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Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Amherst Family Center, 1200 North Pleasant St. A safe place where grandparents of diverse backgrounds and parenting styles can come together to create community and break isolation. Participants can talk about their experiences as parents and grandparents and explore issues relevant to parenting grandchildren or interacting with their own children about parenting their grandchildren. A free group with snacks and childcare provided up to age 4. For information, call 256-1145 or email afc@umass.Edu.
Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. An experiential personal growth group focused on increasing self-esteem and connection in the context of being a woman in academia. Group members will have the opportunity to share concerns in a safe and supportive setting. Learn to manage stress, assert needs, and identify obstacles to completing dissertations and academics. Group focus will also be on balancing multiple roles and identities, and exploring career goals, relationships and family issues. Sponsored by the UMass Center for Counseling and Psychological Health. Contact Julia Moss, Ph.D., MSW at jmoss@umass.edu or call 545-2337 for more information.
A support group for caregivers of loved ones with dementia meets every other Thursday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Amherst Senior Center. Emotional support, resource information, speakers and loaning library. Contact Helen MacMellon, LCSW, for dates at 259-3062 or macmellonh@amherstma.gov.
Support group held Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon in the conference room at Applewood Community, Amherst. There is no fee: a phone interview is reuired for registration. Call Norma at 549-0115.
A peer support group for parents who have experienced the death of a teenager or adult child meets the third Monday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. in Conference Room A at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, High Street, Greenfield. Free and confidential; parents are welcome to bring an adult friend for additional support. For more information, contact Vera at 586-0171.
A free peer support group for people living with depression and bipolar disorder meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, in Amherst. New participants are welcome. For information, call Barbara at 532-1784.
A drop-in support group for those dealing with domestic violence meets Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by Safe Passage. For information about this and other groups call 586-1125.
Gentle movement and yoga classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease with Donna Brooks improves coordination, dexterity, strength, balance, motor control and rapidity. Fun-filled classes Wednesday morning in Hadley. Fee. First class free. Call 230-1260 or visit originalbodywisdom.com. New series begins Feb. 3.
A group to help people dealing with eating issues meets Mondays at 5:15 p.m. at the South Congregational Church, 1066 South East St., Amherst. For information call 665-8210.
A group for families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss and are now considering pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy. For current times and information please contact emptyarmsbereavement@gmail.com.
A support group for mothers who are experiencing challenging postpartum meets Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Community Action Family Center, 90 Federal St., Greenfield. Intended for mothers with babies up to age 1. Discussion topics include the hormonal realities of motherhood; the myth of the good mother; whether depression and anxiety are normal; including self care in your life; and more. Sponsored by The Franklin County Postpartum Coalition. For information or transportation assistance, contact Pam Baldwin at 774-1000, ext. 2015, or Sandy Clark at 475-1566.
Motherwoman support groups — safe, confidential spaces where moms can speak the truth about motherhood and feel heard, understood, nurtured and validated. Facilitated by MotherWoman leaders, groups are free and open to the public. Local meetings: Amherst: Amherst Family Center, support circle to mothers of children ages 0-5 on Thursdays from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. Free childcare provided for children through age 5. Ashfield: Mondays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Church, Main and South streets, facilitated by It Takes A Village, call 634-8853. Postpartum groups: Hadley: Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, MotherWoman office, 220 Russell St., call 387-0703. Parenting after loss: Hadley: Second Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. at the MotherWoman office, 220 Russell St., Hadley. Contact ehenyey@gmail.com for more information.
A support group focusing on issues of living fully, aging gracefully and befriending death meets alternate Mondays 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the South Deerfield Senior Center. Participants may attend occasionally or regularly. For more information, contact John Berkowitz at 325-4533 or johnpberk@gmail.com.
Al-Anon Family Groups offer support for anyone whose life is affected by someone else’s drinking. Local meetings include: Amherst College Chapin Hall, Room 101, 17 Barrett Hill Road, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; First Congregational Church, Spring Street at Churchill Street, upstairs lounge, Wednesdays, 4 p.m. For more area meeting locations and times visit www.ma-al-anon-alateen.org and click on “find a meeting.”
A group for those with lyme disease, chronic fatigue and other mysterious illnesses (Lychrofomi) is forming in the Amherst/Northampton area. This support group will provide a forum to speak and to be heard, and obtain information from others on these illnesses. The group will focus on Buddhist approaches for forging a path to freedom, equanimity and meaning from the misery of illness. For information, send an email to Lymesupport@comcast.net or visit the Lychrofomi page on Facebook.
A support group for adults with cancer in the Amherst area, offered by Cancer Connection, meets every other Tuesday. It is open to anyone living with a cancer diagnosis and meets at the South Congregational Church at midday. Registration is required; call 586-1642. For more information about Cancer Connection go to www.cancer-connection.org.
