Delaware End-of-Life Coalition

Support Groups

Bereavement Publishing sponsors a variety of online support groups.

Click Here for a Full Listing of Kent County, Delaware Resources


Adult/Loss of Child

Bayside Helping Hands
A parental grieving group.

When: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., second and fourth Tuesdays
Where: Bayside Health Association, 1535 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE
Contact: Diana Tylecki 302-645-4700

Bereaved Parent Support Group
A group for parents who have experienced the death of a child. Has been limited to families of children who died at Hospital.

When: May begin meeting again in Winter 2002
Where: A.I. Institute, Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE
Contact: Lee Lucas 302-651-4550

The Center for Grieving Children, Teens and Families
Grief support groups for chldren, ages 3 1/2 - 19, who have experienced the death of someone close; educational programs for families, support and refferral.

When: (contact the Center for this information)
Where: Erie Avenue at Front Street, Philadelphia, PA
Contact: Rob Sheesley, M.Div. 215-427-6767

The Compassionate Friends, Inc.
An international support organization for families (parents, grandparents, and siblings) who have experienced the death of a child. (Approx. 600 chapters in U.S.) National Website: www.compassionatefriends.org

Location 1: Brandywine Hundred Chapter
When: Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month - 7 p.m.
Where: Brandywine Valley Baptist Church, 7 Mount Lebanan Road, Talleyville
Contact: Ceil Buonocore 302-376-0300 (www.brandywinetcf.org)
Location 2: Blue Hen Chapter
When: Meets 2nd Tuesday of each month - 7 p.m.
Where: Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Ave. (Rt. 8), Dover
Contact: Charlene Dubbels 302- 697-8439 Diane Dellinger 302-739-5348
Location 3: The Lighthouse Chapter
When: 2nd Thursday of each month - 7 p.m.
Where: Rolling Meadows Community Clubhouse, Lewes (behind former Lowe's)
Contact: Marsha Guerin 302-645-2168 (www.wallenscott.com/friends/)

Infant Loss
For parents who have lost an infant through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or SIDS.  

When: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 3rd Wednesdays
Where: Women's Health Center, Bayhealth Medical Center - Kent General Hospital, 540 S. State St., Dover, DE
Contact: 302-674-7245

Loving Arms
A support group for parents who have experienced miscarriage, still birth, or neonatal death.

When: 3rd Monday of each month, 7:15 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Where: Christiana Hospital - Room 1904, Women's Health Building, Newark, DE
Contact: Beth Keena, Stacy Schmidt, Janice O'Connell or Lori Wells 302-733-4367

SHARE: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc.
A national mutual-help group for parents and siblings who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, or early infant death.  Tel. 800-821-6819, 314-947-6164.
http://nationalshareoffice.com/

S.I.D.S.
Support for families who have experienced the death of a child through sudden infant death syndrome. Parent Support Group meetings are scheduled on an as needed basis. Please call Linda to talk about SIDS and to schedule a parent support group meeting. Contact: Linda Hawthorne (302-996-9464) (Delaware).


Children/Youth

Candlelighters - Local Chapter
A support group for children with cancer and their parents.  Two meetings per month - the first is informal.  Consists of support group for children, art therapy and a business meeting for parents. Mainly for children treated at the hospital.  More information on the national chapter is available at http://www.candlelighters.org/

When Wednesday evening two times per month
Where Dupont Hospital for Children, DE
Contact Dale Perkel (302-651-4553)/Lee Lucas (302-651-4550)

KIDSAID Online Support Group
Kids-to-kids is a support group for kids dealing with any loss. Kids who want to join should have a parent's permission to join. Kids under 18 will have their parent or guardian contacted by GriefNet to confirm their permission for the kid to join.
http://www.kidsaid.com/kids2kids.html

Star Program
This program is for children who will be attending a funeral.  It familiarizes them to the experience with pictures, drawings, and crafts to help ease any anxiety they may be having. Loss, bereavement and grief issues: How to tell a child about death; Questions & answers on cremation, burial & viewings; How to personalize a funeral service; Is prearrangement really necessary?; "What's a funeral anyway - A special time to always remember" for children 3-14 whose family member has died.The Star Program for Children

Supporting Kidds: The Center for Grieving Children and Their Families
Consultations for professionals, parents and caregivers involved with grieving children. Group grief support programs for children ages 5-18. Individualized assessment and psychotherapy services on all issues related to grieving children and their families. Introductory and Advanced Grief Training workshops for professionals. Community outreach seminars.
www.supportingkidds.org

Where:  1213 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE  19707
Contact:

Kristin Van Doren, PsyD
302-255-5544
kvandoren@supportingkidds.org

Wellness Community  - Kids Circle
A support group for children ages 5 -14 who have experienced the loss of a parent or significant other to cancer. No cost to attend.    

