Mike’s Club bereavement groups for children and teens who are coping with the death of a parent, caregiver, or sibling
We offer separate groups for children, teens, and parenting adults coping with death-related loss of a parent, caregiver, or sibling. The children process their grief through creative activities, arts and crafts, and games, with the help of our trained support staff. Families are able to connect with others who are dealing with similar circumstances in a safe and peaceful environment. Parents and caregivers meet to discuss common issues, concerns, and ways to help their children cope. Mike's Club is a free program for children 5-18 years old. Groups meet every other week during the school year and are led by Hope Floats staff, clinicians and trained volunteer facilitators. For more information call Meaghan Hayes or Abby Hennigan at 781-585-4221
Family Night: A group for children and their parents/caregivers who have experienced a significant loss.
Family Night is for children of all ages and their families grieving the death of a loved one. A pizza dinner will be served, then children and adults will be invited to work together on a fun family art project. Family nights are led by Hope Floats staff, clinicians, and trained volunteers. For more information contact Abby Hennigan 781-585-4221 ext. 4 or Heather Gray ext. 2
November Family Night
Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Registration is required - Please check back for the next Family Night!
Join us at Hope Floats for Family Night, a night for children and families grieving the death of a loved one. Children and their families are invited to work together on a family art project. Pizza dinner will be provided!
Pre-registration is required! Please register all children and adults who plan on attending. Space is limited and registration is on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Heather or Abby with any questions or for additional information at 781-585-4221.
Family Night: A group for children, teens and their 
families who have a member of their household dealing with cancer or a life-limiting illness
This is a free monthly support group and educational program. Creative projects and activities are utilized to help children access their feelings and connect with others dealing with similar situations. Supported by Hope Floats staff, families will meet together in a safe space to discuss common issues, concerns, and coping strategies. For more information contact Abby 781-585-4221 ext. 4.
Next Date: TBA
Child Loss: Bereavement Group for Parents
This group is open to any parent experiencing the loss of a child of any age. This is a peer-led support group. Peer facilitators are parents who have experienced the loss of a child and are trained by Hope Floats as volunteer peer facilitators.
Child Loss Support Group 1
Mondays, 4:00- 5:30 pm in the Wellness Barn: 6/24, 7/8, 7/22, 9/16, 9/30, (no group on Columbus Day), 10/28, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9
Winter/Spring 2025: 1/6, 1/20, 2/3, 2/17, 3/3, 3/17, 3/31, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12, 5/26, 6/9, 6/23, 7/7, 7/21
Child Loss Support Group 2:
Mondays, 5:30- 7:00 pm in the Wellness Barn: 6/17, 7/1, 7/15, 7/29, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16
Winter/Spring 2025: 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, 5/19, 6/2, 6/16, 6/30, 7/14, 7/28
Child Loss Support Group 3 (For parents who have lost children to suicide):
Mondays, 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Main House: 6/17, 7/1, 7/15, 7/29, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16
Winter/Spring 2025: 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, 5/19, 6/2, 6/16, 6/30, 7/14, 7/28
Registration is required. Contact Liz McKenna, 781-585-4221 ext 7
Small Footprints: Bereavement Group for parents who have lost a child from birth to age 12
Tuesdays, 7:00 -8:30 pm (Zoom): 11/5, 11/19, 12/3, 12/17. Registration is required. Please contact Abby, 781-585-4221 ext 4.
Pregnancy Loss: Bereavement Support Group for Parents
This group is open to any parent experiencing the loss of a child at any stage of pregnancy. This is a peer-led support group that will meet via Zoom. Peer facilitators are parents who have experienced the loss of a child and are trained by Hope Floats as volunteer peer facilitators.
Tuesdays, bi-weekly (5 weeks) on Zoom, 7:00 - 8:30 pm: 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 11/26, 12/10.
Registration is required. Contact Abby, 781-585-4221 ext. 4.
