2026 Walk to Remember | A. Yates Photography | | A Letter from the Executive Director | |
September was a meaningful month for our community, and we are so grateful to everyone who joined us, supported us and helped make it so special.
On September 19, our community came together at Lakeside Park for our annual Walk to Remember, and it was such a beautiful day of remembrance, connection and hope. This year, 179 people joined us to walk, roll and gather in memory of the people they love, alongside more than 40 incredible volunteers who helped make the day possible. We are so grateful to everyone who participated, fundraised, volunteered, donated, sponsored the event or supported us behind the scenes. Our peer-to-peer fundraisers have already raised more than $8,000 online, with additional funds raised through event-day donations, raffles and the generous support of our sponsors.
| And there is still time to help us finish the campaign strong. Walk to Remember fundraising remains open until October 4. If you have been meaning to make a donation, or if you participated in the Walk and would like to share your fundraising page one last time with friends, family or colleagues, every final gift makes a difference. Your support helps us continue providing free grief support to children, youth and adults across Halton and Peel through peer support groups, one-to-one support, workshops and community education. | |
September also brought an important transition for our team as we said goodbye to our Fundraising Manager, Kelly Price. Kelly brought tremendous care, creativity and dedication to her work at CFGH, supporting everything from donor stewardship and fundraising campaigns to the Walk to Remember, Bids of Hope and many other initiatives behind the scenes. We are incredibly grateful for everything Kelly contributed to our organization and community, and we wish her all the very best in what comes next.
At the same time, we are very happy to welcome Adrianna Prosser, our new Fundraising Manager, to the CFGH team. Adrianna joined us at the end of September and will be leading our fundraising, donor engagement and upcoming fundraising initiatives. We are excited to have her with us and look forward to introducing her to more of our community in the months ahead.
There is also so much happening at CFGH this fall. We have a wonderful range of workshops, groups and opportunities for connection coming up, and we hope you will join us. These programs offer space to learn, connect with others and explore grief in a supportive environment, whether your loss is recent or something you have been carrying for many years. Please keep an eye on our website, newsletter and social media for upcoming dates and registration opportunities. We would love to see you at one of our programs this season.
As always, thank you to our participants, volunteers, donors, fundraisers, sponsors, community partners and supporters. Your continued support helps make it possible for people experiencing grief in Halton and Peel to access compassionate, inclusive support when they need it.
With gratitude,
Julia Duz
Executive Director
Centre for Grief and Healing
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Meet the Team
As we continue to welcome new faces into our community, we’re excited to introduce our new Fundraising Manager, Adrianna, along with our fall placement students, Agata, Ryan, Kelly, and Melissa. They’ll work alongside our team to help make our programs, workshops, and community events possible. We’re glad to have them with us and we’re looking forward to working with them this fall and winter.
Our team supports community members in many ways, both directly and behind the scenes, and we’re deeply grateful for the care and dedication of our staff, students, and volunteers who help make this work possible.
Visit our website to meet our staff and students and learn more about the people who make up our team and support our community.
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What I’m Learning About Grief in My First Weeks of Placement
By: Melissa Pressacco
My first few weeks at the Centre for Grief & Healing have been a whirlwind and have provided me with new perspectives on grief and the work of supporting others.
One of the things I’m learning is that there is no single way to grieve. Everyone brings their own stories, relationships and experiences to their grief. And that means, their journey will look different too. Another big surprise for me was realizing how much emotional energy grief can require. Not only for the person experiencing the loss but also for those supporting them.
We may feel the need to find the “right” words or offer a solution when someone is grieving. But I’m realizing that grief isn’t something that needs to be “fixed.” Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply listen, make space for that individual and let them grieve in their own way…and time.
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Support Updates
From January through the end of August, we’ve welcomed more than 400 new community members to the Centre, facilitated over 710 one-to-one support sessions, and hosted more than 146 support groups with over 821 total visits.
One-to-One Support Update
With a range of time-limited programs and workshops underway this fall, the waitlist for one-to-one support may be longer than usual. We expect to resume our regular matching schedule in December, once our programs wrap up. We appreciate your patience as we work to connect our community with support.
| | Schedule Updates and Fall 2026 Programming | | |
Core Programming
Our core programming includes ongoing, regularly scheduled grief support groups for adults 18+, offered weeknights from 6:30–8:00 p.m. via Zoom, as well as limited one-to-one support sessions offered remotely.
