This program provides workshops, support groups, and information and referral for those experiencing grief and loss.
Since 1989 the LSS/SC Long Beach and South Bay Area has provided professional grief programs and services with people in our area’s 60 Lutheran Churches and also those experiencing grief and loss from Long Beach and surrounding communities in Los Angeles County.
Lutheran Social Services/SC in Long Beach received numerous requests from Lutheran Pastors and church members to provide Christian based services for widows and widowers and those experiencing grief and loss. In response to these requests, 30 men and women from 10 area Lutheran Churches met and planned the program design for the project. Those planning the project created a project that was on-going and open-ended with individuals participating in one or all of the components and services as needed.
Services or components of the program included: support groups; counseling; educational programs; recreational programs; service projects; pastoral care and spiritual growth; emergency assistance with food, transportation, and other needs; referral for specialized needs such as legal and medical concerns; seminars and consultation for area clergy and church members. This project provided a continuum of care for individuals experiencing grief and loss.
Since people experience grief differently and in different time periods, a continuum approach allows individuals to utilize services and components as they work through their grief. In 1989 LSS/SC in Long Beach received a three year grant from the WheatRidge Foundation for this project. The project was very successful, serving over 2500 people. Participants consistently reported finding healing, hope and a renewed sense of purpose within a Christian and caring community. They often stated that the project provided the opportunity for spiritual and emotional growth which helps work through grief and develops coping skills for future loss and problems. It is perhaps noteworthy that our Grief Ministry Project program design has been very helpful to others starting grief and bereavement programs throughout the country. It was named a Model Ministry by the LCMS Board of Social Ministry.
Currently programs and services of the project are available for individuals and also for congregations who provide funding and/or donations for program materials. Goals of the project include: 1. To help persons who have experienced loss and grief to deal constructively with the feelings and practical problems which result. 2. To help persons who have lost their spouse or family member to grow in understanding and coping with their total life situation and network of relationships. 3. To help Christians experiencing loss to find strength, healing and hope in their faith. 4. To provide the opportunity for reaching out to others who are experiencing loss and facing similar struggles and grief. 5. To help those experiencing grief to restore and build a sense of purpose for the future. Services of the program now provided include: Workshops or Educational Programs; Professional Counseling; Support Groups; Emergency Assistance with food, clothing, hygiene items, and other needs; Referrals for Specialized Needs; and Recreational Programs provided through the program’s “Never Alone” group which meets at a local restaurant for a meal. The group welcomes all those experiencing grief due to loss of spouse from death or divorce; loss of sibling, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or any relative or friend.
Funding for the Grief Ministry Project currently comes from area churches, church organizations, and individual gifts; some of those who received services from the project during their time of need now give generously to the project and Lutheran Social Services.
714-685-1800