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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Alive Alone
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260601T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T190832
CREATED:20260126T235955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T130731Z
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SUMMARY:2026 International Death\, Grief\, & Bereavement Conference
DESCRIPTION:Loneliness in Grief: Exploring the Silent Struggle & Path to Connection \nPre-conference: May 31\, 2026\nConference: June 1–3\, 2026 \nSTUDENT UNION\nUniversity of Wisconsin-La Crosse\, 521 East Avenue N\, La Crosse\, WI \nWho should attend\nBehavioral Health Professionals • Case Managers • Clergy • Counselors • Educators • Funeral Directors • Healthcare Professionals • Hospice Providers • Palliative Care Providers • Program Directors • Social Workers \nHow you will benefit:\n• Share in intimate and transformative educational experiences.\n• Foster new relationships and connections to stay with you through your career.\n• Gain insight and grow to new levels both personally and professionally. \nConference focus\nAcross sessions\, we examine loneliness not only as a pain to be alleviated\, but as a profoundly human terrain that can deepen meaning\, reshape identity\, and open pathways to connection. We honor grief’s silence while building bridges toward belonging and hope. \nRedefining Loneliness & Aloneness — exploring the difference between solitude and loneliness; reframing isolation as a space for meaning-making\, reflection\, and transformation in grief.\nIdentity\, Marginalization & Invisible Grief — how loneliness is intensified in marginalized groups (cultural\, racial\, gendered\, neurodivergent\, unhoused\, expatriate\, widowed\, caregiving populations) and the impact of systemic barriers and stigma.\nMasculinity\, Silence & Cultural Expectations — the hidden grief of men and fathers\, stoicism\, emotional suppression\, and the tension between vulnerability and control.\nDevelopmental & Relational Dimensions of Loneliness — loneliness across the lifespan (emerging adulthood\, midlife\, aging elders\, caregivers); grieving alone vs. grieving with others; rebuilding intimacy after loss.\nConnection\, Companioning & Community Support Models — pathways from isolation to connection\, including relational care approaches\, peer support\, and meaning-focused grief therapy.\nInnovation & Creative Healing Approaches — expressive arts\, body-based practices\, technology and AI\, meditation\, and alternative care models as tools to address bereavement loneliness. \nAlive Alone is not the sponsor of this event\, and we post these events for the benefit of all bereaved parents.
URL:https://vydncndt3tj.c.updraftclone.com/event/2026-international-death-grief-bereavement-conference/
LOCATION:University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse Student Union\, 521 East Avenue N\, La Crosse\, WI\, 54601\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T190832
CREATED:20260127T002406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T005626Z
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SUMMARY:49th National Conference for The Compassionate Friends
DESCRIPTION:The 49th National Conference for The Compassionate Friends is a place for bereaved parents to find community and hope\, while learning and sharing with others. Lifelong friendships are often made at the conference through meeting others who truly understand the painful loss of a child. This event will take place in Baltimore\, Maryland\, during the weekend of July 2-5\, 2026. \nMembers from Alive Alone have applied to present workshops for now childless bereaved parents\, plus there will be other workshops for those with no surviving children. \nRegistration for the conference\, and reservations for the hotel are now open. \nRegistration Rates:\nAdult Registration $320 special opening rate $245\n(special opening rate ends March 16th at midnight\, EDT)\nActive Military/Student Registration $245 special opening rate $170\n(special opening rate ends March 16th at midnight\, EDT)\nChild Registration (6-17 years old) $200 special opening rate $125\n(special opening rate ends March 16th at midnight\, EDT) \nHotel Reservations\nThis year’s conference will be held at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. Reservations can now be made online at TCF’s dedicated reservation link. The TCF discounted room rate with the Hilton is $189 per night (reg. $334+/night) plus applicable taxes and fees. Please note that each attendee can reserve a maximum of two rooms. Many attendees arrive on Thursday since the conference begins early on Friday morning. TCF will also have pre-conference activities that are offered on Thursday evening\, that attendees find beneficial. \nKeynote Speakers\nDavid Kessler is a bereaved father as well as one of the world’s foremost experts on grief and loss. He is the author of seven books\, including his latest bestselling book\, Finding Meaning\, as well as the Finding Meaning Companion Workbook. He co-authored two books with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross\, Life Lessons and On Grief and Grieving. He also co-wrote You Can Heal Your Heart with Louise Hay and authored Visions\, Trips and Crowded Rooms: Who and What You See Before You Die. His first book\, The Needs of the Dying\, received praise from Saint (Mother) Teresa. \nDr. Laura Berman is one of the world’s most recognized love\, and relationship therapists\, as well as a New York Times bestselling author who’s written 10 books\, an award winning radio and television host\, and media personality. Laura’s journey into grief work began after the devastating loss of her son\, Sammy in 2021. Today she combines her clinical expertise and lived experience to guide people in creating lives filled with connection\, resilience\, and love in the Grief Healing Collective. \nStephen Panus is a storyteller and mentor and coach at heart\, one driven by purpose\, resilience\, and the unwavering belief that we can turn pain into positive change. As the author of the best-selling book Walk On\, he shares his deeply personal journey following the tragic loss of his 16-year-old son\, Jake\, who was a passenger in a vehicle tragically killed in a reckless and senseless car crash in the summer of 2020. Through telling his story\, inspirational speaking and leadership development training\, Stephen inspires others to find strength\, create meaning\, and hold tightly onto hope in life’s most difficult moments. \nKaty Myers found The Compassionate Friends after the death of her sister\, Kristin\, and over time\, found her tribe—fellow siblings\, her chosen family within her local chapter\, and a national community built through service and connection. Her annual workshop\, Finding Your Tribe\, grew from her own search for belonging and has become a consistent space where siblings feel seen\, understood\, and less alone. Katy often shares that TCF saved her life—and as a keynote speaker for Sibling Sunday\, she brings her whole self: a devoted sister\, a committed leader\, and a passionate advocate for siblings carrying love\, loss\, and hope forward together. \nAlive Alone is not the sponsor of this event\, and we post these events for the benefit of all bereaved parents.
