Grief Support Groups

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 is grieving the death of a person. This structured group meets for six weeks. Each week a different topic is presented. Participants are given an opportunity to share their experiences and to give and receive support in a supportive environment.
  • Meeting Time and Location: New groups begin in January, April, and October. Participants may choose from an evening or daytime session. Groups are held at Benton Hospice Service and last about two hours.
  • Pre-registration is required.
  • Contact: Joelle Osterhaus, Benton Hospice Bereavement Coordinator, 541-757-9616

Benton Hospice Service Community Grief Support Group

  • Brief Description of Group: an informal, drop-in support group for anyone grieving the death of someone they care about. Drop-ins are welcome.
  • Meeting Times and Location:
    • The second and fourth Fridays of the month, 3:30-5:00pm; at Benton Hospice Service, Corvallis
    • Groups are offered at other times and location as requested
  • Contact: Joelle Osterhaus, Benton Hospice Service Bereavement Coordinator, 541-757-9616

Benton Hospice Service Circle of Supporting Friends, Corvallis

  • Brief Description of Group: An informal social group for bereaved survivors who attend or have attended Benton Hospice Service grief support groups. Run by bereaved survivors (not Benton Hospice Service staff or volunteers).
  • Meeting Time and Location: Various. Meets weekly for lunch, twice a month for dinner, and for many other social outings organized and planned by current group participants. Call for details.
  • Contact: Joelle Osterhaus, Benton Hospice Service Bereavement Coordinator, 541-757-9616

Benton Hospice Service Groups and Workshops, Corvallis

  • Brief Description of Group: Short-term series are offered periodically on specific topics or coping methods, including but not limited to, Yoga Through Grief, Memorial Crafting Workshop, Coping With the Holidays, etc.
  • Meeting Time and Location: Call the Benton Hospice Service office or see our calendar for more information.
  • Contact: Joelle Osterhaus, Benton Hospice Service Bereavement Coordinator, 541-757-9616

Widow's Well, Albany

  • Brief Description of Group: A Christian-based grief support group for widows.
  • Meeting Time and Location: Monthly at Mennonite Village Lakeside Center. 
  • Contact: Pat Keen, 541-466-5357

Oregon State University Grief and Loss Support Group, Corvallis

  • Brief Description of Group: Support group available for currently enrolled OSU students. This is a supportive forum for dealing with the emotional impact of a major loss. Groups are limited to 10 participants.
  • Meeting Time and Location: Meeting times vary with each new term.
  • Contact: Beth Waslow, OSU Counseling and Psychological Services, 541-737-2131

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 personal suffering, participants are able to experience a more complete level of understanding and compassion to other suicide survivors.
  • Meeting Time and Location: First Thursdays of the month, 4:00-5:30 pm, September through May. Please call or email for location.
  • Contact: Lynn Bain, 541-760-1875 or lynn.bain@linnbenton.edu
     Roberta Smith, 541-752-4376 or roberta.smith@linnbenton.edu

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 or email linda.standeven@comcast.net

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 or email linda.standeven@comcast.net

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 national 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, elledgel@gmail.com or www.pomc.com/portland/index.htm  

CHILDREN'S SERVICES and GROUPS

Individual Child Counseling, Corvallis

  • Brief Description of Group: Counseling for grieving children and teens. Education for parents available through literature and follow-up contacts, or separate sessions. Age-appropriate materials also available.
  • Counseling Location (not a group): Sessions held at Benton Hospice Service office, 2350 NW Professional Drive, Corvallis or Old Mill Center for Children and Families, 1650 SW 45th Place, Corvallis. Home visits available upon request, based on need and availability.
  • Contact: Joelle Osterhaus, MSW, 541-757-9616

Individual Child Therapy, Corvallis

  • Brief Description of Group: Therapy for children, teens, and families who are grieving.
  • Counseling Location (not a group): Old Mill Center for Children and Families, 1650 SW 45th Place, Corvallis. Call in advance to determine therapist availability and to discuss fees. There are scholarships available for Benton County residents. Old Mill Center accepts insurance and also has a sliding scale for those who demonstrate need.
  • Contact: Old Mill Center at 541-757-8068 or www.oldmillcenter.org

Courageous Kids Bereavement Program, Eugene

  • Brief Description of Group: Free, weekly support groups for children, teens, and their caregivers. Groups are 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

Willamette Valley Hospice, Salem

  • Brief Description of Group: Seven-week support group sessions offered in both Fall and Winter for children ages 5 to 17. Children must be accompanied by an adult to attend. Adult group available while children meet.
  • Meeting Time and Location: Groups held at Willamette Valley Hospice, 1015 3rd Street, NW Salem. Call to pre-register.
  • Contact: Willamette Valley Hospice, 800-555-2431

Camp Sunrise, Redmond/Sisters

  • Brief Description of Group: A camp for grieving children offered each year over Father's Day weekend in June.
  • Meeting Time and Location: Redmond/Sisters

  • Contact: Redmond-Sisters Hospice, 541-548-7483, www.hospiceofredmond.org/Camp_Sunrise.html

Camp Erin, Providence Health & Services, Portland, OR

  • Brief Description: Camp Erin is weekend-long overnight camp designed for children and teens, ages 6 to 17, who are grieving the death of someone close to them. It is a traditional, fun, high-energy camp combined with grief education and emotional support. There is no charge to participants, thanks to the support and funding provided by The Moyer Foundation, Providence Medical Foundations and community donations.
  • Location and Meeting Times: August 16-18, 2013 at Camp Kuratli in Boring, OR. Activities begin Friday afternoon and end Sunday afternoon.
  • Contact: Camp Erin clinical coordinator at or 503-215-2273 or http://oregon.providence.org/patients/programs/camp-erin

Me Too & Co, Oregon Hospice Association, Portland

  • Brief Description of Group: A free 8-week child and family grief support program serving children, teens and their parents or guardians. This program is a collaboration between Legacy Hospice, Providence Hospice Programs, and the Oregon Hospice Association. Meets Mondays or Tuesdays for 8 weeks 5:45 to 8:00 p.m. with east and west side Portland locations. The series is held four times a year, seasonally.
  • Meeting Time and Location: Portland, OR – Call for specific locations and to enroll.
  • Contact: Petya Iltheva or Heather Hill at 503-225-6384 to register

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.


Other

Camp Widow

  • Brief Description: Camp Widow™ (of the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation) is a weekend long gathering of widowed people from across the country, and around the world. They come together to create a community that understands the life altering experience of widowhood, provides practical tools, valuable resources, and peer-based encouragement for rebuilding your life in the aftermath of the death of a spouse…all in a fun, uplifting, laughter filled atmosphere. (See their website for more resources and support.)
  • Times and Location: Varies each year. East coast and west coast camp offered.
  • Contact: http://www.campwidow.org/ or 877-671-4071 or email at contact@sslf.org 

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.