LIFE Group assists families in their time of need AS A> policeman, Nerth Van- couver’s Bruce Ballingall has seen more than his fair share of grief. Part of a policeman’s job is to offer comfort and support to people who have lost loved ones. especially if they happen to be where a death has occurred. But when Ballingall’s wife died, he found that the comfort and support offered by his family and friends wasn't enough to help him get over his loss. That’s when he turned to the North Shore Grief Recovery Group, which was formed last September. The six-week program is designed to heip people recover from the death of a _ family member or friend. While the pro- gram has staff and guest speakers, most of the counselling is ad- ministered to its pasticipants by those attending the program. Ballingall, who nows helps others overcome the loss of some- one close to them, says the pro- gram was vital in helping him deal with his wife’s death. “The biggest thing I found is that you’re not alone,’’ says Ball- ingall. ‘*I forgot about my pain to help someone else with their pain. There’s just so much energy in the group and you realize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel." Run by Elizabeth Mendgen, the program tries to teach its partici- pants all about the grieving pro- cess. ‘*There’s a lot of sharing in the By Surj Rattan News Reporter program. Grieving is a very unique experience for individu- als,** says Mendgen. She adds that there is no right or wrong way for people to grieve but that there are ways to help people cope with a death. Ballingall says he doesn't know how he would have coped with the death of his wife if he had not been introduced to the North Shore Grief Recovery Group. “*T was just lost without this program. All of a sudden my Partner was gone. The program really helps to put faith in people. You see other people crying open- ly and then you know that it’s all right to cry,’’ says Ballingall. “*We (group) were total strang- ers at the start. We were at ihe worst part of our life...and we just helped each other through it,’ says Ballingall. “I'm a much better person today because of this group.” Continued grief support is also available after the six-week pro- gram ends. Mendgen says that while the program is currently being operated out of the Highlands United Church, participants do not have to belong to any religion to attend. For more information on the program, call Mendgen at 980- 6071. Virtue workshop offered COUNSELLOR AND educator, Lisa Barns, is offering a workshop called Parents Teaching Virtues, which teaches parents how to br- ing out the bes! in children — kindness, honesty and peace- fulness -— at ‘teachable mo- ments.’’ “Virtues are the building blocks of character,’’ says Barns. “Kindness, honesty and peace- fulness need ta be addressed in order to support a child’s basic spirituality anc self-esteem."* The workshop is being held at Highlands United Church, 3255 Edgemont Boulevard, North Van- couver, on March 16 and 23, from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Barns will help parents address their children's spiritual needs. The workshop was developed in response to concerns expressed by parents that their materialism is negatively affecting their children’s character, as are values GVRD Parks FOR AN evening out of a dif- ferent: kind, snuggle into your winter jacket, stip into vour hiking boots and head out fer a Night Owl Hike in the wilderness at L.ynn Headwaters Regional Park. A naturalist guide wilf meet participants in the parking lot and lead the way to a trail that cuns through the forest and along the rushing waters of Lynn Creek. Organizers say it’s a unique program where hikers are guided that place personal. gain before ethics, integrity and love. The workshop is part of an ini- uiative called, The Virtues Project, which supports parents and teach- ers in the development of virtues. The materials, say organizers. and the approach, do not focus on the practice of dogma of one religion, but offer simple spiritual principles found in many faiths. Some of the workshop topics include: how to help a child make a moral decision; using virtues in- stead of labels; setting clear boundaries; how to hold a family meeting; and avoiding the abuses of guilt. The price of the workshop is $125 per person or $185 for a couple. Participants will receive the Virtues Guide, a 270-page handbook with 52 Virtues of the Week. For more information or to reg- ister call 929-4574. sponsors hike by a rope and watk single file. The idea is to listen for owls and other wildlife. The hike runs from 7 to 9 pom. on Thursday, March Et and is of- fered to people aged 7 and older. Greater Vancouver Regional District, Parks is sponsoring che event and there is a $3 fee. For more tatormation and to revister call 432-635) between 9 a.m. and 4 pom. daily. aover || Quasar sy. Ot Fy fe . soa A NEWS photo Mike Wakefiald BRUCE BALLINGALL turned to the North Shore Grief Recovery Group, operated by Elizabeth Men- dgen, when his wife died. The group helps people who have lost family members and friends to deal with the deaths. -ormore pe fabulous”