Upcoming Support Groups and Events
We offer ongoing support groups for a variety of loss circumstances, all of which meet monthly. Currently all of our support groups meet virtually using the Zoom platform. Click through the calendar to see upcoming meetings and events for our community.
We know support groups are not for everyone. Visit our Individual Support page to learn about other ways we may be able to support you.
Not local to Massachusetts? Our TFMR Support groups, our LGBTQ+ Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Groups and our BIPOC Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Groups are the only support groups that include nation-wide participants. Our focus is on building actual, lived community in Western Mass, so we try to keep our groups Massachusetts-populated. We encourage you to visit the National Share Organization to look for your own local community-based support, or find an organization that is intended to be for a national audience.
Empty Arms Bereavement Support Annual Fall Fest @ Mike's Maze
Empty Arms’ Fall Fest at Mike’s Maze is one of our favorite FREE opportunities to bring this community together for fall fun, games, and treats.
This event is free for our community, but we ask you to register in advance using this link.
VIRTUAL Accompanying Parents When a Baby Dies: Caring for the Family while Caring for Yourself
This abbreviated session is an essential annual course for those who care for parents at the bedside when a baby dies. Perfect for nurses, doulas, doctors and midwives who are there when a family learns of a baby's death, and who must then coach them through the process of delivery, time together, and saying goodbye.
HYBRID Pregnancy and Infant Loss Training for Clinicians
This session is a candid exposure to the realities of what pregnancy and infant loss can be like for parents, what the normal trajectory of grief and healing looks like, and the language and strategies that help and hurt.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the second Thursday of each month from 7-9PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the other occurring on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Miscarriage & Early Pregnancy Loss Support Group
This meeting is open to anyone who has experienced early pregnancy loss including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or termination for medical reasons early in pregnancy.
This group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 7:30-9PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
Twin Loss; Parenting a Surviving Twin Support Group
This group is open to anyone who has experienced a loss with multiples while parenting their survivor(s). This group addresses the unique experience of holding ecstatic joy and crushing grief simultaneously.
This group meets on the second Monday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
BIPOC Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
Our BIPOC group is open to non-white families nationwide who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. The express intent of this group is to provide a safe and affirming space for people of color to share their unique loss experiences.
This group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-9PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
Support Group for Dads
This is a space for male-identifying, non-gestational parents who have lost babies to explore their experience of grief in this culture.
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the others occurring on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Expecting your Next Baby Support Group
This group addresses the ways in which grief affects a family’s journey towards another baby. This group is open to people who are currently pregnant, people who are currently pregnant through surrogacy, or in an active adoption process.
*This group is intended for those who have participated in or are currently attending at least one of our support groups to process their loss. As this group focuses on next steps, there is less space to process loss in this group.
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7:30-9PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
SOLD OUT Fall Mini Photo Shoots
Empty Arms Fall Photoshoot is back! Jeffrey Rivkin Photography leads photo mini-sessions at Child’s Park in Northampton to support Empty Arms.
Receive your digital files in time for holiday cards! Spots fill up FAST, so secure yours today!
Reserve your session here: https://calendly.com/veronica-emptyarmsbereavement/fall-photo-mini-shoots?month=2024-10
Trying for Another Baby Support Group
When you are thinking about having another baby, the emotions can be complicated and may change from day to day. This support group offers a safe space to explore the idea of next steps. It is intended for people who are thinking about becoming pregnant or who are considering a surrogacy or adoption process. This group is open to residents of Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
This group meets on the third Monday of each month from 7:30-9PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
HYBRID, Two-Part Bereavement Training for Doulas
As a Doula, your ability to support families through pregnancy and infant loss is life-changing, significantly impacting their decision-making, resilience, and long-term well-being. Carol McMurrich will share invaluable insights on the critical role of compassionate care in perinatal bereavement for doulas.
Stillbirth and Infant Loss Support Group
This group is open to people who have experienced later pregnancy loss after 20 weeks gestation through early infancy.
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-9PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form on our home page.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the others occurring on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Trivia Night!
Join Empty Arms for our annual Trivia Night Fundraiser! Recruit a team of up to 10 & come show off your skills.
Pot-Luck Style Team Dinners 6 - 7 PM
Trivia starts at 7 PM
$250 per table, Maximum of 10 individuals per table
POT LUCK STYLE TEAM DINNERS!
Teams are encouraged to bring dinner (including all dinnerware) for themselves and their teammates.
CASH BAR - NO outside beverages (including non-alcoholic) permitted.
The evening will feature a raffle & a silent auction with AMAZING prizes you don't want to miss!
Click here to reserve your team’s table.
Event One
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.