ABOUT CORNERSTONE’S SUPPORT GROUPS Cornerstone of Hope offers a unique support group experience, open to all, regardless of ethnic, cultural and faith backgrounds.

What makes our groups different?• Led by professionally trained and experienced facilitators• Closed groups, new individuals will not be joining group

mid-session, who you start the group with is who you continue the journey with

• Loss specific groups so you are with others who have experienced a similar loss

• Groups run weekly and are offered several times throughout the year

What should I expect?• Each meeting is two hours in length• A light meal or refreshments are provided every week at no charge• Meeting in a warm, home-like environment• Weekly handouts that include readings, resources and

exercises to help you make the most of your group experience

• Peer mentors, those who have walked a similar journey, are there to welcome you

In order to participate in a Support Group, you must complete an Intake and pay the $50 one-time fee.

To schedule your Intake, please call 216.524.4673 to speak with our Intake Coordinator. Your Intake must be completed at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the group in order to enroll.

CREATING A WORLD WHERE NO GRIEVING PERSON JOURNEYS ALONE5905 Brecksville Road, Independence, OH 44131 | 216.524.4673 | cornerstoneofhope.org

SUPPORT FOR THOSE GRIEVING THE DEATHOF A LOVED ONE 2021 GROUP OFFERINGS

GRANDPARENT GRIEFGrandparents are often the forgotten grievers after the loss of a child. The focus is on the bereaved parent, and siblings of the child who was lost, but not grandma and grandpa. Yet grandparents often carry a double burden. They are grieving the loss of their grandchild, while at the same time trying to support their child who is hurting.

MURDER LOSSWhen a person has lost a loved one to murder, it is a tragic and unique loss not always understood by others. Cornerstone of Hope is offering a group specifically for those facing this sudden loss. General bereavement issues will be addressed with particular attention given to the specific needs that arise after a traumatic death.

OVERDOSE LOSSCornerstone has recognized a great need for a support group for families that have lost a loved one to overdose. This unique loss can leave families with many unanswered questions along with a myriad of difficult emotions. This group hopes to bring people together who have experienced similar losses, offer some education about the addiction process, offer support for the numerous emotional reactions that accompany this particular loss, and provides some helpful insight for moving forward with hope.

PERINATAL AND INFANT LOSSLosing a child in-utero or as an infant is devastating and not always acknowledged or understood by many. This group allows individuals and couples the opportunity to share this monumental loss and begin to heal together. General grief issues will be addressed, but we will also discuss the specific needs that arise after a death of an infant, whether through miscarriage, neo-natal, still birth or other infant loss (ages 2 and under).

SUICIDE LOSSWhen a person has lost a loved one to suicide, their grief can be complicated. Cornerstone is offering a group specifically for these survivors. General bereavement issues will be

ADULT GRIEFLosing a parent, sibling or friend can deeply impact an individual. This group is for all adults who are grieving the death of a loved one no matter the relationship.

CHILD LOSSThe death of a child leaves parents feeling brokenhearted and alone. This group brings parents together, no matter the age of the child, to share and find hope on their journey.

COMPLICATED LOSSSometimes there are individuals in our lives that are hard to love because our relationship with them was difficult. The people we lose often had very human problems-addictions, mental health issues, abuse/neglect, gambling, and infidelity. These problems forge a lasting impact in our lives. So, when death strikes we are left with conflicting emotions about the individual, ourselves, and our relationship with them. This group offers a safe place to explore these feelings and unresolved issues with others who understand. Join us for this educational and supportive group that will provide helpful insight into moving forward with hope.

F.L.I.G.H.T. (FAMILIES LIVING IN GRIEF & HEALING TOGETHER)This group is specifically designed for families that are grieving the loss of a loved one. Groups are divided by age, and Art Therapists and licensed Grief Counselors use art projects, games, stories and discussion to help you along your grief journey. Groups will be divided by age 0-5 – Free Babysitting Provided 6-12 – Kids Group 13-18 – Teen Group 18+ – Adult Group

I have gained the knowledge that I am not alone in my grief, and above all, group has given me strength.

SUPPORT GROUPSFOR GRIEVERS

touched on, but particular attention will be given to the specific needs and stigmas that arise due to loss from suicide.

