Free Community Grief Event

Community Grief Presentation Transforming Grief: The Spiral Journey of Grieving and Healing Omega House is honored to host a special Community Grief Presentation titled "Transforming Grief: The Spiral Journey of Grieving and Healing." This insightful event will be led by keynote speaker Dr. Yan Ciupak, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Northern Michigan University. Event Details: Date: October 8, 2024 Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Location: Houghton High School Auditorium Dr. Yan Zhao Ciupak is a distinguished academic and practitioner who has made significant contributions to the study of death, dying, and bereavement. She developed the first MSW and Sociology course on these topics at Northern Michigan University and co-founded the Grief Support Specialist program. With a robust portfolio of national and international publications and speeches, Dr. Ciupak is a recognized authority on grief. She has shared her expertise on TV, radio, and various platforms, providing academic talks and workshops focused on death, dying, and grief. As a Grief Support Specialist, certified Yoga Instructor, and meditation practitioner, Dr. Ciupak promotes mindfulness-based integrative teaching methods and care. In this presentation, she will explore various types of loss and grief, as well as different expressions of grief. She will present the most current understandings of grief and its support, encapsulated in a holistic model she has developed: The Spiral Model of Grieving and Healing. This innovative model integrates and advances existing grief theories, offering a comprehensive roadmap for professionals, individuals, and communities navigating the path to healing. Dr. Ciupak emphasizes a balanced approach to grief support within her 4A4C Healing framework, which consists of eight enabling factors: Awareness, Acceptance, Affirmation, Actualization, Compassion, Connection, Composure, and Commitment. These elements collectively foster a supportive environment for grieving individuals. Adding to the presentation, Dr. Ciupak’s research assistant, Caden Natale, a student at NMU double majoring in Psychology and Sociology, will share his research and personal experiences. He will discuss the use of Continuing Bond as a tool for healing, providing valuable insights into maintaining connections with lost loved ones as part of the grieving process. The presentation will also include grounding exercises, hands-on activities, and a Q&A session, offering participants practical tools and personal support. We invite you to join us for this free event, which aims to transform our understanding of grief and healing. This is an opportunity to gain new perspectives and practical skills to support yourself or others on the journey of grief.