Meet this week's guest editor, Allyson Drake! Allyson founded Full Circle Grief Center in 2008 and she serves as the President and Executive Director of the organization. She has worked one-on-one with grieving children, adults, and families for 19 years, has facilitated numerous grief support groups, led organizational debriefings after a loss, and has developed curriculum for bereavement groups and remembrance programs. Her passion revolves around community bereavement education and she has presented on grief and loss at numerous professional conferences and educational trainings.
In addition to her B.A. from UVA, Master of Counselor Ed. degree from VCU, and post-graduate work in counseling psychology, bereavement, and traumatic grief, Allyson has a Certification in Thanatology, is a Compassionate Bereavement Care Certified Provider, and holds a license in School Counseling.
Outside of her impactful work at Full Circle Grief Center, Allyson loves reading, being outdoors, spending time with her two teenagers, listening to podcasts, cuddling with her chubby and lazy yellow lab, and watching UVA basketball and college football. Richmond's close proximity to the river, beach, mountains and historic sites creates an ideal atmosphere for her family.
Take it away, Allyson …
Miles in Memory
Full Circle’s "Miles in Memory" is a community event to honor and remember our loved ones. Join us on September 23rd virtually or in person at Full Circle Grief Center between 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (with a VIP yoga practice from 10 - 10:45 AM) for activities and refreshments.
"Your race, your way" means you can walk or run any distance or time-based goal that is meaningful to you, such as a birthday or an anniversary. Our goal is to raise $15,000, and you can help us reach it! All proceeds from Miles in Memory benefit Full Circle's comprehensive grief support programming.
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for all things fall…cooler weather, colorful leaves, bonfires, and Halloween. What says fall more than picking a pumpkin at Chesterfield Berry Farm? I have many memories of taking my kids to the Chesterfield Berry Farm to pick out our pumpkins each year and getting lost in the corn maze. The farm provides hours of family fun, including pumpkin picking, hayrides, the corn maze, and so much more.
Vitals:
Pumpkin Picking & Fall Fun / Chesterfield Berry Farm: 26002 Pear Orchard Road, Moseley, VA / Pumpkin Picking kicked off on September 16th
Wheel Throwing
I have been searching for a wheel throwing class for a while because it’s something I have always wanted to learn how to do. I certainly believe in the power of art and various forms of creative expression to help express feelings and provide quiet time for reflection or meditation. Recently, I have stumbled upon the 43rd Street Studio located in the Forest Hill neighborhood. They offer group classes and private classes on wheel throwing, creating with clay, altar creation, and working with ceramics. I am highly anticipating my upcoming class in this quaint little studio.
Vitals:
Wheel Throwing / 43rd Street Studios: 1410 W 43rd Street, Richmond / Classes offered from September 22nd through December 7th
More about Full Circle ...
Full Circle was started in September 2008 as a comprehensive grief resource center in the Richmond area to help meet the needs of grieving children (ages 3-18) and their families. Our mission is to provide comprehensive, professional grief support to children, adults, families, and communities. Our services focus on grief as a result of a death related loss or anticipatory loss. As a respected grief resource center, Full Circle offers grief support groups, individual grief counseling, remembrance programs, consultative services, and educational workshops.
Our grief support group topics include: Hands On Healing, Overdose Loss, Suicide Loss, Perinatal Loss, Pregnancy After Loss, Parenting After Loss, and monthly “Journeying Through Grief” for adults grieving any type of death. In addition, we offer Individual Counseling Services for children, adults, and families grieving the death of a loved one or anticipating the death of a loved one.
