Grief, Healing, & Hope
Grief is a natural response to loss, and every person's journey is unique. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and no timeline for healing. While grief is a universal experience, each person carries loss in their own way. Wherever you are on your journey - whether your loss is recent or many years ago - you do not have to walk this path alone.
Healing after loss does not mean forgetting. It means learning to carry the love, memories, and meaning of those we cherish while finding hope for the days ahead. Although the path through grief can feel overwhelming, healing is possible with compassionate support, understanding, and connection.
Our Grief, Support, and Outreach programs provide compassionate, evidence-informed bereavement support for hospice patient families, children, teens, adults, and members of our community. We offer individual grief counseling, couple and family support, children's and teen's grief services, support groups, remembrance events, and community resources - all designed to meet people where they are and honor each unique grief journey.
Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, supporting someone who is grieving, or simply looking for guidance and connection, our caring team of staff and volunteers is here to walk beside you with compassion, respect, and hope. You don't need to have all the answers before reaching out - sometimes the first step toward healing is simply knowing someone is here to listen.
Together, we believe no one should have to grieve alone. Through connection, education, counseling, and compassionate care, we strive to create a community where healing can begin, hope can grow, and every person feels supported as they move forward while honoring the life and love that will always remain.
"Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve."
~ Rabbi Earl A. Grollman
Counseling and Ongoing Support Groups
Individuals whose loved one received Hospice Care are welcome to engage in our counseling services, as are community members who have not received Hospice care.
Individual, Group, and Couples Counseling
Grief and loss support is available to both our hospice patients' families and community members at large. Through the generosity of donors and special grants, we offer an assessment session to determine how we can best support your bereavement needs. Depending on that assessment, we may suggest a limited number of counseling sessions and/or a referral to one of our small bereavement groups. If you are experiencing complicated grief that requires a more therapeutic environment, we will refer you to clinicians in our community.
Regularly Scheduled Groups
All Welcome, No Reservations Needed
There are four separate monthly drop-in support groups provided for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Anyone is welcome to attend as often as convenient. Groups are held in Lakeport, Kelseyville and Clearlake.
Title
Description
Location
Stronger Together: A Grief and Healing Support Group
3rd Wed. 2:00-3:30 pm or 4th Wed. 2:00-3:30 pm
Bereavement Center, 1862 Parallel Dr.,
Lakeport (3rd Wed.)/ Clearlake Chamber of Commerce,
14295 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake (4th Wed.)
Men's Coffee Group (currently on hiatus)
3rd Wednesday, 9:30-10:30 am
Woody's Cafe (inside Kelseyville Lumber),
3555 N. Main Street, Kelseyville
Good Mourning Support Group
1st Wednesday, 12:00-1:30 pm
Round Table Pizza (back room), 821 11th Street, Lakeport
A Journey Through Grief is an 8-week grief and loss education and support group offered in several locations around the county. Participants gain practical tools for navigating grief and receive support from others with similar experiences. Sessions are structured half education, half interaction, and each week builds on the one before - so participation every week is essential. Pre-registration is required. Please check our calendar or social media for upcoming group dateand locations.
"In every heart there is an inner room, where we can hold our greatest treasures and our deepest pain."
~ Marianne Williamson
Wings of Hope Programs
Our Wings of Hope programs are funded through proceeds from the Lake Circle of Care Thrift Stores, grants from the Redbud Healthcare District, special event fundraisers, and private donations.
Your gifts and donations truly change lives.
In 2025, Lake Circle of Care proudly celebrated the 25th anniversary of Wings of Hope, a program dedicated to helping children and families in Lake County navigate the grief and loss associated with the death of a loved one.
Today, our Wings of Hope program provides compassionate, school-based grief support to children and youth experiencing the loss of someone significant in their lives. Facilitated by trained grief counselors and dedicated volunteers, the program offers a safe, supportive environment where students can express their feelings, share experiences, and develop healthy coping skills.
