Just as everyone experiences grief in a unique way, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care has worked to create a variety of free grief support services to help anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a loved one.
“Although most of our clients meet individually with a Grief Counselor, we also make sure to have group meetings, workshops and events for those who don’t feel the need for individual grief counseling” said Patrice Martin, Director of Grief Support. “A support group meeting works well for someone who is interested in meeting others who are grieving. Many people who attend realize that they are not alone in their experience, and this helps them to become aware that what they are feeling is quite common. The group meetings are designed to allow people to participate as much as they want and are offered both online and in person.”
Martin said that in addition to a General Loss support group, there are support groups for people who have experienced similar losses, including the loss of a spouse/partner, the loss of a child and those who are parenting while grieving. She said the creation of the Grieving the Loss of a Child support group was created during the COVID pandemic, meeting online and includes participants from all over the Chicagoland area. This group remains to be available online and now also meets in person at their Joliet office.
Lightways also offers grief workshops, which provide education about grief, with the opportunity to share your experience with other grievers. The next workshop is in May, and includes four sessions, each addressing a different component of the grief process. There are also workshops and events around various holidays to allow grievers the opportunity to explore how they can honor their loved one during that holiday.
A distinct feature of the Lightways Grief Support programs is the availability of a Spanish-speaking Bilingual Counselor. Martin said that even those who speak English as a second language, may feel more comfortable discussing personal information and feelings in their native language.
“We are also exploring the possibility of offering grief workshops in Spanish.”
A Time to Remember, a special illumination event to honor those who have died, will be held from
6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Weds. April 11 at the Jacob Henry Mansion, Joliet, IL. Register by April 1.
The Spring Grief Workshop series will be held on four consecutive Thursdays in May – the 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th in the Dorothy Brown Resource Center, 320 Water Stone Way, Joliet. Registration is recommended by May 1st.
For more information or to register for Grief Support programs or events, email griefsupport@lightways.org or call 815.460.3295.