1. family and parenting

ONGOING PROGRAMS
NEW THIS FALL!
Support & Share Night
Yoga & Meditation (weekly)
Yoga and Meditation for People Living with Grief: This
will be a weekly, ongoing, drop-in program, with yoga
and meditation alternating weekly throughout the
year.
When: 7 - 8 pm,
Day of Week: Wednesday evenings
Location: 213 - 211 Bronson Ave.
Suggested fee: $10
Everyone welcome regardless of ability to pay
The yoga sessions will be facilitated by Jessica
Puckering. During the three years of her mother's
terminal illness, Jessica turned to yoga as a way to
navigate the eye of the storm. Yoga opened Jessica's
Monthly, throughout the year
“The pilgrimage through grief is a process that takes
time, patience and often the help of others.” Dr. Earl
A. Grollman.
For over 35 years, this program has been supporting
individuals and families who find themselves
navigating the unpredictable journey of grief. It is
often the first program we recommend to be
experienced if you are a newcomer to BFO programs.
It provides an educational component and a peer
support group component. Each month we begin with
a guest speaker or short film on grief, followed by an
opportunity to connect with others in one of the 5 peer
support groups that are led by our caring and
compassionate volunteer facilitators.
The 5 peer support groups include:
Loss of Spouse, Loss of Child, Perinatal Loss
eyes to a system of healing and grounded her when
(miscarriage/baby born still/Infant under 1 year)
the loss of her mother threatened to undermine the
Loss of Parent/Sibling/Friend, Loss by Suicide
relevance of other relationships in her life, particularly
the relationship with her Self. Years later, Jessica
continues to draw on yoga to guide her life. This will
be a gentle hatha class suitable for all.
Please bring a yoga mat if you have one and wear
comfortable clothing. Additional yoga mats will be
available.
The
meditation
will
be
facilitated
by
Ketevan
Chigogidze from the Art of Living Foundation. It will
Registration: NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
st
Day of Month: 1 Tuesday of every month
Time: 7 - 9 pm
Location: 2400 Alta Vista Drive
(St. Timmothy’s Presbyterian Church)
Suggested fee: $10/person or $20/family
Everyone welcome regardless of ability to pay
Support & Share Day
Weekly, throughout the year
include guided meditations and breathing techniques
for relaxation. As part of these sessions, participants
will be given tools that can be practiced independently
“In life, everyone grieves. But despite what you may
hear, you will do the ‘work of mourning’ in your own
way.” Alan Wolfelt
at home.
Bereaved Families of Ontario –
Ottawa Region
The Bronson Centre, Suite 303
211 Bronson Ave
Ottawa, ON K1R 6H5
W: www.bfo-ottawa.org
P: (613) 567-4278
E: office@bfo-ottawa.org Deborah
outreach@bfo-ottawa.org Robin
Our weekly peer support day program provides an
immediate opportunity to connect and share with
others who are journeying through the wilderness of
grief. A peer support group, for all losses, is facilitated
by trained volunteers who have also experienced grief
and loss.
Registration: NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Day of Week: Thursdays, every week
Time: noon to 1:30pm
Location: Room 306, 211 Bronson Avenue
Suggested fee: $10/person
Everyone welcome regardless of ability to pay
PLACE PHOTO HERE,
Bereaved
Families of
OTHERWISE DELETE BOX
Ontario – Ottawa
Region
Autumn 2014 Schedule of
Programs & Events
“Grief is a solitary journey. No one but you
knows how great the hurt is. No one but you
can know the gaping hole left in your life
when someone you know has died. And no
one but you can mourn the silence that was
once filled with laughter and song. It is the
nature of love and of death to touch every
person in a totally unique way.
Comfort comes from knowing that people
have made the same journey. And solace
comes from understanding how others have
learned to sing again.”
-Helen Steiner Rice
Please contribute to individual and community healing by
forwarding this information to your community contacts
Storytelling Workshop
10wk Adult Closed
Groups
Start: POSTPONED until late winter 2015
BFO is looking for volunteers to tell their stories of loss and grief, hope
Every spring and fall we offer additional programming
and healing. These are short stories to be shared at our Support and
to support individuals in a deeper exploration of the
Share programs, special events, or presentations to community
wilderness
agencies.
of their grief. Participants have an
This workshop is appropriate for people who have
opportunity to connect with each other for 10wks,
participated in a BFO closed group, been a long-term participant in one
listening and sharing, exploring and reflecting on their
of our Support and Share programs, or who are already volunteering
personal experiences as they heal and grow in their
with BFO.
grief.