URL:https://vydncndt3tj.c.updraftclone.com/event/49th-national-conference-for-the-compassionate-friends/
LOCATION:Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor\, 401 West Pratt Street\, Baltimore\, MD\, 21201\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260724T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260726T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T190832
CREATED:20260130T144419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T010038Z
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SUMMARY:2026 BPUSA National Gathering
DESCRIPTION:The 2026 National Gathering of the Bereaved Parents of the USA National is a place where your child is remembered\, your grief is understood\, and you don’t have to walk this path alone. Join us for a meaningful weekend of connection\, healing\, and remembrance with parents\, grandparents\, and siblings who truly understand this journey. \nEach year\, the Bereaved Parents of the USA National Gathering brings together hearts that understand — parents\, grandparents\, and siblings who walk this lifelong road of love and loss. As we begin to plan for the 2026 Gathering in July\, we invite those who feel called to share their light to apply to be a workshop presenter. \nOur workshops offer a safe and compassionate space for hope\, healing\, and connection. Whether you share a personal story\, creative expression\, coping tool\, or way to honor our children\, grandchildren\, and siblings — your voice could make a difference for someone who needs it most. \nYou don’t need to be a professional speaker — just someone who understands this kind of love and wants to help others carry it. \nApply to present at the 2026 National Gathering this July. Together\, we continue to bring comfort\, courage\, and understanding to our grieving community. \nAlive Alone is proud to be part of the Gathering Planning Committee\, and is represented for the fifth year by Gwen Rice and Roger Moroney. Both are members of the Alive Alone Board of Directors\, and have given many workshops. We are interested in your experiences and lessons you have learned that could provide hope to other bereaved parents with no surviving children. Please email Gwen  or Roger for more information. \nRegistration for the Gathering is now open. Please consider adding the meal plan. The Alive Alone contingent will usually sit at the same table. Sharing conversation over meals is a good way to break the ice\, to share stories of our children\, and to talk about what might be of interest on the schedule. Reservations for the hotel are now open.
URL:https://vydncndt3tj.c.updraftclone.com/event/2026-national-gathering/
LOCATION:Pittsburgh Airport Marriott\, 77 Aten Road\, Coraopolis\, PA\, 15108\, United States
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ORGANIZER;CN="Bereaved Parents of the USA":MAILTO:bppresidentusa@gmail.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261004T100000
DTSTAMP:20260403T190832
CREATED:20260222T130158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260222T130648Z
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SUMMARY:Just Breathe Retreat
DESCRIPTION:The Just Breathe Retreat is a Christ-centered space where grieving moms—no matter what stage of grief they’re in—can come to find hope\, healing\, and community. Together\, we learn how to lean into the comfort Jesus offers and begin rebuilding hope in a safe\, supportive environment. \nThe main speaker is the founder of Grieving Moms Finding Hope\, Jacke Rose\, and often there are additional guest speaker(s) as well. The retreat follows a conference-style format\, including scheduled sessions\, guided activities\, meaningful fellowship\, and intentional free time for rest and reflection. \nThe venue is the Spring Lakes Ranch at the Lakehouse located on 1000 acres. Enjoy a lake\, fishing\, kayaking\, hiking\, spring fed pool and regular pool\, hot tub\, farm animals\, volleyball and so much more! Accommodations are shared rooms and shared beds\, and you will be thoughtfully paired with a roommate(s). \nCost: \nSee website for cost and payment options. \nTravel information:\nPlease plan your travel to work with the retreat schedule. It is recommended arriving a day early or staying a day late at accommodations of your choice if flight schedules are an issue. Check in for Retreat will be between 5:00pm-6:30pm on 10/1/26 and check out will be at 10:00am on 10/4/26 through 10:00am on Sunday.\nWaco has some fun Airbnb’s and hotels as well as the being the home to Magnolia! Plenty to do with your extra time!\nClosest airport to retreat location:\nWaco\, Texas (airport code ACT)\nAlternate option:\nDFW/Dallas Fort Worth + rental car (Appx. drive time: 1 hour 10 minutes) \nAlive Alone is not the sponsor of this event\, and we post these events for the benefit of all bereaved parents.
URL:https://vydncndt3tj.c.updraftclone.com/event/just-breathe-retreat/
LOCATION:Spring Lakes Ranch\, 3662 Patton Lake Road\, Aquilla\, TX\, 76622\, United States
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ORGANIZER;CN="Grieving Moms Finding Hope":MAILTO:stacy@grievingmoms.com
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