The FRIENDS WAY EXPERIENCE
All of our groups are currently being held in person. Contact us for more information by emailing Sophia Baptiste at S.Baptiste@friendsway.org.
FRIENDS WAY offers open-ended groups for children ages 3 to 18 and their families following the death of a significant person in their lives. There is no fee charged for participation in our programs. All sessions are facilitated by a qualified clinician and professionally trained volunteers.
Program participants meet on alternating Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the school calendar year. Families arrive at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and group concludes around 8:15 p.m. Prior to attending a FRIENDS WAY peer session, families must meet with Program Supervisor Sophia Baptiste to register for the program.
Every evening begins with a meal provided by FRIENDS WAY shared by families and facilitators. This tradition promotes a comfortable and familiar atmosphere where families and facilitators can begin to connect with one another and build rapport. After the meal, family members attend individual peer groups. Peer sessions consist of children, pre-teens, and teens with simultaneous adult caregiver groups.
During our peer group sessions, creative activities such as art, music, storytelling and games are used to help children openly and honestly express their feelings and grief reactions. Children are encouraged to participate and share at their own pace. If children become overwhelmed during a particular group, facilitators offer to meet with the child individually or provide a safe space to vent feelings privately.
Following each program, our facilitators discuss the issues of the evenings and share insights and concerns. If necessary, the clinician follows up with families and, when appropriate, provides additional professional referrals.
Availability
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
6:30-8:10pm
Every other week, throughout the school year
Intakes must be scheduled before enrolling. We will ask you to fill out forms prior to starting, which are found below for reference.
Specialized Bereavement Groups for Children and Teens Affected by Suicide or Addiction
FRIENDS WAY facilitates biweekly sessions in which children teens and young adults share their feelings and reactions to grief in an honest and open way. During the sessions they are also given the opportunity to express themselves through creative activities such as painting, drawing and clay sculpting. These activities help them demonstrate their feelings when they simply cannot find the words to do so.
These support groups will allow participants to be vulnerable as they seek community after a sudden loss from suicide or addiction. Members will share common experiences, strength and hope with each other, while discussing complicated emotions, such as anxiety, shame, depression, and anger.
FRIENDS WAY provides quality programs at no charge to families. Fundraising activities and community support 100% of our programs.
The program is typically led by Sophia Baptiste or Ryan Loiselle. For information on joining this program, please email Ryan at r.loiselle@friendsway.org or call us at 401-921-0980.
Availability
Wednesday Evenings
6:30-8:10pm
Every other week, throughout the school year
Intakes must be scheduled before enrolling. We will ask you to fill out forms prior to starting, which are found below for reference.
