Bereaved Families of Ontario - Durham
"Bereaved, helping the bereaved to learn to live with grief. We can help the healing begin."
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bereaved Families of Ontario–Durham Region is a non-profit organization which has been supporting families in the Durham Region for over 17 years.
This organization provides support programs to bereaved parents, young adults and teens. These programs offer support where bereaved parents can learn to live with their grief, decrease their sense of isolation and help adapt to everyday living. BFO-Durham facilitates the development of self-help/mutual aid support services and resources for families with a unique focus on the death of a child. |
|
BFO is located at 1050 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario L1G 4W5
-
southwest corner of Beatrice Street and Simcoe Street North;
-
entrance door to the 2nd floor office is at the extreme left of the Dairy Queen building;
-
unfortunately, we are not wheelchair accessible;
-
for further information please contact us:
-
February
Infant Loss Drop-In - Monday 6th, 7-9 p.m.
Evening Drop-In - Wednesday 15th, 7-9 p.m.
Evening Drop-In - Thursday 23rd, 7-9 p.m.
Afternoon Drop-In - Monday 27th, 1-3 p.m.
Reconnect Drop-In for Older Children - Monday 27th, 7-9 p.m.
March
Infant Loss Drop-In - Monday 5th, 7-9 p.m.
Evening Drop-In - Wednesday 14th, 7-9 p.m.
Afternoon Drop-In - Monday 19th, 1-3 p.m.
Evening Drop-In - Thursday 22nd, 7-9 p.m.
Reconnect Drop-In for Infant Loss - Monday 26th, 7-9 p.m.
April
Infant Loss Drop-In - Monday 2nd, 7-9 p.m.
Evening Drop-In - Wednesday 11th, 7-9 p.m.
Afternoon Drop-In - Monday 16th, 1-3 p.m.
Evening Drop-In - Thursday 26th, 7-9 p.m.
Reconnect Drop-In for Older Children - Monday 30th, 7-9 p.m.
May
Infant Loss Drop-In - Monday 7th, 7-9 p.m.
Evening Drop-In - Wednesday 9th, 7-9 p.m.
Afternoon Drop-In - Monday 14th, 1-3 p.m.
Evening Drop-In - Thursday 24th, 7-9 p.m.
Reconnect Drop-In for Infant Loss - Monday 28th, 7-9 p.m.
|
|
UPCOMING FUNDRAISER
Once again, we are seeking your help for this Fundraiser. If you can volunteer a few hours either prior to or on the day of this event, please contact Sharon at the BFO-Durham office.
"It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing." ~Mother Theresa
|
|
|
|
|
Our appeal to former participants in our support groups
Do you remember your experience in one of our support groups, where you could freely discuss your grief, feelings and other aspects of living without your beloved child? Do you feel it is time now to give something back to our organization?
We have a small core of volunteers who are facilitators for support groups and one-on-one interviews with newly bereaved parents. Because the core is so small, we are forced to ask the same volunteers over and over again to provide the support so desperately needed.
We are organizing a four-evening training session for new facilitators in the spring. This will take place on our premises.
Do you want to participate but are not sure if you have the qualification?
Well, what is most important is that you have a willingness to support newly bereaved parents by sharing your experience of grief and how you are able to cope with life again. You also need to be a good listener.
You will receive the support of experienced facilitators, you will develop new friendships and you will be amazed how much more you will learn about grief and how it affects one’s life.
If you are interested and would like some additional information, please contact our office by phone, email or by dropping in.
If you would like your loved one remembered
Please visit the"In Memory" page for
access to our donation form
Your generosity will help us continue to provide you
with our support groups and drop-in sessions |
|
MOTHERS’ RETREAT 2012
BFO - Durham was proud to host the 13th Annual BFO - Durham Mothers' Retreat at the Villa St. Joseph in Cobourg, ON on February 3 – 5th, 2012. Facilitated by Susan Hendricks and Joyce MacIntyre, mothers who have lost a child/ren through death found peace and joy as they attended workshops, shared their stories, and celebrated their children in ritual and song. Special thanks to Gary Scherbain, owner of the Wah-sa Gallery in Winnipeg who, when hearing of the nature of our retreat, immediately offered a significant reduction on the price of the art card, “Getting His Wings” which was used in one of our sessions.
Using the theme of music, the twelve mums who gathered by the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario explored the continuing bond with their child/ren and how it can empower us to live more fully in the present moment. As the handouts read, “Their life brought music to our souls and their melody lives on.” But, “if their song is to continue … then we must do the singing.” Mothers learned that whether we want it or not, death brings with it an invitation to grow and become more fully who we are.
The Saturday evening “Grief at the Movies” pajama party elicited emotion in all. Emilio Estevez's film, The Way, the story of a bereaved father who walks the Camino de Santiago from France to Spain in place of his deceased son, was an illustration of how the courage and steadfastness many of our children displayed in life and in their dying can become a compelling motivator for how we live our lives today.
Plans are already afoot for the 14th Annual Mothers' Retreat in 2013. Watch for news about it in the Fall newsletter!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
