Our Mission
To companion the bereaved as they discover new life after loss and to share our common journey
Our Vision
- We create ongoing links to support for participants
- We value volunteers as leaders and decision-makers
- We are organic and flexible – able to change to meet community needs
- We assist the widowed to develop a personal understanding of bereavement and their own needs
- We support those who mourn by offering
– Solace
– Companionship
– Hope
– Safe and trusting environment
– Mutual support/Reciprocity
– Connection - We are good collaborators and partner well with others in the local/national grief community
- We use creative, multiple formats to reach the bereaved
- We develop, share and promote practical tools to support the bereaved
- We gather and use participant and community feedback to inform future program development
- We are ultimately sustainable and self-supporting
Our Values
- We believe people are intrinsically whole and don’t need to be fixed
- We companion the bereaved with respect, confidentiality, compassion, and empathy
- We offer a continuum of healing and involvement for participants
- We are sensitive and inclusive; welcoming all ages, genders, and ethnicities
- We recognize and celebrate each individual’s strength and ability to change and grow
- We practice ethical, participatory leadership
- We seek and use feedback from stakeholders to inform future program development
- We operate with the highest integrity and partner well with others
“Deep grief sometimes is almost like a specific location, a coordinate on a map of time. When you are standing in that forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever find your way to a better place. But if someone can assure you that they themselves have stood in that same place, and now have moved on, sometimes this will bring hope”
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)