For Adults

For Adults: Support and Education

Weathering Grief: monthly support group meets in three locations, 7 pm-8:30 pm

*Butler, 2nd Monday of the month, at the VNA Community Bereavement Center, 160 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001
*Kittanning, 3rd Tuesday of the month, at the Armstrong County Health Center, 265 S. McKean St, Kittanning, PA 16201
*Natrona Heights, 3rd Thursday of the month, at Allegheny Valley YMCA, 5021 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Registration is not required; appropriate participants are those whose loss is between 1 month to 2 years ago. For more information, call 724 431-3520.

Parent to Parent: monthly peer support for those who have lost a child, 7 pm - 8:30 pm

Butler, 1st Tuesday of the month, at the VNA Community Bereavement Center, 160 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001
Registration recommended before attending for the first time. Call 724 431-3520 to register and, if desired, you can request a call from the group leader before attending.

Transitions Support: monthly peer support for those who have lost a spouse or partner, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Butler, 2nd Wednesday of the month, September through June (no meetings in July or August), at the VNA Community Bereavement Center, 160 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001
For those whose loss occurred at least six months ago. Registration recommended before attending for the first time. Call 724 431-3520 to register and, if desired, you can request a call from the group leader before attending.

Transitions Social: ongoing opportunities for social outings and networking for widows and widowers

Group social opportunities coordinated by a network of peers throughout the year. Participation in the Transitions Support Group is encouraged but is NOT a requirement to joining the social networking group. Call 724 431-3520; leave name and number if you would like to be contacted by a member of the networking team.

Men’s Morning: monthly peer support for men who have lost a wife or partner, 8:30 am - 9:45 am

Butler, 2nd Tuesday of the month, September through June (no meetings in July or August), at the VNA Community Bereavement Center, 160 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001
For those whose loss occurred at least six months ago; registration recommended before attending for the first time. Call 724 431-3520 to register and, if desired, you can request a call from the group leader before attending.

OASIS (Overdose and Suicide Integrated Support): 

monthly support group for those who have lost a loved one to overdose and/or suicide, 7 - 8:30 pm
Kittanning, 2nd Tuesday of the month, at ACMH Hospital, One Nolte Drive, Kittanning, PA 16201
The group, facilitated by a VNA bereavement specialist and a peer support leader, is being held in partnership with the ACMH Foundation. Registration recommended, not required. Call 724 431-3520. If desired, you can request a call from the group leader before attending for the first time.

Precious Dreams: individualized support after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death

Call 724 431-3520 for an individual session with a bereavement specialist for support and education. There is no fee.

Through Their Eyes: individualized support for the developmentally challenged & their caregivers

Call 724 431-3520 for an individual session with a bereavement specialist for support and education. There is no fee.

Bridges: A Five Week Course on Managing Grief

This course takes a group of 12 or less participants through a process of learning and support. It is offered spring and fall on five consecutive Thursday evenings, 2 hours each session. Appropriate participants, those whose loss is at least four months earlier, should call 724 431-3520 for information, dates and times.

Private Session: A support session with bereavement specialist for assessment and direction

Make an appointment to meet personally with a bereavement specialist for an assessment of your grief reaction and for education on appropriate resources for your situation. We do not provide long-term counseling. Most people who request this private one-on-one session discover their grief response is “normal”. Often times, one session is all that is needed; occasionally a followup session can be scheduled. For those who may need additional ongoing counseling, referrals will be made to community counseling services. Call 724 431-3520 to schedule an appointment.

Holiday Grief: Surviving the Season

Hosted by local funeral homes in three locations, this is a 45 minute presentation given by a VNA Bereavement Specialist. The evening program, open to all in the community, includes a remembrance ceremony and is followed with refreshments.
The schedule for our 2010 Holiday Grief presentations will be available on our website after November 1, 2010

Speaking of Grief:

Speakers for your group/organization on grief/loss and a variety of subjects related to end-of-life issues
Call 724 431-3520 for information and to schedule a speaker.

Grief in the Workplace and Learning Space: Staff training for your organization

This two-hour interactive workshop is for employers, employees, and staffs of schools and institutes of higher learning.
The program is designed to help participants discover the impact of the “hidden costs” of grief and explore ways to companion co-workers and fellow students after loss. Call 724 431-3520 for information and fees.

Caring and Sharing: Remembering a Co-Worker or Cherished Resident

Offered to health care facility staff after the death of a co-worker or resident, this interactive, healing session is led by a grief specialist as the group reflects upon and commemorates a life that was lived. The session can take place in your workplace and at your convenience. Call 724-431-3520 to schedule. 

Community Presentations
For Children and Teens: Support and Education
For Family Caregivers: Support and Education
Library Resources
Seasonal Events