The core program of our organization is Tides Nights. Through Tides Nights, we help individuals of all ages journey through their individual healing process. We place special emphasis on the environment where participants are met by a welcoming, safe and judgement-free atmosphere with consistent and committed volunteers. Attendees are supportive of one another and often form lasting relationships outside the Tides Nights programming.
Tides meets the first and third Thursday of each month during the school year (September-May) at Mount Nittany Middle School. During the summer months, we host once a month gatherings to reconnect with one another.
Tides Night Evening Schedule
6:00 PM Families meet for social gathering time and pizza
6:30 PM Age-appropriate/loss specific group meetings
7:30 PM Closing Circle
7:45 PM Dismissal
A Tides Nights begins at 6:00 PM. When families arrive, each person is asked to sign in and make a name tag. As a group, we will have a meal - pizza, salad and drinks. Dinner continues until 6:30 PM. Table games are set out on the tables for families to play and interact with one another if they choose.
From 6:30-7:30 PM we divide into small groups. For children and teens, the small groups are broken down by age. We have 3 children’s groups: preschool/early elementary school age, upper elementary and teens. The activities in the children’s groups are designed so that the children can approach their feelings about their grief in their own way and at their own pace. We stress to the children that these support groups are NOT school. The group is a safe place where children who have suffered sad losses, just like themselves, can join in activities related to their grief journey in the company of caring adults.
For adults, the groups are broken down by the type of loss one has experienced. These groups include: child loss, parent/general adult loss, and spouse/partner loss group. This is a time for adults who have shared similar loss to be surrounded by others who can relate to one another's experience and support each other in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.
Following small group, we conclude the evening with a large closing circle from 7:30-7:45 PM. Everyone stands in a large circle. One person begins a hand squeeze. When the hand squeeze gets to you, you are welcome to say something or pass the squeeze onto the next person. When the hand squeeze makes its way around to where it began, then closing circle ends. The purpose of closing circle is to remind our families they are not alone on their grief journey.
Download our 2024-2025 school year meeting dates.
All individuals who are grieving the death of a loved one are welcome to join us at no charge. We just ask that you connect with us prior to attending a Tides Night.
Ready to learn more and register for Tides Nights? Please contact Ashley Lopes at (814) 692-2233 or ashley.lopes@tidesprogram.org.