- Friends and Family Loss | 2nd and 4th Tuesday
- Parent and Guardian Loss | Wednesdays
- Partner Loss | Thursdays
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Workshops & Webinars
(Ages 18+ unless otherwise noted)
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South Asian Community Workshops: 3 collaborative workshops co-hosted with Punjabi Community Health Services.
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Youth & Young Adult Series: 4 workshops designed for young adults ages 18–24. Starts November.
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BIPOC Workshop Series: 4 workshops designed for grieving racialized individuals. Starts November.
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Seniors Workshop Series: 4 tailored workshops for older adults ages 65+ in partnership with Ashley Oaks Retirement Residence. Starts October 6.
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Indigenous Workshop Series: 4 culturally grounded workshops for Indigenous community members. Starts the week of October 19.
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Mental Health and Life Skills Webinars: 6 new webinar sessions. Starts at the beginning of November.
All "Series" workshops mentioned above entail trauma-informed movement, embodied wellness, and/or creative, hands-on arts- and culture-based activities.
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Fall 2026 Offerings
In addition to our core programming and one-to-one support, we’re pleased to offer expanded in-person groups, culturally specific spaces, and multi-week support programs this fall. There is no time commitment for the listed groups.
Multi-Week Support Groups (Ages 18+)
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In-Person Friends & Family Loss Support Group (8 weeks) – A group for those grieving the loss of anyone in their life. Wednesdays, October 28–December 16, 6:30–8:00 p.m. at our office.
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In-Person Child Loss Support Group (6 weeks) – A space for parents and caregivers grieving the loss of a child. Tuesdays through October 27, 6:30–8:00 p.m. at our office.
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Virtual BIPOC Grief Support Circle (8 weeks) – For racialized community members living in the Halton region. Thursdays through November 12, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
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Virtual Traumatic Loss Support Group (8 weeks) – For those grieving a traumatic death, including the loss of someone to suicide, substance use, homicide, a sudden medical crisis, fatal accident, and/or natural disaster. Wednesdays, October 7–November 25, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
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Connecting With Us
Whether you are seeking drop-in connection today, one-to-one support, or looking toward a multi-week group this fall, please know you do not have to carry your grief alone.
If you have questions or would like to register for a program, please feel free to reach out to our team (info@bereavedfamilies.ca) at your own pace.
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GriefTalks Webinars
GriefTalks are free, 1-hour Zoom webinars exploring grief, loss, identity, mental health, and wellness. They provide a compassionate space for learning, reflection, and connection, highlighting how grief manifests differently across communities and contexts. Each session features a unique topic and speaker, offering tools, perspectives, and insights to support both individuals and professionals in navigating grief.
Learn More and Register Here
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Multiple Loss in Health Care and Social Services Work
Presented by: Laur Kelly
Join Laur Kelly as they explore the different forms of grief that can arise in health care and social services work, including disenfranchised grief, anticipatory grief, and multiple losses. This GriefTalk will offer an opportunity to reflect on how these experiences can show up in our own lives, with discussion and reflection questions throughout. This session is relevant to health care and social service workers, as well as family members and friends who support them.
Monday, October 5 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.
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GriefTalks & BFO-Toronto Presents: Forgiveness in the Midst of Grief – Forgiving Those Who Hurt You
Presented by: Grace Duong
Join Grace Duong as she explores forgiveness in the midst of grief, particularly when grief involves harm caused by people or groups. This session will offer compassionate reflections on forgiveness, self-care, and the importance of giving ourselves time and space throughout the process. Gentle mindfulness exercises will also be offered for participants who wish to take part.
Monday, October 26 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.
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Support Spotlight
One-to-One Grief Peer Support for Racialized Halton Residents
Thanks to the Halton Region Community Investment Fund, we are offering expanded one-to-one grief peer support sessions for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) living in Halton who are grieving the death of someone.
This program provides up to 10 free phone-based sessions with a trained peer supporter who has lived experience with grief and offers compassionate, culturally responsive support.
Participants have the opportunity to share their experiences in a safe(r), non-judgmental, and culturally affirming space with someone who understands the unique ways grief can intersect with identity and lived experience.
| | To learn more or register, complete our intake form or contact info@bereavedfamilies.ca. | |
Walk to Remember 2026
We walked, remembered, and came together.
