CORNWALL, Ontario – The Annual Gala Dinner Fundraiser for Bereaved Families of Ontario-Cornwall was hosted at the Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre this Saturday, Sept. 16 to support their children and youth programs.
Featuring a cocktail hour, four-course meal and entertainment from comedian, Sebastien Bourgault, the event drew an incredible amount of community support.
Bereaved Families offers a different means of dealing with the loss of a loved one – by way of firsthand experience.
“Unfortunately, most people only learn about us when they need us,” said Board President, Francis Rounding. “But as bereaved, we’re able to offer a unique perspective to other bereaved families.”
Bereaved Families aim to match people with others who have experienced similar loss, offering help in one-on-one and group settings.
“It helps people to tell their story, get out their feelings and anxieties over the loss,” said Program Coordinator, Gisele Roy. “But it also helps them to recognize that they are not alone.”
Roy says that while Bereaved Families do not offer counselling services, everyone involved receives extensive bereavement training, focusing on listening and leading groups. She says that oftentimes, it helps people compartmentalize their feelings when speaking with someone who has experienced a similar loss.
