Meetings Information

Last Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM.

Come join us at the American Red Cross Center on 209 Farmington Ave in Farmington, CT, 06032.

     Steering committee meetings are held on the second Tuesday of February, May, August and November. On February 11, 2010 the Steering Committee will meet at Starbucks at Bishop's Corner in West Hartford at 7 PM. We will always welcome new members who believe that giving back is part of this journey. Please call Dave Pelchat at (860) 653-6729 or Pam Cameron (860) 677-0480 for additional information. Current members are David Pelchat, Pam Cameron, June O'Connor, Betty Jones, Linda Pellegrino, Mario and Rose Vernazza, Kathleen Fischer, and David and Catherine Merrills.

For additional information, please see the Contact Us information for chapter leader's names and phone numbers.

What to Expect at a Meeting

     With more than 600 chapters of The Compassionate Friends across the United States, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, there are a number of different chapter meeting formats. Chapter leaders and steering committees work together to determine how the sessions can best be structured to help both the newly bereaved and returning members in their area.

     Generally, most meetings are held once a month (some chapters do hold two or have a secondary meeting location that serves a neighboring area) for 1 1/2 or two hours in the evening or on the weekend. Our meetings should not be confused with counseling sessions. Participants are all bereaved parents (guardians), siblings, or grandparents who are dealing with the death of a child. We have been where you are and we continue to return to offer friendship and support through the natural grieving process after a child dies.
Chapter meetings often consist of two parts, a sharing session plus a program related to bereavement after the death of a child. Some larger chapters may break up into smaller groups for sharing so that everyone has the opportunity to talk about their grief.
You will hear from others whose child died from pre-birth to adulthood. Some who attend will be young and some will be old. Some will be women and some will be men. Some will come alone while others will come as couples.

     Oftentimes there will be a preplanned speaker who will talk about a bereavement issue. Sometimes a bereavement topic of interest will be chosen to discuss. Some chapters offer special programs such as a balloon launch or a memorial service. No one is forced to talk about his or her loss. Much can be gained by listening.