BFO-Toronto

Family & Friend Loss Peer Support Group @ The Good Mourning Festival
2024-11-02 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our Family & Friend Loss Peer Support Group taking place on Saturday, November 2nd from 1:00PM to 2:30PM EST at Evergreen Brick Works’ Good Mourning Festival (meeting room details will be circulated closer to the date). This gathering provides a supportive environment for sharing whatever is on your heart at this moment in your grief journey. ❤️
Groups will take place in a private meeting room at Evergreen Brick Works and are facilitated by two trained peer support facilitators with ten (10) participants in each group. Please arrive early to ensure you find parking and have time to explore the installations for the festival. At least 10 minutes before the group begins please find the BFO-Toronto table to let the team know that you have arrived.
Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group Details:
Date: November 2nd, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Location: Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8)
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca.
Click here to register for this group: https://forms.gle/8SVyj7TTQ9EUxPXk8

Spousal Loss Peer Support Group @ The Good Mourning Festival
2024-11-02 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our Spousal Loss Peer Support Group taking place on Saturday, November 2nd from 11:00AM to 12:30PM EST at Evergreen Brick Works’ Good Mourning Festival (meeting room details will be circulated closer to the date). This gathering provides a supportive environment for sharing whatever is on your heart at this moment in your grief journey. ❤️
Groups will take place in a private meeting room at Evergreen Brick Works and are facilitated by two trained peer support facilitators with ten (10) participants in each group. Please arrive early to ensure you find parking and have time to explore the installations for the festival. At least 10 minutes before the group begins please find the BFO-Toronto table to let the team know that you have arrived.
Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group Details:
Date: November 2nd, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Location: Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8)
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca.
Click here to register for this group: https://forms.gle/fYY83dpQuxQTj5Ut8

Good Mourning Festival
2024-11-02 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Ontario
On Saturday November 2, 2024 from 10:00AM – 3:00PM we are excited to be a part of Evergreen’s second annual Good Mourning Festival!
The festival invites the public to come together to reclaim death as a special part of life. This event is dedicated to exploring and honouring the significance of mourning in public spaces. In a world where grief is often private and hidden, the Good Mourning Festival invites you to celebrate the profound communal aspects of mourning. Through workshops, food, shopping, art installations, walks and more, we create a space where grief can be expressed, shared and understood.
The Good Mourning Festival is more than an event – it’s a chance for people to embrace the full spectrum of human emotion in our public spaces. See below for details on each day and to find out how to register for Octobers offerings.
To learn more click here: https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-work/events/good-mourning-festival-2024/
At the event we will be hosting two drop-in support groups, registration is through the following links:
Spousal Loss Peer Support Group: https://forms.gle/fYY83dpQuxQTj5Ut8
Family & Friend Loss Peer Support Group: https://forms.gle/8SVyj7TTQ9EUxPXk8

Walk to Remember
2024-09-21 | Ontario
Our highly anticipated fundraising event, Walk to Remember, is back! Join Bereaved Families of Ontario – Toronto in partnership with the Centre for Grief & Healing on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Lakeside Park in Mississauga for a day of connection and remembrance.
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Location: Lakeside Park in Mississauga (2268 Lakeshore Rd W)
Time: TBA
Join as a team or as an individual and raise essential grief support funds for our organisations, in honour of your loved ones who are no longer here. There will be a 5K route set up at Lakeside Park in Mississauga, as well as spaces for remembrance featuring activities facilitated by our community partners.
Please know that funds raised from this event will help to reduce our wait times, and ensure we can continue providing free grief supports for those in the community that require our services. Event timing and additional details will be shared closer-to. This is a rain or shine, and dog-friendly event. See you there!
Click Here to Donate and Learn More About Walk to Remember.
Please demonstrate your intent to attend the event by filling out this form.

Spousal Loss Drop-In Support Group
2024-08-06 18:30 - 2024-09-03 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our virtual/online Spousal Loss Drop-In group on Tuesday, August 6th, from 6:30-8:30 PM EST. This gathering provides a supportive environment for sharing whatever is on your heart at this moment in your grief journey. ❤️
Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Zoom link will be sent closer to the date of the group.
Group Details:
Date: August 6th
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Facilitator: Jenn, Michael and Christine
Click Here to Register.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca.

Grief Walk in Cedarvale Park
2024-07-27 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Toronto) | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our Grief Walk and Picnic in Cedarvale Park on July 27th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST. This gathering provides a supportive environment for sharing whatever is on your heart at this moment in your grief journey while being in nature. 🌳
Please make sure to RSVP for the walk no later than Friday, July 26, at 4 pm. Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group Details:
Date and Time: July 27th, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST
Where: Cedarvale Park- right across from St. Clair West subway station
Facilitator: Monica, Moody and Daniel
Click Here to Register.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca.

