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Bereavement Support

Golisano Children's Hospital / Bereavement Support / Organizations and Support Groups

Organizations and Support Groups

Finding Support After a Loss

People helping each other climb up a mountain

Loss of a Child – Any Type of Death

Compassionate Friends: The Compassionate Friends supports families after the loss of a child at any age. The Rochester chapter meets on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road. Please come a little early if it is your first meeting. Contact: Lisa at (607) 329-5072, havehighexpectations@gmail.com

Loss of a Child to Cancer

Cure Childhood Cancer Bereavement Group: CURE supports families through the loss of a child to cancer or blood disorders. CURE meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 7:00–8:30 p.m. at the CURE office, 200 Westfall Road. Contact: Diane Valentine at (585) 473-0180, ext. 105 or email Diane.Valentine@curekidscancer.com

Infant/Child Losses

  • SAIL: SAIL (Strong Arms in Infant Loss) supports families through stillbirth, miscarriage, and infant loss. SAIL meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00–11:30 a.m. at the Ronald McDonald House, 333 Westmoreland Drive. Contact: Melissa at (585) 275-8304 or email Melissa Gaspard
  • Forget Me Not: Forget Me Not provides a private online support group for local bereaved families who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss. It connects them to local resources and support opportunities. Contact us at (585) 454-9299 or by email at  forgetmenotrochester@gmail.com
  • Star Legacy - Western NY Chapter: Information about local events, virtual support groups, and free peer-to-peer support. Virtual support group topics include: Early Pregnancy Loss, Late Pregnancy Loss, SUID/SIDS/Infant Death, Spanish Speaking Group, Pregnancy after Loss Group, Dad's Grief Group, Grandparent/Extended Family Group and Parenting After Loss Group.

Loss of a Child to Congenital Heart Defects

Mended Little Hearts Angels: Mended Little Hearts Angels supports families who have lost a child to a congenital heart defect. Mended Little Hearts Angels meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10:00–11:30 a.m. at Mary Magdalene Church, 1008 Main Street in East Rochester. Contact: Lindsay Brooks (585) 698-5326, ljbrooks720@gmail.com or Laura Edwards at (585) 703-8359, ledwards5817@gmail.com

Loss of a Loved One to Crime/Violence

  • Rise Up Rochester: For Families of Homicide Victims. Moving Forward Support Group meets twice a month on the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 244 S. Plymouth Ave. Phone: (585) 454-3060

  • ROC the Peace: ROC the Peace offers two support groups for families. All meetings are held at 3000 Mt. Read Blvd, Ste 202. Call or text Sirena at (585) 820-4049 for more information.

    • Why My Baby?! is for adults who have lost a loved one to homicide, suicide, or prison. Why My Baby?! Meets twice a month on the 2nd Friday and last Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

    • Youth for Peace is a twice a month group for young people age 5-18 who have lost a family member or close friend to violence.

Loss of a Loved One from a Drug Overdose

HOPE for Survivors: Those Whom Drug Overdose Leaves Behind: HOPE for Survivors is for those struggling with death by drug overdose of a child, sibling, parent, spouse, partner, relative, or friend. HOPE meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30–8:30 p.m. The group meets in person in Syracuse at the HOPE Center, 4500 Onondaga Blvd and there is a Zoom option for those who live out of town. Contact: HOPE (315) 475-9675 for more information.

Loss of a Loved one from Suicide

Suicide Bereavement Support Group: NAMI Rochester Office, North Goodman Street 344, Rochester, NY

  • 1st Mondays – Hybrid - Zoom (by request) and In-person at NAMI Rochester office
  • 3rd Mondays – In-person at NAMI Rochester office

Contact: Beth Winslow-D'Amico, beth@namiroc.org

Support for Grieving Children/Siblings

Dreams from Drake: Dreams from Drake offers support to children and teens who have suffered the loss of a sibling or parent. Dreams from Drake offers monthly healing circles for kids and a summer program for children. Contact: Jamie Erskine-Pettit (585) 225-5606 or Haverly Erskine (585) 230-7109, info@dreamsfromdrake.org