On September 19, our community came together for our Walk to Remember, with many wonderful supporters joining us. This year, we introduced new ways to honour and remember, including our Memory Ribbon Wall installation and a photo booth.
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Thank You to Our Walk to Remember Volunteers
More than 40 volunteers joined us at Lakeside Park for this year’s Walk to Remember.
Our volunteers welcomed participants, supported activities, and supported details behind the scenes to keep the day running smoothly. We’re so grateful for the time and care they gave to help our community come together to remember loved ones.
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Photos by A. Yates Photography | |
While the walk has wrapped up, fundraising continues until October 4. We’ve raised $8,311 toward our $40,000 goal, which will help fund more than 1,100 individual peer support sessions, expand access to free peer grief support programs, and ensure that no one has to navigate grief alone.
Every dollar makes a difference. A donation of $10.50 can help one person access a grief support group, while $35 can support one individual one-to-one peer support session.
Help us keep the momentum going. Donate, share our campaign, and help us reach $40,000 by October 4. Together, we can make sure more people have access to support when they need it most.
Donations of $20 or more are eligible for charitable tax receipts.
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A Message to Our Volunteers
We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for each and every one of you.
The empathy, warmth, and steady presence you share at the Centre for Grief and Healing truly transform lives. Whether you’re leading a support group, offering one-on-one care, pitching in at events, or keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, you are making a profound difference. Thanks to your support, those navigating loss find a safer place to be heard, held, and remembered.
Thank you for pouring your heart into this community and journeying alongside those who need it.
| | Growing Our Volunteer Community | | |
Interested in volunteering with us?
Looking for a way to get involved with our community? If you’re interested in volunteering with us and learning more about current opportunities, please reach out to Selena (she/her), Volunteer Manager, at volunteering@bereavedfamilies.ca to learn more.
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Seeking BINGO Volunteers
Looking to give back and connect with your community? We’re looking for friendly, dependable volunteers, aged 18+, to represent the Centre as Bingo Volunteers at the Rama Mississauga Gaming Centre.
No experience is needed. Training and support are provided. Shifts are scheduled in advance, usually two hours, and require afternoon and evening availability.
Interested in getting involved? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact our Project Manager, Tejal at projects@bereavedfamilies.ca or apply via the Apply Here button.
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Community Outreach, Events, Fairs, and More
Our team has been building new partnership opportunities and strengthening outreach connections across the community. These conversations and collaborations have focused on expanding awareness of our programs, deepening community relationships, and identifying meaningful ways to support grieving individuals across Halton and Peel.
As we move into the fall months, we are excited to continue growing these connections following the support of the Halton Region Community Investment Fund and the Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant.
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Partnerships
We recently partnered with Punjabi Community Health Services to deliver a three-part workshop series focused on grief and loss within South Asian communities. These workshops aim to increase understanding of grief, provide culturally responsive education and support, reduce stigma, and foster connection through shared learning and meaningful conversations.
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A call to the grief community: What do men need?
What’s motivating Ryan, our new placement student here at the Centre? Learning about the gendered differences in grief, and particularly how men find navigating grief in existing support spaces challenging.
It got Ryan thinking: What is it about society, cultures, and family systems that impact how men experience grief? And what can we do to help?
Ryan would like to hear your suggestions (both from men and from all others who have men in your lives) about how the Centre can best support men’s grief. In the coming weeks, Ryan will be sending out a survey. This is completely optional and will give you the chance to share some of your cultural influences on grief and what you or the men in your life might find most helpful in a support space.
If you’d like to reach Ryan before the survey goes out, you can email him at outreach.support@bereavedfamilies.ca with your ideas! Stay tuned for more information.
| | Thank You to Our 2026 Funders and Supporters | |
Feedback, Comments, Suggestions
Comments, concerns, feedback, and compliments can always be forwarded to Victoria (she/her) at programs@bereavedfamilies.ca. Anonymous feedback can be submitted to us at www.bereavedfamilies.ca/contactus.
Partnership opportunities, event support inquiries, and donation inquiries can be forwarded to Adrianna (she/her) and Julia (she/her) at fundraising@bereavedfamilies.ca and executivedirector@bereavedfamilies.ca.
Looking to volunteer? Please contact Selena (she/her) at volunteering@bereavedfamilies.ca with your interest.
All other inquiries (intakes, group registrations, getting set up with us) can be forwarded to Shontae (she/her) at info@bereavedfamilies.ca.
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