Below are listings from the Support Groups section of The Tri-City News' Community Calendar:
Irritable bowel syndrome support group meets monthly in PoMo to exchange information, to offer one another support, and to share experiences and coping strategies. Info: 604-875-4875 or www.badgut.org.
Al-Anon meets Wednesdays, 8 p.m., Como Lake United Church, 535 Marmont St., Coquitlam. Info: 604-688-1716.
TOPS chapters meet weekly at numerous Tri-City locations. For information on group near you: Gail, 604-941-8699.
Recovery International is a self-help, peer-to-peer support meeting for people who struggle with stress, fear, anger, depression, anxiety, panic and nervous symptoms. The goal is to help reduce symptoms by practising cognitive behaviour techniques. There is a group in PoCo. Info: Phyllis, 604-931-5945 or www.recoverycanada.ca.
Have you experienced the death of a loved one and found yourself struggling? Gathering with others who have also experienced a loss is known to be one of the most helpful ways of coping with grief. Sharing your story is important to healthy healing. Crossroads Hospice Society is running closed grief support groups. Registration: call Castine, 604-949-2274.
Crossroads Hospice Society hosts a free walking group for the bereaved, Fridays, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Group meets at Crossroads Labyrinth Healing Garden in Pioneer Memorial Park at Ioco Rd. and Heritage Mountain Blvd. Hospice volunteers will be present on the free walk through Rocky Point Park or Orchard Park. Newcomers can register by calling Castine at 604-949-2274.
Coquitlam Support Group: Change, Crisis to Creativity meets Thursday evenings. Group meets twice a month to support one another through major changes, including unemployment, family crisis, death, illness, separation/divorce, empty nest, retirement, etc., and working towards positive, creative lifestyle. Info: Mara, 604-931-7070.
Mood Disorders Association of BC support group meets first and third Monday of each month, Burquitlam Lions Care Centre, 560 Sydney Ave. Info: Ian, 604-417-4604 or Ed, 604-873-0103. MDA PoCo support group meets every other Tuesday, 7:15-9 p.m., New View Society at Elgin House, 205-2248 Elgin Ave., PoCo. Info: Coral, 604-944-7489. MDA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support and education for people with mood disorders such as depression, manic depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Families members and friends are welcome.
Fibromyalgia support group meets every fourth Thursday of each month at Dogwood Pavilion, 7 p.m. Info: Joan, 604-944-2506.
Dogwood White Cane Club meets every Thursday from September to June, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Dogwood Pavilion. Those who are legally blind (registered with the CNIB) are welcome.
CancerConnection peer volunteers offer one-to-one information and emotional support to people living with cancer. Info: 1-888-939-3333.
Tri-Cities Caregiver Network gives caregivers a safe place to express and deal with their emotions and concerns. Group discussions, speakers and films are part of the program. Meet every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.
DivorceCare is a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced, Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Coquitlam Alliance church, corner of Mariner and Spuraway, Coquitlam. Seminar sessions include "Facing my Anger," "Facing my Loneliness," "Depression," "Forgiveness" and "New Relationships." Info: 604-464-6744.
The Compassionate Friends, Coquitlam Chapter meets on the third Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Como Lake United church (entrance at 1110 King Albert St., Coquitlam). The Compassionate Friends is an international, non-profit, non-denominational, self-help organization offering friendship, understanding, grief education and hope for the future to all families who have experienced the death of a child at any age, from any cause. Info: Jane, 604-931-8026 or Sandra, coquitlam@tcfcanada.net.
Living Room, a faith-based support group for people with mood disorders, their family and friends, put on by New Life community church and Mood Disorders Association of BC, first and third Tuesdays of each month, 7-9 p.m., 8765 Government St., Burnaby. Info: Mark, 604-939-9346 or Graeme, 604-444-1228.
TRICEPS, Tri-Cities Early Psychosis Support meets the second Wednesday of each month, 7-9 p.m., at Eagle Ridge Hospital (Parklane Room), PoMo. TRICEPS is a non-profit support group providing education and support to parents, spouses and siblings whose family member has recently been diagnosed with psychosis.
