is a grief support model that focuses on integrating the loss and ensuing grief into our present and future. Join us for this workshop to learn more about this grief model and ways to practice it. Learn more and register at bit.ly/grief-meaning-making. 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
2. NONOTUCK PARK DAY! Easthampton MA Sunday September 29, 11:00 am-4:00 pm Join us for a free day of friendship, food, activities, crafts, trail walking or just relaxing!! Anyone bereaved due to substance related causes is welcome, including Direct Service Providers impacted by the overdose crisis. Reserve a spot here! Only 4 tickets left!
3. Volunteers Needed! Tuesday 10/1/24 6:00 pm 541 Washington St Braintree MA Please come help us pack up the swag bags for the grief conference. If you can help pack the bags, please email marci@thesunwillrise.org to let her know.
4. New Event! Virtual Music Therapy Workshop 10/3/24 7:00 pm-8:30 pm ET Have you not been able to attend an event because you live out of state? Here is a virtual event for you to participate in! Join Sarah Blacker, award-winning singer/songwriter, LMHC, Board-Certified Music Therapist with over 20 years in the field working with adults and youth with mental health challenges, and those affected by substance use for an interactive and experiential presentation on the benefits and application of Music Therapy. You will experience Music Therapy first-hand, learn about its powerful effects on the mind, body and spirit, and leave with takeaway tools to use in your own life every day. Sign up here.
5. 11th Annual Memorial Walk~The Family Restored Mystic River Reservation DCR – 4253 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford MA Saturday 10/5/24 11:30 am Come walk with us! Select our team "The Sun Will Rise" when you register and let's spend the day together! Register here and join our team!
6. New Event! Call Their Names Hike Sunday 10/13/24 2:30 pm 259 Massapoag Ave No.Easton MA We invite people bereaved due to substance use related causes to join together in an autumn walk at Borderland State Park. We will make stops along the way to “Call Their Name” at a few locations as a way to carry our person with us on this outing. Everyone is welcome…friends, family, kids, as well as dogs on leashes. More info here.
7. FINDING SUPPORT IN GRIEF Conference October 18-20, 2024 Framingham MA REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Discover hope, healing, support, and a sense of community at SADOD’s 3rd annual grief conference. Register now and learn more about this special event by clicking the link below: https://cvent.me/VVeBgB. Connect with others who have experienced the death of someone they care about to substance-use-related causes.
8. NEW WORKSHOP! KEYS 365 Virtual Suicide Prevention Workshop by Deb Casello Tuesday, November 5, 2024 6:30-8:00 pm ET This free KEYS 365 class is designed to empower participants with essential tools to recognize risk factors and warning signs of suicide, understand recommended suicide prevention verbiage, engage in open discussions, and foster hope and help-seeking behaviors. Self-care and resilience-building techniques for attendees to practice and share with others are included. This dynamic session focuses on early intervention and is interactive; participants will actively engage with each other as they are introduced to life-saving suicide prevention skills. Please pre-register here.
HEALING THROUGH WONDER
The link to the video posted last week did not work! Here is the corrected one!
Would you like to share a story of healing through awe and wonder? Please sign up here.
THIS WEEK’S MEETING INFORMATION
Monday - ZOOM 9/23/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
Don Lipstein facilitating.
For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84716470892
Meeting ID: 847 1647 0892 or One tap mobile 16469313860
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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, BRIDGEWATER, MA 9/24/24 6:30-8:00 pm ET.
Annie Avitabile facilitating.
Trinity Episcopal Church 91 Main St Bridgewater MA
For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
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Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 9/24/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating.
For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96961980647?pwd=cFVTMHR3VE9COGc3UGdIZHo4TWVaZz09#success
Meeting ID: 969 6198 0647
Password: 300626 or One tap mobile 16465588656
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Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 9/24/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
Kar-Kate Parenteau facilitating.
For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a partner, spouse or significant other due to substance use.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86578435343?pwd=avNFpCQpiLGCsKRKFEsexJj7E87gM5.1
Meeting ID: 865 7843 5343 Passcode: 287422 or
One tap mobile: 13052241968
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Tuesday - HYBRID - LEARNING TO COPE WITH GRIEF MEETING - IN-PERSON & ZOOM, GLOUCESTER, MA 9/24/24 7:00-8:00 pm ET.
Colleen and Gordon Bullard facilitating.
CORE Peer Recovery and Resource Center 11 - 15 Parker Street, Gloucester, MA
For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83349371338?pwd=RXM5RnRINGJKL21HTFhiSVYyR1NCdz09
Meeting ID: 833 4937 1338 Passcode: 560270
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Wednesday - PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - ZOOM 9/25/24 6:00-7:30 pm ET.
Jill Shanahan facilitating/Leslie Lagos co-facilitating.
For anyone 18 and over who identifies as being in recovery from any substance or alcohol who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82183952041
Meeting ID: 821 8395 2041or One tap mobile 16469313860
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Thursday - ZOOM 9/26/24 7:00-8:30 pm ET.
Janice Kaplan facilitating.
For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82458694331?pwd=JG3UecCCV9A9FIaCLrRG5PMvsuPpda.1
Meeting ID: 824 5869 4331
Passcode: 849823 or One tap mobile 13052241968
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Friday Special Peer Grief Support Group Friday - IN-PERSON 9/27/24 3-4:30 pm ET.
Available during the INTO THE LIGHT project exhibit. Robyn Houston-Bean facilitating.
Wheaton College, The Beard and Weil Galleries, 31 E. Main Street, Norton, MA.
For anyone 18+ who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.
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Sunday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING, IN-PERSON, MEDFORD, MA 9/29/24 10:00-11:30 am ET.
Michelle Rueda and Chloe Brosnan co-facilitating.
96 Winchester Street, Medford, MA.
For anyone 18-35 who has experienced the death of someone they care about to substance use.
Do you know someone bereaved due to substance use related causes that would appreciate our weekly email?
Have them sign up here for support!
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“Please be happy. The sun will rise” ~Nick Bean
The Sun Will Rise Foundation, 541 Washington St, Braintree MA 02184, USA
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