SPOUSE LOSSThe death of a spouse can leave a huge void in one’s life. This group allows those who have lost a spouse or significant other to find hope and support.

TEEN GRIEFBy incorporating education, peer support, and art therapy, teens will be able to explore their grief process and find hope after loss.

TAPS MILITARYTAPS is tragedy assistance for anyone who has lost a military loved one, regardless of the relationship or the circumstances of the death. Founded in 1994, TAPS is a front line resource to military families. We invite you to join us as we provide support, care and hope with fellow survivors in a spirit of friendship and understanding. You do not have to attend every month, only when you are able or feel that you need support.

YOUNG ADULTThis group is for people who are ages 18 through 32 years old and grieving the loss of a loved one. This group brings people together, who because of their age, are able to find a strong support system and education together.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING A SUPPORT GROUP

EDUCATION SERIESFOR GRIEVERS

FEEL CONNECTED TO OTHERS

REDUCE FEELINGS OF DISTRESS & ANXIETY

GAIN

IMPROVE COPING SKILLS

CONTINUING HOPE

BIBLE STUDYFor those who have completed a Support Group Professionally led series to support the continuation of your grief journey, after completing a weekly support group.

FRIDAY NIGHT EDUCATION SERIESEach part of this six-week series will focus on a new topic around suicide loss with the goal of promoting healing and imparting hope to family and friends who are grieving. Presented together with Cuyahoga County Suicide Postvention Response Team.

MONTHLY EDUCATION SERIESFor adults looking to learn more about or are grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide loss. Featured speaker is Pete Bliss, founder of the Cuyahoga County Suicide Postvention Response Team. Each type of loss will have a designated evening to attend.

Please call 216.524.4673 to registeror for further questions. Online registration is also available.

Visit cornerstoneofhope.org to learn moreabout our groups and education series.

Cornerstone supports you in your grief. Everybody is so sweet. They are like a family, so loving and compassionate. You

don’t meet strangers here.

CREATING A WORLD WHERE NO GRIEVING PERSON JOURNEYS ALONE5905 Brecksville Road, Independence, OH 44131 | 216.524.4673 | cornerstoneofhope.org

FROM OUR HEART TO YOURS Mother’s Day 2000 is a day that will forever live in my heart. My husband and I hurried to the emergency room that evening to have our son evaluated for what we thought was a severe case of dehydration due to the stomach flu. What transpired over the next 22 hours was a parent’s worst nightmare. Oh how I truly wish that it was just a nightmare. The reality was that we left the hospital the next day without our precious son. Bobby was just three years old when he died.

What do I do now? I couldn’t even think for myself. Everything that was automatic in my life now became overwhelming…breathing, sleeping, caring for the kids, taking care of myself…and the list goes on and on.

I needed help! I needed a lifeline to get me through another day which led me to a second unforgettable event. Two weeks after Bobby’s death, I entered a huge room with people gathered in a circle eager to tell their grief story. A woman shared about the death of her son, sobbing hysterically, it had been 30 years since his death. At that moment I was slapped with yet another reality; this is what I’m going to look like in 30 years. I leaned to my husband and sister and said, “I need to leave. I can’t take one more second of this.” I left there with so much despair; I had no hope for tomorrow.

Because of this experience, I knew our groups at Cornerstone needed to be different, needed to have a caring professional there to lead each group, needed a home-like setting, not a basement of a hospice. I didn’t want to have to retell my story each month, I needed to see that I was going to make it through this...I needed hope.

We say it all the time, you are not here because there is something wrong with you, but because there is actually so much right about you- you love so deeply that you grieve deeply. Here at Cornerstone I pray you feel like we truly care about you and your loved one. I hope you feel like with time, you will make it through this, yes changed forever, but love more deeper with a sense of compassion that no one can possibly understand unless you’ve been through it.

I thank you for honoring us with the gift of walking with you in your darkest times, as all life is more precious than words.

Sincerely,

Christi and Mark Tripodi

We say it all the time, you are not here because there is something wrong with you, but because there is actually so much right about you- you love so deeply that you grieve deeply.