BEREAVEMENT FOR YOUNG WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS - AGED 65 AND YOUNGER - FOR THE LOSS OF A SPOUSE

Kathryn Monaco Douglas, Director                Arlene Ricca, Co-Director

ST. MATTHEW’S YOUNG WIDOW AND WIDOWER’S GROUP: A GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP UNLIKE THE REST…

Our Young Widows and Widowers Group, for ages 65 and under, is acompassionate free eight (8) week bereavement group for early loss up to 2
years, either in person at St. Matthew’s RCC in Dix Hills and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal/St. Mary of the Isle in Point Lookout or Virtual, meeting
three seasons (Fall, Winter and Spring), to give Young Widows & Widowers and their families the tools needed to move through their grief.

What sets us apart is our flexibility and diversity. We allow members to join immediately, others require a 3 month waiting period, to help, guide and direct them through the many difficult decisions they need to make for themselves and their families. The groups are arranged according to age of the members, those with no children, loss by suicide, teens grades 9-12, young adults 18-35 and chat and connect for after the 8 week sessions are completed.

Although sessions end after eight (8) weeks, unlike other bereavement groups, our members continue to meet for as long as they like. All groups are then placed in our private Facebook group. Our Young Widows and Widowers continue to communicate through the many help, support and social groups in the private Facebook group, fostering lifelong connections and support.

Professionals in the treatment of grief are brought in to speak on topics such as Coping With the Holidays, Children and Grief and different grief topics.

Contact info for our Young Widows and Widowers Group (age 65 and under):

       Call to register with Stacy Justich at 516-851-4215 or contact via email [email protected] for next session.

There is no fee. This is non denominational. All 65 and under are welcome.

     Call to register with Stacy Justich at 516-851-4215 or contact via email [email protected] for next session.

TEEN GROUP (GRADES 9-12) – FOR THE CHILDREN OF MEMBERS OF ST. MATTHEW’S YOUNG WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS

Our Teen bereavement group is offered for the children of our members in grades 9-12 for 8 week sessions in both the Fall and Spring. It is facilitated by a child psychologist who has been working in public schools for over 20 years. Roni Loud-Mosakowski is also one of our young widows. She understands the loss of a parent having lost her Father at a young age.

She facilitates this group in order to give the children of o members the level of support and community she found for herself through our groups. The Teen Group follows the same format and topic structure of the adult group, at age-appropriate levels for the members. They focus on coping skills, building support systems, and honoring and remembering their lost parents, along with their surviving members.  Parents are given the opportunity to speak with the facilitator during the registration process. 

Contact info for our Teen Group (Grades 9-12):

     Call to register with Roni Mosakowski at 631-960-5362