Weekly Support Groups

Weekly grief support sessions create community, safety and hope.

Individuals of all ages are invited to attend each Monday evening for a meal and group grief support activities.

Michael’s Place offers our families a compassionate community as a key element on the journey of healing following the death of a loved one. As death crosses all religious, cultural, and economic boundaries, Michael's Place is not a religious organization but one that supports the faith and beliefs of each family.

FREE dinner begins at 6pm. Suport Groups: 6:30 to 7:45pm.

Our program operates the entire year with families starting at anytime throughout the year. The program does take breaks for vacations at Christmas and Spring Break. A program calendar will be given to each family indicating which Mondays we will be closed for holidays. The evening program will not take place if the TCAPS schools are closed due to severe weather conditions, school vacations and/or school calendar events (such as teacher in-service days.)

It is helpful (although not mandatory) to meet with the Program Coordinator prior to attending your first support group meeting. This meeting will help you understand more about Michael’s Place and how our groups work. It also helps Michael’s Place learn how to best support you. Please call to set up this appointment. Our office is open Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm

Attendees divide into separate groups to ensure each person is among peers who will understand and relate to their feelings and challenges. Both adults and young people are better able to take advantage of the effects of these group sessions because it is far easier for them to share feelings when surrounded by people experiencing similar circumstances. The road to healing can be eased with open communication through an understanding support group.

Youth
Children gather in their age-specific groups and share their experiences and tell stories about what’s happening in their lives. They read books and enjoy art projects that tie into the evening’s conversation, along with activities to burn off steam with constructive physical activities.

Teens
As teenagers experiencing loss have very unique and specific grief issues, they meet in their own group during Michael’s Place weekly support sessions. Group leaders create an open and supportive outlet for sharing feelings in a constructive way, encourage healthy coping techniques, and build the teenagers’ sense of confidence and community.

Adults and Seniors
Adults experience many types of loss, and so they are divided into groups that will best support their type of loss. Some of the break-out groups include the following:

Parents grieving the death of an infant
Parents grieving the death of an older child
Adults grieving the death of a loved one by suicide
Adults grieving the death of a spouse, parent, sibling or friend, not by suicide

Begin healing with Michael’s Place
If you would like to take advantage of Michael’s Place no-cost grief support services, we invite you to complete an enrollment form (download forms from links below the photo on this page). The completed form can be forwarded by mail or email to Michael’s Place and will serve as your registration for our services. Michael’s Place services are open to all and this enrollment form is used to learn more about your needs.

Grief Support Workshops for Community Organizations
Michael’s Place is pleased to offer our services to community organizations and groups by request. It is helpful for organizations such as churches, counseling groups, schools, and physicians’ offices to offer timely informational workshops and forums. Michael’s Place staff will customize information sessions to educate groups on an as-needed basis. Sessions can be planned in response to a crisis, or in preparation for possible future events.

Enrollment form applications:

Download Individual Enrollment Form_58.pdf

Download Family Enrollment Form_58.pdf