GRASP works to provide sources of help, compassion and understanding for families or individuals who have lost a loved one as a result of substance use or addiction.
“We're hoping that a GRASP partnership with First Call will bring their services ‘full circle;’ that more people in the KC area will learn about GRASP and access a support group that is geared only to those who have lost someone to substance abuse,” Owens said.
First Call provides wraparound services for anyone negatively impacted by substance misuse, including recovery advocacy for individuals, harm reduction services, education through prevention and community outreach, as well as support and resources for loved ones.
“Our new partnership with GRASP is a great fit for First Call because we already treat the family members of people with substance use disorders. When a family loses a loved one to this disease, they have some unique circumstances and experiences that aren’t as well addressed in the typical grief support groups. GRASP provides the connection and support that many families need to continue on their road to their own recovery,” First Call’s Family Services Team Lead Megan Keller said.
Owens and Bratt founded Kansas City’s chapter of GRASP after their own personal loss and realized the need for this specialized group of support.
“Addiction is the great equalizer because it crosses every threshold — no family is immune. If we are lucky enough to not live with it, we tend to cross paths with it in other parts of our lives. When death occurs from addiction, it is a multi-layered loss fraught with pieces that aren’t typical of other deaths — that is why we need a group like GRASP,” Bratt said.
GRASP hopes the partnership will stretch their reach by crossing networks of those in the recovery community.
“Our goals for this year are to work diligently with First Call to grow the program and let as many people in the community know we're here, we understand, and that as a group we can help each other through the grief and pain of losing someone due to substance abuse,” Owens said.
GRASP meetings will be hosted at First Call on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. More information is available at firstcallkc.org/families.