Pregnancy After Loss Support Group
Pregnancy after loss can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. Our Pregnancy After Loss Support Group welcomes any parents embarking on this journey. This group will be a safe space for families to connect and feel supported throughout their pregnancy. This group will meet via Zoom bi-weekly on Tuesdays from 8-9pm. 2024 Dates TBD
Registration is required. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 ext 4.
Overdose & Substance Abuse Child Loss: Bereavement Group for Parents
This group is open to any parent experiencing the loss of a child of any age to an overdose or substance abuse. This is a peer-led support group. Peer facilitators are parents who have experienced the loss of a child and are trained by Hope Floats as volunteer peer facilitators
Tuesdays, 5:30- 7:00 pm in the Living Room of the Main House: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 11/26, 12/10
Winter/Spring 2025: 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29, 5/13, 5/27, 6/10, 6/24, 7/8, 7/22
Registration is required. Contact Liz McKenna 781-585-4221 ext 7.
Fragile Hearts Grief Support Group
This group is to help neurodivergent members of the community with special needs with coping skills and a safe space to discuss life-limiting diagnosis or loss of a loved one. Caregivers are welcome to join the group members. Please let our staff know during the intake if any special accommodations are necessary. Registration is required.
For more information or to register, please call at 781-585-4221.
Ongoing Suicide Loss: Bereavement Group
This group is for anyone who is experiefncing the loss of a loved one to suicide, excluding parents, please see Child Loss 3 group. This is a peer-led support group. Peer facilitators have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide and are trained by Hope Floats as volunteer peer facilitators.
Mondays 6:00 -7:30 pm in the Living Room of the Main House: 6/24, 7/8, 7/22, 9/16, 9/30, (no group on Columbus Day), 10/28, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9
Winter/Spring 2025: 1/6, 1/20, 2/3, 2/17, 3/3, 3/17, 3/31, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12, 5/26, 6/9, 6/23, 7/7, 7/21
Registration is required. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 ext 7.
Just for Dads: Support Group for Dads who have Lost a Child
This group is just for dads who are experiencing the loss of a child of any age. This is a peer-led support group. Peer facilitators are dads who have experienced the loss of a child and are trained by Hope Floats as volunteer peer facilitator.
Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Living Room of the Main House: 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/21, 12/5, 12/19
Registration is required. Contact Liz McKenna 781-585-4221 ext 7
Sibling Loss: For Young Adults Support Group
This support group is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a sibling. This group provides a safe and appropriate space to feel supported, find positive coping strategies, and begin to process feelings of grief.
Wednesdays once a month, 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Living Room of the Main House: 9/18, 10/16, 11/13, 12/11, 1/22, 2/19, 3/19, 4/16, 5/14, 6/18, 7/16.
Registration is required. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 ext 8 or 9.
Partner or Spouse Loss: Bereavement Group
This group is for anyone experiencing the loss of a spouse or partner. This is a peer-led support group. Peer facilitators have experienced the loss of a partner or spouse and are trained by Hope Floats as volunteer peer facilitators.
Evening Partner or Spouse Loss Group:
Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 PM in the Living Room of the Main House.
Next group (6 week session): 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10
Registration is required. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 ext 8 or 9.
Daytime Partner or Spouse Loss Group:
Thursdays, 10:30 AM - 12 PM in the Living Room of the Main House.
Current Summer Group (6-week session):
6/20, 6/27, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1.
Registration is closed for this group. Please call to register for the next group.
Next group (8-week session): 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17.
Registration is required. Please contact 781-585-4221 ext 8 or 9.
LGBTQ+ Partner or Spouse Loss Group
It’s not unusual for grievers to feel disconnected from the world around them, but for LGBTQ+ grief and loss, a lack of disconnect can result in increased seclusion and isolation. While the issues faced in grief can be different for everyone, what every grieving person needs is the feeling of validation, acceptance and support. This group is designed to focus not only on the importance of support, but of finding the RIGHT support. Connecting with others who understand who we are and where we’ve been can help heal the pain of loss.
