Under the Elm: Central Park Grief, Loss and Caregiver Circle

Welcome to Under the Elm: Central Park Grief, Loss and Caregiver Circle. Whether you are currently caring for a terminally ill loved one or you have recently experienced a loss, you do not have to walk this path alone.

This is an intentional, safe space to vent, share, and connect with others who truly understand the heavy emotional toll of illness and bereavement. This group is entirely free to attend. As we grow, small, optional donations will be welcomed to help cover the Meetup platform fees.

How It Works:
To keep our circles intimate and impactful, meetings are capped at 10 attendees and are held twice monthly in a semi-secluded, quiet area of Central Park (with a pivot to Zoom in the event of bad weather). We alternate our focus each meeting to serve both sides of the journey:

• Bereavement Meeting: Dedicated to those who are bereaved and navigating life after a recent loss.
• Caregiver Meeting: Dedicated entirely to current caregivers dealing with the unique challenges and anticipatory grief of a sick loved one.

About Your Host:
This group is facilitated using my background and experience in hospice care. My goal is to hold a structured, respectful and empathetic space where your feelings are validated.

Please bring a blanket or a lawn chair. We look forward to walking through this with you.

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Important Safety & Scope Notice (Please Read)

This is a peer-led support space designed for sharing personal experiences and mutual community support. While I facilitate these meetings using my professional background and experience in hospice care, please note that I am not a licensed therapist, counselor, or mental health medical provider. The discussions in this group are for general emotional support and community benchmarking; they are entirely voluntary and are not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or clinical treatment.

This group is not equipped to handle acute psychiatric crises. If you are currently experiencing a mental health emergency, severe distress, or thoughts of self-harm, please know you are not alone, but please seek immediate professional help:

• Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Free, confidential, and available 24/7).
• Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

By participating in our circles, you acknowledge that involvement is entirely voluntary and that you are in a stable enough place to participate in an open community dialogue.