Jewish Family Services (JFS) offers a support group for those who have lost a loved one to substance use and addiction — the Kansas City area’s first GRASP (Grief Recovery After Substance Passing) group.
The goal of GRASP is to help those who have lost loved ones to addiction or substance abuse grapple with the loss and the stigma that is often associated with it.
The local GRASP chapter (representing Kansas and Missouri) meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 27.
GRASP sessions are peer-led and all grief paths – spiritual or religious – are welcome to attend. While free, registration is required to attend this group at bit.ly/jfsgrasp.
The group is only open to those who have suffered such a loss; it is not a support group for those currently dealing with addiction.
A key component of GRASP is that the support group is led by those with lived experience who have lost a loved one to substance use or addiction. Dawn Owens and Laura Bratt, who have both experienced the loss of loved ones to substance use or addiction, will facilitate this group. The two Kansas City women brought the idea to JFS, which is honored to host it.
“The shame and stigma associated with losing a loved one to substance use and addiction can inhibit our recovery, our health and our lives as the people who love them. This was the motivation for us to start a GRASP group,” Bratt said.
“I'm hoping that by coming to GRASP meetings, others who have lost their loved ones to substance abuse will feel they have a community in which to share their grief. I also would hope they can find solace with others who understand what they've gone through and what they're going through," Owens said.
As an affiliate of the national organization, the local GRASP chapter will also have a connection to additional resources to support those who attend the group.
“JFS is grateful for Dawn and Laura’s leadership to bring this important and much needed support group to the KC area,” said Sondra Wallace, JFS Director of Mental Health Programming. “We look forward to helping the KC GRASP chapter grow.”
Bratt and Owens encourage anyone who has suffered this kind of loss to attend the local GRASP group.
For questions or more information about GRASP at JFS, please contact Sondra Wallace, Director of Mental Health Programs at JFS, at or call (913) 730-1452.
