This group is open to anyone experiencing the loss of a spouse or partner. This group is led by a peer-facilitator, Gary Sturgis and our Program Manager, Heather Gray. Thursdays, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5.

Registration is required. Contact Heather Gray at 781-585-4221 ext. 2.

Surviving: Finding Your Way from Grief to Healing Workshop

Gary Sturgis, Tuesday March 17, 1-3 pm

Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center, 4 Elm Street, Kingston, MA 02364

Fee: Free, Registration required

REGISTER HERE

After the death of his spouse, Gary Sturgis thought there was no possibility of ever feeling joyful or happy again. His life had changed and he was in a very dark place. But over time, he progressed through his grief journey and eventually began to experience light and happy moments. He was healing, and today he is a survivor. You can be a survivor too! In this special Workshop, Gary throws you a “life preserver” if you’re drowning in your grief. He knows first-hand the intense feelings of pain and sadness after the death of a loved one. He allowed himself to experience those emotions and came to realize they wouldn’t last forever.

Gary uses his own path to healing as a reference, together with lessons learned as a health-care professional and grief specialist to help others find their own way to healing after a loss. He will take you through the physical and emotional effects of grief, helping you to navigate its difficult aspects while teaching you to recover during the process.

Gary will share his own personal stories, offering helpful advice and reassuring guidance, so you can learn new ways to honor your loved one by finding your own way from grief to healing.

In-person workshop – Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (6 week session)
Starts: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 9:00 am through April 13
Instructor:  Laura Tryon Jennings, CAGs

Fee: $198 (plus $28 supply fee)

Tap into an extraordinary resource: the vibrant, vital force of your own creative character in a nurturing, encouraging, and safe environment and discover your distinctive path to oil painting. You only need bring the willingness to give up any attachment to feeling you have no talent or creativity. The focus of this workshop is to enjoy the creative experience and self-nurturing qualities oil painting can provide to your soul. It offers a unique blend of learning the basics of oil painting materials, foundations of color theory, color mixing, composition and working with the flow of the creative process to awaken creative spirit, remember playfulness, and open a fuller expression of authentic self by nurturing your essence. Artist Jennings approaches teaching each student individually, so they can paint freely, at their own level, and paint a subject (landscape, still life, portrait, abstract, interior, etc. from life and/or from a photograph) befitting their skills and needs. The workshop can be used as a vehicle for expression, playing with paint, learning the techniques of oil painting, and/or to have instructional oil painting, which means you truly can be a beginner, intermediate, or simply get a feel for oil painting. All supplies will be provided or bring your own supplies if you prefer.

For students who have absolutely no background in painting and desire instructional painting, I recommend one or two private classes with me before jumping into a six-week session. If this isn’t feasible, I ask for patience, particularly on the first day, and encourage you to contact me with your email and phone # so I can connect with you at least one week before class. (LTryonJennings@gmail.com, 781-837-7982 landline)

All supplies will be provided or bring your own supplies if you prefer. There is a 12-student maximum. No Credits or Refunds

A 6 CE workshop for social service professionals, educators, and members of the community

Saturday, March 5th 2022, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Workshop cost with 6 CE credits: $175   –   Workshop cost without CE credits: $129 ~REGISTER HERE

Workshop facilitated by Maureen Walsh, NP, FT and Erin Hourahan, LICSW

Registration deadline 3/2/22. Cancellations made before 2/28/22 will be fully refunded. No refunds after 2/28/22.  Certificates of completion will be mailed to participants after fully attending all six hours of this workshop and completion of workshop evaluations.  For more information contact us 781-585-4221 ext.3 or at info@hopefloatswellness.org

Find more information on our training page

Join author, speaker and sound meditation guide Andrea Courey for this wonderfully relaxing virtual workshop. Sound Meditation sessions combine instruments such as crystal bowls, chimes, rattles and drums and recorded vibrational music with Andrea’s gentle facilitation and guidance. Participants receive the immediate benefit of the music and frequencies as well as an hour of deep, peaceful guided meditation. Positive effects may include reduction of insomnia and anxiety, increased energy and sense of well-being and more. You will be sent a zoom link prior to class.

