Drew Michael Taylor Foundation

Registration is open for the Fall 2024 Drew's Hope family grief support program held in Shippensburg, PA on Monday evenings from Sept. 30-Nov. 25. All families must pre-register (preferred by 9/23 so we can have enough volunteers ready to help). For more information, you can visit www.drewmichaeltaylor.org and look under the Drew's Hope tab. *There is a Spanish-speaking group as part of our program this semester too. Please contact us if you need a flyer in Spanish to send to interested families.

It always surprises us that people think a griever “gets over” their loss after a certain period of time, like after the funeral or after a year, etc. When you love someone, you love them forever. Just like our nation will never forget 9/11 and all of the beautiful lives lost on that tragic day, grievers will never forget their loved ones either. Please don’t put a time limit on their grief. Sit with them, listen and remember with them as you validate, support and encourage them along the lifelong grief journey. They’ll appreciate that.

What a powerful evening spent on campus in support of Shippensburg University students who are remembering a beloved pet. They loved hanging out with our therapy dog friends, Archie and Daisy, while creating some wonderful picture frames. Thanks to our friends Lenny and Sharan for bringing your beautiful dogs and thanks to the Wellness Center for collaborating with us!

If you know an SU student that could benefit from this workshop, please send them to the CUB tonight for a special remembrance activity!

Today is . The NACG honors the memory of grandparents who have died, while also recognizing the grandparents who have supported and stepped into the role of raising their grandchildren who are grieving.

If you are a Grandparent looking for resources to best support a child while navigating new roles, you can view and download the NACG's Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Toolkit here: https://adobe.ly/3fjvTUz.

Join us tonight as we participate in this important awareness event.

Join Franklin/Fulton Drug & Alcohol for a Candlelight Vigil in observance of Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, August 31 at 6 p.m. at the Franklin County Courthouse.

We are proud to be a member of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief.

NACG Childhood Bereavement PSA This is "NACG Childhood Bereavement PSA" by NACG (ChildrenGrieve.org) on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Today is National Grief Awareness Day where everyone is encouraged to learn more about grief and how to support grievers. The WPSU Grief page is a great place to start!

Grief is overwhelming.

When you’re supporting someone who is grieving, keep in mind that your person is carrying a heavy load. Try to have patience and compassion if they don’t respond to your texts or calls or if they don’t acknowledge something you did to help them. It’s not that your support doesn’t matter—it does, probably more than you’ll ever know. But, they may not have the energy to communicate.

For more, visit: https://speakinggrief.org

Speaking Grief is produced by WPSU with philanthropic support from the New York Life Foundation.

We have this book in our Grief and Loss Lending Library available for community use! There are many great suggestions for supporting a grieving friend.

This image comes from Dr. Wolfelt’s newest book “Stay for the Cup of Coffee” which is available now!

Order here: https://www.centerforloss.com/bookstore/stay-for-the-cup-of-coffee/

A good article from our friends at the Dougy Center.

Children and teens spend the majority of their time at school, and they take their grief with them when they go. For some, returning to school is comforting. They find support in the structure, familiarity, connections with friends, and the opportunity to focus on something other than grief. For others, it can be a challenging venture that brings additional stress, uncertainty, and worry.
View and download our full tipsheet athttps://www.dougy.org/assets/uploads/Back-to-School-with-Grief_2024-08-26-205015_vhbh.pdf

What a wonderful program! If you know a senior that could benefit from this program, please reach out to the Mental Health Association.

📞 Senior Reach: Connecting with Our Seniors 💛

Do you know a senior who could use a friendly voice each week? Our Senior Reach program is here to help combat loneliness and isolation by making weekly phone calls to seniors in our community.

A simple conversation can make a world of difference. If you or someone you know could benefit from this free program, we’d love to connect!

📞 For more information, please call: 717-264-4301

Let’s support our seniors and make sure they feel connected and valued. 💬🤗

As many in the Shippensburg community are seeking grief support resources to help themselves through this time of grief and helping many grieving children and teens, this link to the "Our House" organization downloadable resources might come in handy.

Grief Support Resources - OUR HOUSE Grief Pages OUR HOUSE provides grief support resources for everyone from children to teens to adults. You can also download them as PDFs to keep them as references.

If you’re supporting a grieving friend, following the WPSU Grief page will offer lots of helpful ideas. Locally, the Drew Michael Taylor Foundation can also provide resources and support.

One of the most shocking things people experience in the wake of a loss is that, while their world has been flipped upside down, everyone else’s keeps turning.

The bills still need to be paid. The garbage still needs to go out. The kids still need to be dropped off at school.

This disconnect can be jarring and can add to the pain and isolation of grief.

When you’re supporting someone who is grieving, anything you can do to help with the demands of daily life can ease their burden as they struggle to find equilibrium.

So, if you’re able, offer to do their laundry, clean their house, w**d their garden, walk their dog—these seemingly small tasks can make a huge difference.

For more, visit: https://speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief/supporting-grief/how-to-offer-support

Speaking Grief is produced by WPSU with philanthropic support from the New York Life Foundation.

Our colleagues at WPSU Grief offer many great tips for supporting a griever!

When you are showing up and supporting your grieving person, be careful not to interpret a smile, laugh, or some other indication of happiness as a sign that their grief is “done.” It’s not. Try to make it safe for them by recognizing that the joy can be part of the grief experience.

Good insight!

If you are supporting grieving students this year, here is an insightful resource. At our Drew’s Hope Grief Center, we have other resources for those types of of support. Reach out if you want to learn more!

This is from a wonderful book that we have available in our Drew Michael Taylor Foundation grief and loss lending library in Shippensburg. If you are trying to support a grieving friend, but don't know where to start, "Stay For A Cup of Coffee" by Alan Wolfelt offers lots of practical suggestions like this one.

This image comes from Dr. Wolfelt’s newest book “Stay for the Cup of Coffee” which is available now!
Order here: https://www.centerforloss.com/bookstore/stay-for-the-cup-of-coffee/

One of our bereaved dads has an album coming out and he’s released the first song! Thanks for allowing us to walk with you on the difficult grief journey! What a powerful way to work through the many emotions that come along the way.

Link in comments! 👇
Serpentine, the first single from Fallen Angel, is now available on all major streaming platforms! This was the last song I wrote for the album and also the most difficult to put to music. Coming late in the grief story (track 6 of 8), Serpentine details a long period where I was no longer a dysfunctional wreck, but I wasn’t exactly happy either…and the times I DID feel joy were often accompanied by intense guilt. I also had a fear of forgetting; in the present everything seems clear, but grief and the passage of time can ravage your memory. Did I spend enough time thinking about him? What if I forget what he was really like? Am I allowed to feel happy after everything that happened? Is that healing, or am I a horrible human being? For a long time, thoughts of my precious baby boy coiled around my heart and soul like a snake; this is Serpentine. Full album out 8/24/24…

Aunts and uncles can play significant roles in our lives, often becoming a confidant, mentor, and source of support. On National Aunts and Uncles Day, the NACG holds space for those grieving the loss of their aunts and uncles. 💙

Today, on National Cousins Day, the NACG is thinking of those who have experienced the loss of a cousin. This day can serve as a reminder that our cousins are not just our family but often our closest friends. Remember it's okay to feel a mix of emotions and to give yourself space today if you need it. 💙