TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – When local families go through unimaginable loss, a Tallahassee nonprofit is there for them.
The Compassionate Friends of Tallahassee provides support and comfort to those who’ve lost a child or grandchild.
For almost 50 years, the Compassionate Friends of Tallahassee has offered support, comfort and hope to families in the Tallahassee area following the death of a child or grandchild.
“I’ve seen members come to our meeting unable to share their story, unable to talk, but with time, though, they begin talking about their child, who they were, how they lived and what made them special,” Chapter leader Becky Barch said.
The non-profit is entirely volunteer-run and relies on fundraising and donations. Members gather monthly, and each December, they take part in a worldwide candle lighting to remember their loved ones.
“None of us ever expected or wanted to become a member of the Compassionate Friends, but knowing how comforting it is to be with people that understand your grief is pretty awesome,” Barch said.
It’s a group Barch found herself turning to after the death of her son, Jonathan.
“I became a member of the club no one wants to belong to on Dec. 20, 2004. My son, our son, was our only child; he was 16 and a half.”
Jonathan tragically died in a car crash. Barch said leading the chapter as a certified grief educator and keeping the group going is one way she honors Jonathan’s memory.
Each month, Barch leads meetings with five to 12 people, including Linda Dix, who started attending after her daughter, Ronell, was murdered in 1996.
“A lot of people, when you lose a child, aren’t sure what to say or what to do. And a lot of people think you should get over it, you know. It’s been 30 years, but you know I still grieve; I still miss her,” Dix said.
Dix said a friend encouraged her to start attending meetings. This decision has helped her navigate her grief for the last 30 years. She said that grief never truly goes away, but being surrounded by people who understand what she’s going through helps tremendously.
“If my friend hadn’t told me about it, I don’t know if I ever would have found it. It’s not something you look for or even think about joining until something tragic happens in your life, and then it’s a life support, it’s a lifeline, it gives you something to hold on to and know that others can help you.”
Barch said one of the group’s biggest goals is making sure people know about their services, and even if you don’t need them, you may know someone who does.
“One of our greatest challenges, though, is to reach families that need us but don’t know we are here. So we want every grieving parent, grandparent, and adult sibling in our community to know that support is available whenever they are ready,” Barch said.
And while it’s a group no one expects or wants to join, Barch said the connections people make often turn into lasting friendships.
“In our meetings, you don’t have to pretend you’re okay. You can talk, cry, or simply listen. We ask that everyone respect our confidentiality. When it’s shared in the room, it stays in the room. We can’t take away your pain, but you don’t have to face it alone.”
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