Brighter Days Family Grief Center

What a day! All Things Grief professional development conference was all we hoped it to be and more. We are so grateful to everyone who attended including our wonderful volunteers, exhibitors and presenters. It was clear that this kind of platform for education, self-care, and networking is so deeply needed within this field. The feedback has been simply phenomenal and the recommendations for workshop topics and speakers for next year were fantastic! Many thanks to Megan Devine for sharing her wisdom and humor, Bryan Piatt and Kelly Grosklags LICSW, BCD, FAAGC, FT for leading us with their incredible documentary, “Dying is Not Giving Up” and to our inspiring grief and culture panelists for authentically sharing their knowledge and personal experiences: Ricardo Johnson II Khu Thao, MSW, PsyD, LP, LICSW Shradha Singh and Maria Marino Tatzmann. We are so very grateful to everyone for helping make this day so meaningful and we can’t wait to see you all again next year. 💙 The presenting sponsorship opportunity will open early 2025; please reach out to be notified.

Carolyn Kinzel, MSHS and her incredible team Brighter Days Family Grief Center did not disappoint with their very first conference, All Things Grief. Megan Devine brought all her wisdom, grace, and charm. She had this beautiful way of speaking to us as clinicians and also as grievers. She gets that people don’t go into work like this without having a significant reason why. And let’s be real, all of us are grievers of some type of loss. Every single one of us. The other big stage and small break out sessions all had incredible take aways that I will incorporate into my practice. I mean, can it get much better than our very own Kelly Grosklags LICSW, BCD, FAAGC, FT! The best part of these conferences for me is always being in my community. Death and grief workers lean into what most want to run away from. My heart is so stinking full from seeing old friends, my crew Justin Hallen and Rick Aizpuru with Thanacare, Catherine Hinz with Beyond Words, Nell with MN Funeral Photograpyh, and so so many more. I also got to make a few new ones too, which is one of my favorite hobbies. The energy in that space and the quality of that conference… I can’t wait till next year! 💜🩵💙💚 #abetterending #griefwork #community #lifelonglearner

By far, one of the most rewarding aspects of our work with grieving youth is the transformation we witness over time. Whether they are coming for counseling, youth groups, workshops, or grief camp, we are honored to hold space for them and guide them as they navigate balancing both joy and sorrow. Brighter Days Family Grief Center recently held Camp Erin - Twin Cities at True Friends Camp Eden Wood campsite. The smiles and laughter captured so beautifully by Matt Ayers and Dena Denny were not necessarily there when they arrived. There was a lot of fear and apprehension, and it took such courage to get out of the car, but by the end of the day they felt connected, supported, and HOPEFUL. ♥️ If you are interested in attending, volunteering, or sponsoring our September 14th Family Camp on beautiful Gull Lake, please reach out to me. Special thanks to Karen Phelps Moyer, founder of Eluna, for joining us for the day!

Registration closes August 8th! Join us for a day of education while experiencing the opportunity to hear Megan Devine deliver an inspirational keynote. We have fantastic breakout sessions lined up from Canvas Health, CARE Counseling, Eluna, Highmark Caring Place, NAMI Minnesota, Michele Deville, Kelly Grosklags LICSW, BCD, FAAGC, FT, Bryan Piatt, Stacey Allen, Bellis, Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter, Dannell Shu, MyMuseHealth, Khu Thao, MSW, PsyD, LP, LICSW, Hennepin Healthcare, FamilyWise, Healing Moments Counseling and many more. Gain insight from some of the best, and end your day by attending our social hour and book signing with Megan Devine sponsored by The Widow Collaborative. #grief #griefawareness #funeraldirectors #socialworkers #endoflifedoulas CEUs are approved for this conference by MN Board of Social Work, MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy and Minnesota Funeral Directors Association. Register: https://lnkd.in/ghiNPJaj

Registration CLOSES on August 7th for All Things Grief! Thank you to our recent sponsors Lakewood Cemetery, Washburn-McReavy, and Minnesota Funeral Directors Association for sponsoring the 6 CEUs for licensed funeral directors. Also approved are 6 CEUs from MN Board of Social Work and MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. Details: https://lnkd.in/gwgTtVcY

By far, one of the most rewarding aspects of our work with grieving youth is the transformation we witness over time. Whether they are coming for counseling, youth groups, workshops, or grief camp, we are honored to hold space for them and guide them as they navigate balancing both joy and sorrow. Brighter Days Family Grief Center recently held Camp Erin - Twin Cities at True Friends Camp Eden Wood campsite. The smiles and laughter captured so beautifully by Matt Ayers and Dena Denny were not necessarily there when they arrived. There was a lot of fear and apprehension, and it took such courage to get out of the car, but by the end of the day they felt connected, supported, and HOPEFUL. ♥️ If you are interested in attending, volunteering, or sponsoring our September 14th Family Camp on beautiful Gull Lake, please reach out to me. Special thanks to Karen Phelps Moyer, founder of Eluna, for joining us for the day!

Registration closes August 8th! Join us for a day of education while experiencing the opportunity to hear Megan Devine deliver an inspirational keynote. We have fantastic breakout sessions lined up from Canvas Health, CARE Counseling, Eluna, Highmark Caring Place, NAMI Minnesota, Michele Deville, Kelly Grosklags LICSW, BCD, FAAGC, FT, Bryan Piatt, Stacey Allen, Bellis, Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter, Dannell Shu, MyMuseHealth, Khu Thao, MSW, PsyD, LP, LICSW, Hennepin Healthcare, FamilyWise, Healing Moments Counseling and many more. Gain insight from some of the best, and end your day by attending our social hour and book signing with Megan Devine sponsored by The Widow Collaborative. #grief #griefawareness #funeraldirectors #socialworkers #endoflifedoulas CEUs are approved for this conference by MN Board of Social Work, MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy and Minnesota Funeral Directors Association. Register: https://lnkd.in/ghiNPJaj

We are excited to announce that registration is open for All Things Grief! ♥️ Join us for a day of education and connections, and enjoy the incredible opportunity to experience hearing Megan Devine as our keynote speaker. We have amazing breakout sessions lined up including speakers representing NAMI Minnesota, Alzheimer's Association®, CARE Counseling, FamilyWise, University of Minnesota, Eluna, Bellis, Hennepin Healthcare, MyMuseHealth, Canvas Health, Kelly Grosklags LICSW, BCD, FAAGC, FT, Michele Deville, Minnesota Firefighter Initiative and Highmark Caring Place. Register by June 15th to take advantage of early registration pricing: https://lnkd.in/ghiNPJaj

TODAY marks 8 years since Brighter Days Family Grief Center came to be. Since then, we have supported over 8,000 grieving children and adults, granted over $80,000 in financial assistance, and formed over 80 referral partnerships with hospices, hospitals, and community organizations. We are so proud to be an anchor of hope in our state by continuing our advocacy for grief awareness in all that we do, including holding our first statewide grief conference this summer and receiving the signed Minnesota proclamation for Children's Grief Awareness Day. We have so much to be proud of and even more to be thankful for including our incredible staff, board, and volunteers who have made all of this possible. Thank you to everyone who has lifted us up over the years. It has been our honor. ♥️

We are thrilled to be sponsors and exhibitors at Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care conference this week. Make sure to stop by and pick up a Simple Act of Kindness card to do something meaningful in honor of your loved one. ❤️