For the Community

Grief Support Groups in Benton and Linn Counties

This directory has been prepared by Benton Hospice Service. Each group has provided the following information. If you are thinking about attending one of these programs, please phone the contact to be sure the information is still current. Inclusion in this listing does not constitute endorsement of any group by Benton Hospice Service.

There is no charge for most of the groups listed.

Benton Hospice Service Grief Education and Support Group, Corvallis

• Brief Description of Group: Grief education and support for anyone who has lost a loved one. Each of the six meetings lasts one hour and begins with an introduction to a topic, followed by discussion and a sharing of experiences in a supportive environment.
• Meeting Time and Location: New groups begin in January, April, July and October. Each session has a group that meets during the day and another that meets in the evening once a week. Groups are held at Benton Hospice Service and last about two hours.
  
• Contact: Joelle Osterhaus, BHS Bereavement Coordinator, (541) 757-9616

Benton Hospice Service Continuing Support Group, Corvallis

• Brief Description of Group: This group is designed to provide ongoing mutual support for 'graduates' of the Grief Education and Support Group.
  
• Meeting Time and Location: Second and fourth Fridays of the month from 3:30 - 5:00 pm at Benton Hospice Service meeting room.
  
• Contact: Joelle Osterhaus, BHS Bereavement Coordinator, (541) 757-9616

Benton Hospice Service Support Groups and Workshops, Corvallis

• Brief Description of Group: New groups both, ongoing and short series, andone-time workshops will be available starting in Fall 2010 to better serve the bereaved of our community. New offerings will include loss-based groups, as well as unique therapeutic workshops. Groups are led by social workers and trained volunteers.
  
• Meeting Time and Location: Times and locations will vary.
  
• Contact: Joelle Osterhaus, BHS Bereavement Coordinator, (541) 757-9616

Samaritan Grief Support Group, Corvallis

• Brief Description of Group: A counselor-facilitated drop-in group for any adult who is grieving after the death of someone they care about. Occasionally there is a planned format, however, usually it is a time for people to talk and listen with others who are also learning how to go on living after someone they love dies. No pre-registration necessary.
  
• Meeting Time and Location: 5:30-7:00 pm, the first Wednesday of the month; 1:30-3:00 pm, the third Sunday of the month. At the Neville Medical Building, Corvallis
  
• Contact: Virginia Tyler, LPC, (541) 812-4680
  

Samaritan Grief Support Group, Albany

• Brief Description of Group: A counselor-facilitated drop-in group for any adult who is grieving after the death of someone they care about. Occasionally there is a planned format, however, usually it is a time for people to talk and listen with others who are also learning how to go on living after someone they love dies. No pre-registration necessary.
• Meeting Time and Location: 1:30-3:00 pm, the first Sunday of the month; 6:00-7:30 pm, the third Monday of the month. Conference Room 4, Samaritan Albany General Hospital
  
• Contact: Virginia Tyler, LPC, (541) 812-4680
  

GREG (Grief Realization and Education Group), Corvallis

• Brief Description of Group: A peer support group for parents and/or families who have experienced the death of a child of any age.
• Meeting Time and Location: 12:00-2:00 pm, the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at The Sizzler Restaurant, (private meeting room inside), 2148 Santiam Highway NE, Albany. Attendees may choose to purchase food and drink for themselves (optional).
  
• Contact: Linda Standeven, (541) 745-3914

Samaritan Grief Support Group, Lebanon

• Brief Description of Group: A social worker-facilitated drop-in group for any adult who is grieving after the death of someone they care about. It is a time for people to talk and listen with other who are also learning how to go on living after someone they love dies. No pre-registration is necessary.
• Meeting Time and Location: 5:00-6:30 pm, the second Tuesday each month; and 2:00-3:30 pm, the fourth Tuesday of the month. Conference Room 6, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 Santiam Highway.
  
• Contact: Cathye McCracken, MSW, (541) 812-4670

Samaritan Grief Education and Support Series, Lebanon

• Brief Description of Group: A social worker-led ten week series that is offered twice a year (spring and fall). Each week a different topic is presented and homework assignments are given. Participants are then given an opportunity to share their experiences and to give and receive support.
• Meeting Time and Location: Call for dates and times of next series. Pre-registration is required.
  
