COHA is committed to providing compassionate, timely and supportive care to persons experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one, even if the loss occurred outside of hospice. Our services are available free of charge to persons living in Kelowna and the surrounding areas from Peachland to Oyama.

In 2012, with funds provided by B.C. Gaming, COHA is able to fulfill its mission and mandate to support those who are grieving to enable those individuals through their grief journey.

We offer:

• A Monthly Adult Grief Support Drop-in the first Wednesday of each month from 11:30am-1:30pm;
• A Monthly Adult Grief Support Drop-in the third Tuesday of each month from 6:00pm-8:00pm;
• An Adult Grief Support 8-week program;
• Trained Volunteers for Social Support;
• And One-to-One Professional Counselling.

Group support provides bereaved individuals the opportunity to meet others who are also experiencing their own grief journey. Our monthly adult grief support drop-ins provide a safe space in which to share journeys and receive support from others. It is about listening and being heard, rather than fixing. The group is facilitated by trained COHA volunteers and runs the first Wednesday of each month from 11:30am – 1:30pm; and the third Tuesday of each month from 6:00pm-8:00pm at 104 – 1456 St. Paul Street. There is no need to register and there is no cost involved.

Our 8-week adult grief support program runs a few times a year based upon demand. It aims to provide tools through which participants can better understand their grief. Attendance at each session is preferred, and pre-registration is required.

Our trained volunteers give their time and considerable talent to offer a shoulder when needed, activities when appropriate, and friendship always. Through companioning our volunteers provide social supports to help individuals cope with loss in a compassionate setting.

At the present time, COHA has five professional counsellors who individually have a wide range of specialties to meet the bereavement needs of our client’s. With some working out of private offices we have locations from the West Kelowna to Rutland.

Most commonly those who are experiencing grief want to know that what they are feeling is normal. Books on grief can help us in understanding the complex emotions associated with grief. COHA has a small grief library at 104 – 1456 St. Paul Street. Included in our library are books on how to talk to your children about loss, how to cope with the loss of a loved one, and other inspirational books. The books are available for lending for one month and can be accessed during our normal office hours.

For information about upcoming adult or teen group programs, to connect with a volunteer, or to receive professional counselling please contact Karen MacKay.

 For information about bereavement volunteer training please contact Diana Barker

 Our bereavement programs are offered with funding from BC Gaming.

 Our services are offered free however donations are welcome.