Support groups

Send listing information to tricity@dailyherald.com.

Herbie's Friends: The support group sponsored by Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice for children who have lost a parent or other loved one helps resolve grief that can show up later in life as negative anti-social behaviors.

This eight-week program meets once a week and allows families to enjoy a meal together before meeting in age appropriate groups. Children ages 4 to 18 are given a safe environment to share their thoughts, feelings and stories through art, drama, journaling and music while parents and caregivers meet separately.

The group will meet at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva, on Monday evenings from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. from Jan. 7 through Feb. 25.

Led by Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice and Provena Hospice, Herbie's Friends is available to the community free of charge although registration is required. For more information or to register, families may contact Dawn Zappitelli at (630) 232-2233 ext. 225.

Footprints: Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice announces the next session of the six-week support group to begin Jan. 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for families experiencing loss through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, still birth or neonatal death, led by a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed professional counselor at the FVVH office located at 200 Whitfield Drive in Geneva.

The educational topics covered during this six-week period will include:

• The Stages of Grief

• How Men & Women Grieve Differently

• Accessing Support

• Managing Special Dates and Holidays

• Knowing When You're Ready To Move On

• Where Do You Go From Here?

Footprints is an FVVH program done in collaboration with Provena of Northern Illinois, Rush-Copley Medical Center and Sherman Hospital. For more information about the program or to register, please contact Carol Ann Richeson at 630-232-2233, ext. 224.

Living Well Cancer Center: The center is at 1803 W. State Street in Geneva and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The facility is available to people at any stage of the cancer experience from diagnosis, through treatment, post-treatment and survivorship. There are numerous programs including support and networking groups, Caregiver support, exercise, culinary comforts and grief counseling to name but a few.

The Living Well facility is a Delnor Health Care affiliate with 5 full time staff members and over 60 regular volunteers. There is a professional advisory committee composed of doctors, oncology nurses, psychologists, therapists, social workers and clergy.

The center offers programs on education, support and fitness plus special presentations and programs. Those wishing to attend the special presentations and programs must call ahead to register.

There are always volunteer opportunities available. Some include workers at the front desk, bakers, gardeners, greeters and more. Call for information, (630) 262-1111, e-mail address crabchuk@livingwellcrc.org or visit www.livingwellcrc.org.

Lymphoma Networking Group: Specifically designed for individuals with Lymphoma. The group provides individuals with the same type of cancer the opportunity to give and receive information and support. Please call ahead to register, meetings are on

Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., no fee. At LivingWell Cancer Resource Center located at 1803 West State Street, Geneva. Call (630)262-1111 to register or for more information.

Kane County PFLAG: Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A non-denominational not for profit support group meets on the second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. at the New England Congregational Church at 406 West Galena Blvd., Aurora.

Meetings are open to the public and all meetings are confidential. For more information call Barbara at (630) 584-1757.

Rainbows: The group can help a child or young teenager who has been impacted by the death of a loved one, divorce, separation or any other painful family transition. Conley Outreach is partnering area volunteers to bring this special program to Kaneland and surrounding communities. Rainbows is a 14 week program for kids in kindergarten through grade 8 who are grieving a loss. Rainbows helps children learn, heal and grow through this life transition. Rainbows is not a therapy group. It is a safe place for children to talk to each other about their experiences and feelings. The Rainbows program groups children by age and type of loss and uses facilitators to lead children through the grieving process.

Rainbows meets on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kaneland United Methodist Church, 46W764 Main St. in 7 week sessions from Jan. 21 to March 3.

Contact Conley Outreach Community Services at (630) 365-2880 to register. There is a $15 per student material fee, family fee of $25 for more than one child. Scholarships are available. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay. For more information contact Carol Alfrey at (630) 365-2880.

Mental illness in family: The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of DeKalb, Kane-South and Kendall counties is adding a third family support group. The group will meet at 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Hometown Cafe, 1002 Four Seasons Blvd., Aurora.

Family support groups are for families and friends of individuals dealing with serious mental illnesses.

Other family support groups meet at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. in St. Charles, and on the second Wednesday of the month at the American National Bank, 1985 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore.

Call (630) 896-6264 or visit www.namidkk.org.

Men's enrichment: TriCity Family Services offers a men's enrichment group, a supportive discussion group to address the needs of men. Meetings are ongoing and held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the TriCity Family Services offices, 1120 Randall Court, Geneva.

Topics of discussion include authentic masculine power, communication, relationships, handling conflict, guilt, shame, loss, accountability and parenting. The goal of the group is to help men become better partners, coworkers, fathers, sons and citizens. The group is facilitated by Greg Watson and Scott Douglas.

Cost for the group is $20 per meeting. Fee reductions are available based on need. Advance registration is required.

