Community Resources
Alberta Children's Hospital Grief Support Program
The Grief Support Program is available to provide support to families when a child dies. Bereavement support is offered in many ways to fit the unique needs of the family, such as individual, family and/or group counselling, resourcing/education and referrals to community agencies. If you would like to find out more about our program or speak to one of their Grief Support Counsellors, please call 403-955-7671.
http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/ACH/pff/resource_centre.html
Calgary Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends is an international, non-profit, non-denominational, self-help organization, offering friendship, understanding, grief education and HOPE for the future to all families who have experienced the death of a child at any age, from any cause. Meetings for bereaved parents are held the third Monday of every month at First Evangelical Free Church (55th Avenue and Elbow Drive SW) at 7:30 P.M. Sibling Support Groups for young people ages 8 - teenage also available. Telephone: (403) 230-6062 (Help line - calls returned within 24 hours).
http://tcfcanada.net
Calgary Counselling Centre
To initiate counselling sessions, the individual calls the main number (403) 265-4980 and asks for Intake/Call Centre. An intake worker conducts a 15 minute interview, which will assess the issues and circumstances requiring counselling. The appropriate counsellor is assigned to your case the next working day and you will be contacted by your counsellor within 48 hours to book an appointment. A wide range of counselling is offered. Fees are on a sliding scale according to ability to pay. #200, 940 - 6th Avenue SW, Calgary AB, T2P 3T1 Telephone: (403) 265-4980
http://www.calgarycounselling.com
Calgary Family Services
Calgary Family Services offers supportive and confidential counselling services to anyone residing in Calgary and the surrounding areas. Individual, couple and family counseling is offered. Fees are on a sliding scale according to ability to pay. To initiate the counselling process, call the Intake Coordinator at (403) 205-5244. #200, 1000 – 8 Avenue SW
http://www.calgaryfamily.org
Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society
FRIENDLY VISITING
Isolated/lonely seniors are carefully matched with volunteers that share similar interests. Every effort is made to match volunteers with a senior who lives in close proximity. Volunteers make a minimum commitment of one hour per week for six months. Matched pairs participate in a variety of activities, from visiting over a cup of tea to playing a game of cards or getting out for a walk. This program provides companionship and social support to seniors with little or no friends and family. There is a currently a waiting list for some areas of the city. Matches are made in order of priority and eligibility.
ESCORTED TRANSPORTATIONVolunteers provide Escorted Transportation for seniors who are not able to use public transportation AND require assistance during medical and banking appointments. The Escorted Transportation program is provided to help seniors maintain their independence. Their service is unique, in that the volunteer accompanies the client from the time they are picked up until they are returned home. There is a $10 fee charged for a round trip. Any donations of $20 or more to CSRS will automatically receive a tax receipt. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from the Friendly Visiting Program or the Escorted Transportation Program, please call Calgary Seniors' Resource Society at 266-6200.
http://www.calgaryseniors.org
Canadian Foundation For The Study Of Infant Deaths (SIDS) PEER SUPPORT
The Peer Support Program is a service that provides emotional support, information, discussions and contact with other families learning to cope with the sudden death of their infant. Peer support volunteers are trained and supported by the Foundation to provide support to other families by telephone and by one-on-one or group meetings. When providing one-on-one telephone support to families, the CFSID makes every effort to match new families with experienced volunteers who are similarly suited by age, situation and time zone. With over 40 CFSID Councils across Canada, support is usually available and support group meetings can be arranged. Telephone: 1-800-363-7437
Canadian Mental Health Association
SUICIDE BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM
The experience of a suicide-related loss is often quite isolating because of the stigma that is often attached to this type of death. The Suicide Bereavement Support program offers a variety of services such as one-on-one counselling, an educational support group, individual peer support, and a drop-in group as well as educational presentations and debriefings to assist survivors in dealing with these issues. Fees are on a sliding scale according to ability to pay. Telephone: (403) 297-1700. Suite 400, 1202 Centre Street SE
Caring Beyond Support Group
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
Caring Beyond offers peer support to parents who have lost a baby due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, neonatal death and termination due to poor prenatal diagnosis. We believe all losses to be equal regardless of circumstance or gestation. All of these babies were loved and wanted. Parents considering a subsequent pregnancy are also offered reassurance and support. Monthly meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month in Room 160 Womens Health Centre in the Foothills Medical Centre (1441 29th Street NW) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Each month we may discuss a pregnancy loss/grief related topic followed by group discussion, parents may participate as desired to share or just to listen. Telephone: (403) 294-1131
http://www.caringbeyond.ca
* December Annual Candlelight Service at the Alberta Childrens Hospital.
