Grief & Loss Support Services

EveryStep Grief & Loss Services offers a variety of grief support opportunities provided at no cost for anyone in communities around Iowa. Available to individuals and families of all ages, our services include the following:

Monthly and quarterly support groups Eight-week educational support groups Memorial gatherings
Family nights 
 Online support Peer support
Mailed resources
 


Life after the loss of a loved one is a difficult time of adjustment. At EveryStep, we are honored to listen to your story and walk with you during your time of sorrow and to help you navigate the many feelings associated with loss, such as sadness, anger, frustration, shock, numbness, denial, guilt, emotional distancing, lack of interest and confidence, relationship difficulties, anxiety and panic. Please consider using these resources for more information about grief processes for different age groups.


Guide to Grief, Loss & Healing
Guide to Children's Grief, Loss & Healing

Una Guía para el Dolor, la Pérdida & la Curación
Una Guía Para El Dolor, La Pérdida & La Curación de los Niños


Grief Support Groups

Support groups are hosted at EveryStep Hospice locations in eight Iowa communities and at the EveryStep Grief & Loss Services office (home of Amanda the Panda) in West Des Moines. EveryStep Grief & Loss Services' bereavement counselors are available to meet with families or visit by phone. These services are available to anyone (not limited to hospice patients’ families). The counselor can provide families with information or simply lend a friendly ear.

All support groups are free and open to the public. To learn what services are available in your area, visit our events calendar or call an EveryStep location near you.

Centerville: (641) 856-5502 
 Mount Pleasant: (319) 385-4472
Council Bluffs: (712) 325-6802 
 Osceola: (641) 342-2888 
Des Moines: (515) 333-5810  West Des Moines/Amanda the Panda: (515) 223-4847 
Mount Ayr: (641) 464-2088 

 

Types of Support Groups


Understanding Your Grief

  • An eight-week educational and support program offered year-round.
  • Offered to adults.
  • Hosted at or near our various hospice offices.   
  • Led by our expert bereavement counselors.
  • Facilitates the basic skills needed to use grief as an opportunity for growth. 
  • Participants receive a free copy of Alan Wolfelt's book, "Understanding Your Grief," and learn about the 10 essential touchstones for finding hope and healing through loss. 

Touching Our Grief

  • A monthly grief support group.
  • Open to adults who have suffered the loss of a family member or friend and are seeking support and education.
  • Led by our expert bereavement counselors who offer a safe place to give and receive support from others.

Braving Grief Peer Support Groups

  • Held at the EveryStep Grief & Loss Services office (home of Amanda the Panda) in West Des Moines.
  • Offered to children (kindergarten and above), teens, and adults.
  • Includes dinner.
  • Includes small groups divided by age.
  • Age-appropriate activities that facilitate discussion and sharing. 
  • Childcare is available for children preschool-age and below upon request. 
  • Trained volunteers lead each group with the goal of promoting peer support and connectivity.

With You At EveryStep Podcast

The With You at EveryStep Podcast is your go-to source for inspiring and informative stories about care for older adults, grief and healing, pregnancy, and parenting.

 

Amanda the Panda

EveryStep's Amanda the Panda program provides a number of services. Click the button below to learn what Amanda the Panda can do for you and your family.

Learn more about services from Amanda the Panda.

 

  • Support Our Grief & Loss Services

    • There are a number of way to show your support for EveryStep's Grief & Loss Programs. 

    Become an Amanda the Panda volunteer:

    Volunteers help with a variety of tasks and interact with our camp participants to create a safe, comforting environment. Volunteers are also needed to help provide meals for support groups. We have a variety of volunteer positions available, and many of them do not require previous experience. To learn more about these opportunities, call (515) 223-4847 or email Amanda Fagen at afagen@everystep.org.

    Purchase Items from our Wish List:

    Do you want to give something tangible to EveryStep's Amanda the Panda program? Check out our wish list on Amazon and help us stock needed items for our grief support programs!

     

    Questions

    Do you have questions for our Grief & Loss team? Please call (515) 223-4847 or email griefandloss@everystep.org.