Intro to Mindfulness Meditation
2024-05-14 | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our virtual Intro to Mindfulness Meditation: Cultivating Peace and Ease during Difficult Times 4-Week Program, hosted by one of our lovely volunteers, Grace! 🤍 Each session will be online from 6:30-8:00pm, and the topics will include: 🧘‍♂️ Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation
☀️ Sitting and Walking Meditation
🌱 Mindfulness of Body, Thoughts and Emotions
🫂 Self Compassion.
Sessions will take place on May 14th, 21st, 28th, and June 4th. We hope to see you there!
Zoom links will be sent closer to the dates of the groups.
Group Details:
Dates: May 14th, May 21st, May 28th, and June 4th
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Facilitator: Grace Duong
Please click here to register.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca.

Mother's Day Drop-In Support Group
2024-05-13 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our virtual Mother’s Day Drop-In Support Group on May 13, 2024, from 6:30PM to 8:30PM EST. This gathering aims to provides a supportive environment for the those whose Mother’s or Mother figures have passed on Mother’s Day. ❤️
Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Zoom link will be sent closer to the date of the group.
Group Details:
Date: May 1st
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Click Here to Register.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca.

Family and Friend Loss Drop-In Support Group
2024-05-01 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our virtual Family & Friends Drop-In group on Wednesday, May 1st, from 6:30PM to 8:30PM EST. This gathering provides a supportive environment for sharing whatever is on your heart at this moment in your grief journey. ❤️
Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Zoom link will be sent closer to the date of the group.
Group Details:
Date: May 1, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Click Here to Register.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca.

Family & Friend Loss Drop-In Support Group
2024-04-03 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our virtual Family & Friends Drop-In group on Wednesday, April 3rd, from 6:30PM to 8:30PM EST. This gathering provides a supportive environment for sharing whatever is on your heart at this moment in your grief journey. ❤️
Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Zoom link will be sent closer to the date of the group.
Group Details:
Date: April 3, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Click Here to Register.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca.

Healing Narratives: Storytelling for Grief
2024-03-26 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 2nd Floor – 163 Queen St. E, Toronto, ON M5A 1S1, 2nd Floor - 163 Queen St. East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A1S1
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our Healing Narratives: Storytelling for Grief Workshop on Tuesday, March 26th, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST.
This gathering is a free Storytelling workshop co-facilitated by BFO-Toronto’s Resident Storyteller Patrick de Belen and co-facilitated by community storyteller Kareem Bennett in partnership with the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA), African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario – ACCHO, Africans In Partnership Against Aids (APPA) and BFO-Toronto.
This workshop is an invitation to the African, Black and Caribbean diaspora to explore storytelling as an empowerment and processing tool for grief. Participants will be led through a series of activities and interactive exercises and have the opportunity to hear and share their own experiences. ❤️
Group Details:
Date: Tuesday, March 26th
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Location: 2nd Floor – 163 Queen St. E, Toronto, ON M5A 1S1
Facilitators: Patrick de Belen and Kareem Bennett
Click Here to Register.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact sarah@bfotoronto.ca.

Yoga Class
2024-02-21 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Ontario
Discover a gentle mindful practice in our virtual session of Kemetic Yoga crafted to ease challenging times. 🤍
Kemetic Yoga, is a gentle practice designed to gracefully guide your body and mind into a calm and relaxed state. Revitalize your internal and physical vitality through a guided breathing technique and simple postures. These sessions are open to anyone seeking solace and support on their journey of loss. No previous experience necessary. 🧘
Please email ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca to register. ✨

Family and Friends Drop-In Peer-Support Group
2024-02-07 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Ontario
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto invites you to join our virtual Family and Friend Drop-In group on Wednesday, February 7th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. This gathering provides a supportive environment for sharing whatever is on your heart during your grief journey. ❤️
To secure your spot, kindly RSVP to ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca. Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Zoom link will be sent upon RSVP.

2SLGBTQIA+ Grief Support Drop-In Group
2024-01-25 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online
Join us for our Virtual 2SLGBTQIA+ Grief Support Drop in Group on January 25th from 6:30-8:30PM EST ✨ This group is open to any Queer person that has experienced the loss of someone they care about ❤️ Email Ashley at ashley@bfotoronto.ca to register in advance! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Coping With the Holidays: Drop-In Support Group (December 20th)
2023-12-20 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online
Grief can feel even more overwhelming during the winter holidays and with reduced amounts of sunlight. To provide a safe and supportive space for individuals navigating the complexities of grief during the holiday season, we invite you to join our online “Coping with the Holidays Drop-In Support Group.”
Date: December 20th
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Facilitator: Taya Mikado
RegisterHere: https://forms.gle/jWHJhQoWU3NiQFP19

This drop-in support group is open to all who are struggling with grief, regardless of where you are in your healing process. We aim to create an atmosphere of compassion, understanding, and connection, so you can better cope with the unique challenges that winter months and holiday seasons can present.
Please mark your calendar for December 20th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and join us for this online event. You don’t have to face your grief alone—we’re here to support you.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact communications@bfotoronto.ca.
We look forward to sharing this evening with you as we navigate the holiday season together.

