How to Create a Circle of Friends for People who Are Suffering?

A circle of friends helps add meaning to your life and helps you reach your goals. It also helps you feel supported when you are struggling. If you have a circle of friends, it is easier to find roommates to move on your own and be independent. When you have a close circle of friends, it is easier to manage your emotions and you have someone to talk to.

Ideas for creating a circle of friends:

• Programs. Example: I met Tim at Frontier College while I was taking a writing class. I also met Kathy Berry and Susan McDonald.

• Through friends and family. Example: I met Matt McDonald through Susan McDonald.

• Groups. Example: I met Judith Snow at Education Action Group for Inclusion.

Family goes first to make a circle of friends, like Tim Anderson, who is still here, but a lot of people moved on.

After I lost my mom to bone cancer, the circle of friends didn't meet anymore.

Even though I don't have my original circle of friends, I have supportive people in my life and I am grateful for that.

I felt sad until I met people like John Mark and other people from Runnymede community church, who filled the gap of my grief. They helped me to feel less alone and reminded me that everyone goes through grief in life.