Support Groups and Opportunities

Below is a list of various support groups and events hosted by the trained professionals of Carolina Caring's Center for Grief and Healing.

Brighter Days Camp - For Kids and Teens (dates vary)
(Rising Hope Farms,  3775 Bethany Church Road, Claremont, NC 28610)
A day camp will be hosted at Rising Hope Farm in Claremont for children and teens, who have lost a loved one. Campers will learn that they are not alone in their grief and that their feelings are normal. Campers will have the opportunity to talk about their loss, ride horses, participate in crafts, have lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the farm with other young people. There is no cost for the event and lunch is provided. For more information call 828.466.0466 ext. 2171 or email mshoemaker@carolinacaring.org.

Ceramics/Memory-Making Class (please RSVP)
(Neill W. Clark Jr. Recreation Center. 3404 6th St. Drive NW, Hickory, NC 28601)
The arts can be a therapeutic method to express your grief, without words. Join us to paint ceramics, talk about loss and explore the connection between grief and the arts.  The process of making art allows us to express our emotions and work through them in an imaginative way while creating a remembrance to honor our loved ones. Be creative and let the process calm your mind and soothe your soul. To register, call 828.466.0466, ext. 2171 or email mshoemaker@carolinacaring.org.

Express Yourself: Crafting Series (please RSVP)
(Carolina Caring Main Campus 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658)
July 17 & 31, August 14 & 28
The arts can be a therapeutic method to express your grief, without words. Join us to participate in a variety of crafts to talk about loss and explore the connection between grief and the arts. The process of making art allows us to express our emotions and work through them in an imaginative way while creating a remembrance to honor our loved ones. Be creative and let the process calm your mind and soothe your soul. To register, call 828.466.0466, ext. 2171 or email mshoemaker@carolinacaring.org.

Game Night (please RSVP)
(Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658)
Join us for a time of socializing while we play board games and cards.  Bring your favorite cards or board game, along with your loved one’s favorite finger food to share and join in this time of getting to know others who are also on a similar path of grief. To give us an idea of how many to expect, please sign up by calling 828.466.0466 ext. 2171 or email mshoemaker@carolinacaring.org.  

Good Mourning Coffee Group (no RSVP required)
(
Atlanta Bread 1765 Catawba Valley Blvd SE, Hickory, NC 28602) or
(Panera Bread 574 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117)
These groups meet the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month from 9:00am to 10:30am
This is an informal time, located in an inviting atmosphere that allows for sharing and healing. Come sit around the tables, have a cup of coffee and meet individuals who are also on a journey of grief and healing. Drop-ins are always welcome.

Good Evening Gatherings (no RSVP required)
(Atlanta Bread, 1756 Catawba Valley Blvd SE, Hickory, NC 28602)
This group meets the 1st Tuesday of each month from 5pm to 6pm.
This is an informal time, located in an inviting atmosphere that allows for sharing and healing. Come sit around the tables, have a cup of coffee and meet individuals who are also on a journey of grief and healing. Drop-ins are always welcome.

Grief in Balance- Loss of Child Group (please register)
(Carolina Caring Main Campus 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658)
This group meets every 2nd Tuesday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Carolina Caring is offering this group for those in our communities who have lost a child, at any age, under any circumstances. This informal group, led by professional counselors who have also lost a child, will meet monthly to allow parents to express their grief in a supportive, caring space. Please consider joining us – there is no commitment, and no charge for this group. Our only request is that you call to complete a brief registration form. For more information or to register please contact Patricia Warfield at 828-466-0466 ext. 3209 or pwarfield@carolinacaring.org

GriefShare Surviving the Holidays (please RSVP)
When the holiday season approaches, it’s likely that you experience a jumble of emotions that you’ve yet to sort out. The GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays video and discussion time will help you not only to survive the holidays but also to find strength, healing and tools to move forward in your daily walk through the deep pain of grief. In the video, you will be introduced to experts and other people who have experienced the death of a loved one. These people share honestly about:

  • Coping with surprising emotions that may hit over the holidays

  • Preparing for traditions and other coming changes

  • Handling holiday parties and invitations

Loss of Spouse Group (please register) (6-week structured class)
Every Monday from November 4th to December 9th from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
(Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658) or
(Carolina Caring Palliative Medicine Clinic, 9735 Kincey Ave, Huntersville NC 28078)
Experiencing the death of a spouse can affect every part of your life. As you journey toward healing, these classes will help you begin learning coping skills, expressing feelings and meeting others on a similar path. Trained facilitators will lead the discussions and plan the activities for each group meeting. Space is limited. To register please call 828.466.0466 ext. 2171 or email mshoemaker@carolinacaring.org.

Music in the Park with Carolina Caring Staff (RSVP not required)
(Conover City Park, 361 5th Ave SE, Conover, NC 28613)
Come listen to live music July 19 at 7pm and August 10 at 5pm along with Carolina Caring Staff. Food trucks will be present. Feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on as you enjoy Conover Alive at Conover City Park. For more information please call 828.466.0466 ext. 2171 or email mshoemaker@carolinacaring.org.

Relax and De-Stress Practices (RSVP not required)
(Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658)
Classes are intended to be de-stressing and therapeutic through the use of relaxation, learning to use your breath and gentle stretching exercises.

Scrapbooking/Memory-Making Class (please RSVP)
(Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658)
The focus of the class is to allow you to be creative and design a project about your loved one to take with you. You can display memories of your loved one in your own way while processing and coping with your grief. Bring some pictures and supplies, if you have them. If you do not have any materials, we will have some available here for your use. To register, call 828.466.0466, ext. 2171 or email mshoemaker@carolinacaring.org.

Service of Remembrance and Blessing (please RSVP)
(
Corinth Reformed Church, 150 16th Ave NW, Hickory NC 28601)
Join us as we remember your loved ones and give thanks for the blessings they were in your life. The service begins at 3PM in the sanctuary, and refreshments will follow in the Althouse Room. To register, call 828.466.0466, ext. 2171 or email mshoemaker@carolinacaring.org.

Walk It Out! (no registration needed)
Exercise is good for you- but did you know that it is just as beneficial when you’re grieving? Exerting yourself not only diminishes stress and aids sleep, but it also helps with your journey through grief. We are hosting several sessions that lets us walk together and share with one another as we strengthen our bodies and heal our spirits.

If you have lost a loved one-whether a spouse, parent, child, extended family member- come join us. We will walk part of the time, talk part of the time and always find ways to help each other along the way. Hope to see you at one of our locations.

Conover Park Sept 5, 12, 19, 26 from 9AM to 10AM
361 5th Ave SE, Conover, NC 28613

Conover Park Sept 9, 16, 23, 30 from 6PM to 7PM
361 5th Ave SE, Conover, NC 28613

Beatty’s Ford Park Sept 9, 16, 23, 30 from 6PM to 7PM
8335 Shipley Ln, Denver NC 28037

Glen Hilton Park Sept 9, 16, 23, 30 from 6PM to 7PM
2000 6th St NW, Hickory, NC 28601

The Longest Night (no RSVP required)
Saturday, December 21st at 6:30
(
Concordia Lutheran Church at 216 5th Avenue SE, Conover, NC 28613)
When you have suffered a loss, sadness and grief, having a ‘Merry Christmas’ is difficult or impossible. Recognizing this is not a season of joy for everyone. Please join Concordia Lutheran Church and the Carolina Caring Bereavement department for this one-hour service of comfort and peace. For more information please call Patricia Warfield at 828.466.0466 ext. 3209 or email pwarfield@carolinacaring.org