The Community Coalition of Grief and Bereavement met on Tuesday, Sept. 21 for their annual meeting. The main agenda item was to celebrate the organization’s 25 years of addressing the goal of providing grief education, support, and referrals to the people of Keweenaw, Houghton, Baraga, and Ontonagon counties.

The group was established in 1996 because of an identified unmet need to help grieving people. Nancy Beyers Wakeman, the current board chairperson, stated “The interest in establishing the organization was overwhelming. We gathered dedicated people representing agencies, schools, hospitals, churches, businesses, and volunteers ready to make a commitment to this effort.” The coalition then became a 501c3 organization and has depended on grant support, donations, volunteers, and in-kind gifts from the community.

The history of the coalition includes hosting nationally recognized grief and bereavement professionals, addressing the needs of families, children, professional workers, and caregivers. Sponsoring support group training and education to professionals has highlighted the group’s goal of addressing the needs of grieving people.

For more information you can reach the group at the website www.grief-ccgb.org or, email Nancy Wakeman at nlwakeman@gmail.com