Contact Robin at outreach@bfo-ottawa.org or call (613) 567-4278.
These 10 wk groups are facilitated by trained grief
program
is
overseen
by
mental
health
professionals. We provide a secure and supportive
environment to help individuals understand and
express their grief .
3-Day Grief & Bereavement
Support Training
For individuals/groups of professionals or volunteers who are in contact
with the bereaved and who would like to learn more about grief, the
REGISTRATION from October 6th - 27th
needs of the bereaved and how better to support them using a peer to
Please contact Deborah Krogan at (613) 567-4278 or
peer model. This course incorporates individual and group work, and
office@bfo-ottawa.org.
the opportunity to learn from each other's personal experiences. Please
GROUP: Loss of Spouse
come prepared to participate.
2hrs weekly, 9 wks
NEW Start Date: November 5, 2, 19, 26, December
3, 10, January 7, 14, 21
Day of week: Wednesdays
Time: 7-9pm
Location: McEvoy Shields, 1411 Hunt Club Road (at
Albion Rd)
When: November 7th (9:30 – 4:30), Nov 8th and 9th (9 – 4 pm)
GROUP: Loss of Parent/Sibling/Friend
2hrs weekly, 10 wks,
Start: October 29, November 5, 2, 19, 26, December
3, 10, January 7, 14, 21
Day of week: Wednesdays
Time: 7-9pm
Location: McEvoy Shields, 1411 Hunt Club Road (at
Albion Rd)
GROUP: Loss of Child
2hrs weekly, 10 wks,
Start: January 7th to March 11th
Day of Week: Wednesdays
Time: 7-9pm
Location: The Bronson Center (Suite 303), 211
Bronson Ave
Weekly Companioning Walk
is postponed until Spring
~ Henri Nouwen
Voices of Youth
‘Hope After Suicide’
facilitators who have experienced the same loss, and
the
Sharing our pain is the beginning of healing.
Here we can see how close sorrow and joy can
be.
When I discover that I am no longer alone in my
struggle
And when I start experiencing a new “fellowship
in weakness,”
Then true joy can erupt,
Right in the middle of my sorrow.
Where: May Court Hospice, 114 Cameron Avenue
For more info or to register, contact Robin: outreach@bfo-ottawa.org
Remembrance Tree
Ceremony
For over 20 years, the memorial event has offered individuals and
families in the Ottawa region a touching and visible way to remember
their loved ones who have died. Evergreen trees are a symbol of
peace in many cultures and traditions. All are welcome to participate in
this special event.
When: Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Time: 6:30 pm
NEW Location!: The Bronson Center Theatre
211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa
9 wk Youth Group
NEW Start Date: Oct 30 - Nov 27 and Jan 8 - 29
Day of Week: Thursdays
Time: 6-8pm
Location: The Bronson Centre (Suite 303), 211
Bronson Ave
The benefits of connecting with other peers to reduce
isolation and experience hope is well documented.
This fall, BFO is extending our support to youth (13-16
yrs and 17-20yrs) in our community, who have been
affected by suicide. A peer group can be an important
and valuable source of help for survivors.
Youth can benefit enormously by sharing their
concerns and feelings within a group of peers who
have, like themselves, experienced guilt, anger,
confusion, social ostracism, shame, fear or depression
after a suicide loss. The intention of our 'Hope After
Suicide' program is to help reduce the stigma
associated with talking about suicide and suicide loss
and inspire hope and transformation in youth who are
faced with the challenge of understanding suicide.
Both facilitators in this 10 week program have direct,
personal experience with facing the reality of a loved
one's death by suicide as well as professional
experience in helping other survivors work through
their often complicated grief journeys.
Phone REGISTRATION from
th
th
The event begins with personal stories of hope and healing.
October 6 - 27
Following the storytelling, a short, half-hour dedication and lighting
ceremony acknowledges the memories of our loved ones who have
died. As each person lights a candle in memory and honouring of their
loved-one, the physical space of the event gradually transforms from
darkness into light. The ceremony takes place to the accompaniment of
live harp music. There are many other special elements to this
event…please stay tuned for more details and how to register in
November.
Please contact Deborah Krogan at
(613) 567-4278 or office@bfo-ottawa.org
Proudly supported by The Royal Bank of Canada and
their 'Believe in Kids Pledge'