About The Compassionate Friends
"The Compassionate Friends is about transforming the pain of grief into the elixir of hope. It takes people out of the isolation society imposes on the bereaved and lets them express their grief naturally. With the shedding of tears, healing comes. And the newly bereaved get to see people who have survived and are learning to live and love again." Simon Stephens, founder of
The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a worldwide self-help, mutual assistance organization offering friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents and grandparents. TCF was formed in England in 1969 and the first U.S. chapter was founded in 1972. The Sarasota Chapter is one of more than 650 chapters in the United States. The Chapter is made up of parents and grandparents who have been bereaved for various lengths of time. Chapter members, further along in their grief journey, volunteer in leadership roles, helping and comforting the newly bereaved members. Gradually, members learn how to survive what has happened, find a "new normal" and begin to rebuild their lives.
The Compassionate Friends has no religious affiliation. The chapter has no dues or employees.
For over 25 years, the Sarasota, Chapter of The Compassionate Friends has been actively helping families toward the positive resolution of their grief following the death of a child.
FUNDING
There are no individual dues or fees of any kind. The Compassionate Friends depends entirely on voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, and the philanthropic community.
The Compassionate Friends is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization depending on donations for meeting space, supplies, our website, postage and printed materials. All donations are tax-deductible.
The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a worldwide self-help, mutual assistance organization offering friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents and grandparents. TCF was formed in England in 1969 and the first U.S. chapter was founded in 1972. The Sarasota Chapter is one of more than 650 chapters in the United States. The Chapter is made up of parents and grandparents who have been bereaved for various lengths of time. Chapter members, further along in their grief journey, volunteer in leadership roles, helping and comforting the newly bereaved members. Gradually, members learn how to survive what has happened, find a "new normal" and begin to rebuild their lives.
The Compassionate Friends has no religious affiliation. The chapter has no dues or employees.
For over 25 years, the Sarasota, Chapter of The Compassionate Friends has been actively helping families toward the positive resolution of their grief following the death of a child.
FUNDING
There are no individual dues or fees of any kind. The Compassionate Friends depends entirely on voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, and the philanthropic community.
The Compassionate Friends is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization depending on donations for meeting space, supplies, our website, postage and printed materials. All donations are tax-deductible.
Donations of any amount are appreciated; donations are accepted at our monthly meetings.