Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO)
Hamilton/Burlington
Services
1104 Fennell Ave. East, Suite 6
Hamilton, Ontario  L8T 1R9

Contact Us By:
Telephone: (905) 318-0070
Fax: (905) 318-9181
Email: bfo-hb@on.aibn.com
Website: www.bfo-hamilton/burlington.on.ca
Personnel contact: Julie Davey, Program Director
                                         Cara Grosset, Coordinator, Children's + Adolescent Programs

Hours of operation: Mon-Fri: 8:30am-2:30pm

Referrals: Self-referrals are accepted.

Clientele: Moms, dads, couples, singles.

Fee: All programs are free of charge.

Accessibility: We are not wheelchair accessible.

Availability: There is usually no waiting list unless we have a lack of volunteers or participants to offer a group.

Please note:
We are always interested in people in the health field who want to volunteer their time in our programs. We offer training and support in exchange for their time!

What we do: Bereaved Families of Ontario, Hamilton/Burlington Chapter was established in 1988 by a group of concerned parents, professionals and individuals. Their goal was to share their insights and experiences with other grieving families and to lend them support in their attempt to restore balance in their lives. BFO knows that the people who best understand this grief are those who have experienced a similar tragedy. BFO is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors, with program guidance provided by a Professional Advisory Committee. All programs are possible due to the commitments of numerous volunteers. 

What we offer:
Programs:

  • T.L.C. for KIDS (Talk, Listen, Care):
    For bereaved children, aged 6-12 yrs. Pre-registration is required.
    • Provides bereaved kids (aged 6-8, and 9-12 years) with an opportunity to come together, in a structured setting, to safely explore their feelings and experiences and work toward a healthy, well-adjusted future. Children who have experienced the death of a sibling, parent, or close relative can attend the group. Pre-registration is required. Groups run for 10 weeks; 1 evening/week, 1hr group session and are offered in the Fall and Spring. All facilitators are trained and are either bereaved and/or mental health professionals.
  • Peer Adolescent Loss Support (P.A.L.S.):
    Bereaved youth aged 13-19 yrs.
    • This support group is for youth aged 13-19 yrs. The format depends on the number of teens registered. We offer an 8 week, 1 evening/week for 1-2 hours, structured group setting or a 2 Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm, structured group setting. Both are based on the mutual aid model, encouraging the youth to share experiences, participate in arts and activities and to begin the healing process. All facilitators are trained, experienced and are either bereaved and/or mental health professionals.
  • Adult Loss Support Groups:
    • Perinatal Loss Support: This group is for parents who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or a newborn death.
    • Mom's groups, Dad's groups, Couples' groups, and Mom's of older children group (Adult child has died): These groups are for parents who have experienced the death of a younger child, adolescent and/or young adult.
 
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