Coping With the Holidays: Drop-In Support Group (November 29th)
2023-11-29 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online
Grief can feel even more overwhelming during the winter holidays and with reduced amounts of sunlight. To provide a safe and supportive space for individuals navigating the complexities of grief during the holiday season, we invite you to join our online “Coping with the Holidays Drop-In Support Group.”
Date: November 29th
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Facilitator: Margot Marcus
Register Here: https://forms.gle/jWHJhQoWU3NiQFP19
This drop-in support group is open to all who are struggling with grief, regardless of where you are in your healing process. We aim to create an atmosphere of compassion, understanding, and connection, so you can better cope with the unique challenges that winter months and holiday seasons can present.
Please mark your calendar for November 29th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and join us for this online event. You don’t have to face your grief alone—we’re here to support you.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact communications@bfotoronto.ca.
We look forward to sharing this evening with you as we navigate the holiday season together.

Highlighting Work Done to Overcome Challenges Presented by the Pandemic
2023-11-10 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | BFO-Toronto, 202-355 Church St., Toronto, ON, M5B0B2, Canada
On November 10th at 2:00 p.m., MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam will be at 355 Church Street, Toronto in the CityWide Commons Space. Family Services-Toronto created the Citywide Commons that provides office space to many non-profits, including Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto. These non-profits provide Counselling support, Settlement Services, Mental Health Support, HIV & AIDS Support Services, Seniors Support Services, Grief Support Services, Family Support Services and Community Development. BFO-T offers grief support to Torontonians who have experienced life-changing loss after the death of a loved one through peer volunteer-led services, professionally designed and supported. MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam and Ontario Trillium Foundation volunteer, will attend the event to mark the work done by BFO-T as a result of receiving a grant from the Foundation.
Sarah Garcia-Heller, Executive Director of BFO-T, will be talking about our program and its expected impact on the community.
Click Here to RSVP.
For more information, please contact:
Ashley Mathew BFO-Toronto, ashley@bfotoronto.ca

The Good Mourning Festival: Together in Grief
2023-11-04 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3X8, Canada
Evergreen’s first ever Good Mourning Festival will take place over two days – November 4 and 5. Day 1 is a NEW event at the Brick Works titled Together in Grief and Day 2 is our annual Day of the Dead Celebration. BFO-Toronto is collaborating with Evergreen Brick Works for Day 1: Together in Grief and will offer one on one support conversations with event attendees. If you are interested in being a Volunteer Facilitator for the event please fill out the following form: Click Here.
Day 1: Together in Grief
On November 4, together, we will demonstrate the role of public space in public grief. We invite our visitors to explore the universal themes of grief and death with open hearts and open minds. The day offers a warm embrace, featuring interactive installations that invite you to engage, workshops that encourage meaningful conversations and art pieces that celebrate the human experience.
Come and be part of this inviting space where you can connect with others, share your stories and find comfort in the shared journey of life and loss. We extend a heartfelt invitation to all, as we come together to explore these profound aspects of our existence in a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, fostering understanding and connection.

2023 5K Walk to Remember
2023-09-30 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Lakeside Park, 2268 Lakeshore Rd West, Mississauga, Canada
2023 5K Walk to Remember – Hop, Skip, Run, Remember!
Join us for the 4th annual 5k Walk to Remember in support of BFO Toronto by registering to participate in this beloved event. On Saturday, September 30th from 10am-1pm we will be walking, running, scootering and dancing at Lakeside Park in Mississauga (2268 Lakeshore Rd West) in support of BFO Toronto in partnership with BFO Halton Peel.
What is the 5K Walk to Remember Memorial?
Each year we come together to celebrate and commemorate loved ones who are no longer with us by fundraising in their honour. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to support our programs that give comfort to grieving Torontonians through peer to peer support groups. Gather your friends and family to participate in this meaningful event!
We will be partnering with BFO-Halton Peel to organize this event, proceeds from teams registered on our page will be dedicated to BFO-Toronto:
https://bfotoronto.ca/bfo-toronto-5k-memorial/
DONATE NOW | REGISTER

2SLGBTQIA+ Grief Support Drop-In Group
2023-09-09 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Date: Sep 9, 2023
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Where: Zoom! – Register in advance for this meeting. To register email Ashley at ashley@bfotoronto.ca
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Grief Walk- MIDTOWN
2023-08-27 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Cedarvale Ravine, St. Clair West Station - Heath Entrance/Exit, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Grief Walk
Join us on August 27th at 11:00 AM for a therapeutic Grief Walk in Midtown Toronto, with Monica and Qaid. Let nature’s healing embrace you as we explore Cedarvale Park Ravine. Meet us at St. Clair West station- Heath entrance/exit and embark on a journey of healing and connection. Walking for grief support is multifaceted and can offer several benefits to individuals navigating the grieving process.
Please RSVP to ekasakevich@bfotoronto.ca

Online Book Club w/ Arielle
2023-08-07 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | ZOOM
Online Book Club w/ Arielle
6:30-8 PM,
Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter
Please RSVP to receive zoom link

Volunteer Meet and Greet
2023-07-27 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | BFO-Toronto, 202-355 Church St., Toronto, ON, M5B0B2, Canada
Volunteer Meet and Greet at bfoToronto Northwoods room
Join us for a
6:30-8:00 PM
Please RSVP to attend

Book Club w/ Arielle
2023-07-24 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | ZOOM
July 24, 2023 Book Club w/ Arielle, 6:30-8 PM, Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter
