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LOSS Community Services exists to be an instillation of hope by companioning you as you integrate this loss into your life. We understand there is no “getting over” this tragedy. We offer our Survivor Companion Program to help.
The Survivor Companion Program gives you an opportunity to meet with a volunteer who has a similar lived experience.
• These meetings are in public – often over coffee. For safety reasons, during the COVID-19 pandemic meeting outside and/or with a mask is required.
• The initial meeting is 60-90 minutes.
• You can meet just one time or several times – it is entirely up to you. We do recommend meeting no more than once every few weeks.
• Each volunteer has been interviewed, trained and has the lived experience of losing a loved one or close friend to suicide.
• We do not want this to take the place of professional mental health assistance you may need.
Many survivors have found having a peer(s) with a similar lived-experience as well as a mental health professional to speak with is very helpful.
When you are grieving, you need the support of people who will walk beside you. You do not need people who want to walk in front of you and lead you down the path that they think is right. Nor do you need people who want to walk behind you so that they don’t have to be present to your pain.
Instead, you need and deserve the companionship of people who will come alongside you and let you express whatever you are thinking and feeling. Their role is not to try to ‘fix it’ or give you unasked-for advice. Their role is to be there, actively listen, and offer their love and presence. — Dr. Alan Wolfelt
