About Circles of Grief

At Circles of Grief, the heart of our work lies in the care and presence of our Volunteer Supporters. These dedicated individuals are not counsellors, but have completed specialized training through the Ontario Hospice & Palliative Care Program — a comprehensive, 13-module course focused on grief, bereavement, and compassionate support.

Each Volunteer Supporter has successfully passed written evaluations on topics related to grief and loss, ensuring they are well-prepared to offer meaningful, informed support to those navigating the pain of bereavement.

Our Mission

The mission of the Circles of Grief Society is to provide a safe, compassionate, respectful, and inclusive space for individuals experiencing grief and loss. We recognize that grief is a natural and personal human experience that can arise from many forms of loss, including the death of a loved one, separation, divorce, illness, changes in relationships, or other significant life transitions. Through peer support, education, community gatherings, and opportunities for connection, the Circles of Grief Society seeks to normalize conversations about grief, reduce isolation, encourage understanding, and help individuals feel supported throughout their grief journey.

Our Commitment to the Community

The Circles of Grief Society is committed to serving the community with compassion, dignity, respect, and without discrimination. As a community-based grief support organization, we recognize that our community includes people with many different beliefs, backgrounds, opinions, and perspectives. Our purpose is to bring people together around a shared experience of grief and loss—not to become involved in community disputes or controversies.

Community Controversy and Neutrality

The Circles of Grief Society maintains a tradition and firm commitment not to engage in community controversy, political disputes, personal conflicts, or divisive community matters that fall outside our mission. We will: • Remain focused on grief support, education, healing, remembrance, and connection. • Treat all community members with dignity and respect. • Avoid taking sides in community disputes or controversies. • Refrain from using the Society’s name, programs, social media, or public presence to promote personal disagreements or political positions unrelated to our mission. • Encourage respectful communication and peaceful resolution when differences arise. • Protect the welcoming and safe environment of our gatherings and activities.

This commitment does not prevent the Society from advocating for grief awareness, compassionate care, mental-health and bereavement education, or services that directly support grieving individuals and families. These activities are consistent with our mission.

Our Guiding Principle

We are here to support people, not to take sides. The Circles of Grief Society believes that grief has the power to bring people together. By remaining respectful, compassionate, and neutral in community controversies, we can preserve a safe space where everyone is welcome to share, listen, remember, heal, and find connection.

Board Members. Personal Capacity Disclaimer

Board members may hold and express personal views, but when doing so they are speaking as individuals and not on behalf of Circles of Grief. Our focus is grief support, connection, compassion and education. We respect that individuals have their own opinions and voices but Circles of Grief does not participate in community controversy or represent personal opinions expressed by individual board members.

Our focus will always remain on our mission: supporting people through grief and helping our community understand that no one should have to grieve alone.

Circles of Grief Volunteer Supporters group photo

Back Row (L-R): Joan Tufts, Holly Comeau, Nora Babin Front Row: Vivian Fahey, Yvette Després, Odette Gaudet, Anita Dugas

Meet Our Volunteer Supporters

Our team is qualified to provide emotional support in both group settings and individual sessions for adults, teens, and children. We are also equipped to conduct informal assessments and, when appropriate, make referrals to professional services to ensure that individuals receive the level of care they need.

Whether you're attending a monthly group or seeking one-on-one support, know that our Volunteer Supporters are here to offer a safe, respectful, and understanding space to help you carry your grief — not alone, but together.

Joan Tufts

Coordinator / Volunteer Supporter

With over 47 years in the health care field, Joan has spent her life helping others — a commitment she continues as a Volunteer Supporter. After the loss of her husband, Joan came to understand the complexity of grief and the importance of connection. Sharing her own story became a way to offer comfort and hope to others walking a similar path. She now offers a compassionate presence, creating space for shared stories and quiet support, and reminding others they don't have to grieve alone.

Anita Dugas

Volunteer Supporter

Retired from Canada Post since 2015, Anita has found renewed purpose through volunteering after the heartbreaking loss of both her husband and her son. Grief support groups brought her comfort and healing when she needed it most. Knowing that someone was there to listen made a meaningful difference during the hardest times. Now, as a Volunteer Supporter, she offers that same compassion to others, creating a space where those in mourning feel heard, understood, and never alone.

Holly Comeau

Volunteer Supporter

Holly has spent her life caring for others — as a babysitter, teacher's aide, mother, and proud grandmother. In 2021, Holly's world changed forever with the sudden loss of her eldest daughter. The heartbreak was profound, but with the ongoing support of her husband, her youngest daughter, extended family, and close friends, she began to navigate the long and painful path of grief. Grief groups gave her a space to speak openly and feel understood. Now, as a Volunteer Supporter, Holly offers that same space to others, helping them share their stories and reminding them that healing begins in community.

Odette Gaudet

Volunteer Supporter

Odette's first experience with grief came as a teenager, when she lost close friends and found comfort in the support of her mother. That early encounter showed her the power of being cared for through sorrow. Later in life, the loss of her own mother was deeply painful, a daily ache softened by the support of family and friends. Now, as a Volunteer Supporter, Odette offers that same care to others, ensuring no one has to face grief alone.

Vivian Fahey

Volunteer Supporter

Vivian has a background in the health field and a strong personal interest in mental health. She has supported family through difficult times and values the power of quiet presence. Her own grief journey includes the end of her marriage, raising four children as a single parent, and the loss of close family members. She also witnessed her mother's lifelong grief after losing a child. Now, as a Volunteer Supporter, Vivian offers empathy and steady support, creating space for others to feel seen, heard, and less alone.

Yvette Després

Volunteer Supporter

Yvette is a mother of four and grandmother to five young children. After retiring from a rewarding career as an elementary school teacher, she felt called to continue supporting others in a meaningful way. Having lost several loved ones, she understands the deep pain of grief and the comfort that comes from being supported. The empathy she received during her own journey inspired her to give back. As a Volunteer Supporter, Yvette offers a kind, non-judgmental presence. Her goal is to help others feel less alone as they navigate their own path through loss.

Nora Babin

Volunteer Supporter

Nora joined Circles of Grief as a volunteer supporter, turning her personal experience with loss into a source of empathy and support for others. Having lost both parents and a sister, she understands that everyone grieves differently and offers her time to 'be there' as a companion in their journey rather than trying to 'fix' the pain. After a car accident ended her previous career, Nora found new meaning through patience and supporting those navigating difficult life transitions.

Training & Certification

Two day training with instructor Hilary Scott will certainly significantly enhance our capacity to support individuals navigating loss in our community. With this certification our team is now better equipped to provide compassionate and effective care.

Circles of Grief team holding their Practical Guide to Understanding Grief certificates

Certificate of completion for The Practical Guide to Understanding Grief

Grief looks different at every stage of life...

...and our Volunteer Supporters are trained to offer age-appropriate care and presence. For families or caregivers seeking more focused support for a grieving child, private outreach and one-on-one connection can be arranged. Please don't hesitate to reach out if this would be helpful for your family.

Contact

With Gratitude to Our Community Partners

This space exists because of the care and generosity of others.

Circles of Grief was made possible thanks to the dedication of local individuals, organizations, and professionals who offered their time, talent, and resources to help bring this vision to life. From behind-the-scenes efforts to hands-on involvement in the program itself, we are deeply grateful for every contribution that helped us begin this important work.

If you have questions about the grief support group, what to expect, or how we might support you or someone you care about, please don't hesitate to reach out.