These groups are designed to support the diversity of communities who experience loss. In this category you will find groups such as: Post-Abortion Group and 2SLGBTQIA+ Parenting and Loss Group.
Post-Abortion Support Group
This group is a monthly drop-in peer support group that allows individuals who have had one or more abortion(s) to connect in a non-judgmental setting. This group is focused on finding ways to cope during the post-abortion experience and is inclusive of all experiences because there is no right or wrong way to feel about this decision. We are here to support whatever you are feeling or coping with as part of the post-abortion experience.
We are affirming, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental of all choices. We are fully supportive of access to all choices including parenting, abortion, and adoption.
Who is this group for? For individuals who have had one or more abortion(s) only
This group is in partnership with
When We Meet: Tuesdays: March 26th, April 9th, May 14th, June 11th, 2024
Time We Meet: 6:30pm MT / 8:30pm ET
Where: Online
Queer Family Building Support Group
This is a casual peer support group that provides an accountable, non-judgmental space for those who identify within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This group holds space for the diverse ways that 2SLGBTQIA+ parents build their families (i.e.: assisted fertility, surrogacy, chosen family, adoption) and/or experience loss on their paths to parenthood. We recognize that all parents deserve an accountable and affirming space to navigate their journey.
Who is this group for? This group is for individuals who are part of gender and/or sexually diverse populations including but not limited to Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual individuals. People in any stage of parenthood and/or loss are welcome, you do not need to have experienced pregnancy or infant loss to attend. This group is open to birthing persons, non-birthing persons, partners, caregivers, chosen family, surrogates, donors, etc.
When We Meet: Third Tuesday of each month: April 16th, May 21st, June 18th, 2024
Time We Meet: 6pm MT / 8pm ET
Where We Meet: Online
FAQ
What to expect at a PILSC peer support group
A hybrid group is a peer support group that gives you the option of attending in person at the PILSC office in downtown Calgary or attending virtually on Zoom for those living outside of Calgary and for anyone who prefers to attend virtually.
Your hybrid group will have a designated facilitator for those who attend in person and the second facilitator will be supporting the group on Zoom. We have technology called Meeting Owl that allows for a seamless interaction experience between those attending in person and those who attend virtually.
(PILSC hybrid group using Meeting Owl technology with in-person and virtual attendees)
To see a video of a Hybrid group, see this video
For our 7-Week Groups, we require that all participants attend either the first or second session and as many sessions as possible to allow for a safe and consistent group environment. That being said, life happens and let us know if you are unable to attend a session by emailing info@pilsc.org.
As with all of our services at PILSC, we believe in the importance of removing barriers to accessing services. All of our groups are offered at no cost to participants. For those who have the means and ability to help support the centre and our groups programming, we graciously accept donations: https://pilsc.org/donate-to-pilsc
All of our online groups are open for anyone to attend anywhere in the world. Some of our groups that meet in person will have a hybrid option so you can attend any group virtually, regardless of your physical location.
You will receive a confirmation email from the Jane booking system and the day before your group you will receive an email welcoming you to your group. For 7-week groups, there are forms to fill out in the Jane booking system so please fill those out as we require your mailing information to send you materials for your group.
Yes, you are welcome to attend a group more than once. Every time you attend will be different because so much is determined by the people in a group with you. We also have various monthly groups that you can try after an 7-week group to meet others who have experienced.