Doing Grief expands Northwest Valley services

Doing Grief Community Healing Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based at Banner Olive Branch Senior Center in Sun City, is expanding its reach to Peoria at a time when communities are confronting growing concerns about mental health, isolation and emotional well-being.

Doing Grief Community Healing Project director Shea Darian, and Angela Lahman, Doing Grief Community Healing Project–Peoria coordinator, are building community relationships and partnerships for expansion as developmental work is underway with support from a $2,500 grant from the city of Peoria, with programs planned to begin in early 2027. 

Doing Grief, which offers healing circles, story circles, creative arts and spiritual enrichment programs and individual and family grief support, brings a broad understanding of grief, which is not only associated with death, but can accompany any significant loss or life change.

“Grief is part of being human, and we experience grief-striking losses throughout our lives—from birth to death,” stated Darian. "Divorce, illness, aging, caregiving, retirement, loss of relationships, changes in identity, and shattered hopes or dreams can all bring grief. We want people to have practical tools for understanding and navigating that grief.”

Darian’s research-informed "Model of Adaptive Grieving Dynamics," presented in her educational programs and featured in her book "Doing Grief in Real Life," identifies four universal grieving responses, each necessary for holistic healing.

The model helps people recognize their own tendencies and when they may need greater balance. Darian defines adaptive grieving as “grieving in ways that help us ease, tolerate and heal our grief-related suffering.”

“Our mission is uplifting people with a new approach to grieve and heal in their own way,” adds Darian. “We offer life support as much as grief support. People keep coming back to our programs whether they’re actively suffering or not—to build new friendships and embrace the fact that healing whatever we have to heal within us is a lifelong journey.”

Upcoming fall programs at Banner Olive  include

• Writing as a Healing Path with Darian Sept. 24
• Sound Healing to Reduce Stress & Soothe Your Spirit with Linda Schlicher Oct. 13
• Carry What Matters Through the Holidays with Lahman Oct. 22
• A Remembrance Celebration with Darian Oct. 29

Doing Grief also offers monthly healing circle small groups, as well as one-to-one and family grief support by appointment.

As it develops its Peoria presence, Doing Grief seeks community partners to provide program space, corporate sponsors to help support the expansion, and volunteers to knit or crochet prayer shawls, carve wooden comfort birds, and assist with public relations, marketing and community connections.

To learn more about programs, volunteer opportunities, or become a community partner or corporate sponsor, visit DoingGrief.org.

Contact Shea Darian at 602-419-4043 or Connect@DoingGrief.org.