Mission & Vision Kara’s mission is to provide grief support for children, teens, families and adults. Our guiding values are empathy and compassion. Every day we provide caring support to children and adults affected by loss and grief. Our vision is to see people of all ages compassionately supported on their journey through grief so they can move toward renewed hope and meaning. We serve individuals who are grieving a death as well as those managing a terminal illness (their own or another's). History Kara' s founding is rooted in the early 1970s, when a growing awareness swept through the United States, England and other countries that the way contemporary society handled death, based in the medical establishment, was inadequate. The seminal work of Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and the emerging hospice movement stimulated discussions about death and dying in Palo Alto and other communities. During this same period, Dr. Charles Garfield established the Shanti Project in San Francisco to train and engage volunteers to serve and support dying patients. Palo Alto Projects, modeled after the Shanti Model of Peer Support, was incorporated in December 1976, with 17 peer counselor volunteers. In February of 1978 the organization's name was officially changed to Kara to more accurately reflect its grief support focused mission. Today, our staff and over 150 trained volunteers serve and support those who are grieving in our community. Kara does not espouse a particular religion or philosophy. We encourage those we serve to draw strength from their own personal spiritual beliefs, family, friends and other community resources to build sustaining support. (Read More...)
Feeling lost, isolated and alone in your grief? Finding people who understand can be a big challenge in grief, but the right support can help. Grief in Common is the only online community that has been designed to connect those who are grieving based on background and similar experiences of loss. Our site is constantly monitored to create a safe, warm and welcoming environment. Professional grief facilitators are on hand to provide one-on-one support or answer any questions you may have. Sign up today to create a profile that outlines who you are, who you’ve lost and the circumstances surrounding that loss, and make a connection with someone who understands. (Read More...)
GRIEF WATCH is a publisher and manufacturer of bereavement books and materials used by families and professionals around the country. They are probably most well known for their beloved Tear Soup products which you can check out here: https://griefwatch.com/collections/tear-soup-home. They also create many beautiful ceramics that are the perfect gifts for those who are grieving. From pocket hearts to necklaces to customizable ornaments, they have something for everybody: https://griefwatch.com/collections/ceramics. (Read More...)
Baby’s Breath is Canada’s only national organization focused on sudden unexpected infant & childhood deaths, including SIDS, SUDC and stillbirth. Baby’s Breath provides support for families faced with the traffic loss of an infant or young child. They advocate for the needs of these families, as well as for the need for more research into the causes of these deaths. They educate the public on how to reduce their infant’s exposure to risks. The death of an infant is a devastating event not only for the parents, but for the entire family. Siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends are all affected by the sudden death of a baby. Baby’s Breath believes no one should endure the grief of such loss alone. They are there to help. (Read More...)
M.E.N.D. (Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death) is a Christian non-profit organization that reaches out to families that have lost a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. M.E.N.D. was founded by Rebekah Mitchell in 1996, one year following the stillbirth of her son, Jonathan. We are based in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex where we offer a variety of monthly support groups. We also have chapters across Texas and several additional states. For those who don’t live near one of our chapters, we offer an online support group the 3rd Thursday of each month at 9:00 PM CST. Additionally, M.E.N.D. publishes free bi-monthly newsletters that are distributed all over the world. Each issue focuses on a different topic pertaining to pregnancy and infant loss. And, each chapter of M.E.N.D. has its own Facebook group, which enables grieving families to connect with one another. Every person involved with M.E.N.D. in a leadership level has personally experienced the death of a baby. We are not professional counselors, we are experts by experience. (Read More...)
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) is the national association, which provides leadership in hospice palliative care in Canada. The CHPCA offers leadership in the pursuit of excellence in care for persons approaching death so that the burdens of suffering, loneliness and grief are lessened. (Read More...)
The mission of Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support is to serve those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or in the first few months of life. The work of Share and its supporters often goes unnoticed until tragedy occurs. At Share, bereaved parents find comfort in friendship, strength in shared experiences and hope for healing and happiness. Share, which has more than 75 groups across the country, strives to support every family that is put into these tragic circumstances by hosting support group meetings, by providing online support through Facebook, and by distributing bereavement resources and information. The national office also offers bereavement education and training to professionals, clergy and funeral directors throughout the United States. Share has been offering support to families since 1977. The National Office is headquartered in St. Charles, MO. For more information about Share, please call the National Share Office at 636-947-6164 or visit www.nationalshare.org. (Read More...)