A support group for people who are living with loss of a loved one through suicide
Who Are we?
Each member of our support group has suffered a major loss through the suicide of a loved one at some time in his or her life. It may have been a mother, or father, brother, sister, child, friend, lover, or any significant other in our lives.
Founders Lucienne and Walt Chemerika with the Hope Award
Loving Outreach Survivors
We find through sharing experiences and feelings with other members of the group who have "been there", many seemingly unresolvable issues are ameliorated or, at ;east, brought to the surface. We talk, share, encourage and relate experiences. We are a safe place to vent strong feelings in a supportive environment
What Happens?
You will find relief from your isolation. There is a great healing and comfort in empathy. You will find people like yourself... nice people from families, who have experienced the magnitude of this heartbreak. These people understand your despair, anger, and guilt. They understand the judgment, loss of self-esteem and the religious connotations you may have experienced. They understand your "if's", "why's", and your search for answers. They understand, they accept your support. They too have been there.
When Should/Can You Join Us
Many seek us out early in their grief process, We encourage you to join us at any time, but don't be surprised if you find it all a bit upsetting at first. Some of us had losses many years ago and we are coming to resolve issues. We are here when you are ready for us and for as long as you need us
What We Can Do And What We Can't Do
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We Cannot change what has happened. We try not to offer "advice"; we share the same name of those professionals who seem to be good at dealing with the special issues of suicide grief. We can share tears,and laughter. We can encourage and listen. We can share
Why Do We Exist?
Some of us found that we needed to share our grief with others who understood. Some of us wanted to learn more and understand incomprehensible. All of us knew that our lives had been permanently affected by the tragedy of suicide and that we wanted to put our lives back together. And we sought each other out. Join us. We feel we have something very special!
Our Mission
Who We Are
Loving Outreach is a community group rooted in compassion, based at Bethany Community Church in St. Catharines. Our focus is on supporting survivors of suicide through collective action and shared experiences.