For more information or to register, call Tri-City Family Services at (630) 232-1070.

Women's enrichment: Tri-City Family Services offers an ongoing women's enrichment group, a therapy group for women age 18 and older.

The group is facilitated by a licensed, clinical, female therapist and meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Tri-City Family Services, 1120 Randall Court, Geneva. Free child care is available.

The group is for women interested in pursuing goals of self-development and personal growth while gaining the support of their peers. Through support, feedback and education, women can strengthen their skills in assertiveness and self-esteem, limit-setting, self-control, conflict resolution, self-care, self-reliance and stress management.

The cost is based on a sliding fee scale and insurance does apply. Fee reductions are available based on need. Group members are asked to make a minimum six-week commitment.

Advance registration and a meeting with the group leader are required before participation.

For more information or to register, call TriCity Family Services at (630) 232-1070.

You Are Not Alone: A support group for parents of children with special needs, including those with autism, meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. For more information, call (630) 879-0076 or e-mail youarenotalone101@earthlink.net.

Special needs: The Special Needs Support Group is an informal networking and education group for parents of children who have special needs. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Call (630) 444-0077 for reservations.

Depression, anxiety: Emotions Anonymous is a 12-step program for those with depression and anxiety. A local chapter for women only meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Geneva Lutheran Church, Third and Franklin streets.

A chapter for men and women meets at 7 p.m. Fridays at St. Joseph Hospital, 77 Airlite Drive, Elgin.

A chapter for men and women meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 115 Oak St., North Aurora. Visit www.emotionsanonymous.org or call Rosemary at (630) 587-3950.

Recovery Inc.: The self-help group for those affected by depression, anxiety, panic attacks and anger, meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. There is no fee. For more information, call Mary Jane Spudeas at (630) 279-6505.

Children with disabilities: Everyone Is Welcome Inc., a consulting company that provides support services to increase the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of life and create communities in which everyone is welcome, is opening a tutoring center in St. Charles.

Call (630) 584-0970 or visit www.eiwelcome.com.

Diabetes support

• The Visiting Nurses Association of Fox Valley has a diabetes support group at 49 E. Downer Place, Aurora.

The meetings are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Call (630) 978-2532.

• Delnor-Community Health and Wellness Center offers programs for those with diabetes at 296 Randall Road in Geneva. Registration is required. Call (630) 208-3999 to register.

The Insulin Pump Support Group meets quarterly. Call Dara at (630) 208-6078 for meeting locations and times.

Breast 'N' Baby Lactation Services: offers varied parenting support groups. All groups meet at 525 Tyler Road, Suite L-2, St. Charles. Call Carol Chamblin at (630) 513-1101 or visit www.breastbabyproducts.com.

• Mothers Tea for mothers of infants and toddlers meets from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month. Topics have included traveling with a baby and car seat facts, weaning, starting solids, age-appropriate toys, burnout and stress and healthy lifestyles.

• Working Moms support group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. Topics will include meal planning, day-care issues and juggling motherhood and career.

Lung cancer: The Lung Cancer Networking Group for lung cancer survivors and families meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the breast health conference room at Central DuPage Hospital, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield. For details, call Pat Mellinger at (630) 933-5286.

Huntington's disease: The group meets at the Delnor-Community Health and Wellness Center, south conference room, 296 S. Randall Road, Geneva.

Those who have Huntington's disease, are at risk for, are a caregiver or a friend, or who want to know more about the disease are welcome. For more information, call (630) 761-8596.

Multiple sclerosis: The Tri-Cities MS Support group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the second Friday of the month at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N. Fifth Ave. (Route 25) in St. Charles.

The group is for those living with MS and offers support, education and aid.

Guests should enter in the rear of the building.

For information, call Ralph Carlson at (630) 406-0107 or e-mail rec986@comcast.net.

Community Therapy Services:Œ40W310 LaFox Road, Suite 1A, St. Charles, (630) 444-0077.

• Free Screenings for Children. Are you concerned that your child may not be developing like other children of the same age? Community Therapy Services, offers free developmental and speech-language screenings for children ages 4 months and up.

• Music lessons: A board-certified music therapist adapts music lessons to make them appropriate for many types of disabilities. Lessons are available for guitar, piano, violin, trumpet and other band instruments.

• Together in Music: a developmental group led by a board-certified music therapist will address social, language and motor skills.

Caregivers support group at Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., 77 N. Airlite St., Elgin, in the Saint Joseph room on the first floor.

Hospital Caregivers Support Group is a safe place where caregivers can share feelings and frustrations involved in care giving. The group offers emotional support, practical advice, and socialization and fellowship. There is no fee. Call Provena Saint Joseph Hospital office of Pastoral Care at (847) 695-3200, ext. 5767.