The purpose of this group is to provide support following the loss of a child or sibling. It's never too early and never too late to reach out. We are here, you do not have to walk alone through this journey.

We are also on Facebook presence: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=150243931099

The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age. 

The Collier County Chapter gathers the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month @ YMCA on the corner of Airport-Pulling and Pine Ridge in North in Naples @ 7:30 PM. The Grandparent support group runs concurrently with the 1st meeting of the month at the Collier YMCA starting in September 2011.

The Lee County Group gathers on the 3rd Wednesday of each month @ YMCA at 1360 Royal Palm Square Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33919

For additional information contact: David's mother: Anne Arbelaez (Rinaldi-Nonamaker) 239-287-5968, Chapter Leader.


The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents and families. Our purpose is to promote and aid parents and families in the positive resolution of the grief experience upon the death of their child, and to foster the physical and emotional health of bereaved parents and surviving children. Some chapter meetings are in church facilities, but no religious creed or affiliation is involved.


The secret of TCF's success is simple: As seasoned grievers reach out to the newly bereaved, energy that has been directed inward begins to flow outward and both are helped to heal.

We feel the pain of your loss and invite you to share your grief with us. We, too, have lost a child. We are the surviving parents, grandparents, siblings, and loved ones. The death of a love one causes stress, but the death of a child is particularly severe. This loss is considered premature at any age and symbolizes the destruction.

This MeetUp site is meant for our current members to use as a resource. Please send an email or click on join and the organizer will be in touch with you to provide access to the calendar of events and the member profiles.