My Grief Connection Blog - MY GRIEF CONNECTION

11/25/2019

Birthwaves, Idaho chapter

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The Idaho Chapter of Birthwaves offers bereavement support to families of babies and small children. @BirthWaves_org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Unbiased, unconditional birth and postpartum doula services are provided at no cost to families experiencing miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, fatal diagnosis, or infant death from any cause.

If you are experiencing a loss and need additional support, please call 800-518-1758 to be matched with our birth or postpartum doula on-call. Doulas are available 24/7 in the Greater Treasure Valley (Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Middleton Meridian & Kuna), Mountain Home and the surrounding areas of Idaho. Families pay nothing for the services they offer. If you are experiencing a loss please reach out to them immediately.

If you are a care provider and would like additional information, please email idaho@birthwaves.org
For more grief support resources visit www.mygriefconnection.com

http://birthwaves.org/locations/idaho/
https://www.facebook.com/birthwavesidaho/

11/23/2019

If I Could Fly - FREE drama production presented by ISWAG Theater - 06/07 December 2019

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If I Could Fly - FREE drama production presented by ISWAG Theater
The Journey, 9105 W Overland Rd,
Boise, Idaho 83709, Boise
If I Could Fly is poignant play, written and directed by Greyson Snodgrass, dealing with the mental health struggles so prevalent in society today. The characters face their personal struggles with anxiety, depression
and suicide and find that, in the end, they are not alone. Despite how they feel, there is always hope. Admission to all performances is FREE, but
donations will be cheerfully accepted!

Dec 6th at 7pm, Dec 7th at 1pm & Dec 7th at 4pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/436139017002712/
https://allevents.in/boise/if-i-could-fly-drama-production/200018102504355

11/22/2019

Mental Health 101: Support Your Mental Health During the Holidays Class - 05 December 2019

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Mental Health 101: Support Your Mental Health During the Holidays
Thursday, December 5th, 2019 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Nampa Public Library, 215 12th Ave. South,
Nampa, Idaho 83651
Join licensed professional counselor, Rebekah Rene Stearns, MA, LPC, of Nurturing Hope & Healing Counseling, LLC to learn how to Support Your Mental Health During the Holidays on Thursday, December 5th at 6:30 pm in Multipurpose Room B. A wide variety of factors can cause the holiday season to be to a time of increased stress, anxiety and depression. Gain coping and communication tools to help you maintain your
mental health. Find out how you can respond and cope well no matter what the holiday season brings.

This class is part of a 5-part monthly series on Mental Health issues we will be hosting at
Nampa Public Library from December 2019 - April 2020.

Other sessions will include:
Monday, January 6th, 2020 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Mental Health 101: Suicide Prevention & Awareness

Thursday, February 6th, 2020 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Mental Health 101: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Thursday, March 5th, 2020 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Mental Health 101: Breaking Addiction
and Co-Dependency

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm -
Mental Health 101: Managing Stress, Anxiety & Panic

https://www.facebook.com/events/2470977339816712/

11/22/2019

Being a survivor...

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"For me being a survivor has made me a reluctant participant/observer in my
own inner struggle between wanting that to be the most important fact of
my life and wanting it to be the least important." - Edward Dunne

11/20/2019

21st Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance - 21 November 2019

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2019 Transgender Day of Remembrance

21st Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance 2019
November 21, 2019 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Linen Building, 1402 W Grove Street, Boise, Idaho 83702
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a tribute to those who have lost their lives to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. This day serves to raise awareness of the abuse and violence faced by the transgender and gender non-conforming (GNC) community. On November 21st to honor those we have lost, and build momentum to end the violence against transgender and GNC people. Transgender rights are being battled across the United States. All the while transgender people continue to be murdered in unprecedented numbers, specifically trans women of color.

ASL Interpreters -- LaVona Andrew & Sarah Spellman;
The MC and speaker is Dainne Piggott;
Speaker #1 is Jyoni Tetsurō Shuler;
Speaker # 2 is Elizabeth Lynn Price;
Reading the names of remembrance will be
Shannon Hansen and Jessica Irwin.
Common Ground Community Chorus will perform.
A Land Blessing will be given by Aodhàn Crawford.