Catholic Pastoral Centre This centre has information about bereavement resources offered at Catholic churches in the city. 120 - 17 Avenue SW, Calgary AB, T2S 2T2 Telephone: (403) 218-5500 http://www.calgarydiocese.ca
First Alliance Church
First Alliance Church offers a support ministry for those who have experienced a loss through death. Grief Support Ministries equips you with tools and resources through videos from a biblical perspective with realistic experiences on your journey of grief. For more information, contact Janet Loewen (403) 252-7572. 12345 - 40 Street SE
http://www.faccalgary.com
Grief Share
A special weekly seminar held at Centre Street Church (3900-2nd Street NE) for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them. Participants will need to purchase workbook ($20) from facilitator at first meeting. For more information please call (403) 520-1240 or email recoverygoups@cschurch.ca
http://cschurch.ca
Hospice Calgary
Hospice Calgary offers grief counselling and hospice care for people facing a life-threatening illness or the death of a loved one. They operate Rosedale Hospice and the Counselling & Education Centre At the Counselling Centre, grief and trauma counsellors provide individual counselling and support groups for children and teenagers (age 18 and under) and their families who have experienced a loss through sudden, accidental or anticipated death. Hospice Calgary specializes in child and teen-friendly techniques to build strength and renew hope. For more information, please call (403) 263-4524. 1245-70th Avenue SE
Kerby Centre
The Kerby Centre is a full service senior center that offers resources such as grocery delivery, exercise and educational programs, and support for widowed men and women. Telephone: (403) 265-06611133 - 7 Avenue SW, Calgary AB, T2P 1B2
http://www.kerbycentre.com
Rainbows
Rainbows is a program offered through Bow Valley Christian Church (5300-53rd Aveune NW) that offers support for those grieving death, divorce or other painful family transitions. Rainbows runs every Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. For more information, please contact Linda Anderson at (403) 286-5300.
http://www.bvccweb.ca
Rockyview General Hospital The Grief Support Program provides a safe, supportive and healing environment for bereaved individuals to process their grief in meaningful ways. The Grief Support Program founded by Rev. Bob Glasgow was started to encourage and strengthen people’s efforts to heal and grow through loss and grief, and to reduce the effects of high stress commonly associated with bereavement. The Grief Support Program operates within Alberta Health Services- Calgary and offers individual counseling and group counseling to individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one and are in need of support. Grief groups provide a safe, supportive healing environment for bereaved individuals to process their grief in a meaningful way. All grief group participants need to be pre-registered by grief counselor prior to attending a grief group. When you come to a grief group you can expect that you will meet others who share similar experiences and losses however we acknowledge that your grief experience is unique to you. You will be asked to share only as much as is comfortable for you to share and what is shared in this space stays there. Most groups are held in the evening and group size is between 10-15 participants. Meeting will run for a six week period. For more information, please contact (403) 943-3533
http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/programs/griefsupport/index.htm
Spiritual Directions Spiritual Directions (1407-10th Street SW) offers individual and group counseling using tools such as art, energy and balance to restore the spirit. Classes can be signed up online through their website. For further information on sessions and methods, please call (403) 210-2802.
http://www.spiritualdirections.com
St. Luke's Catholic Church (Support Group) St. Luke’s Catholic church offers a support group for widows, widowers or singles, who have lost someone. They offer support for one another by getting together for Mass, rosary, and coffee after Tuesday morning Mass. They are there for their members (many of whom are elderly) to give them rides to doctors appointments etc., or to visit when sick or confined to their homes or residences. For more information, contact Maureen Montgomery @ 284-3620 or email garthandmaureen@yahoo.com.
http://www.stlukeschurch.ca
Widow Net
Widow Net is a self-help resource for and by widows and widowers.
http://www.widownet.org
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