9:00-10:00 AM – Check In
• Welcome food and beverages
• Visit local resource and vendor/activity tables
10:00 AM - WELCOME
Barb Smith, Executive Director of the Barb Smith Suicide Resource & Response Network
10:30 AM - PANEL OF HOPE
A panel of survivors of suicide loss share their grief journey and some experiences that were helpful and others that were not so helpful.
11:30 AM - ART ACTIVITIES
12:00 PM - LUNCH PROVIDED ON SITE
1:00 PM - KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Gwen Kapcia
Gwen is a licensed social worker in the State of Michigan, and she holds a certification in Thanatology, the study of death, dying and bereavement. She spent her entire career in grief and loss, spanning from hospice care to funeral home aftercare support and now she's the Executive Director of Starlight Ministries. Along with directing 6 camps for bereaved children, she has co-authored a faith-based curriculum for bereaved children and adults. She knows what grief feels like for her but most of her experiences come from walking alongside thousands of bereaved individuals who bravely taught her about grief.
Gwen is a wife, a mother to 3 adult children, she lives in Portland, MI and she is active in her church. In September of 2020 she launched Your Grief Guide, which supports bereaved individuals and provides training for those supporting them. Through online classes, virtual checkpoints, and educational presentations, we aim to convey and normalize the reactions to loss. Please visit: grief-guide.com
2:00 PM - CLOSING CEREMONIES – Barb Smith