“Some people think they are in community, but they are only in proximity. True community requires commitment and openness. It is a willingness to extend yourself to encounter and know the other.”
– M. Scott Peck
Our TCF family spans across all 50 States and Puerto Rico. Both in-person and online, The Compassionate Friends offers a true community of love and understanding. Our communities hold space for all who are grieving the death of a child, grandchild, or sibling of any age and any cause of death. There are few places where we can go in our world today that slows down enough to listen to our story, support us in our pain, and nurture a renewed sense of hope and purpose. It takes a lot of time, energy, and committed individuals to make this community happen. Thank you to all our volunteers and members who work tirelessly to create this compassionate community.
I was able to witness a part of this community in action this past holiday season with two of our chapters, the TCF Potomac Chapter and the TCF Treasure Coast Chapter. I would like to thank my friends at the TCF Potomac chapter for the invitation and opportunity to deliver the keynote address during their annual candlelight memorial service held on December 4, 2025. Thank you, also, to my friends here in my hometown of Stuart, Florida at the Treasure Coast Chapter of TCF for inviting me to provide opening remarks for their candle lighting program on National Children’s Memorial Day. Both services were a deeply sacred, meaningful time of remembrance, and a wonderful display of the TCF community mission at work. The volunteers and attendees created a safe space for the community to celebrate the lives and speak the names of the precious children, grandchildren, siblings, and loved ones we were there to remember.
I would like to extend a special thanks to Rob and Linda Goor for their hospitality and hosting me as a guest in their home when I visited with the Potomac Chapter. We enjoyed many heartfelt and meaningful conversations together and the warmth with which I was welcomed was palpable. I also had the opportunity to spend an evening in conversation with the Potomac Chapter’s Steering Committee members. This dedicated group of individuals shared about their chapter, asked questions about our organization, and listened as I shared ideas for strengthening and expanding our supportive community. Before we knew it, over three hours had passed, and we were all up way after our bedtimes. I cherish this time we were able to spend together.
I believe it is this type of community that Dr. Scott Peck was attempting to describe in the quote above. TCF has proven that peer support works. When we care enough to spend time in honest conversation, trusted dialogue, shared experience, and united purpose, we become less alone, more validated, and experience a closer connection to others. Beginning this year, TCF will be offering supportive webinars featuring well-respected, sought after presenters from within and outside of TCF free to our members in the spirit of building our community. Please look for these offerings, sign up, and attend. Join me for our first webinar for 2026, being held on February 4th at 12:00 pm ET, “Giving Grief and Healthy Coping a Language.” On behalf of our staff, board of directors, and thousands of dedicated, hard working volunteers, please know that you are not alone – your TCF community is here for you.
Use the chapter locator to find out information about chapters in your area. Locate a Chapter by selecting your state and zip code.
