Hope Full Holidays Offers Support During Holiday Season

The holiday season, for many, means extended time with family members and other joyous traditions.

Conversely, many people experience grief.

“For some, traditions will never be the same or ‘family’ has changed in fundamental ways. For others, the joy and festivities all around them are a painful contrast to what they feel on the inside,” said Amy Stapleton, the manager of bereavement services at Chesapeake Life Center. “At Hope Full Holidays, we will acknowledge the grief, look at strategies for navigating the holidays while grieving, and share how rituals and creative expressions can help.”

Hope Full Holidays is a program through Hospice of the Chesapeake, and there are two dates and locations this year: November 17 at the Chesapeake Life Center in Largo and December 8 at the Hospice of the Chesapeake location on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus in Pasadena.

New this year at the Largo location is a family-centered workshop aimed for those with children ages 6 and older.

“Grief can be isolating, especially during the holidays when it can feel as if everyone and everything around you, from TV commercials to store aisles and holiday music, is celebratory,” Stapleton said. “The reality is that many people are grieving, and the holiday season is one more reminder of what has changed and will never be the same.”

Hope Full Holidays is a three-hour interactive workshop led by bereavement counselors and volunteers from The Chesapeake Life Center. It is geared toward those grieving this holiday season, no matter how long, recent or the type of loss.
“Hope Full Holidays is a program where we acknowledge grief and sadness, rather than simply ask people to ‘power through it’ and discuss what might help during the holiday season,” Stapleton said.

The November 17 workshop will be held at the Chesapeake Life Center, located at 9500 Medical Center Drive, Suite 250, in Largo. It will be held from 10:00am to 1:00pm. The cost is $15 per family.

The December 8 workshop will be held on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus at 90 Ritchie Highway in Pasadena. It will be held from 9:30am to 12:30pm. The cost is $15 per person.

Both sessions include a light breakfast, resources and handouts. To register for either event, call 1-888-501-7077.