The Greater Western Massachusetts Chapter of Breastfeeding USA will hold a monthly peer to peer breastfeeding support group on the second Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Belchertown Family Center, 720 Franklin St. (Route 181). The mission of Breastfeeding USA is to provide evidence-based breastfeeding information and support, and to promote breastfeeding as the biological and cultural norm. Kate Nadeau of Belchertown was accredited as a breastfeeding counselor with Breastfeeding USA in May 2013. The Greater Western Massachusetts chapter is the first in the state. For information, visit facebook.com/greaterwesternmabfusa.
For information about a nonpartisan, nongovernmental group for family members with loved ones who are now in the military or who have served in the past, call the Veterans Education Project, 409 Main St., Amherst, at 253-4947, or email vetvp@crocker.com.
A support group for those dealing with separation or divorce meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 584-0339.
The Straight Spouse Network, for current and former straight spouses of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners, offers confidential networking and a regional monthly support group. Affiliated with the nonprofit Straight Spouse Network, www.straightspouse.org. Free. A help line is available at 625-6636.
The Franklin-Hampshire Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays offers welcoming support, education and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, their families, friends, and allies. Make inquiries to our Helpline at 625-6636, or e-mail jcmalinski48@gmail.com. Also on Facebook: PFLAG Franklin-Hampshire Chapter.
Clutterer’s Anonymous 12-step group. Free. Meets Fridays, 6:30 p.m., at the South Congregational Church, 1066 Southeast St., Amherst. Call Mike at 345-5115 or visit www.claeast.org/ for more info.
A support group for women with heart disease meets on the third Tuesday of the month at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Conference Room A. New members are welcome. The facilitator is Vicky Lynde of Colrain, a heart attack survivor. For more information, contact her at 773-2397.
Classes in yoga, relaxation and movement for those with Parkinson’s disease are offered by instructor Donna Brooks on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the New Directions Center, Route 9, Hadley. The classes teach fun and accessible movements to support dexterity, strength, balance, walking, vocalization, flexibility, motor control and rapidity. Fee. Call 230-1260 or go to originalbodywisdom.com.
Education and support for those in the Hampshire County area who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer is available by appointment and in group discussions. Contact Bill Whitmore of Sunderland, a cancer survivor and support provider, at 665-7741.
12-step group for problems with bulimia, weight issues, and those obsessed with food, weight or dieting. Free; no weigh-ins. For more information call 265-3910. Ongoing meetings: Sundays 4 to 5:30 p.m., 472 North Pleasant St., Amherst; Wednesdays 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. 742 Main St. Amherst; Fridays 10 to 11:30 a.m. 98 North Maple St., Hadley.
Support Connect Heal is a journaling and sharing group, open to sexual assault survivors of all gender identities and expressions. Explore healing with other survivors in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space. This group, which is open to all Five College students and residents of Hampshire County, will focus on topics such as isolation, shame, self-worth, triggers, trust, relationships and the after-effects of trauma. Coping and self-care strategies will also be discussed. This group is open to all survivors of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse, regardless of gender, age, race, ability, sexuality, or religion. Each participant will come in for a brief interview the group facilitators before the start of group. Call 545-0800 today for more information or to schedule an intake interview.
Open to female-identified survivors of sexual assault who are Five College Students or residents of Hampshire County. Survivors of sexual violence sometimes feel numb in their physical bodies. We support survivors “playing the feeling” through creative movement. Through movement we tap into the power of muscle memory, to embody an emotion that may be difficult for a survivor of rape and/or child sexual abuse. Once we feel the emotion in our bodies, we encourage a transition to release by creating art. Art journals are a powerful tool to your journey of healing. Each participant will come in for a brief interview the group facilitators before the start of group. Call 545-0800 today for more information or to schedule an intake interview.
A support group for parents who learn best in nontraditional ways meets in Amherst Thursdays. We do crafts and games as we make friends and take about parenting. Free, with free child play groups, transportation and refreshments also provided. For information call Kris Larson at 834-3344 or email krislarson@unitedarc.org.
An Empty Arms support group for those who are grieving the loss of a baby meets on the second Sunday of the month from 3 to 5 p.m. at the MotherWoman office, 220 Russell St., Hadley. Contact facilator Erika Parker at ehenyey@gmail.com for more information.
Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst periodically offers eight-week bereavement support groups, open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. There is no fee; a phone interview is required. For information, call Norma Palazzo at 549-0115.
The Fisher Home is looking for mature adults to serve as supportive companions for patients living with a terminal illness, along with supporting their families and friends. We are especially interested in training volunteers to work on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Classes will be held at Hospice of the Fisher Home in North Amherst. In our residence, volunteers help with cooking and kitchen chores, reading aloud and companioning, as well as helping with administrative tasks. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Hospice Team, sharing interests, providing emotional support, assisting with chores or running an errand, applications are available by calling our Volunteer Coordinator, Ilsa Myers, at 549-0115, or by e-mailing imyers@fisherhome.org.
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