Rainbow Hospice-Bereavement-Widowed Support Services

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WIDOWED SUPPORT SERVICES of Rainbow Hospice

Becoming widowed at any age can present difficulties for people who find themselves single in a couple-oriented society. Often, they must cope with changes in social life, family relationships, unfamiliar financial and legal matters, and housing. At the same time they must deal with the emotional reactions of sadness, guilt, loneliness, fear and apprehension, anger or resentment, and a loss of identity and self-esteem.

Widowed Support Services Information

Rainbow Hospice Bereavement Support offers support groups for widowed persons, an educational newsletter and materials that focus on grief.

The Widowed Support Group is an ongoing group which addresses the losses faced by widowed persons.
Group meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00-8:30 pm.
Facilitators: Kathleen Cullen-Conway, LCSW
Rev. Jerry Frens, Chaplain
Rainbow Hospice Bereavement Counselors

The Younger Widowed Support Group focuses on earlier life issues, which may include being widowed at a young age and/or parenting children through various life stages.
Group meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:00-8:30 pm
Facilitator: Geri Sztuk, LCSW
Rainbow Hospice Bereavement Counselor

Widowed Persons Services Information

The Widowed Persons Service (WPS)
is a part of the Grief and Loss Program of AARP. Locally, the Chicagoland Widowed Persons Service began in June 1992. WPS offers an outreach program in which trained widowed volunteers lead programs and provide support to newly widowed persons in over 230 communities nationwide. This includes one to one outreach phone calls and visits to newly widowed persons, a support group, educational events, monthly dinners and brunches, annual summer picnic and Holiday Potluck dinner. Volunteer training is offered periodically. Call Rainbow Hospice Bereavement Support at (847) 692-8884 for further information.

Life Transitions Support Group serves persons who, as a general guideline, have been widowed one to three years.
Group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month,
7:00-8:30 pm.
Facilitator: Georgiana Duffy, WPS Volunteer

The WPS Gatherings
WPS Volunteers staff these gatherings. All widowed persons are invited to attend the dinners and brunch.

Dinners:
New Silver Stallion, 1275 Lee St., Des Plaines
First Monday of every month, 6:30 pm
Contact: Susan Hofmeister at (847) 634-6345 or
Sue Schulz at (773) 283-2341
For widowed persons and those who were widowed and are now remarried.

Old Country Buffet, 8780 W. Dempster, Niles
Second Friday of every month, 6:30 pm
Contact: Ruth Baum at (847) 965-4634 or
Ellie Hankin at (773) 774-4647

Brunch:
Allie’s Restaurant, 6155 River Rd., Rosemont
Fourth Sunday of every month, 10:00 am.
Allie’s is located inside the Marriott. Please meet in the lobby. Three hours of free parking will be validated for members of this group.
Contact: Pegge Ferris at (847) 696-0456 or
Maggie McNamara at (847) 256-9318

Transitions Dinner: For location, date, and time, Contact: Susan Hofmeister at (847) 634-6345.