2011 Support Group Calendar

Free Grief Support for Bereaved Adults

Don’t walk the grief journey alone! Come to our free support groups – a safe and supportive environment where you can learn how to cope with life after your loss. Here you will discover that your reactions are normal and you are not alone. If you are not yet ready for a support group, free individual counseling is available. To register and arrange for an intake interview, please call 205-870-8667.

Widowed Persons of Employable Age
11 consecutive Tuesdays, 5-7:45 pm
Spring: Jan 11 - March 22
Summer: May 10 – Jul 19
Fall: Sept 6 – Nov 15

Widowed Persons of Retirement Age
10 consecutive Wednesdays, 10-11:30 am
Spring: Jan 12 – Mar 16
Summer: May 11 – July 13
Fall: Sept 7 – Nov 9

Loss of Adult Child
10 consecutive Mondays, 6-7:30 pm
Spring: Jan 10 – Mar 14
Summer: May 9 – Jul 18 (no mtg July 4)
Fall: Sept 12 – Nov 14

Loss of Parent, Grandparent, Sibling
10 consecutive Thursdays, 6-7:45 pm
Spring: Jan 13 – Mar 17
Summer: May 12 – July 14
Fall: Sept 8 – Nov 10

West End General Loss
10 consecutive Thursdays, 6-7:30 pm
Spring: Jan 13 – Mar 17
Summer: May 12 – July 14
Fall: Sep 8 – Nov 10

North Shelby County General Loss
10 consecutive Wednesdays, 1:30-3 pm
Spring: Jan 12 – Mar 16
Summer: May 11 – July 13
Fall: Sept 7 – Nov 9

Locations are TBA. For other questions, please email communitygriefsu@bellsouth.net or call 205-870-8667.

Work Day for CGSS Gala and Auction

Back row: Brenda Bodine, Melba Dismukes, Melanie Fisher, Myrna Pittman, Carol MacMillan and Sandy Craft
Front row seated: Johanna Talley, Ann Whitaker and Marla Corts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Work Day for Community Grief Support Gala and Auction

Gala committee members and volunteers met for a work day September 17 to prepare for Community Grief Support’s annual “Lift Your Spirits” Gala and Auction. Members of the work party were Brenda Bodine, Lois Caldwell, Marla Corts, Sandy Craft, Melba Dismukes, Melanie Fisher, Carol MacMillan, Miranda McPherson, Jane Pearson, Myrna Pittman, Johanna Talley and Ann Whitaker. The group gathered auction items and stuffed, sealed and stamped stacks of invitations. They also enjoyed a light lunch and had a peek preview of the elegant silver, white and blue ostrich plume centerpieces being loaned for the occasion by Brenda Bodine.

The Gala’s Honorary Chairman, Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, President of Samford University serves on the CGSS Advisory Board and is a valued supporter of its programs. “Lift Your Spirits” will be October 21 from 5:30-8 pm in the Penthouse of the Kress Building. The cocktail supper is catered by A Social Affair and guests will receive complimentary valet parking. Items donated for the live and silent auctions include diamond and coral earrings, a beach vacation, Alabama and Auburn football game tickets, golf at Greystone, Diamonds Direct gift certificate, an outfit from Town and Country, a Kindle reader, fine wines and a Merry Lake bag.

The goal of the Gala is to raise $30,000 for free grief counseling and support groups for people struggling after the death of a loved one. This year alone, CGSS will provide more than 1,000 hours of free professional grief counseling and support group facilitation and part of that is funded by the Gala. American Printing Company donated the invitations and Commercial Printing Company donated the auction forms so more of the money raised can help those in need. Tickets are $75 per person.

To reserve tickets or learn more, call CGSS at 205.870.8667 or visit www.communitygriefsupport.org.

For more information, contact: Carol MacMillan, Administrative Director
205.870.8667 or communitygriefsu@bellsouth.net.

Mid-Year Counseling Hours

As of July 31, CGSS had provided 290 hours of counseling. This included referrals from various area agencies: UAB’s TASC Program (Treatment Alternatives to Safer Communities), Alethia House, The Amelia Center, The Crisis Center, Fellowship House, The Lovelady Center, Oasis Women’s Counseling Center, Pathways, Survivors of Suicide. Referrals also came from communities of faith, healthcare and hospice professionals, funeral homes, former counselees and other sources – including from our Board and Advisory Board. Couples and family grief counseling is a new service this year. We continue to encourage referrals from local agencies in need of our services.