Fox Valley Grief Network

General Information 

The Fox Valley Grief Network (FVGN) is comprised of professionals and non-professionals who journey with the bereaved in the Fox Valley area. The group meets quarterly and includes people working in a variety of professions: social worker, counselor, clergy, lay minister, parish nurse, hospice volunteer, bereavement support coordinator, school guidance counselor, funeral directors, chaplain, etc. The group gathers for the purpose of: 

• Networking with other professionals in the field to share resources and expertise 

• Learning about area programs, support systems, resources, and events in the Fox Valley, • Identifying and addressing areas of grief support that may be lacking 

• Promoting the normalcy of grief, and • Remaining current in methods that are most effective in journeying with the bereaved. 

For more information about FVGN, to become a member, or receive regular mailings, please contact the current co-chairs by phone or e-mail: Sandi Moore (920-735-5693) or Gretchen Koch (920-651-1583). Both can be reached via e-mail at: griefsupport@hotmail.com. 

Fox Valley Grief Support Groups and Services 

General Grief Groups 

Grief Support Drop-In Group 

Open to any adult grieving the death of a loved one. Refreshments and handouts are provided. No fee to attend. Two groups are offered: 

• Appleton - First Tuesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Thompson Community Center, 820 West College Avenue. 

• Oshkosh – First Thursday of the month at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1100 East Murdock Street. For more information about either group, please contact Deb Kosmer at 920-727-2013. 

Open Grief Group 

A support group for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Anonymous, ecumenical, and free. Group meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 1025 West Fifth Street, Oshkosh. Group gathers in the parish office building behind the church. 

Caring Companions Bereavement Support Group 

A support group for adults mourning the loss of a loved one. Six week sessions are offered in April and September from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s in Menasha. For more information, please contact Joan Spielbauer at 920-731-5898. 

Grief Share 

A support group for anyone who has lost a loved one, recent or past. Sessions are held throughout the year. No fee to attend; $15 workbook is optional. Two groups are offered: 

• Menasha - Tuesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Christ the Rock Church, W6254 Highway 10. For start dates, please contact Deb at 920-730-8383 x345 or Linda at 920-730-8383 x204. 

• Neenah – Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Calvary Bible Church, 1450 Oakridge Road. Group meets in room 145. For start dates, please contact Debbie Smoll at 920-725-3896. 

Starting Point 

Free individual counseling and workshops for persons in transition, including bereaved individuals. Programs take place at Fox Valley Technical College. For more information, please contact Sandi at 920-735-5693. 

Grief and Loss 

Scripture-based grief and loss information, sharing, and prayer sessions. Program takes place on Wednesdays in six week sessions at St. Bernard’s Church, 1617 W. Pine Street, Appleton. For more information, please contact Pam at 930-739-0331. 

THEO (To Help Each Other) 

Support and learning for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. Program is free to attend and non-denominational. Group meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at St. Mary Church, 313 South State Street, Appleton. For more information, please contact Deacon Bill Burke at 920-733-7484 or Donna Nemecek at 920-739-6890. 

Time to Mourn 

A six week grief group offering support for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. The group is led by professionals trained in grief support. Sessions are offered in February, April, and September. For more information, please contact Chaplain Cathie at Bethel Home at 920-232-5274. 

Living with Loss 

A six week grief group offering support for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. Sessions are offered in fall and spring by ThedaCare At Home Hospice. For more information, please contact Rachel Seppi at 800-984-5554. 

Men Journeying Through Grief 

A gathering of men who have experienced the death of a loved one. The group is free and open to men of all ages. The evening includes a shared supper, discussion, education, and grief resources. For more information, please contact Deb Kosmer at 920-727-2013. 

For Children 

Center for Grieving Children 

Peer-to-peer support programming for grieving children of all ages and their parents. Groups are led by trained facilitators at the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley, 117 South Locust Street, Appleton. Group meets once monthly from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and includes dinner. No fee to attend. For more information, please call 920-731-0555 x244. 

Grief Relief 

Ongoing peer support groups for children and teens ages 5 – 17. Groups are free of charge, ongoing, and meet for 90 minutes. Groups are open to children and teens who have experienced the death of a loved one and meet in Fond du Lac. For more information, please contact Terri at 920-926-4960 or Sister Joyann at 920-924-4660. 