Through age-appropriate activities, creative expression, guided discussions, and peer support, children learn that they are not alone in their grief. Our goal is to help students understand their emotions, build resilience, and find hope as they navigate their individual grief journeys.
Lake Circle of Care is committed to ensuring that grieving children throughout Lake County have access to compassionate support when they need it most.
To learn more about our Wings of Hope School-Based Grief Support Program, or to discover how you can support this and our other community programs, please contact us at (707) 263-6222 or visit www.lakecircleofcare.org.
"Thank you for a most wonderful experience. There was a breakthrough for our child.
We are forever grateful to see our children laugh again."
School Outreach Programs
Trained staff and volunteers meet with children and teens in school settings, offering individual and group counseling support in a safe space where they can express their emotions in healthy ways and build useful coping strategies.
Wings of Hope School-Based Grief Counseling
Children and youth who have experienced the loss of an important person in their life can get extra support for their unique grieving process. Groups run once a week for six weeks and can be supplemented with individual counseling as needed. While there's no magic solution to grief, students participating in Wings of Hope often see improved grades, greater social connection, and a healthier overall outlook. Despite the subject matter, these groups are not somber - many students leave expressing real hope and a sense of feeling "better."
Light snacks and all supplies are provided for group activities.
What Parents and Guardians
Can Expect
Students are typically referred to Wings of Hope groups or individual sessions by family members, school counselors, or Healthy Start representatives. Before a student begins counseling, parents/guardians will need to complete a permission form provided by our staff.
Sessions are held on school campuses in a designated space, led by experienced staff and volunteers using age-appropriate activities such as feeling charades, emotion/mood card games, memory collages, beading bracelets, and card-making.
What Volunteers Can Expect
The Wings of Hope School Program supports the next generation of Lake County students as they navigate grief. Volunteers provide meaningful, positive support throughout that process. Students from kindergarten through 12th grade across many Lake County schools receive group or individual support through this program. After an initial orientation, ongoing training and support is provided through monthly meetings and individual check-ins. Wings of Hope is an extraordinary program, and we'd love to add you to our team.
For more details, contact Michele Elola at (707) 263-6222 or melola@lakecountyhospice.org.
To refer a student, contact your school counselor or administration, or reach out directly to
Grief Counselor Michele Elola at melola@lakecountyhospice.org.
Family Bereavement Support & Camps
Families with children or teens who have experienced the death of a loved one can access grief counseling through individual or group sessions, workshops, and camps. Healing activities are designed to help each family member understand how loss uniquely affects them, and to build tools and coping strategies to support one another over time.
Watch our website and social media for upcoming family camps in 2027.
Community Partner Events
Death Cafe (we are a silent sponsor)
1st Tuesday of each month, 3 :00 pm - Common Grounds, Kelseyville Riviera. An open group discussion to increase awareness of death and help people make the most of their lives. Learn more at www.deathcafe.com.
Compassionate Friends (we are a silent sponsor)
I st Thursday of each month, 6:00-8:00 pm - Hospice Bereavement Center. Provides personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a child. Learn more at www.compassionatefriends.org, or reach the local Lake Chapter at tcfonthelake@gmail.com.
Lunch & Learn
Every Monday, 12:00-1 :00 pm. An informal, brown-bag discussion covering a variety of topics- building tools to more effectively support others through grief, loss, caregiving, and more. Open to any community member, professional, volunteer, or staff member.
You Don't Have to Navigate Grief Alone
Whether you're seeking one-on-one counseling, a support group, or resources for
your family, we're here to help. Contact our Grief & Healing team to learn
more about the services available to you.
Get in Touch:
Email: grief@LakeCircleofCare.org
Events Calendar
Coming Soon
We’re updating our Events Calendar with upcoming dates, event details, and ways to get involved. More information will be available soon.
Thank you for your patience as we put this section together. Please check back—we look forward to seeing you at a future event!