Fee: $10
REGISTER HERE

For more information contact us at 781-585-4221 or email denise@hopefloatswellness.org

Aine Greaney, February 12 and 26, 10-11:15am

Fee: $40 REGISTER HERE

Hope Floats is thrilled to host author Aine Greaney for this 2-part, virtual workshop! This workshop will inspire you to get and keep writing for your everyday wellness, recovery and self-empowerment.

Emotional or expressive writing is not about being a “good” or “clever” writer. Instead, it’s about using writing as part of your self-care toolbox. Since the early 1980’s, over 300 clinical studies have shown the psychological and physical benefits of emotional or expressive writing.

The sessions will include brief, opening meditations, teaching and discussion, fun writing prompts, in session writing exercises and optional sharing. Between sessions, participants will be given guidelines for starting their practice.

Perfect for beginners, reluctant writers and anyone who wants to explore writing and journaling as a route to self-reflection and connection or as a way to plan for next life steps.

No Credits or Refunds. Registration fee does not include the event platform fee from constant contact. *Please note, that this workshop is offered via zoom.

Parenting While Grieving: Supporting a Child Grieving the Death of a Parent
Tools & Strategies that Help Families Cope with Loss

During these interactive group meetings we will explore the impact of loss on children, developmental understanding of grief and loss, and strategies for dealing with the challenges of parenting while grieving. We will practice the essential parenting skills of listening, expressing, problem-solving and setting limits within the context of a grieving family. This is an eight-week series.

March 8th 2022, and end on April 26th 2022, 7:00 – 8:30. There is no cost to this series, but the space is limited. REGISTER HERE

We expect a commitment to all eight sessions, as each week’s theme is integral to the next week’s theme.

Facilitated by Deborah Rivlin and Heather Gray

In-person workshop – Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (6 week session)
Starts: Wednesday, January 12, 2022 9:00 am through February 23
Instructor:  Laura Tryon Jennings, CAGs

Fee: $198 (plus $25 supply fee)

Tap into an extraordinary resource: the vibrant, vital force of your own creative character in a nurturing, encouraging, and safe environment and discover your distinctive path to oil painting. You only need bring the willingness to give up any attachment to feeling you have no talent or creativity. The focus of this workshop is to enjoy the creative experience and self-nurturing qualities oil painting can provide to your soul. It offers a unique blend of learning the basics of oil painting materials, foundations of color theory, color mixing, composition and working with the flow of the creative process to awaken creative spirit, remember playfulness, and open a fuller expression of authentic self by nurturing your essence. Artist Jennings approaches teaching each student individually, so they can paint freely, at their own level, and paint a subject (landscape, still life, portrait, abstract, interior, etc. from life and/or from a photograph) befitting their skills and needs. The workshop can be used as a vehicle for expression, playing with paint, learning the techniques of oil painting, and/or to have instructional oil painting, which means you truly can be a beginner, intermediate, or simply get a feel for oil painting. All supplies will be provided or bring your own supplies if you prefer.

For students who have absolutely no background in painting and desire instructional painting, I recommend one or two private classes with me before jumping into a six-week session. If this isn’t feasible, I ask for patience, particularly on the first day, and encourage you to contact me with your email and phone # so I can connect with you at least one week before class. (LTryonJennings@gmail.com, 781-837-7982 landline)

All supplies will be provided or bring your own supplies if you prefer. There is a 12-student maximum. No Credits or Refunds

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. We provide a safe space where the families feel supported. Supported by Hope Floats staff families will meet together to discuss common issues, concerns, and coping strategies.

Sundays once a month, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: 9/18, 10/16, 11/13, 12/18