COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Los Alamos community is invited to a unique and powerful event designed to foster empathy, connection, and understanding through personal stories of grief.
Hosted in collaboration with Los Alamos Library, Los Alamos Community Services Department, Los Alamos Courts and Los Alamos JJAB, this event is 5:45-8 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos.
Grief is often associated with the loss of a loved one, but it extends far beyond that—touching experiences such as the loss of identity, marriage, religion, retirement, community, divorce, freedom, health and even the loss of dreams or innocence. Many in the community are navigating grief in different forms, and this event seeks to provide a space for reflection, connection, and healing.
Golden Willow Retreat, an organization specializing in grief support, will bring five trained facilitators who will guide attendees through an exploration of the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—through their own lived experiences. Participants will engage in small-group discussions, learning directly from those who have walked the path of grief. The evening will conclude with a collective reflection, providing an opportunity to process lessons learned and find comfort in shared experiences.
“Deep Dives has been a collaborative program the library has particularly been excited to promote and sometimes host,” Senior Librarian Eva Jacobson said. “Libraries are where a community gathers to connect, to learn, and to understand. We hope that by bringing this deep dive on grief, people will feel connected and uplifted—and be given resources and guidance on how to support others experiencing grief or even process their own.”
The event will be held after regular library hours and requires registration due to limited space. Fifty participants can register at https://laconm.libcal.com/event/14277680. If community interest is high, additional opportunities may be offered in the future.
For those seeking ongoing grief support, resources are available here: https://www.goldenwillowretreat.org/grief-support-groups/.
Everyone is welcome to join in “Building a More Compassionate Community!” This event is a rare opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, deepen understanding and cultivate compassion through shared experiences. The Los Alamos community is invited to take part in this evening of connection and healing.