The Compassionate Friends is a national bereavement self-help organization that was originally founded more than 40 years ago in England, and currently has a presence in at least 30 countries world-wide. In 1978 The Compassionate Friends, Inc., was incorporated in the United States as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. There are now more than 600 local chapters of TCF located throughout the US.
The Compassionate Friends Mission Statement is as follows: When a child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope and support to families experiencing the death of a son or daughter, brother or sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.
The Santa Cruz chapter of The Compassionate Friends was formally established in June, 2011. We meet monthly on the 2nd Monday of each month. Many of our original members are bereaved parents who, after participating in an 8-week grief support group with Hospice of Santa Cruz, realized the value of meeting with other bereaved parents on an ongoing basis to offer compassionate listening and support to each other. We found the support and insights we give each other to be tremendously valuable and healing, and became aware that there was a need for self-help groups for bereaved families in the Santa Cruz area.
The national organization of The Compassionate Friends holds an annual conference each summer.
About The Compassionate Friends of Santa Cruz
We are bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents who meet together to talk, listen, share, and provide emotional support for families that are dealing with the devastating death of a child. When you attend chapter sessions, you won't find professionals running the meetings and giving advice. We are not therapists and we do not provide counseling. We ourselves are simply going through the grieving process. We learn from shared experiences.
Who We Are
No one comes to judge another. You will find that children are being mourned who have died at all ages and from all causes. The pain is the same - that of the loss of hopes and dreams that will never be realized.
The Compassionate Friends has no religious affiliation. You will find TCF members are tolerant of any views. After the death of a child, many priorities, as well as values, may change.
"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."
~ Pericles
Santa Cruz Chapter Steering Committee Members:
Jennifer McSorley (Leader)
Stacey Reynolds
Anne Hull Seales (Treasurer, Website Manager, Secretary pro tem)
Sibling Group co-leaders: Rebecca Contin, Liz Fohs, David Lakein