Event Sponsors: Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, Project Filter, Pride Foundation, Idaho Transgender Healthcare Advocacy Coalition & Idaho Sexual Violence Prevention Program

https://www.facebook.com/events/1458823630925006/

11/20/2019

Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting® - 08 December 2019

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The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting...that their light may always shine. Second Sunday in December 7pm around the globe.

Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting®
December 8, 2019 at 6:30 pm
Parkcenter Park, 385 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise, Idaho 83706
Annually, families united in loss, light candles for one hour during this event, held on the second Sunday in December. As the candles lit at 7:00 pm in each time-zone begin to burn down, others are lit in the next, creating a 24-hour wave of light around the world. This light shines as a reminder
that although they are no longer with us, the light of our child's life will continue to inspire and guide others. Gather at Parkcenter Park at 6:30 pm. After candles are lit at 7:00 pm,
the group will walk around Parkcenter Pond shining the light
of our children and sharing our memories with family, friends and strangers united in loss.
https://www.facebook.com/events/555222805045467/

11/19/2019

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Event at boise Public Library - 23 November 2019

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International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, November 23, 2019

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Event
Hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Idaho Chapter

November 23, 2019 from 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Boise Public Library, 715 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, Idaho 83702
You are not alone. Join a community of suicide loss survivors and share stories of hope and healing. Each year, the AFSP supports hundreds of large and small Survivor Day events around the world, in which suicide loss survivors come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience. While each event is unique and offers various programming, all feature an AFSP produced documentary that offers a message of growth, resilience and connection.

This is a FREE event!
2:00 pm: Check-In Opens
2:30 pm: Watch Film, Keynote Speaker & Remembrance Activity
3:00 - 4:30 pm: Dinner & Connect with Others

Contact: rubie.home@gmail.com
https://afsp.org/survivor_day/meridian-idaho/
https://afsp.org/survivorday

11/19/2019

Blue Christmas: A Service of Lament - at Kuna Church of the Nazarene - 08 December 2019

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Blue Christmas Service: A Service of Lament for Those Who Find Themselves in a Season of Grief - Sunday, December 8th, 6:00pm

Blue Christmas: A Service of Lament
Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Kuna Church of the Nazarene, 1281 W Avalon St, Kuna, Idaho 83634
Kuna Church of the Nazarene is hosting a service of scripture, songs, readings, and liturgy that honor our grief,
but point us towards Hope.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2653059658094600/

11/19/2019

The Tree of Remembrance holiday event at the Meridian District library - 04 December 2019

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Tree of Remembrance event poster

The Tree of Remembrance
December 4, 2019 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Meridian District Library, Cherry Lane Branch
1326 W. Cherry Lane, Meridian, Idaho 83642
The holidays can be difficult when you are missing a loved one. Whether it's your first year without them, or you lost them decades ago. You are welcome to attend the "Tree of Remembrance" event on December 4, 2019 from 7-9pm. You will be able to craft an ornament to place on the remembrance tree in honor of your loved ones, as well as make an ornament to take home with you. The "Tree of Remembrance" will be lit in celebration of the lives of our loved ones and in acknowledgement of our own grief at their loss. There will be performances by musicians Blaze and Kelly and light refreshments. All ages and beliefs welcome to attend. The "Tree of Remembrance" will remain standing and lit at the Meridian Library District Cherry Lane location throughout the month of December, and community members will be welcome to stop in and
decorate an ornament to add to the tree.

This event is sponsored by KCT, Camp Erin, Harrison's Hope, Bridges In-Home Care & Consulting, St. Luke's, and Jayker Re-Wholesale Nursery.

https://www.facebook.com/events/796531777843412/
https://www.mld.org/tree-remembrance

11/18/2019

A to Z Healing Toolbox Non Traditional Ways to Navigate Grief and Trauma Webinar

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Navigating through grief, loss, and trauma can be a very difficult process. Using her book "A to Z Healing Toolbox: A Practical Guide for Navigating Grief and Trauma with Intention," as a guide, Susan Hannifin-MacNabwill shares some nontraditional healing tools that can counter the negative effects of grief and trauma while aiding in the healing of the body, mind and soul. This webinar "A to Z Healing Toolbox Non Traditional Ways to Navigate Grief and Trauma" will introduce you to creative ways to help you rebuild and heal.