Women in Mid-life Self-help Group meets first and third Wednesdays of each month, Mountain View elementary school, Coquitlam. Info: Lynne, 604-937-3946.
Coquitlam Prostate Cancer Support and Awareness Group meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m., Pinetree community centre. Info: 604-936-2632.
TOPS BC #1399 Port Coquitlam meets Wednesdays 8:45 a.m. in the green room at Wilson Centre, PoCo. Info: Pearl, 604-945-4950.
PoCo Stroke Recovery Branch would like to welcome new members; meetings are held Mondays, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Wilson Centre, PoCo. There is opportunity for speech maintenance, meeting others that have gone through the similar situation and light exercises or bocce. Info: Deanna, 604-942-2334.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) invites new members to join in weight loss Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m., Coquitlam rec centre on Poirier Street, in the McGill Room. Info: Maria, 604-939-0579.
LifeRing Secular Recovery support group is being established in Coquitlam. Info: 604-377-1364; lifering@shaw.ca, www.unhooked.com, www.lifering.com.
TOPS 2574, a non-profit, weight control support group, meets 9 a.m. Fridays in the Centennial Lounge at Poirier rec centre, 624 Poirier St. Info: Ann, 604-931-8419.
Food Addicts Anonymous meets Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Room 338, Columbia Tower, Royal Columbia Hospital, New Westminster. Info: Michael, 604-930-8338 or www.foodaddictsanonymous.org.
ADHD parent support group meets 7-9 p.m., first Tuesday of each month, family resource centre, Coronation Park elementary school, 135 Balmoral Dr., PoMo.
PoCo Stroke Recovery Club meets Mondays, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Wilson Centre (at PoCo rec complex); group is for stroke survivors and their caregivers. Ongoing programs such as exercise, info on stroke prevention, programs to improve memory skills, social and recreational activities, companionship and opportunities to meet new friends and more. Info: 604-942-2334.
B.C. Schizophrenia Society meets the second Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m., McGee Room, Poirier rec centre, 630 Poirier St., Coquitlam. Info: 604-931-2120.
Coquitlam Women's Transition House is an emergency shelter for physically and/or emotionally abused women and their children. Info: 604-464-2020.
TOPS #1763 meets Thursdays 6 to 8 p.m. at Birchland elementary, 1331 Fraser, PoCo. Info: Gail, 604-604-941-0699.
TOPS #324 meets Tuesday, 7 p.m. at Charles Best School, 2525 Como Lake Ave., Coquitlam. Info: 604-945-4617.
TOPS #1422 meets Mondays at 1 p.m. at the Social Recreation Centre, 630 Poirier St. in Coquitlam. Info: 604-540-5524 or 604-936-8286.
TOPS #1445 Coquitlam meets Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Seaview community school, 1215 Cecile Dr., PoMo. Info: Faye, 604-469-0527.
TOPS BC #1388 meets Tuesdays at 8:45 a.m. at Terry Fox Library Room 2. Info: Pearl, 604-945-4950.
TOPS BC #4574 meets Mondays 7 p.m. at Place Maillardville, 1200 Cartier, Coquitlam. Info: 604-524-8203.
Al-Anon Family Group meets 1 p.m. Mondays, including holidays, at Como Lake United church, home of Marmont and Serenity Saturday Al-Anon groups. Does someone you're close to drink at the wrong times, or too much? Info: 604-688-1716.
AA at Como Lake United church Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 535 Marmont St., Coquitlam.
Al-Anon Saturdays, noon to 2 p.m. at Como Lake United church at 535 Marmont St. New daytime group meets Mondays at 1 p.m.
12-Step meetings for individuals struggling with relationships, dysfunctional behaviours or substance abuse. 12 Steps are used in a Christian context, Wednesday or Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. Info: 604-942-7711.
Overeaters Anonymous, HOW concept, meets Mondays at Eagle Ridge church, 2813 Glen Drive, Coquitlam at 7 p.m. Info: 604-878-4575.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Support Group meets first Tuesday of each month at Eagle Ridge Hospital at 7:30 p.m. Info: 604-875-4875.