When: Meet for 4 consecutive weeks on Saturday mornings from 10-12 p.m., and then monthly thereafter. Call for locations/times.
Where: The Wellness Community, Delaware
Contact: Shawn Hebble, Program Coordinator 302-995-2850

 

Death of a Parent (Adults)

When Parents Die
A support group for adults.

When: 1st Tuesday of each month, 7:30 - 9:00  p.m.
Where: Aldersgate United Methodist Church/Memorial Room
2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE
Contact: Deborah Maiorano, McCrery Funeral Home 302-478-2204


General Bereavement

AARP Online Support and Sharing
We offer a community of caring where you can interact online with others who have experienced the death of a loved one and are willing to share insights on their personal journey. Share your thoughts and stories, listen to others, create poetry, begin an online journal, and know that you are not alone.
http://www.aarp.org/griefandloss/online.html

Bereavement
A group for people who have experienced the death of a loved one.

When: Every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9pm
Where: Millsboro, DE
Contact: 1-800-287-6423

Caring Friends
Support for those coping with care-giving, divorce, separation and other life-changing issues.

When: Noon - 1:30 p.m., second and fourth Tuesdays
Where: Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church, 613 Ladeview Ave., Milford, DE
Contact: 302-422-9117

Changing Pathways - Evenings
A support group for those who are searching for ways to grow after a loss (at least one year after the death of a loved one).  

When: Spring & Fall
Where: St. Marks United Methodist Church, Limestone Road, Stanton, DE
Contact: Kit Angell or Jenny Elliott, Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes
(302-368-5738 direct) or (302-368-9500)

GriefNet Email Support Groups
Though your loss may be similar to others, your loss is also unique. The GriefNet staff of bereavement professionals oversees all our groups, so that no one’s grief gets overlooked. They are led by Dr. Cendra Lynn, a clinical psychologist who has worked with grief and growth support groups for over 30 years. She is a death educator and counsellor, a certified traumatologist and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has specialized in grief and loss and teaches and trains grief professionals internationally. Each group is monitored and personal or interpersonal problems are forwarded to Dr. Lynn for her assistance.
http://www.griefnet.org/support/index.html

Grief and Loss  

When: 9:30 a.m. Saturdays
Where: Chapel at Bayhealth Medical Center - Kent General Hospital
640 S. State Street., Dover, DE
Contact: 302-734-7135

Jewish Family Services of Delaware
People who are going through bereavement of any kind.  

When: Several Times Per Year
Where: Temple Beth Emeth, DE
Contact: Dory Zatuchni 302-478-9411

Life After Loss Bereavement Support Group

When: Mondays, 7 p.m.
Where: Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1530 Foulk Road, Brandywine Hundred, DE
Contact: 302-478-3030

Living Through Loss
A six-session grief workshop.  

When: Spring & Fall
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania Avenue & Rodney Street, Wilmington, DE
Contact: Helen Johnson, Chandler Funeral Homes 302-478-7100

Pathway Through Grief
A support group for those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one.  

When: Spring & Fall
Where: St. Marks United Methodist Church, Limestone Road, Stanton, DE
Contact: Kit Angell or Jenny Elliott, Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes
(302-368-5738 direct) or (302-368-9500)

People's Place
Individual counseling by appointment. There is a fee. If you have insurance, you will most likely have a co-pay, if not then the fees are based on a sliding scale.

Where: Milford, DE
Contact: Robin Twilley 302-422-8011

Watson Funeral Home Support Group, Millsboro

When: Every other Tuesday, call for times/locations in DE
Contact: Lynn Ennis 302-934-8534

You are Not Alone

When: Wednesdays, 1 p.m.
Where: Catholic Charities, Fourth Street and Greenhill Avenue, Wilmington, DE
Contact: 302-655-9624


Sudden/Violent Death

Bereavement
 For familes and friends of suicide victims.

