Imagine Hosts Night of Remembrance on November 15th

Imagine a Center for Coping With Loss will host its first "i Remember" evening as a way to remind grieving children, families and other adults that they are not alone in their grief.

Through ritual, art, and the sharing of music, memories and readings, people will experience the healing and therapeutic power and support provided by a caring community of individuals, explained Imagine executive director Mary Robinson.

Opened in May, Imagine offers peer support groups, which are free and run year-round, for children age 3 and up, and for adults of all ages. The center serves people coping with loss due to death and, in 2013, will begin support programs for children, families and individuals coping with terminal and chronic illness.  

The "i Remember" event will feature an open house format and begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. and will be held at Imagine's center located inside the First United Methodist Church. 

"We hope people will leave the evening feeling less alone in their grief, that they will receive comfort and support through the caring rituals provided, that they will learn about available resources for coping with grief and loss, and that they will grow in their resiliency and feel a sense of hope for a brighter future," Robinson said.

The event coincides with National Children's Grief Awareness Day. To honor the occasion, Imagine will also break ground on its remembrance garden planned for Mindowaskin Park.

"At 11 a.m. we will have a kickoff for the garden project," Robinson said. "In attendance will be Senator Tom Kean, members of The Friends of Mindowaskin, the Mayor and other town officials, and Imagine staff and board members as well as Imagine Youth Advisory Council members and members of the Imagine Club at Westfield High School."

Providing support for "i Remember" are several local businesses. Ahrre's Coffee Roastery is donating the coffee and the following are sponsors for this event: Summit Medical Group's Behavioral Health and Cognitive Therapy Center, Distinctive Dentistry by David M. Weinman, DMD, Christine Cosenza of State Farm Insurance, and Tiffany Natural Pharmacy.

While registration is not required, for planning purposes, it is appreciated. To RSVP for the evening of hospitality, healing and hope, email mandi@imaginenj.org. 

To learn more about Imagine, consider attending one of the upcoming tour dates:

Nov 14, 2012 Noon – 1 p.m.

Dec 6, 2012 8 – 9 a.m. 

Dec 12, 2012 Noon – 1 p.m. 

For more information about any of Imagine's programs, call 908-264-3100, visit the website at www.imaginenj.org or email  info@imaginenj.org