Resources
We’ve created a list of trusted local service providers, widowed groups and crisis services that can offer assistance in your time of distress.
External
Crisis Services
Widow Care is not a crisis hotline. If you are in a crisis situation, please call 911, or find a list of crisis services below.
other
grief
groups
Widow Care offers monthly peer support groups, which can be found here. If you're looking for additional grief or bereavement groups, find a list of local groups below.
Widowed persons may need assistance with things like financial planning, searching for new jobs, transportation & more. Find a list of local service providers below.
Widow Care hosts monthly social meet-ups, found here, but we also created a list of other social groups below.
Widowed social groups
Practical help
resources
Crisis services
Telephone Hotlines (24/7):
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Crisis Call Center - Call: (775) 784-8090
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Call 1-800-273-8255
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Online Crisis Network - Call 1-800-442-HOPE 1-800-442-4673
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PRS CrisisLink - Call 703-527-4077 (24/7)
Text or Online Chat:
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Crisis TEXT Line - Text “SUPPORT” to 741-741 (24/7).
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Crisis Call Center - Text: “ANSWER” to 839863
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Suicide Prevention LifeLine CHAT - Chat online, or call 1-800-273-8255
Grief groups
In addition to our own peer support groups found here, we aim to connect members with other grief groups in the DC/Maryland/ Virginia area, or even nationwide, we have compiled a list of resources below. We know this list is small right now, but it’s only growing! If you’re interested in Widow Care promoting your group, then contact us at .
Maryland
Bereavement support groups
Baltimore County, MD
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Baltimore County Govt. Local Support Groups
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Baltimore County, MD
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This website contains a list of support groups located within Baltimore County, Maryland. The list is broken down into categories including bereavement/grief, caregivers, etc.
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FRederick County, MD
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Frederick County, MD
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Programs include general grief support groups, specialized spousal loss support groups, and specialized categories depending on the type of loss.
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montgomery County, MD
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Montgomery County, MD
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CaringMatters serves children, adults and families who are facing life-threatening illness or have experienced the death of a loved one. They offer free groups specifically for those affected by spousal loss. Groups are broken down into different age groups and are held in various locations throughout Montgomery County.
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Montgomery County, MD
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Holy Cross offers specialized grieving support through groups targeting those who have suffered the loss of a spouse/partner.
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Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA)
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Montgomery County, MD
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JSSA offers faith-based support, including bi-monthly support group for those who have lost their spouse within the past year. These groups are free, but registration is required.
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Montgomery County, MD
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Holy Cross Hospital offers a variety of support groups focusing on grief, caregiving, and more.
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Montgomery County, MD
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Montgomery Hospice bereavement support groups and workshops are open to all who live or work in Montgomery County.
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All the programs are free. There is a $25 non-refundable registration fee for the six-week Support Groups.
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prince george's County, MD
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Prince George's County, MD
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Capital Caring offers a variety of grief groups, support groups and workshops including groups specifically for those dealing with the loss of a spouse.
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Prince George's County, MD
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Chesapeake Life Center grief support is available to anyone in our community who is grieving the loss of a loved one, regardless of their relationship to hospice or the type of loss.
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queen anne's County, MD
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Queen Anne's County, MD
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Compass Regional Hospice programs include adult support groups, holiday workshops, remembrance events & more-- for all types of losses.
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Virginia
Bereavement support groups
northern va
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Fairfax, Loudoun, Henrico & Prince William Counties, VA
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Capital Caring offers a variety of grief groups, support groups and workshops including groups specifically for those dealing with the loss of a spouse.
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Fairfax County, VA
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The Circle of Support invites participants to come together to learn and share their feelings, thoughts, questions, challenges and concerns. Group meetings usually have 10 or fewer participants.
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Fairfax County, VA
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They offer a variety of programs, including a Six-Week Suicide Loss Support Group, a Six-Week Widow/Widower Bereavement Support Group and a Six-Week General Bereavement Support Group.
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Fairfax County & Arlington County, VA
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The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in our Armed Forces or as a result of his or her service. TAPS Care Groups provide safe spaces for honest discussions focused on grief, loss, and connection in a structured support group format. In most cases, Care Groups are lead by a TAPS Peer Mentor and a mental health professional.
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Washington, D.C.
Counseling services
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The George Washington University Community Counseling Services Center
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Washington Regional Transplant Community Young Widowhood Groups
Widow Care is not a crisis hotline. If you are in a crisis situation, please contact one of the following services immediately:
Other Grief Resources
Losing a loved one is unimaginably heartbreaking, and can cause a lot of stress-- not just from the grief, but also due to the insurmountable piles of paperwork & responsibilities that arise.
