Support & Education Groups

Many grieving people take comfort and feel supported by joining a bereavement group. Hospice of the Bluegrass offers a number of support groups through out the year. The groups offered at each office are listed below. If a support group does not meet your needs, please contact us to arrange for an individual appointment.

Lexington Office

For additional information or to register for a group please call (859) 277-2700

Most events require pre-registration, and are held at the Center for Grief and Education, 2312 Alexandria Drive, unless otherwise noted.

  • Monthly: Survivors of Suicide. First and third Tuesday of the month, from 6:00-7:30pm, for adults affected by the loss of someone by suicide. Contact: Martin Weinstock
  • Monthly: Grief 101. First Wednesday of the month, 5:30–7:00pm, a monthly drop in class for the newly bereaved. Contact: Martin Weinstock
  • April 16- May 21: Parent Loss Support Group: Mondays, 6-7:30p.m., a five-week support group for individuals who have experienced the loss of a parent. Contact Lexington office (859) 277-2700 for more information or to register.
  • April 26: Scrap booking Workshop: Thursday, 6 p.m., A workshop designed for individuals who have experienced loss of someone significant in their life. Create and make your own memory page. Contact Lexington (859) 277-2700 office for more information or to register.
  • May 22, 29 & June 5-19: Spouse Loss Support Group: Tuesdays, 6-7:30p.m., a five-week support group for individuals who have
    experienced the loss of a spouse or significant other. Contact Lexington office (859) 277-2700 for more information or to register.
  • June 12: Community Memorial Gathering: Tuesday, 6:30p.m; Hospice of the Bluegrass, Education Rm, Center for Grief & Education. Details to be announced later.
  • July 25, 26 and 28: Healing Hooves: A three-day program that will incorporate the use of horses to help facilitate the grieving process for Kentucky children and teenagers. For more information call (800) 876-6005 or email bgordon@hospicebg.org
  • August 1- 29: SIDS/ Infant Loss Support Group: Wednesdays, 6-7:30p.m., A five-week support group for those who have experienced the loss of a baby. Contact Lexington (859) 277-2700 office for more information or to register.
  • September 7- September 9: Camp Echo/ Hope: A weekend retreat for children, ages 6 to 12, who have experienced the death of a loved one within the past two years. Cathedral Domain, Irvine, Kentucky: Registration deadline August 31, 2012. For more information or to obtain a registration packet contact: Martin Weinstock (859) 277-2700.
  • School groups: as requested by Fayette County Schools.

Community Groups meeting at the Bluegrass Center for Grief in Fayette County:

  • Compassionate Friends - A support group for parents who have experienced the death of a child. Meets on the 1st Tuesday each month at 6:30 pm. Contact Suzie McDonald (859) 296-9116 or Janie Fields at (859) 881-1991. For more information about the local chapter of Compassionate Friends, visit their website or write to P.O. Box 647 Nicholasville, KY 40340.
  • Perinatal Loss Grief Group - A group for parents who have experienced loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. Contact Debbie Mueller at 260-6904.
  • Heart to Heart - A peer led group for those who have attended a spouse loss group. Meets the last Tuesday each month from 6:30-8:00pm

Jessamine Office

Bereavement groups and presentations are available upon request. For more information on groups offered at our Jessamine County office, call 859-887-2696.

  • Monthly: Grief 101. First Wednesday of the month,1:00-2:30pm. A monthly drop-in class for the newly bereaved, at the Jessamine County Office. Contact: Tiffany Estepp-Hurst
  • May 10, 17 & June 7, 14: Parent Loss Support Group: Thursdays, 6-7:30p.m., a four-week support group for individuals who have experienced the loss of a parent. Contact: Tiffany Estepp-Hurst for more information or to register.
  • School Groups: as requested by Jessamine County Schools.

Frankfort Office

These groups are open to anyone in the community. For more information, call 502-223-1744 or 1-800-926-1302.

The Frankfort Office is now located on Teton Trail.

  • General Grief Support Group for Adults
    2nd Tuesday of the month
    6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
    Woodford County Library
    115 North Main Street, Versailles
    Contact Peggy J. Williams, CSW at 223-1744
  • General Grief Support Group for Adults
    4th Thursday of the month
    3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
    Frankfort Office
    643 Teton Trail, Frankfort
    Contact Peggy J. Williams, CSW at 223-1744
  • Spouse Loss Support Group for Adults
    3rd Monday of the month
    5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
    Frankfort Office
    643 Teton Trail, Frankfort
    Contact Peggy J. Williams, CSW at 223-1744
  • Parent Loss Support Group for Adults
    4th Tuesday of the month
    5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
    Frankfort Office
    643 Teton Trail, Frankfort
    Contact Melinda Simpson, LCSW at 223-1744
  • Grief 101 for Adults
    A drop-in class covering topics including normal grief responses, impact of grief on the family & self care while grieving
    1st Thursday of the month
    5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
    Frankfort Office
    643 Teton Trail, Frankfort
    Contact Melinda Simpson, LCSW at 223-1744
  • Caregiver Support Group
    2nd Thursday of the month
    5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
    Franklin County Senior Citizens Center
    202 Medical Heights Drive, Frankfort
    Call Susan Johnson, LCSW at 223-1744

Cynthiana Office

  • Contact: Mary McKenzie, ACSW at (859) 234-6462 for information about support groups in the Cynthiana area.

