These groups are not support groups, but a chance to connect with others who can relate to the journey of miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss, SIDS or infertility. They are for adults who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant and who would like to connect with others in a casual and social environment.
Love Lives On: A Community Family Photoshoot
Once a year, the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre arranges a community photoshoot to capture some memorable moments that show the connection and healing power of our work. This is a free photoshoot and we would be honoured for you and your families to participate!
We’re inviting everyone from all abilities, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations who have experienced:
- Pregnancy or infant loss
- TFMR
- Infertility
- Pregnancy after loss
- The birth of a living child after loss
This photoshoot will support us building a campaign to showcase the needs for the centre. The photos may be used in various print and digital media to create awareness and educate audiences on our programs and services. There will be activities for families and children. Light snacks will be provided.
You will receive a complimentary digital copy of your photo(s).
Details:
Date and Time: Sunday, September 22nd, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM MT
Location: Shannon Terrace – Fish Creek Provincial Park (Woodpath Rd SW, Calgary, AB T2W 5Z5)
What to bring: Please bring any mementos of your baby, pregnancy, or journey that you wish to have photographed with you. Partners, siblings, and grandparents are also welcome to attend.
What to wear: This event will run rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Otherwise, please wear what makes you most comfortable as we want to showcase your individuality!
Choose Your Own Adventure: Craft & Chat
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time when many may feel a profound sense of grief and loss. In this period, it’s important not to navigate these emotions alone. We invite you to join us for an evening of connection and creativity, where we can support each other and find a bit of solace in community.
You’ll have the opportunity to select from a variety of crafts we’ve enjoyed in the past or even bring your own creative project to share with others. Whether you’re interested in making felt hearts, seasonal wreaths, macramé, painting, neurographics, or showcasing a personal craft, this event is a space to explore and express your creativity.
This workshop is free to attend, all materials are included. Supplies and snacks will be provided. Feel free to bring a friend and help us spread the world about our centre. Let’s come together to honour our journeys through loss and create something meaningful in the process.
Who is this group for? This group is for adults only (partners are welcome). Pregnant people are also welcome. Please no babes in arms or children in attendance.
When: October 17, 2024
Time: 7-9pm MT
Where: PILSC Centre
Cost: FREE
Memory Lantern Craft & Chat
Lanterns provide light, illuminating the path before us and leading the way forward through surrounding darkness. Lanterns magnify the light of fire, the element of regeneration and renewal.
Join us for an evening of connection where we gather to create a memory lantern to accompany us on our own individual journey’s through loss. This workshop is free to attend, all materials are included. Supplies and snacks will be provided.
Who is this group for? This group is for adults only (partners are welcome). Pregnant people are also welcome. Please no babes in arms or children in attendance.
When: October 21, 2024
Time: 7-9pm MT
Where: PILSC Centre
Cost: FREE
Paper Bags Snowflakes Craft & Chat
Snowflakes are a symbolic representation of fragility and grace. Each snowflake contains a completely different design and pattern, no two are created exactly the same. The journey through grief and loss is as unique as the snowflakes drifting from the sky.
Join us for an evening of connection as we honour the seasonal transition from fall to winter by creating unique paper bag snowflakes. This workshop is free to attend, all materials are included. Supplies and snacks will be provided.
Who is this group for? This group is for adults only (partners are welcome). Pregnant people are also welcome. Please no babes in arms or children in attendance.
When: November 4, 2024
Time: 7-9pm MT
Where: PILSC Centre
Cost: FREE
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.
We are dedicated to supporting individuals of all faiths, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.