Many people question how to budget on a single income, how to gain access their late-spouse's bank accounts, and how to sustain their lifestyle. Even worse, many widowed individuals end up losing their jobs due to missing work during their initial grievance period, adding to the stress of the situation.
To help our members tackle all of the obligations that may arise following loss, we've created a list of local resources below.
General Resources
Recent widows & widowers may look towards our “Widowed Checklist”, our comprehensive guide for widows and widowers, which is comprised of suggested actions to help organize post-bereavement obligations. To download a copy of our Widowed Checklist, click here.
Widowhood & Spousal Loss Organizations:
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Soaring Spirits: Soaring Spirits has one goal; to connect widowed people with each other. Soaring Spirits communities, both online and in-person, are diverse, inclusive, secular, and positive. We share resources, ideas, energy, and most importantly, hope.
Grief & Loss Organizations include:
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The Wendt Center for Loss & Healing: Founded in 1975 as an organization focused on counseling for grieving individuals, the Wendt Center has grown over the years into a major provider in the DC region for mental health services dedicated to grief, loss, and trauma. Through individual counseling, support groups, school and home-based therapy, training and education, and a variety of other programs, the Wendt Center serves people in the DC Metro Area impacted by illness, death, homicide, suicide, domestic and community violence, sexual and physical assault, and all manner of related secondary losses and traumas.
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Hope for Grieving Families: Hope For Grieving Families supports and connects families with children who have lost a parent, parental figure, or sibling in the Metro DC area. Ongoing events are free to families. To register for events or email .
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TAPS: The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in our Armed Forces or as a result of his or her service. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.
Practical Help
Meal Delivery
If you or a loved one are currently grieving and would like to find services to help with meal delivery, lawn care, transportation, or other daily tasks, then consider looking into the resources below.
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Like Neighbors - This service partners with Galley, a meal delivery service for the mid-atlantic region of the U.S., and allows family and friends to organize & pay for meal deliveries after the occurrence of a life-changing event (such as bereavement, a new child, etc.) This unique service will soon begin offering organized transportation services, allowing loved ones to offer support from afar.
Home Junk Removal
If you're looking for assistance in getting rid of items from your home, consider these resources:
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123JUNK is a Full Service Junk Removal Company that is ready to serve all your hauling needs. Fully insured, we carefully remove items from wherever they are located within your property. The only finger you have to lift is the one that points us to the junk! Our three-step disposal process is at the heart of our business: 1-DONATE, 2-RECYCLE, 3-DISPOSE
Home Care
If you're looking for assisted living, caregiving, in-home care or specialized medical assistance, check out these resources:
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The Lisa Vogel Agency provides in-home care management & custodial care for those who require long-term, short-term, rehabilitation or hospice care.
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Debra Levy Eldercare Associates- Independently owned and operated since 1988, our dedicated team of Aging Life Care managers provides individualized support and expert guidance to older adults facing the challenges of aging or disability, and their families. Our knowledgeable team of seasoned nurses, social workers and gerontologists supports families and professionals caring for older adults, using their expertise and understanding of the aging process and chronic illnesses to guide our clients towards practical solutions with confidence and compassion.
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Arden Courts Memory Care- Arden courts recognize every individual’s physical, mental and social needs and provide a secure environment that fosters independence for as long as possible. Walking paths, visual cues and home-like amenities invoke a sense of freedom and independence.
Helpful Articles
Here is a list of free online job search tools to help connect you with recruiters in your area. You are able to search by job field, salary, experience level, geographic area, and more!
These articles provide useful information about the job search process.
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“How to Write a Cover Letter in 8 Simple Steps (12+ Examples)”
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“10 Career Experts Share Their #1 Piece of Job Search Advice”
Financial Articles
Losing a loved one is extremely difficult, and the financial burdens of losing an income may cause even more stress. Here is a list of articles that provide financial advice for widows and widowers, as well as other educational articles related to spousal loss.
Other General Loss Articles
Reading List: Previous Speakers
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"Blind Curves: A Woman, a Motorcycle, and a Journey to Reinvent Herself" by Linda Crill
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"I've Still Got Me: A Widow's Journey to Love, Happiness & Financial Independence" by Michelle P. Cooper
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"We the Widows: A Guide to Your New Life" by Patricia Tyson Redmond
Other social groups
In addition to our monthly support and social events, we update our website with other local and national Widow/Widower events. We know this list is small right now, but it’s only growing! If you’re interested in Widow Care promoting your social/support events, then contact us at . If you’re interested in seeing Widow Care’s meet-ups, click here.
Groups:
