Community Grief Support

At Community Grief Support we understand that grief support is needed in every season of the year, summer is no exception. If you or someone you know has lost a loved one and is seeking grief support we are here for you.
Along with our year-round twice-monthly retired aged spousal loss groups, our 2026 Summer Support groups will be starting in May. Community Grief Support groups are offered at no cost and materials are provided.
The days, times, and location of each group are listed below.
For more information or to sign up, please visit our website at communitygriefsupport.org or call our office at 205-870-8667
In-person Evening Spousal Loss Group
Community Grief Support Office
Wednesdays 5:30pm - 7:00pm
May 6th - July 8th
Online Evening Spousal Loss Group
(Must be an Alabama Resident)
Thursdays 6:00pm - 7:30pm
May 21st- July 23rd
Loss of an Adult Child 8-Weeks
Community Grief Support Office
Thursdays 5:45pm - 7:15pm
May 7th - June 25th
Daytime Retired Aged Spousal Loss Group
Vestavia Hills Methodist (Room 210)
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
10am - 11:30am
Daytime Retired Aged Spousal Loss Group
Riverchase UMC
1st & 3rd Thursdays
10am - 11:30am
Daytime Retired Aged Spousal Loss Group
Huffman Baptist Church (2nd floor)
2nd & 4th Wednesdays
10am - 11:30am

🎟️ Tickets Are Now On Sale! 🎉

Join us for the 23rd Annual Lift Your Spirits: Freedom to Heal Fundraising Auction & Gala—an unforgettable evening of community, compassion, and celebration.

📅 May 14, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Birmingham Zoo

Enjoy an upscale patriotic BBQ, exciting auction experiences, and the chance to make a meaningful impact for those navigating grief and loss in our community.

✨ Secure your tickets today and be part of a night that inspires healing and hope.

Saturday’s Community Grief Support Spring volunteer training was so great. Here they are practicing their grief companioning skills in small groups

A new year can bring fresh challenges, especially when you’re grieving. If you’re carrying loss into 2026, you don’t have to do it alone.

Our grief support groups begin in January and February, offering understanding, connection, and hope in a supportive environment.

✨ Free | Confidential | Community-centered
📍 Open to bereaved adults in the Greater Birmingham area

Visit communitygriefsupport.org//schedule/group-sessions/ to register.

Community Grief Support Community Grief Support is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Navigating Early Holiday Grief

A community discussion on navigating holiday grief the first couple of years after the death of a loved one, followed by a candlelight remembrance service

Continental Breakfast served: 9-9:30 am

Saturday, November 8th 9am-12:00pm
Southminster Presbyterian Church
1124 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

Saturday, November 15th 9am-12:00pm
Guiding Light Church
1800 John Rogers Dr, Birmingham, AL 35210

Sunday, November 16th 1pm-3:00pm
Restoration Church
21406 AL-216, McCalla, AL 35111

Saturday, November 22nd 9am-12:00pm
Asbury United Methodist
6690 Cahaba Valley Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242

Register at https://www.communitygriefsupport.org/programs/hope-for-the-holidays/
Or call (205) 870-8667

Meet our Mac + Cheese Festival Host, local media personality, Sly King!

With over 18 years of experience as a radio personality, I have built an extensive background in media, production, and content creation. My career has included hosting and emceeing a wide range of events, as well as producing and voicing commercials for diverse clients.
Whether in front of the camera, behind the camera, or behind the computer, I bring an extensive amount of experience and a deep understanding of the production process. My expertise includes audio recording and editing, video production, and social media content development. I have operated professional video cameras at live events, edited high-quality video and audio for promotional and digital campaigns, and created compelling video content with integrated voiceovers.
I have also managed the editing of video messages to produce engaging clips for social media, ensuring each project is visually captivating, strategically aligned, and tailored to connect with its intended audience. My ability to blend creative storytelling with technical precision allows me to deliver content that drives both engagement and impact.

Meet Our Mac + Cheese Judge, Miss Iron City- Shannon Boutwell!

Shannon is a violinist, pianist, dancer, and music teacher, who graduated from Harvest Homeschool in 2022, entering Samford University as the Miller-Shepherd Piano Scholar. Shannon has won awards in numerous competitions on both instruments and is a three-time 1st place winner in the Gulf Coast Steinway Society Competition, meriting two piano solo recital opportunities at Carnegie Hall in New York City and a violin concerto scholarship. Shannon is a sponsored artist of the Becker Family Foundation based in Chicago and performs on the 1916 Carl G. Becker violin. Shannon serves as concertmaster of the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Samford University Opera Orchestra, and she is the founder and first violinist of the Candy Crush String Quartet. A local representative in the Miss America Organization, Shannon won the title of Miss Jubilee 2025 and Miss Iron City 2026. Through the program, she has earned around $10,000 in scholarships, two opportunities to compete at Miss Alabama, and a state-wide platform for her performances and initiatives in arts education and ministry. Her dream is to become the concertmaster of a professional orchestra, found a school of the arts, and to stay involved in children’s and music ministry. Shannon hopes to pursue a DMA and would like to teach at the college level in the future.

..

🧀✨ The cheesiest day of the year is almost here! ✨🧀

Join us for the 8th Annual Magic City Mac + Cheese Festival on Sunday, September 21st from 1–4 PM at Back Forty Beer Company! 🍻

🎶 Live music, a kid zone, pet-friendly fun, and of course—dozens of local restaurants and home cooks competing for the title of “Best Mac + Cheese in the Magic City!”

🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW—don’t wait, grab yours today and get ready to eat, vote, and celebrate all things mac + cheese!

👉 https://www.communitygriefsupport.org/macfest/

All proceeds benefit Community Grief Support 💛

🧀✨ Grab your official Magic City Mac + Cheese Festival T-Shirt! ✨🧀

For just $25, you can snag this cheesy must-have to wear to the festival—or rock it anytime to show your support.

👉 Sizes available: XS – XXL
👉 Can’t make it to the festival? No problem—you can still purchase a shirt, and 100% of proceeds benefit Community Grief Support.

Don’t miss your chance to wear your mac + cheese pride while making a difference! 💛

Purchase your shirt here: https://buy.stripe.com/eVqfZi7Vb0zxfb6237fAc08

Tomorrow is the last day to purchase early bird tickets! Sales close at 11:30 pm then tickets will be regular price until the day of the event. Get your tickets now! https://www.communitygriefsupport.org/macfest/