Almost nothing compares to the awful sadness and pain of the death of your child.  You feel helpless, angry, confused, and different, because in a fundamental way you are forever changed. You are not the person you were before and no amount of time will bring that person back.  However, there is a group of individuals just like you; who have lost their children and understand everything you are going through.  They have been through what you are going through or are going through it now.  While this time may be tough—excruciatingly so—you do not have to go through it by yourself.  There is help; there is hope. Remember, You Need Not Walk Alone.

The mission of the Topeka Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings. There is no religious affiliation and there are no membership dues or fees.

The Topeka Compassionate Friends normally meets on the fourth Monday of each month at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17th. Contact information can be found on their website or through the Library's community information database.

(Note: This organization and its chapter leaders were recently featured in an article in the Topeka Capital Journal.)

Brochures for the Topeka Compassionate Friends can be found at the Library.

Photo Credit (TCF)