Full Circle Grief Center

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Richmond, VA
Full Circle Grief Center

Central Virginia's comprehensive grief and bereavement resource. The risk is high for that family to break apart.

Full Circle Grief Center was founded in 2008 in response to the great need in Central Virginia to help families who had experienced the death of someone they loved – most often a father or spouse. Those families and their at-risk children were too often grieving in isolation without support – and often did not have the funds to pursue private counseling or other forms of grief support. Our programs have touched more than 9,000 lives. Our goals are to help grieving individuals:

• Increase communication with family members so families stay together in grief
• Learn coping skills to deal with traumatic events and grief
• Build support networks to reduce isolation
• Heal through creative expression

Full Circle is very unique in its approach to bereavement care:

- We combine professionally-designed grief support programs with creative expression in the form of art, music, play, dance and journaling to trigger discussions that may not have occurred otherwise.

- We are the only organization in Richmond to provide bereavement groups for extended families along with age-appropriate groups simultaneously. Families learn to grieve together rather than in isolation.

- We are also the only organization in Richmond to provide bereavement support to underserved students at their inner-city school. The need is so high that we are focusing our efforts on traumatic death. We rely 100% on the community to provide these services free of charge to all participants through our three main programs:

Counseling Groups for Families:
• Hands On Healing for children ages 3-18 and their families.
• Perinatal Loss Group for parents who are grieving the death of a baby.
• Suicide Loss Group for adults and school-aged children grieving a loss by suicide. Outreach Groups for Underserved At-Risk Youth at:
• Inner-city schools
• Community partner sites: ChildSavers, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, etc.
• Richmond City Police Department (Homicide Support Group)

Grief Education:
• Bereavement training for local professionals and community members
• Published the area’s first and only comprehensive grief resource manual

09/12/2025

Congratulations to our many team members at Full Circle who are celebrating their staff anniversary this month! 🎉

Allyson Drake
Founder and Executive Director | 17 years

Karen Kennedy
Su***de Bereavement Services Manager | 4 years

Sarah Mayfield
Individual Therapist | 4 years

Jillian Carpenter
Group Leader | 4 years

From our individual therapists, administrative and clinical teams, group leaders, and more, we are so grateful to have you in our inner circle! We couldn't do it without you! 💙

09/10/2025

Su***de Prevention Month occurs each September, with Su***de Prevention Day on September 10. In honor of the month and day, we're sharing several blogs, articles, and other resources that highlight ways that grief, loss of a loved one to su***de, and stigma around the conversation about mental health often overlap. Please review our list below, or browse our resource library.

Resources for Su***de Prevention Month and Day

Full Circle Blog | Ways to Help A Survivor of Su***de Loss
https://fullcirclegc.org/2020/04/26/ways-to-help-a-survivor-of-su***de-loss/

Full Circle Blog | Supporting Teens After A Su***de Loss
https://fullcirclegc.org/2022/01/08/supporting-teens-after-a-su***de-loss/

What's Your Grief | Grieving After A Su***de Death
https://whatsyourgrief.com/grieving-su***de-death/

Full Circle Blog | Loss of A Sibling to Su***de
https://fullcirclegc.org/2022/09/07/sibling-loss/

09/09/2025

Last call! 📣 Now's your chance to snag some Full Circle merch before our Bonfire fundraiser closes later today! Shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and tank tops with two different logos to choose from. Plus, our newest addition, Full Circle hats! 🧢

Each item purchased goes directly to supporting our mission as Virginia's comprehensive bereavement resource, ensuring that we are able to keep offering quality and compassionate grief services to all. Plus, you're helping to spread the Full Circle story a little further.

Check out our Bonfire fundraiser at the link below or the link in our bio. 💙

Full Circle Bonfire Merch Campaign
https://www.bonfire.com/org/full-circle-grief-center-263324192/

09/08/2025

They say denial is a river in Egypt. But it's also an entire nonprofit office in Henrico, Virginia. 🙃

When Cameron joined our team a little less than a year ago, we knew it would be short but sweet. But what we weren't expecting was the amount of impact he had in such a brief but delightful amount of time here at Full Circle.

As our office assistant and in-house data analyst, Cameron arrived at the scene fresh from Italy and the University of Padua, with a plethora of knowledge about science, physics, and astronomy-related things we couldn't even comprehend (and still can't, though he's very patient at explaining it all to us). But more impressive than his resume was his ability to connect with others, from clients to volunteers to staff and community partners. Anyone who has entered the front lobby over the last year or so has undoubtedly felt Cameron's warmth and care in making Full Circle a compassionate place for others in our community.

When he wasn't greeting everyone at the front desk or streamlining all our data processes behind the scene, Cam became our go-to person for all things technology and spreadsheets, assisting in the creation of many documents, files, processes, and reports that has made Full Circle run all the smoother. He was also quickly promoted to occasional grabber of something too high for the rest of us to reach, as well as most trustworthy releaser of indoor insect life back into the wild. In his time at Full Circle, no task was too small or no question too silly, as he demonstrated the patience of an absolute monk with all of us. No matter the frustration factor, Cam would respond with what more or less became his catchphrase: "You're doing great!"

While we are beyond excited for his next big adventure in pursuing a doctoral degree in England, we also can't believe Cam's chapter at Full Circle has come to a close. We cannot wait to see what (or where!) Cameron's passion for science and the human spirit will take him to next, knowing that he will continue to do amazing things no matter which time zone he currently occupies.

Thank you so much for everything you've brought to Full Circle, Cameron, and best of luck on your next chapter!

