The Compassionate Friends of Lorain and Erie Counties

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Vermilion, OH
The Compassionate Friends of Lorain and Erie Counties

TCF has no religious affiliation, and no individual membership fees or dues are charged. All bereaved family members are welcome.

We are a non-profit peer-run group offering friendship and support to parents, grandparents and siblings who have experienced the death of a child (of any age).

6:30pm - 8:00pm on the Third Wednesday of each month @ Ritter Library in Vermilion TCF of Lorain and Erie Counties is a chartered Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a national nonprofit, self-help organization offering friendship, unde

rstanding, and hope to families grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause. Founded in England in 1969, TCF was established in the United States in 1972, with 501(c)(3) not-for-profit incorporation in 1978. TCF of Lorain and Erie Counties was established in 2025.

04/15/2026

For tonights meeting be prepared to bring an item that reminds you of your loved one. This could be a piece of clothing, a toy, an award won, or any other item that is meaningful to you to share with the group as we talk about our children, siblings or grandchildren.

04/14/2026

Grief is a reflection of deep love. That love will always remain.

Every tear and every memory is proof of the bond you share. Love does not end with life—it continues in your heart.

04/07/2026

There is strength in allowing yourself to feel what you feel.

Let your emotions flow without judgment. Vulnerability is not weakness—it is part of the healing process.

03/31/2026

Your child’s story is part of who you are. Sharing it can keep their memory alive.

Each story you tell honors your child and helps others understand the love you carry. Your memories matter—let them be heard.

03/24/2026

It is okay to feel joy and grief in the same moment.

Feeling happy while grieving does not diminish your love or sorrow. Both emotions can coexist, and both are valid.

03/18/2026

Our next Compassionate Friends meeting will take place TONIGHT Wednesday, March 18th from 6:30–8:00 PM at Ritter Public Library.

This month’s topic is “Say Their Name.” In our time together, we will be doing a gentle word-association activity centered around our loved ones. It’s a simple way to share memories, speak their names out loud, and reflect on the many thoughts and feelings they still bring to our hearts.

Saying their names matters. It keeps their memory present and reminds us that the love we carry for them continues to be part of who we are.

As always, our meetings are a safe and understanding space for grieving parents, siblings, and families. You are welcome to share, or simply listen—whatever feels right for you.

We hope you’ll join us.

03/11/2026

Our next Compassionate Friends meeting will take place next Wednesday, March 18th from 6:30–8:00 PM.

This month’s topic is “Say Their Name.” In our time together, we will be doing a gentle word-association activity centered around our loved ones. It’s a simple way to share memories, speak their names out loud, and reflect on the many thoughts and feelings they still bring to our hearts.

Saying their names matters. It keeps their memory present and reminds us that the love we carry for them continues to be part of who we are.

As always, our meetings are a safe and understanding space for grieving parents, siblings, and families. You are welcome to share, or simply listen—whatever feels right for you.

We hope you’ll join us.

03/10/2026

Sometimes people ask why we meet.

We meet because grief can feel incredibly lonely. Even when surrounded by people who care, it can be hard to talk about the loss of a child with those who haven’t experienced it themselves.

We meet so that no one has to walk this path alone.

In our meetings, there is no pressure to speak and no expectations to “move on.” It’s simply a space where parents, siblings, and families who understand child loss can sit together, listen, share, and support one another.

We meet to remember our children.
We meet to say their names.
We meet to remind each other that our grief—and our love—will always matter.

If you or someone you know could use a space like this, you/they are always welcome to join us. Our chapter supports parents, siblings, and grandparents grieving the loss of a child of any age—from pregnancy and miscarriage through late adulthood.

We also encourage everyone to follow our page. You never know when someone in your life may be facing the unimaginable pain of child loss, and simply knowing where to send them for FREE local support can make all the difference.

01/26/2026

At our TCF chapters and online groups, you will find bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings mourning children who have died from all causes at all ages. Some share similar grief experiences, while others have a different but equally painful loss.

We embrace any grieving family, regardless of the circumstances of your child’s death, offering a space for understanding and support.

No shame, no judgment—just compassion.

Visit our website to find a local chapter or online group.

01/25/2026

Join us for this free webinar on February 4th at 12:00 pm EST. Our society, in general, has adopted many constructs for understanding grief that do not adequately reflect the experience of bereaved people. This often leads individuals living with the death of a loved one to retreat from others, internalize their grief, and/or feel as though they are not grieving in the right way. Join us for this webinar as we challenge societal myths about what is "normal" grieving and healthy coping. This presentation will offer a "language" that more accurately defines how grief manifests in our lives and ideas for how we might carry and cope with the devastating, life-altering experience of profound loss.

01/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who was able to come out tonight. Our discussion focused on the guilt many of us carry in grief, and the courage it takes to speak those feelings out loud. Your presence and openness helped create a safe and supportive space for all. It is always good to be reminded that none of us have to carry our grief and guilt alone.

Looking ahead, our next meeting on 2/18/2026 will focus on Forgiveness—a topic that can feel complicated and deeply personal in grief. Together, we will explore what forgiveness may or may not look like after loss, including forgiving ourselves, others, or even the circumstances surrounding our child’s death. This conversation is not about pressure or expectations, but about creating space for reflection, understanding, and support as each person walks their own grief journey.

Address

Vermilion, OH

Website

https://tcfoflorainanderie.com/

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