EMBRACING HEARTS

A Place of Support

Our Philosophy

There is no "right" or "wrong" way to grieve. In trying to help parents who are mourning their loss, Embracing Hearts acknowledges the excruciating pain. That pain is part of loving. For if we had not loved, we would not be grieving. We guide parents in the grieving process and encourage them to give themselves per-mission to express their feelings. We share the sorrow. We encourage members to offer ideas and suggestions to our group. Since we all do grieve differently, we have many individual thoughts, ideas and suggestions.

Goals

ª To listen with understanding and empathy

ª To bring together bereaved parents for sharing and comfort in expressing their grief.

ª To educate the community with biannual Community Awareness projects. Since October is National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, we coordinate this part of this effort during that month.

How Embracing Hearts Formed

Embracing Hearts was founded by three women in Lycoming County who were forced to face untoward events which changed their lives forever. One of the women suffered a stillbirth and a miscarriage, one a miscarriage and a neonatal loss, and yet another lost a child to SIDS and suffered a subsequent miscarriage. One of the women advertised her desire to start this group in the local newspaper and the two others responded. They met and in discussing their misfortunes, discovered they shared similar feelings. Even though they were strangers, the women found that be listening to each other, their feelings were accepted. The women realized they were truly "okay." They wanted to give this hope to other parents coping as well. They felt a support group was needed in this area for those parents who were working through their grief. Unlike other groups in the area which also offer support to bereaved parents, Embracing Hearts is aimed at the loss of very young lives.

About Our Meeting and Its Members

We extend an invitation to join Embracing Hearts to anyone who has experienced the loss of a young child whether it be from miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death (prematurity, SIDS, illness).

There is minimal formal organization and no dues are charged. Donations are accepted, which help defray any costs incurred throughout each year, but are on a solely on a voluntary basis. We occasionally invite outside speakers to cover specific topics pertaining to this sensitive issue, however, confidentiality is maintained at all times.

In December we hold our Annual Holiday Remembrance Ceremony to honor our loved ones. This ceremony is held during our regular December meeting.

Services Offered

ª We provide monthly meetings during which any bereaved parent may share similar feelings of loss.

We provide a quarterly newsletter to keep members in touch with each other. The newsletter is also an outlet for members in which they may write personal expressions. Communication is maintained via the newsletter, i.e., recognized special anniversary dates, new information, announcements and upcoming events.

We provide a Lending Library consisting of numerous resource materials, pamphlets, and books that may be borrowed by the parent.

Hot Links

Compassionate Friends

Where We Meet

The group meets the third Thursday of each month at 699 Rural Avenue, Floor SL-1, Williamsport, Pennsylvania (the Family Practice Office). The group meets from 7:00-8:30pm. Parking is available in the well-lit parking lot located off Rural Avenue. For further information, please call 398-1337 or 322-7987.

Directions

From 220N or 220S: Take the Maynard Street Exit and stay on Maynard Street until you reach W. Fourth Street. Turn right and continue to the stoplight. Take a left onto Campbell Street and continue up Campbell Street until you see the Hospital on the right. Take a right onto Rural Avenue and continue until you reach Walnut Street. Continue through the stop sign and turn right into the Rural Avenue Medical Office Building parking lot.

From 15S: Head into South Williamsport and cross the Market Street Bridge. Continue on Market Street and go through three stoplights. Continue straight through one stop sign; you will come upon an intersection with a park on the right and five intersections all meeting together. Take a soft left (look for blue Hospital signs) onto Rural Avenue. Continue on Rural Avenue three blocks and the Rural Avenue Medical Office Building parking lot will be on your left before the stop sign.

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at lhaddad@shscares.org