Tziporah is mourning the loss of her beloved grandmother, Janice, whom she affectionately called Bubby. After spending two difficult months by her bedside in the hospital, Tziporah was there with her when she passed away. This profound loss has deeply affected her, especially as she navigates the shifting dynamics within her family. Tziporah is dedicated to her healing and actively meets with both a talk therapist and a grief counselor. Having witnessed the powerful impact of bereavement programs through her own volunteer work, Tziporah is attending the retreat to find her own sense of peace and to connect with others who understand grief. She hopes to gain insight into handling family changes after losing the person who served as the glue of their family.

Tina is mourning the sudden loss of her cousin, Kate. This unexpected tragedy has not only brought profound sorrow on its own, but it has also reopened painful wounds from other major life changes, including a difficult divorce and estrangement within her family. Tina has been actively working through her journey with weekly therapy and grief support groups. She is attending the retreat to learn effective tools for navigating compound grief and handling multiple losses at once. By joining this retreat community, she hopes to find clarity, healing, and a peaceful path forward.

Maria is mourning the loss of her husband, Scott, who passed away just one year after his diagnosis. The rapid progression of his illness has left Maria struggling to catch her breath in the wake of such a swift and life-altering change. Having recently taken the brave step to begin grief counseling, Maria is attending the retreat to build on that foundation. She is seeking practical coping mechanisms and essential skills to help her navigate the rest of her life without Scott. By joining this retreat community, she hopes to find guidance, understanding, and the strength to move forward.

Lisa is navigating the profound and complex pain of losing her 27-year-old son, Michael. The depth of this loss has taken a severe toll on her mental health and daily life, leading her to seek regular, professional care to help manage her depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Lisa is attending the retreat to gain a better handle on her grief and to discover practical tools for managing her day-to-day journey. Open to any approach that might help her begin to heal, she is looking forward to finding new strategies and supportive connections that will help her move forward.

Darra is navigating the incredibly fresh and devastating loss of her husband, Dave, who passed away from glioblastoma just a few weeks ago. Coping with the immediate aftermath of his illness has left Darra in need of guidance, and this retreat will serve as her first step into formal bereavement support. Darra is attending the retreat to find immediate help and tools to cope with her raw grief. By entering a dedicated space for reflection, she hopes to gain practical strategies for managing her day-to-day life during this immensely challenging transition. She looks forward to finding support and understanding within this community.

Bernice is navigating the overwhelming pain of a double loss—losing both her close sister and her devoted father, who raised her as a single parent after she lost her mother at a young age. At just 28 years old, Bernice feels like her whole world has fallen apart, and she carries a deep, daily ache while trying her best to keep moving forward for the rest of her family. Bernice recently began therapy to start working through her grief, and she is attending the retreat to find a safe space where she can speak openly about her sister and dad. She hopes to gain the ability to hold onto fond memories while learning to cope with life without them. Most of all, Bernice is seeking a community where she no longer feels alone and can share her story without people looking away.