This group is open to any member of the LGBTQ+ community who have experienced the loss of a partner/spouse. This is a peer-led support group. Peer facilitators have experienced the loss of a partner or spouse and are trained by Hope Floats as volunteer peer facilitators.
Saturdays 2024: Dates/Time TBD
Registration is required. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 ext 8 or 9.
Parent Loss for Adults Group
This group is for adults who have lost a parent or primary caregiver. This group is led by our Program Manager, Heather Gray.
Parent Loss Support Group 1
Tuesdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm in the Wellness Barn: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 11/26, 12/10
Winter/Spring 2025: 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29, 5/13, 5/27, 6/10, 6/24, 7/8, 7/22
Parent Loss Support Group 2
Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the Wellness Barn: 6/24, 7/8, 7/22, 9/16, 9/30, (no group on Columbus Day), 10/28, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9
Winter/Spring 2025: 1/6, 1/20, 2/3, 2/17, 3/3, 3/17, 3/31, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12, 5/26, 6/9, 6/23, 7/7, 7/21
Parent Loss Support Group 3
Wednesdays once a month, 6:00 - 7:30 PM: 7/10, 7/24, 8/14.
Registration is required. Contact Heather Gray 781-585-4221 ext. 2.
Friend Loss: Bereavement Group
This support group is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a friend. This group provides a safe and appropriate space to feel supported, find positive coping strategies, and begin to process feelings of grief.
Tuesdays, bi-weekly (6-weeks), 5:00 - 6:30 pm: 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 11/26, 12/10 in the Art Studio of the Main House
Registration is required. Contact Sean or Britta at 781-585-4221 ext 8 or 9.
Day-long Support Retreats
These day long retreats are offered multiple times throughout the year. Retreats are specific to mothers/parents who have lost children, those affected by suicide loss, people dealing with cancer and other illness, and a retreat for caregivers. In the past we have also held special Mother's day retreats and retreats for military family members.
Offerings may include meditation, mindful stretching and breathing exercises, yoga, group discussion and mini-healing treatments given by our certified and talented practitioners. Treatment offerings include Reiki, Healing Touch, chair massage and more. Participants also are able to explore the peaceful grounds and enjoy a wonderful lunch. This retreat is an opportunity for self-care and meet others who dealing with similar situations.
Holistic Cancer Retreat
If you have recently been impacted by a cancer diagnosis, please join us at Hope Floats for a day of rest and renewal created especially for you. Enjoy a gentle yoga class, group support, a nourishing noon meal as well as varied holistic treatments. Our gifted practitioners, facilitators and volunteers will offer you a nurturing space to find an oasis of comfort and ease as you navigate this challenging time. (As we want to make sure you are able to fully participate and enjoy this day of support, if you are currently undergoing treatment, please obtain a signed letter of permission from your doctor). This group led by trained Hope Floats peer volunteer facilitators. Next date TBA. Contact Liz McKenna 781-585-4221
Retreat for Parents who have are dealing with the loss of a child
Please join us for a relaxing and healing retreat just for parents who have lost children. Relax with meditation, stretching & breathing exercises and mini-healing treatments given by our certified and talented practitioners. There is also time for group discussions, exploring the peaceful grounds and labyrinth and a nourishing lunch. This retreat is an opportunity to take care of yourself and meet other moms. We gain so much from sharing and being with others who understand the difficult road we are on. This group led by trained Hope Floats peer volunteer facilitators. Next date TBA. Contact Liz McKenna 781-585-4221
Grief Workshops
We offer occasional workshops on grief and coping with the holidays.
Hope Floats Counseling Team
Rita Burpee, RN, LICSW
Maureen Walsh, RN, LICSW
Meaghan Hayes, LICSW
Alice Kearney, LMHC
Hope Floats is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity offering educational support & wellness services.
Hope Floats is an independent bereavement center and all funding comes from grants, fundraisers and private donations.