Northern Kentucky Office

Contact MICHELLE WILLIAMS 800-200-5408 or
859-441-6332 for more information on programs in our Northern Kentucky Office

Most events require pre-registration and are held at the Hospice of the Bluegrass- Northern Kentucky Office, 7388 Turfway Road, Florence, KY, unless otherwise noted.

  • April 2, 16 & 30: Circle of Women: Mondays, 6-8p.m., a three-week support group to address the needs of women who are learning to cope with the death of their mothers. Women of all ages will have an opportunity to reach out for support and guidance through the grieving process to foster self-discovery, hope and healing. Contact: Marshae Amarante, LPAT, ATR-BC mamarante@hospicebg.org at the Northern KY Office.
  • April 12 & April 26: C.R.E.A.T.E. Teen Support Program: Thursdays, 6:30-8:30p.m., a support program for teens, ages 13 to 18, dealing with the death of a parent. The program is designed to offer peer support, acceptance and understanding to foster coping and healing. Dinner provided. Contact: Marshae Amarante, LPAT, ATR-BC mamarante@hospicebg.org at the Northern KY Office.
  • April 30: Adult Child Loss Support Group: Mondays, 6-7:30p.m., a group for those who are learning to cope with the loss of an adult child. Education and techniques for self-care will be introduced. Contact: Pat Town, MSW, CSW at ptown@hospicebg.org for more information.
  • May 10 & May 24: C.R.E.A.T.E. Teen Support Program: Thursdays, 6:30-8:30p.m., a support program for teens, ages 13 to 18, dealing with the death of a parent. The program is designed to offer peer support, acceptance and understanding to foster coping and healing. Dinner provided. Contact: Marshae Amarante, LPAT, ATR-BC mamarante@hospicebg.org at the Northern KY Office.
  • May 21: Creatively Speaking Family Workshop: Monday, 6:30-8:30p.m., a family support program designed to facilitate feeling identification and expression, open communication and to build coping skills and support. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact: Marshae Amarante, LPAT, ATR-BC mamarante@hospicebg.org at the Northern KY office.

Hazard Office

For information on support groups in our Hazard Office, please call (606) 439-2111 or (800) 560-1101.

  • Weekly: Grief 101: Each Monday, 1-2:30p.m., Hazard Hospice Office. A drop-in class for the newly bereaved. Counselors will be available to answer questions and provide information on how to better understand the grief process. Contact: Susan Houston, LCSW or Abbie Latimer, CSW
  • April 29: A Walk to Remember: Sunday, 2 p.m., a Memorial Walk dedicated to parents and grandparents who have suffered the loss of a child regardless of age. Event will be held rain or shine. To register your family please call (606) 439-2111. To ensure your child’s name is included in the walk signage please pre-register by April 23, 2012. Contact: Jill Conway, Provider Liaison.

Harlan Office

For information on support groups in our Harlan Office, please call Janet Nantz at (606) 573-6111 or (800) 371-6112

  • April 5- April 26: Survivors of Suicide Support Group: Thursdays, 6-7p.m., a four-week session for adults affected by the loss of someone by suicide. Hospice of the Bluegrass- Mountain Heritage, Village Center, Mall, Harlan KY. Please contact: Janet Nantz, MA jnantz@hospicebg.org
  • June 30: Rapids of Life Rafting Adventure: Saturday; Open to grieving children ages 9-17 years old and their families. Meet at First Baptist Church of Middlesboro. Contact: Janet Nantz, Grief Counselor, jnantz@hospicebg.org
  • June/ July: Memorial Service: Saturday, Belly County. Details to be announced later.
  • Monthly: Grief 101: Third Tuesday of each month, 6-7 p.m., Bell County Public Library - Pineville, Kentucky. A monthly drop-in class for the newly bereaved. Please contact Janet Nantz, MA at (606) 573-6111.

Corbin

For information on support groups in our Corbin Office, please call (606) 523-3090 or (877) 807-3011.

  • April 2- April 30: Survivors of Suicide: Mondays, 6-7 p.m., a four-week support group for adults affected by the loss of someone by suicide. Contact: Monica Mefford, CSW mmefford@hospicebg.org at the Corbin Office.

  • May 7: Mother Loss Support Group: Monday, 6-7 p.m., a one- time support group providing emotional support, grief education, and specific education on preparation for Mother’s Day. The group will be providing scrap booking therapeutic art activities and
    participants are encouraged to bring pictures and mementos to create a scrapbook about their mother and special bond between mother and child. Contact: Monica Mefford, CSW; Corbin Hospice of the Bluegrass (606) 523-3090. Please RSVP by May 4, 2012.

Pikeville

For information on support groups in our Pikeville Office, please call 606-437-3700 or 877-807-3054. Please contact DeLora Holbrook MSW, at the Pikeville Office for current groups and classes.