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 Groups
Open to any adult grieving the death of a loved one. Refreshments and handouts are provided. No fee. Contact Deb Kosmer, Affinity Visiting Nurses, at 920-727-2013.
• Oshkosh: 1st Thursday, St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Murdock Avenue. Groups offered at 2:30 & 6:30 p.m.
• Appleton: 1st Tuesday, Thompson Community Center, 820 W. College Avenue. Groups offered at 2:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Open Grief Group
1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Oshkosh (5th street, in parish office building, behind church). Anonymous, ecumenical, no fee. Contact Linda Hillary at 920-235-7421.
Caring Companions Bereavement Support Group
Six week evening sessions offered in April and September at St. Mary’s, Menasha for adults mourning the loss of a loved one. Ecumenical, no fee. Contact Joan Spielbauer at 920-731-5898.
Grief Share
Support group for anyone who has lost a loved one, recent or past. • Menasha: Christ the Rock Church, sessions held throughout the year. No fee. For start dates, contact Deb at 920-730-8383 ext. 345. • Neenah: Calvary Bible Church, Wednesdays, 7:00—9:00 p.m. 13 sessions held during the year, room 145. No fee, $15 workbook optional. Contact Debbie Smoll at 920-725-3896 .
The Starting Point
This program is located at Fox Valley Technical College and offers free individual counseling and workshops for persons in transition, including bereaved individuals. Contact Sandi at 920-735-5693.
Grief & Loss
Scripture based grief and loss information, sharing, and prayer sessions. Thursdays, 9:00 a.m., next session is April 15—May 20, 2010. Held at St. Bernard’s Church, 1617 W. Pine Street, Appleton. Contact Pam at 920-739-0331.
Theo (To Help Each Other)
Support and learning for those who have had a loved one die. 1st and 3rd Mondays. Non-denominational, no fee; St. Mary’s Church, 312 S. State Street, Appleton. Contact the Parish office at 920-739-5119 or Donna Nemecek at 920-739-2093.
A Time To Mourn
A six week grief group offering support for adults who have lost an adult loved one. Co-led by professionals trained in grief support. No fee, advance registration is required. Contact Chaplain Cathie, Bethel Home, at 920-232-5274 to inquire about start dates & times and to register.
Living With Loss—Six Week Group
Grief support group for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Offered in fall and spring by ThedaCare At Home Hospice in Appleton. No fee, advance registration required. Contact Rachel Seppi, Bereavement Coordinator, ThedaCare At Home Hospice, at 800-984-5554 or 920-730-3408. Email: rachel.seppi@thedacare.org
Living With Loss—Drop In Group
Monthly education and support offered by ThedaCare At Home Hospice for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one . No fee, advance registration appreciated. Contact Rachel Seppi, ThedaCare At Home Hospice, at 800-984-5554 or 920-730-3408. • Waupaca: Held on 11/18/09, 1/14/10, 2/25/10, 3/25/10, 4/22/10, 5/20/10, and 6/17/10, 902 Riverside Drive. Groups offered at 3:00-4:30 p.m. & 6:00-7:30 p.m. • Clintonville: 3rd Wednesday of the month, Jan-June 2010., Community Center, 30 S. Main Street. Groups offered at 3:00-4:30 p.m. & 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Men Journeying Through Grief
Open to men of all ages who have experienced the death of a loved one. Gatherings include supper, discussion, grief information, and resources. No fee, advance registration appreciated. Contact Deb Kosmer at 920-727-2013.
Widows / Widowers
Rainbows
Provides a social environment for widows and widowers. Meetings are held the 3rd Sunday of each month and weekly breakfast locations vary. Other activities included. No fees. Contact Sylvia Theis at 920-733-7817.
New Beginnings
A social dinner group for widows and widowers held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at various locations in the Fox Valley. Advance registration is required. Contact Donna Nemecek at 920-739-2093 or Emily at 920-766-2341. Email: dmntheo@aol.com
Grieving Parents
Remembering Through Sharing
Pregnancy loss support group for those who have experienced a miscarriage, stillborn, or neonatal death. Group meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 7:00—8:30 p.m. No fee, advance registration not required. For specific location, contact the RTS coordinator at 920-729-2087.
Compassionate Friends
For bereaved parents who have experienced the death of a child at any age. Group meets on the 4th Thursday of the month, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 1025 Tullar Road, Neenah. Contact Deb Schultz at 920-725-6340.
Elizabeth Ministry
Ministry for bereavement of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant or child death, failed adoptions, and infertility. Support groups, mentoring, memorials, retreat, resource center. Contact Jeannie at 766-9380, 120 W. 8th Street, Kaukauna.
Pathway To Peace
An ecumenical memorial service for those who have experienced pregnancy loss or infant loss. Services are held four times each year at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and twice each year at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. For dates and times, contact Affinity NurseDirect at 800-362-9900.
Children and Teens
Center For Grieving Children
Programs of peer-to-peer support for grieving children of all ages and their parents. Led by trained facilitators at the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley, 117 S. Locust Street, Appleton. Gathering includes supper. No fee, advance registration required. Contact Loris Damerow at 731-0555 ext. 244 .
Camp Hope
A weekend program providing an atmosphere of love and acceptance for children to express themselves following the death of a loved one. Camps take place at the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI in spring and fall. No fee. Contact Becky Loy at 715-341-0076. Email: camphope@charter.net
Camp Lloyd
A day camp for children grieving the death of a loved one. Camp Lloyd is a safe environment for campers to explore feelings of grief and gain support from one another. Camp takes place June 21-25, 2010 on the UWGB campus. Cost is $35 per camper; families with more than one child attending camp are eligible for a family discount. Contact Illene Noppe at 920-465-2703.
Grief Relief
Ongoing peer support groups for children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one. Groups offer an open place to be with other children and teens and share experiences of grief and loss. No fee, advance registration is required. Group meets in Fond du Lac. Contact Terri St. Lawrence at 920-924-4660.
Trauma
Survivors of Suicide (SOS)
Support group for family members, friends, and coworkers of those who have died by suicide. Minimum age is 14, no fee, advance registration is not necessary. Contact Barb Bigalke at 920-750-9091. Group is sponsored by Community for Hope of Greater Oshkosh, Inc. www.communityforhope.org
• Appleton: 2nd Monday of the month, Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2600 E. Philip Lane, 6:30—8:30 p.m.
• Oshkosh: 3rd Thursday of the month, Bethany UCC Church, 145 W. 24th Street, 6:30—8:30 p.m.
• Ripon: 1st Thursday of the month, Immanuel United Methodist Church, 401 W. Fond Du Lac Street, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Other Supports
Hospice Memorial Services
Many area hospices conduct memorial services throughout the year for the families they have journeyed with and for the general public. Please contact them directly for more information.
Fullness of Life
An ecumenical prayer service for grieving families. For dates and times, contact Affinity NurseDirect at 800-362-9900.
Local Churches
Don’t forget your local church, synagogue, or mosque. Pastors, priests, rabbis, lay ministers, Stephen & Be-Friender Ministries, and Care Ministry can provide comfort and support to the grieving. 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 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. The Fox Valley area is fortunate to have many qualified, competent, and compassionate counselors. For referrals, please contact your clergy, health care provider, a close & trusted friend, or funeral home.
Updated 8/20/09 |