• Contact: Cathye McCracken, MSW, (541) 812-4670

Compassionate Friends Support Group, Lebanon

• Brief Description of Group: An open, drop-in support group available to anyone who has experienced the loss of a child. This group looks to create a space where people can feel free to grieve naturally, and find hope, meaning, and friendship among others who have experienced similar loss.
  
• Meeting Time and Location: 6:30-7:30 pm, the second Tuesday of the month. Meeting Room 3, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 Santiam Highway.
• Contact: Linda Standeven, (541) 745-3914

Support After Suicide, Corvallis

• Brief Description of Group: A group of people who have been touched by the tragedy of a suicide of a loved one. From our personal suffering, we are able to provide a more complete level of understanding and compassion to other suicide survivors.
• Meeting Time and Location: Please call to receive a schedule of dates, time and location.
• Contact: Lynn, (541) 929-2844 or lynn.bain@linnbenton.edu
   Roberta, (541) 752-4376 or roberta.smith@linnbenton.edu
   Carol, (541) 757-0787 or casa7135@comcast.net
  

Childbearing Loss Support Group, Albany

• Brief Description of Group: An informal, caring meeting for anyone who has experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. Partners, supportive family, and friends are encouraged to come. Walk-ins welcome, open group.
• Meeting Time and Location: 7:00-9:00 pm, the second Tuesday of each month. 4th Floor, Albany General Hospital, 1046 6th Avenue SW
• Contact: Candi Williams, RN, Albany General Hospital, (541) 812-4340
  

Mid-Valley SIDS Support, Albany

• Meeting Time and Location: Currently, there are no group meetings, but Anna and Walt will gladly meet with anyone affected by the tragedy of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) who is in need of support, compassion and information. With enough participants a group could be started.
• Contact: Anna & Walt Kaufman, (541) 401-7533

Parents of Murdered Children and Other Homicide Survivors, Portland area

• Brief Description of Group: See their website for more information.
  
• Meeting Time and Location: 7:00 pm, the first Monday of each month. Peace House, 2116 NE 18th Avenue, Portland. People sometimes commute to meetings from the mid-valley.
  
• Contact: Mary Elledge, (503) 656-8039, natlpomc@aol.com
  

CHILDREN'S GROUPS

Children's Grief Program, Corvallis

• Brief Description of Group: Counseling provides a safe place for children, teens, and families to learn about grief and share their feelings so that grief does not become a lasting problem for family members.
  
• Counseling Location (not a group): Old Mill Center for Children and Families; call to schedule appointment with therapist. Insurance accepted and sliding fee scale. Scholarships are available for Benton County residents.
  
• Contact: Deana Roberts, (541) 757-8068

Me Too & Co, Oregon Hospice Association, Portland

• Brief Description of Group: Free six-week series beginning in February, May, and September. Groups for children, teens, and adults.
  
• Meeting Time and Location: Call for specific locations and to pre-register.
• Contact: Jennifer Treager, David Schmitt, or Heather Hill, (503)220-1000

Courageous Kids Bereavement Program, Eugene

• Brief Description of Group: Free, weekly support groups for children, teens, and their caregivers. Groups are by offered seasonally.
  
• Meeting Time and Location: Most groups are Monday or Tuesday evenings; 1121 Fairfield Avenue, Eugene. Call to pre-register.
• Contact: Isa Jennings, Sacred Heart Medical Center, (541)461-7577 or (541) 242-8693
  

Dougy Center, Portland

• Brief Description of Group: Nationally recognized specialists in child grief and loss. Open-ended groups, counseling, and resources available.
  
• Meeting Time and Location: Call for meeting times. 3909 SE 52nd Avenue, Portland.
  
• Contact: (207) 775-5683 or visit website.
  
  
  

To add, delete or update information on a program, or to let us know about another program to add to this list, please call or email the Benton Hospice Service Bereavement Coordinator.