Location 1:  
When: 7:30 - 9 p.m., second Tuesdays
Where: Millsboro, DE
Contact: 302-656-8308 or 1-800-287-6423
 Location 2:  
When: 7 - 8:30 p.m., first, third and fifth Mondays
Where: Wilmington, Mental Health Association in Delaware
Contact: 302-765-9740

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Provides support for all victims of drunken driving offenses and other forms of crime.  Publishes MADDVOCATE: A Magazine for Victims and their Advocates.
Delaware statewide number: 1-877-630-6233.

Location 1: Georgetown, DE
When: First Tuesday of each month
Contact: Call 1-877-630-6233 (Dolly Banks, President)
Location 2: New Castle County
When: Every third Wednesday of the month
Contact: Call 1-877-630-6233

or call the national telephone number. 800-GET-MADD; 214-744-6233 or check http://www.madd.org/

National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
A referral resource for services to persons victimized by crime or antisocial behavior; has a 24 hour free telephone crisis counseling service.  Tel. 800-TRY-NOVA.
http://www.try-nova.org/

SAMS (Sudden Accident, Murder)
Families and friends of victims of sudden traumatic death.

When: 1st Tuesday of each month
Where: St. Marks United Methodist Church, Limestone Road, Stanton, DE
Contact: Mental Health Association
302-765-9740

Survivors of Suicide
For families and friends of suicide victims.  

Location 1: Upstate:
When: 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Mental Health Association , Wilmington, DE
Contact: 302-765-9740 or (800) 287-6423
Location 2: Downstate:
When: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Millsboro, DE
Contact: Jim Lafferty, Mental Health Association
302-656-8308 Ext. 14 or (800) 287-6423

Victim Services 1-800-842-8461

Contact: State Police (Georgetown, DE) 302-856-5296
Terry Lange (Milford, DE) 302-422-1562
Gary Melvin (Camden-Wyoming, DE) 302-697-3602
Sarah Wilson (Bridgeville, DE) 302-337-1096

Illness/Grief

Delaware Hospice
Social Workers and Bereavement Counselors can help individuals and families cope with the social, emotional and financial stresses associated with life-limiting illness. Social Workers and Bereavement Counselors can make scheduled visits as needed and are available for emergency visits or consultations.
Call for information about support groups.
Wilmington, DE: (302) 478-5707
Dover, DE: (302) 678-4444
Georgetown, DE: (302) 856-7717
http://www.delawarehospice.org/

More information about national chapters of Hospice organizations is available from:
Hospice Foundation of America
National Hospice Foundation
Hospice Association of HomeCare
Children's Hospice International

The Wellness Community - Delaware
The Virtual Wellness Community delivers real-time online support groups led by trained professionals, educational resources, mind-body exercises, nutrition information and much more to support you through your cancer journey.
Contact by visiting their website which includes a calendar of events at http://www.wellnessdelaware.org or by contacting:
4810 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, DE 19807
Phone: 302-995-2850
Fax: 302-995-0834

Widow/Widower

G.O.A.L. (Going On After Loss)
A young widowed support group, to offer an opportunity for the sharing of feelings and concerns caused by the death of a spouse. (Average age 35 to 65).

When: 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month - 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Aldersgate United Methodist Church - Memorial Room
2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE
Contact: Helen Johnson, Chandler Funeral Home (302-478-7100)

Grief Support Group

For widowed men and women of all ages.
When:    Tuesdays, twice monthly - 7 p.m.

Where:   M.O.T. Senior Center, 300 S. Scott St., Middletown
Contact: Sharon Camp 302-378-2368

Post Cana
A social group for widows and widowers - (social, unstructured).  

When: 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Talleyville Fire House, Wilmington, DE
Contact: Catholic Charities (302-655-9624) they will direct calls

You Are Not Alone
A support group for widows and widowers.  

When: Every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Catholic Charities, 4th & Greenhill Avenue, Wilmington, DE
Contact: Catholic Charities (302-654-6475)

Widowed Persons Service of Southern Delaware
Contact: 302-424-5435

Death of a Pet

Pet Loss Support Group, Middletown, Delaware
"A casual, informal meeting with others who have recently suffered the loss of a beloved pet. Come talk with others about grief, guilt, loss and mourning. We understand what you are going through." Meeting at Middletown Veterinary Hospital, the first Tuesday of every month 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.. Call 302-378-2342.

        

Delaware End-of-Life Coalition