Shea and Andrew Darian are founders of “Doing Grief,” a new Arizona nonprofit based in Sun City that provides programs and services for those experiencing any loss that causes grief–death, broken relationships, trauma, illness, disability, social or political brokenness, aging and more.

Banner Olive Branch Senior Center in Sun City, 13049 N. 103rd Ave., hosts Doing Grief programs for those in the Northwest Valley where Andrew Darian, Waldorf school educator and board president for Doing Grief, will teach a wet-on-wet watercolor workshop, Playing with Color! 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27. Spots are limited and registration is required.

Shea Darian, author of “Doing Grief in Real Life: A Soulful Guide to Navigate Loss, Death & Change” and creator of the theoretical “Model of Adaptive Grieving Dynamics,” will offer a grief education workshop — “Mourning Light Café: Grieving and Healing YOUR Way” — noon Tuesday, April 1.

In March 2023, the Darians started Doing Grief Community Healing Project in Sun City to help address local mental health support needs among the elder population due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Incidences of grief, loneliness, hopelessness and isolation spiked significantly during and after the pandemic.

“Sometimes it isn’t easy to acknowledge your grief or seek out help when you’re grieving, especially when your grief comes from unexpected places in your life,” stated Andrew Darian. “The healing project gives people a way to connect with others and not feel so alone.”

The Community Healing Project is part of a Phoenix metro-wide effort to provide healing arts, grief education, small group grief support and spiritual enrichment programs to grievers, caregivers and care providers who work with grievers. Additional onsite locations include Desert Palm United Church of Christ in Tempe and First Church–UCC in central Phoenix. Those of all faiths and philosophies, or none are welcome.

“Arizona is listed at the bottom of the heap in the state ratings for access to mental health care,” Shea Darian explained. “So when we started the healing project, we started close to home at onsite locations where people can gather in person, build meaningful relationships and an ongoing sense of community.”

Email Connect@DoingGrief.org or call Banner Olive Branch Senior Center at 623-465-6000 for registration. A suggested donation of $5-10 can be given online at DoingGrief.org or at the door. All are welcome regardless of an ability to pay.