Signed, your unofficial fan club here at FC 🎉

09/05/2025

It's been two years since we held our last merch fundraiser, so we're bringing it back for our 17th anniversary! With our newest merch item by special request... Full Circle hats! 🧢

We think everyone looks good in a Full Circle hat, even if you're not a hat person. Maybe you're a t-shirt person? Or a hoodie person? We've got those too! 👕

Each item purchased goes directly to supporting our mission as Virginia's comprehensive bereavement resource, ensuring that we are able to keep offering quality and compassionate grief services to all. Plus, you're helping to spread the Full Circle story a little further.

Check out our Bonfire fundraiser at the link below or the link in our bio. 💙

Full Circle Bonfire Merch Campaign
https://www.bonfire.com/org/full-circle-grief-center-263324192/

09/03/2025

In recognition of Su***de Prevention Month, our most recent staff Conversations About Grief installment comes from Karen Kennedy, MSW, Su***de Bereavement Services Manager, as she discusses the unique stigma and assumptions that can often accompany a loss by su***de. 💙

Available now at the link below, our website and our YouTube channel or link in bio. 🔗

Conversations About Grief | The Uniqueness of Su***de Loss
https://fullcirclegc.org/conversations-about-grief/

09/01/2025

Just a quick reminder that our offices will be closed today, Monday, September 1, in observation of the Labor Day holiday. We will resume normal business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, September 2. 💙

08/30/2025

💙 National Grief Awareness Day occurs annually on August 30. 💙 For this occasion, we're sharing several blogs, articles, and other resources that highlight ways that grieving folks can find kindness and compassion for themselves. Links are provided below or in our link in bio. 🔗

Full Circle Blog | Patience and Grace During Your Grief Journey
https://fullcirclegc.org/2023/02/06/patience-and-grace-during-your-grief-journey/

Full Circle Blog | Taking A Moment, Together
https://fullcirclegc.org/2023/09/29/taking-a-moment-together/

What's Your Grief | How Normalization and Validation Help in Grief
https://whatsyourgrief.com/how-normalization-and-validation-help-in-grief/

Full Circle Blog | I Write Letters To The Dead and I Wear Their Clothes
https://fullcirclegc.org/2022/10/09/i-write-letters-to-the-dead-and-i-wear-their-clothes/

08/27/2025

If you've been in our main lobby this month, you may have already met her, but today we are giving an official warm welcome to the newest member of our Full Circle team, Shannon Deneen! 🎉

Shannon joins our team as Practice Manager, providing the bridge between our clinical and operations teams, as well as a warm and familiar presence for our clients and families. A Connecticut native, Shannon received her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Social Work from Skidmore College and her Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from University of Denver. With a background in clinical mental health and a passion for social justice, Shannon is looking forward to working with our clients, clinicians, and community members here at Full Circle. She's also new to the Richmond area, so send her your favorite restaurant recommendations! 💙

Welcome, Shannon! We are incredibly grateful to have you on board here at Full Circle. 🫶

Read more about Shannon by checking out her staff listing below.

Full Circle Grief Center | Shannon Deneen
https://fullcirclegc.org/shannon-deneen/

08/25/2025

Our Young Adult Loss Group is going strong, but there's always room for one more. Our next in-person meeting is coming up on September 8. 🍂

This monthly grief support group is especially for young adults (ages 20-30) in Central Virginia who are grieving the death of a loved one. The group meets primarily online, with in-person meetings at our Full Circle offices every quarter. This allows for a broader reach, with flexibility in virtual meetings, but also makes space for that face-to-face interaction and contact we know is so important when meeting other grievers. 💙

Share your story of loss, connect with others, explore your feelings, develop coping strategies, and discover new ways to remember your loved one. Facilitated by experienced professionals, monthly sessions include group discussion and support, creative expression and resource sharing. 🕯️

💙 Ongoing, with dates from September 8 - December 15, 2025
💙 6:00 – 7:30 pm
💙 Second Monday evening of each month
💙 Meets monthly, with hybrid format

In-person meetings will be held at our center:

Full Circle Grief Center
10611 Patterson Avenue, Suite 201
Richmond, VA 23238

To register or for more information, please view our website below:

Full Circle Grief Center | Young Adult Loss Group
https://fullcirclegc.org/young-adult-loss-group/

Or contact the group facilitator, Casey Kelahan, MSW at casey.kelahan@fullcirclegc.org.

08/22/2025

It's amazing to think that exactly a month ago today, Full Circle was celebrating and connecting with other local nonprofit organizations at the Spring 2025 Grant Recipient event held by Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation! ☀️

The afternoon at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture contained good people, good food, and good vibes on top of a lively and candid panel conversation with nonprofit leaders from across the state. It was a wonderful opportunity to look up from the hard work all of us do at nonprofits across Virginia and realize how diverse -- and similar -- our passions and are missions are to each other. 💙

Thank you to all the folks at Dominion and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture for having and hosting so many of us! 🎉

08/20/2025

Our most recent staff blog post comes from our Executive Director, Allyson England Drake, M.Ed., FT, as she takes a closer look into the challenges and stigma that can often surround the loss of a loved one by homicide. 💙

"One in ten Americans experience a death resulting from a homicide. This type of death brings about many different emotions, such as anguish, grief, isolation, and anger. Those grieving a homicide must endure the shock of a sudden loss and the pain of knowing that the violence was deliberately caused by another person."

Staff Blog: The Uniqueness of Homicide Loss
https://fullcirclegc.org/2025/08/07/the-uniqueness-of-homicide-loss/

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Richmond, VA

Website

http://fullcirclegc.org/

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