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For those who live near there.
Widows' retreat planned for September
Kari Lucin - 08/12/2011
For women who have lost their husbands, sharing stories in a safe, supportive environment can be vital to the grieving process. The Jamestown Area Grief Support Team (JAGST) will offer a retreat for widows Sept. 16-18 at the Maryvale Retreat Center, Valley City, where the women will discuss their experiences and learn ways of coping with grief. "It's work, healing," said Kathy Vandeberghe, a widow who attended JAGST's first widows' retreat. "Either you will become better, or you will become bitter." The nonprofit, volunteer grief support team started in 2002, and offers support to people who have lost loved ones, through education and support groups. Offering a retreat geared specifically for widows was Vandeberghe's idea, and the first one was a smash success, said Eileen Lisko, JAGST member. Twelve women attended, one with a loss as recent as three months prior to the retreat, and another who had lost a husband 20 years ago. "When we heard from them afterward, (they said) this really has changed my life," Lisko recalled. This year's retreat will include a presentation on signs of depression from Tracy Johnk of Jamestown Regional Medical Center, who will explain how to tell the difference between grief and depression, and a presentation from Angie Kokott about expressing grief through art and music. A panel of JAGST members who have lost their spouses will share their stories of loss, and then the widows on the retreat will share their experiences. "The more you share, the more healing it is to you and the other people too," said Diane Witzig, JAGST member. Listening to other widows and telling their own stories can be especially helpful because people experiencing grief often never take an opportunity to deal with it, Lisko said. "We're so conditioned to try to be strong." As might be expected, the retreat will include many sad moments, but it will also include laughter and plenty fun activities, including massages, hand and feet treatments, music, a tea, movie night and a pajama party. There's even a candy bar, with a vast array of candy to choose from. "It was a great experience," Lisko said. Anyone interested in signing up for the widows' retreat may print out a registration form at jagst.org. They may also call Lisko at 251-1280 or 269-4521, Witzig at 952-7508 or 320-4915 or Vandeberghe at 952-8001 or 659-8001. Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453 or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com
For those who live near there.
Widows' retreat planned for September
Kari Lucin - 08/12/2011
For women who have lost their husbands, sharing stories in a safe, supportive environment can be vital to the grieving process. The Jamestown Area Grief Support Team (JAGST) will offer a retreat for widows Sept. 16-18 at the Maryvale Retreat Center, Valley City, where the women will discuss their experiences and learn ways of coping with grief. "It's work, healing," said Kathy Vandeberghe, a widow who attended JAGST's first widows' retreat. "Either you will become better, or you will become bitter." The nonprofit, volunteer grief support team started in 2002, and offers support to people who have lost loved ones, through education and support groups. Offering a retreat geared specifically for widows was Vandeberghe's idea, and the first one was a smash success, said Eileen Lisko, JAGST member. Twelve women attended, one with a loss as recent as three months prior to the retreat, and another who had lost a husband 20 years ago. "When we heard from them afterward, (they said) this really has changed my life," Lisko recalled. This year's retreat will include a presentation on signs of depression from Tracy Johnk of Jamestown Regional Medical Center, who will explain how to tell the difference between grief and depression, and a presentation from Angie Kokott about expressing grief through art and music. A panel of JAGST members who have lost their spouses will share their stories of loss, and then the widows on the retreat will share their experiences. "The more you share, the more healing it is to you and the other people too," said Diane Witzig, JAGST member. Listening to other widows and telling their own stories can be especially helpful because people experiencing grief often never take an opportunity to deal with it, Lisko said. "We're so conditioned to try to be strong." As might be expected, the retreat will include many sad moments, but it will also include laughter and plenty fun activities, including massages, hand and feet treatments, music, a tea, movie night and a pajama party. There's even a candy bar, with a vast array of candy to choose from. "It was a great experience," Lisko said. Anyone interested in signing up for the widows' retreat may print out a registration form at jagst.org. They may also call Lisko at 251-1280 or 269-4521, Witzig at 952-7508 or 320-4915 or Vandeberghe at 952-8001 or 659-8001. Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453 or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com
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