COMMUNITY GRIEF SUPPORT SERVICE

A  B  O  U  T

L o c a t i o n
I n f o r m a t i o n:



1119 Oxmoor Road
Homewood, AL 35209
Phone (205) 870-8667
Fax (205) 870-4652



E-MAIL US
communitygriefsu@bellsouth.net










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Community Grief Support Service
“Making a Difference”

CGSS is a place of care, comfort and healing for people who walk the grief journey. Begun in the 1990’s as a service of Ridout’s Funeral Homes, the program grew and, in 1996, CGSS was incorporated as an independent nonprofit agency.

Since that time, CGSS has continued to provide compassionate professional grief support, at no charge, to adults who struggle with the painful aftermath of loss. We have grown consistently, always trying to reach more of those in need.

Our Clinical Director, Steve Sweatt, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist. Steve supervises all of our programs as well as our counselors and interns. Counselors trained in bereavement lead all of our support groups.

Can anyone come to CGSS for grief support?

Any bereaved adult (19 years or older) is welcome to join our support groups or receive individual counseling. Whatever your loss has been – spouse, parent, sibling, adult child, grandparent – CGSS is here for you. Whether yours is a recent loss or whether it occurred further in the past, if you are struggling with your grief, you are welcome.

Community education programs are open to everyone. CGSS has directly helped more than 10,000 bereaved persons in the Greater Birmingham area and indirectly helped many more thousands of their family members, friends and coworkers. While that sounds impressive, you should know that CGSS reaches less than 10% of those in need!


Why is that?

Well, for one thing, CGSS does not charge for any service. So often, times of bereavement are also times of great financial strain. CGSS has recognized that those who are able typically “give back” over time, making it possible for the next grieving person to experience the same hope for healing.

So, are those donations enough to support CGSS services?

No. CGSS receives substantial support from foundations, businesses, and faith-based communities as well as from caring individuals. But the need grows constantly and we hope never to have to turn anyone away due to lack of funds. So we also have fund-raising events – “Birdies for Charity” in the spring and “Lift Your Spirits” in the fall.

Are CGSS services available in my part of town?

Yes, if you live in Birmingham, Homewood, West End or North Shelby. Our services are available to all adults in need in the five country metropolitan area. People come to us from Jasper, Pell City, Gadsden, Sylacauga, Tuscaloosa and other surrounding towns. We recognize the need in Bessemer, Trussville, and other growing communities. When CGSS has sufficient funding to ensure that services in those areas, once begun, can be continued, we hope to establish a presence there as well.

I notice a lot of your meetings are in churches – is CGSS a religious organization?

No. CGSS has no religious affiliation. CGSS holds larger group meetings in church, school and library facilities because they are made available to us at no charge. CGSS is respectful and supportive of persons of all faith groups, as well as persons who are related to no faith group, who desire grief support. We recognize the value of faith or central core beliefs in dealing with loss.

CGSS MISSION

To enhance the quality of life for bereaved adults who face the challenge of rebuilding their lives without their loved ones, by providing grief support groups, professional grief counseling and grief education.

OUR LOGO

The CGSS logo shows fellow strugglers encouraging one another, helping one another and learning from one another. The upward movement illustrates the uplifting healing power of a support group



How We Help --

Grief support groups – Grief support groups provide a safe supportive environment in which to share and learn to cope with life following the death of a loved one. CGSS held 16 support groups in 2009, representing more than 400 support group hours. Most groups were loss-specific. New outreach groups were begun in the West End and North Shelby. CGSS will offer 20 support groups in 2010.

Individual grief counseling – In 2009, more than 360 hours was devoted to individual counseling. These clients included referrals from Alethia House, The Amelia Center, The Crisis Center, The Lovelady Center, Oasis, Pathways, TASC, hospice and faith-based organizations and others.

Continuing support – Friendship Groups are formed at the conclusion of many support groups. These continue to meet informally and independently, as group members often form close friendships. Many such groups continue meeting for several years.

Grief-in-the-Workplace Initiative - Our educational program for employers and employees provides crisis intervention, consultation with managers, workplace counseling and educational seminars such as “Lunch and Learn”. Please see Programs for upcoming lunch-and-learn events.

Community Education - CGSS fosters partnerships with others involved in bereavement services, provides speakers on grief topics, distributes newsletters and offers Internet resources through our website and online Grief Library.

"Hope for the Holidays” Community Programs - The holiday season can be difficult for those who have recently lost a loved one. Our free annual Holiday Help programs encourage a time of remembrance and offer practical ways to cope with this emotional time. More than 130 people attended the program in 2009, cosponsored by Ridout’s Funeral Home and featuring nationally-known grief psychotherapist and performing artist Paul Alexander.

Holiday Help events are offered on request to groups or as lunch-and-learn programs. Watch our “Events” page for the details of 2010 Holiday Help programs.

 



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