The webinar provides practical tools and exercises that can help you to heal and rebuild your life, explains how journaling with pictures instead of words can reduce your anxiety and depression, and offers practical, hands-on strategies that can help with healing the brain's neural pathways.

11/18/2019

American Foundation For Suicide prevention Boise Chapter's Out of the Darkness Walk - 12 October 2019

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I was so proud to represent My Grief Connection on October 12, 2019 at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Boise Chapter's Treasure Valley Out of the Darkness Walk to help raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. This was our first time sharing about MGC at an event and having an informational booth. It was an honor to meet other suicide loss survivors and share my personal story along with the resources of MGC with them.

I was able to share with the community about the grief support resources available in the Treasure Valley, and beyond, including in person and online support groups, counselors, grief coaches, grief art programs, books, videos, podcast, crisis help, and so much more.

A special thanks to these amazing individuals and organizations who provided their cards and literature for me to display and share: Project Grief, Nurturing Hope And Healing Counseling, LLC, David's Hope Pregnancy Loss Ministry, Coalesce Discovery, Sunrise Retreats, Women's & Children's Alliance, Idaho Trauma and Wellness Therapy, Griefshare, Rhythm & Grace Counseling, LLC., Terry Reilly Health Services, Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, and the Be Well Nampa Initiative at the Nampa Public Library.

11/16/2019

Treasure Valley Grief Support Meetup Group - 18 November 2019

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Treasure Valley Grief Support Meetup Group

The next Treasure Valley Grief Support Meetup Group is on Monday, Nov 18, 2019 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at Lucky Perk Coffee - 1630 S. Eagle Road, Meridian, Idaho 83642 (at the intersection of Overland & Eagle Road).

RSVP if you can at https://www.meetup.com/Treasure-Valley-Grief-Support-Meetup/

This group meets on the 3rd Monday of the month and is where all that grieve can come and share their stories and how they have lived through their struggles. Grieving never stops even when it's been years.

This group is for everyone, from the newly grieving to veteran grievers, to help support and build each other up. Strategies and goal setting accompanied by compassion to help each other stay resilient. Grievers include the death of a loved one or pet, loss of job, loss of home, loss of faith, divorced of parents or from spouse, abandonment, loss of who you used to be, and so forth. If you have had any type of loss this group is for you.

Find more local grief related groups listed under the "Support Groups" tab on www.mygriefconnection.org

11/16/2019

November is Children's Grief Awareness Month

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November is Children's Grief Awareness Month
Bereaved children are often referred to as the "forgotten mourners". Many bereaved children feel isolated in their grief, unaware that they are not alone. Children's Grief Awareness Month is an opportunity to tell children they are not forgotten and that there is support, hope and healing to be found.

For more information visit the National Alliance for Grieving Children on Instagram at @childrengrieve & https://tinyurl.com/y52rlg86

Categories

11/15/2019

Lift the Mask - Idaho suicide prevention hotline event - 10 December 2019

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Lift the Mask Event Poster

The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline just announced their exciting upcoming event "Lift the Mask."

"Lift the Mask" is a short documentary and panel discussion about the intersection of mental illness, incarceration, hospitalization, homelessness, and suicide. The night will be focusing on Idaho specific solutions to these issues and highlighting the innovative and cutting edge work that is happening right now.

Join them on December 10th from 5:30 to 8:30 at McCleary Auditorium at Saint Alphonsus in Boise. Tickets are $30 each.

A small plate dinner and social hour will be from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. The film starts at 6:30 and will be followed by a panel discussion.

Purchase your tickets at: https://tinyurl.com/u5dax9j

Two CEUs may be earned by attending this event.