Camp Hope 

A weekend program providing an atmosphere of love and acceptance for children to express themselves following the death of a loved one. Camp is held twice each year, once in the spring, and again in the fall. No fee to attend. For more information, please contact Becky Loy at 715-341-0076. 

Camp Lloyd 

This full-day, week-long summer program specifically for grieving children is filled with fun activities. Campers have the opportunity to explore their own experiences of grief, realize their feelings are normal, and find support with one another. Camp takes place on the UW-Green Bay campus. Nominal fee of $35 per child or $50 per family. Financial assistance is available. For more information, please call 920-465-2703. 

For Grieving Parents 

Remembering Through Sharing 

Support group for those who have lost an infant to death. Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Theda Clark Medical Center or Appleton Medical Center. For more information, please call 920-729-2087. 

Freedom to Grieve 

Support group for those who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth. Group meets on the second Monday of each month from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Hospital (January through June) and at Mercy Medical Center (July through December). For more information, please contact Mary Sullivan at 920-738-2487 or NurseDirect at 800-362-9900. 

Compassionate Friends 

Support group for bereaved parents who have experienced the death of a child at any age. Groups meet in two locations: 

• Neenah - Fourth Thursday of the month from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1025 Tullar Road. Contact Deb Schultz at 920-725-6340. 

• Oshkosh – First Monday of the month from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church, 1317 Faust Avenue. Contact Dixie Jarchow at 920-231-8800 x4344. 

Elizabeth Ministry 

Ministry for grief related to miscarriage, stillbirth, infant or child death, failed adoptions, and infertility. Support groups, mentoring, memorials, retreats, and resources are available. For more information, please contact Jeannie at 920-766-9380. 

Pathways to Peace 

Memorial service for those who have experienced stillbirth or miscarriage. Services are held four times each year at St. Elizabeth Hospital (920-738-2487) in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center (920-223-1280) in Oshkosh. Please contact the hospital of your choice for more information. 

Trauma 

Survivors of Suicide 

Support group for family members, friends, and co-workers of those who have died by suicide. Minimum age to attend is 14. There is no fee and advance registration is not necessary. Three groups are available: 

• Appleton - Second Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2602 East Philip Lane. 

• Oshkosh - Third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Avenue. This meeting location is for the May, June, July, and August 2009 meetings only. Please check back for an updated meeting location for fall and winter 2009 gatherings. 

• Ripon – First Thursday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 401 West Fond du Lac Street. For more information about any of these groups, please contact Mary Van Haute at 920-680-4710. 

For Widows/Widowers 

Rainbows 

Support group that provides a social environment for widows and widowers. Meetings are held on the third Sunday of each month. Weekly breakfast locations vary. No fee to attend. Weekly notice is in the Post Crescent on Thursdays. For more information, please contact Sylvia Theis at 920-739-2953. 

New Beginnings 

A dinner group for widows and widowers held on the second Wednesday of each month in the evening. Location varies each month. Registration is required. Please contact Donna Nemecek at 920-739-2093 or Emily at 920-766-2341. 

Grief Support 

Topic-based gathering for widows and widowers on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Church, 1617 West Pine Street, Appleton. Group meets September - March. For more information, please contact Pam at 920-739-0331. 

Other Support Opportunities 

Hospice Memorial Services 

Many area hospices conduct memorial services throughout the year. If your family was served by a hospice organization, please contact your hospice agency directly for more information. 

Fullness of Life Prayer services for grieving families are held in two locations: 

• Appleton - First Thursday in April, August, and December at 6:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton. For more information, please call 920-738-2655. 

• Oshkosh - First Tuesday in March, June, and September at 7:00 p.m. at Mercy Medical Center, Oshkosh. For more information, please call 920-223-0120. 

Local Churches 

Don’t forget your local church, synagogue, or mosque. Pastors, priests, rabbis, lay ministers, Stephen and Be-Friender Ministries, and Care Ministry may be of help with the grieving process. Faith communities often offer memorial services during the course of the year. 

Professional Counseling 

While the experience of loss, anger, and sadness is a necessary part of grief work, it can be difficult for some to do without professional support of some kind. Professional counselors play an important role in facilitating healthy grieving and observing signs of complicated grief that can lead to major depression. For a referral, please contact your clergy, health care provider, a trusted friend, or funeral home.