The Compassionate Friends of Canada

The Compassionate Friends is an international, non-profit, peer support organization, offering friendship, understanding, grief education and HOPE for the future to all families who are grieving the death of a child at any age, from any cause. Our Primary Purpose is to aid in the positive reconciliation of grief and foster the physical and emotional health of parents and their surviving children. Our Secondary Purpose is to provide information and education about the grief of bereaved parents and their surviving children. The objective is to help those in their community, including family, friends, co-workers, employers and professionals to be supportive. The Secret of TCFs 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. The Vision of The Compassionate Friends is about transforming the pain of grief into the elixir of hope. Images Our Mission Statement was developed at the founding of The Compassionate Friends and it continues to be followed by TCF chapters throughout the world. The first meeting of The Compassionate Friends took place in Coventry, England on January 28th, 1969. The first chapter in Canada was established in Winnipeg, MB, January, 1977. There are approximately 50 Canadian chapters with numerous contact members from Victoria, BC to St. Johns NL. TCF is now in approximately 30 countries with a network of over 1000 chapters. The Compassionate Friends/Les Amis Compasitissants of/du Canada was formed November 2, 1986 in Winnipeg, MB. In 1991, shared office space with the Winnipeg Chapter became the National Office; relocating to British Columbia in 2005. The Compassionate Friends of Canada became incorporated August 8, 2001. To recover from the death of a child may take a lifetime but the most crucial period of the grieving process is the first several years. Unfortunately, support of friends and extended family is usually relatively short term when compared to the needs of a bereaved parent. The Compassionate Friends provides the much needed mutual support and understanding for those bereaved parents and their surviving children. Grief is not a condition that can be treated. It is a healing process that takes a long timemuch longer than most people would expect, and requires on-going support, understanding, and friendship from those who have been there. The Compassionate Friends offers all of these, but most of all, they offer HOPE hope that recovery is possible. The Compassionate Friends is an organization formed by and for parents whose children have died. The Compassionate Friends is the only organization that specifically deals with the death of a child at any age, from any cause, at any time. Therefore, mental health workers, counsellors and those of the teaching and helping professions often refer their clients to The Compassionate Friends. Local chapters provide monthly sharing meetings, telephone friends, newsletters and hold an annual Candle Lighting Memorial Service and various specific events. Most chapters have a library of resource books, CDs and videos beneficial to parents and professionals alike. Many chapters also have brochures which are distributed within their communities.

Welcome to The Compassionate Friends of Canada To those newly bereaved who have joined us for the first time. It is difficult to welcome you to an organization such as this, but we are happy that you found out about us. We would like to do all that we can to help you through these difficult times. The Compassionate Friends offers support in the grief and trauma which follows the death of a child; no matter the age or cause. We cannot hurry you through it, or take away the pain, but we can help you understand more about this life altering experience. Sometimes just knowing you are normal can be helpful. Though it may be difficult, we encourage you to attend a Compassionate Friends meeting at your nearest chapter. We know it takes courage to attend that first gathering, but those who do come find an atmosphere of understanding from others who have experienced the grief that you have now. Nothing is asked of you. There are no dues or fees and you do not have to speak. Time has proven that with CARING and SHARING the death of a child, comes healing.

Call (866) 823-0141, email nationaloffice@tcfcanada.net, or use the website.

Phone

(866) 823-0141

Email

nationaloffice@tcfcanada.net

Website

http://tcfcanada.net