Bereaved Families of Ontario - Durham
"Bereaved, helping the bereaved to learn to live with grief. We can help the healing begin."
 

 
 
Welcome
Bereaved Families of Ontario–Durham Region is a non-profit organization which has been supporting families in the Durham Region for almost 20 years. 
 
This organization provides support programs to bereaved parents, young adults and teens.  These programs offer support where bereaved individuals can learn to live with their grief, decrease their sense of isolation and help adapt to everyday living.  
 
BFO-Durham facilitates the development of self-help/mutual aid support services and resources for families with a unique focus on the death of a child.
 
  BFO-Durham is located at
 
1050 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario   L1G 4W5
 
  • southwest corner of Beatrice Street and Simcoe Street North;
  • entrance door to the 2nd floor office is at the extreme left of the  Dairy Queen buillding;
  • unfortunately, we are not wheelchair accessible;
  • for further information please contact us: 
  • by completing the on-line contact us form
  • or via e-mail at admin@bfodurham.net
  • or by phone at 905-579-4293 / 800-387-4870
    • office hours - 10-3 Monday to Thursday 
 
 
 
2013 DROP-IN DATES 
  
April 2013
 
Infant Loss Drop-In - Monday 1st, 7-9 p.m.
 
Evening Drop-In - Wednesday 10th, 7-9 p.m.
  
Afternoon Drop-In - Monday 15th, 1-3 p.m.
 
Reconnect Drop-In for Infant Loss - Monday 29th, 7-9 p.m.
 
Evening Drop-In - Thursday 25th, 7-9 p.m.
 
 
May 2013
 
Infant Loss Drop-In - Monday 6th, 7-9 p.m.
 
Evening Drop-In - Wednesday 8th, 7-9 p.m.  CANCELLED
  
Afternoon Drop-In - Monday 27th, 1-3 p.m.
 
Reconnect Drop-In for Older Children - Monday 27th, 7-9 p.m.
 
Evening Drop-In - Thursday 23rd, 7-9 p.m.  
 
Sibling Loss Drop-In - Tuesday 28th, 7-9 p.m. 
* Please note that this drop-in is for young adults
16 years of age and older
 
 
5th Annual Run to Remember
  Sunday 26th, 10:30 a.m. 
(see fundraising page for more details)
June 2013
 
Infant Loss Drop-In - Monday 3rd, 7-9 p.m.
 
Evening Drop-In - Wednesday 12th, 7-9 p.m.
 
BFO BEACH DANCE 
Saturday 15th, 7 p.m.
  
Afternoon Drop-In - Monday 17th, 1-3 p.m.
 
Reconnect Drop-In for Infant Loss - Monday 24th, 7-9 p.m.
 
Evening Drop-In - Thursday 27th, 7-9 p.m.
 
 
 
Walk to Remember 2013
.

On Sunday, March 3, 2013 Bereaved Families of Ontario–Durham Region held their annual “Walk to Remember” event.  Friends and family gathered to share in the memories of children they have lost.

 

Thanks to walkers, volunteers and generous donors, BFO-Durham was able to raise over $7,000.  The money raised from the Walk allows us to offer free support programs and services for bereaved families throughout Durham Region.  This year’s event involved many new faces who bravely attended the commemorative event for the first time.

 

This memorable event involved fun for the whole family with activities such as balloon making and face painting, compliments of our clowns Fripps and Binky.  Live entertainment was provided by The Charles Street Band.  The banner was donated by the Shelley family in loving memory of their daughter Hayden Sally Barbara Shelley, who was born sleeping on April 2, 2009.  A special thank you goes to Cathy and Fritz Wiener who graciously provided refreshments for the walk.

 

We cannot express how thankful we are to our generous sponsors whose contributions helped to create such an unforgettable day.  We are incredibly thankful to all who participated and contributed to the success of this event.  Many wonderful prizes were available this year, including an owl print sketched by Greg Timmins, donated in his memory by his mother Colleen.

 

A special thank you goes out to the sponsors:  Mark Geens from LaFarge Canada, 2 Maple Leaf tickets; Margaret Fortune, Personal Organizer; Anderson Funeral Home, $50 at The Keg; Armstrong Funeral Home, 2 Maple Leaf tickets; Jack and Lea Somers from Woodland Gardens Bed & Breakfast, one night accommodation;

 

and to the deserving top pledge earners:  Bonnie Lane, $1672; Magda Zoelman, $1000; Marcia Miles, $899; Wiener Family, $720; Bev Campbell,  $400; Susan Hardy, $302.

 

Lastly, we would like to thank all our wonderful volunteers, staff, families and organizations who participated in the Walk.  A special thank you goes to Bev Campbell, Angela White, Kailee Somers, Marian Rehr and her good friend Margaret, and to Sharon Sears, who all worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this event.
 
             
              
 
 
We are now offering
 
                      "AFTERNOON GROUPS"
 
If you are interested, please contact the Office
for more information
 
 
 
April was Volunteer Month and we want to take this opportunity to thank all our Volunteers who keep BFO-Durham functioning to the best of its ability
 

Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love...
    ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.