Support Groups
Our Support Services are offered free of charge; registration is required for all support groups. No walk-ins, please. All groups are in-person only (with the exception of the pregnancy loss support group).
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
Mike's Club Academic Year Programs
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. Pizza dinner will be served. For more information contact Abby Hennigan 781-585-4221 ext. 4 or Heather Gray ext. 2.
Next Family Night: Dates TBA
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 Liz McKenna 781-585-4221 ext. 7.
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: 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 11/27, 12/11
Child Loss Support Group 2:
Mondays, 5:30- 7:00 pm in the Living Room of the Main House: 9/11, 9/25, 10/9 (tentative-Columbus Day), 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18
Child Loss Support Group 3 (For parents who have lost children to suicide):
Mondays, 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Wellness Barn: 9/11, 9/25, 10/9 (tentative-Columbus Day), 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18
Registration is required. Contact Liz McKenna, 781-585-4221 ext 7
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: 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14, 11/28, 12/12
Registration is required. Contact Liz McKenna 781-585-4221 ext 7
Ongoing Suicide Loss: Bereavement Group
This group is for anyone who is experiencing 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.
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: 9/14, 9/28, 10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/23-No Group/Thanksgiving, 12/7, 12/21
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: 9/20, 10/18, 11/29, 12/20
Registration is required. Contact Heather Gray or Abby Hennigan 781-585-4221
Pregnancy, Infant and Toddler Loss: Bereavement Group for Parents
This group is open to any parent experiencing the loss of a child at any stage of pregnancy or the death of an infant or toddler. 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.
Wednesdays (Zoom), 6 – 7:30 pm: Dates TBA
Registration is required. Contact Abby Hennigan 781-585-4221 ext. 4.
Partner or Spouse Loss: Bereavement Group
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 Debbie Stallions.
Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 PM in the Living Room of the Main House. Next session: (6 weeks) 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12
Daytime Partner or Spouse Loss Group:
Thursdays, 10:30 AM - 12 PM in the Living Room of the Main House. Next session: (8 weeks) 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9
This group is led by peer-facilitators.
Registration is required. Please contact Abby Hennigan 781-585-4221 ext. 4.
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: 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14, 11/28, 12/12
Parent Loss Support Group 2
Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the Wellness Barn: 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 11/27, 12/11
Registration is required. Contact Heather Gray or Abby Hennigan 781-585-4221
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.