ENTRAIDE-DEUIL DE L'OUTAOUAIS is a Canadian nonprofit organization established in 1987, dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing bereavement. Founded by Rosa Bouchard-Pichard, it is an autonomous community-based agency focused on the well-being and autonomy of people coping with the loss of a loved one through mutual aid, group sharing, and a comprehensive approach to mourning[4][1].

Mission and Services

The organization's primary mission is to promote the emotional health of bereaved people by providing support groups, information dissemination, and volunteer-facilitated assistance that respects each participant's experience of loss. It encourages citizen participation and democratic governance within the organization, fostering community involvement in achieving its goals[1][4].

ENTRAIDE-DEUIL DE L'OUTAOUAIS offers a variety of programs and services tailored to different age groups and types of loss:

• Mutual aid groups for adults, with options including weekly meetings and condensed two-day programs addressing the loss of a child, spouse, or other loved one.
• Programs specifically designed for teenagers (ages 13 to 18) under "Partager pour mieux grandir" and for children (ages 6 to 12) under "J'écoute ma toute petite voix."
• Support groups for pet loss, including regular and condensed formats.
• One-on-one temporary and short-term individual support by trained volunteers.
• Special activities such as "Mon premier Noël sans toi," helping bereaved individuals navigate holiday gatherings.
• Thematic mutual aid and sharing evenings.
• On-site documentation center and community referrals.
• Community presentations upon request.
• Volunteer training programs for facilitating mutual aid groups[2][3].

Eligibility and Participation

Services are offered primarily in French and are open to individuals aged six and older dealing with bereavement, including children, teenagers, and adults. Participation usually requires pre-registration, and meetings typically have a capacity limit (e.g., 10 people per adult meeting, 8 for children's groups). A suggested contribution of $10 per meeting supports the organization's operations[2].

Operational Details

The organization operates Monday to Friday, with specific events like "Mon premier Noël sans toi" held annually on the first Saturday in December. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many sessions have transitioned to virtual formats, with teleworking arrangements for staff maintaining service continuity[2].

ENTRAIDE-DEUIL DE L'OUTAOUAIS actively seeks to develop innovative, complementary services in collaboration with other community resources, reinforcing its role as a key support entity in the Outaouais region[1].

Location and Contact

While specific contact details are omitted here, ENTRAIDE-DEUIL DE L'OUTAOUAIS serves the Outaouais region and the Ottawa area. It maintains an online presence where additional information and registration forms are available[1][2].

ENTRAIDE-DEUIL DE L'OUTAOUAIS embodies a vital psychosocial resource in Quebec, providing empathetic, structured support to individuals navigating the complexities of grief and loss. Through its comprehensive and community-driven approach, it fosters resilience and solidarity among the bereaved.