On the Town: Four contribute to 25-year-old bereavement program

Glendale Adventist Medical Center officials reminded supporters that they are not only committed to the physical health of patients but their emotional state as well during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Beyond Loss Bereavement Ministry.

Administrators, volunteers and supporters came together last month to celebrate the ministry’s success at a dinner in the Demarest Fellowship Hall of La Cañada Presbyterian Church. The theme, “Seasons of Life,” was illustrated in the program by a tree and its transformation from spring, summer, autumn and winter and how each season represents hope, help and healing.

The highlight was the presentation of the Spirit Awards, conducted by Kevin Roberts, president and chief executive of the medical center; and Bruce Nelson, director of the medical center’s community services and chaplains’ department.

All four recipients have made significant contributions to the success of the Beyond Loss program, said Irene Bourdon, president of the medical center’s healthcare foundation.

Receiving the Spirit Leader Award was Rev. Alice Parsons Zulli; the Spirit Corporate Partner Award went to Galen Goben, grief support coordinator at Forest Lawn; the Spirit Community Partner Award was given to Rick Mogil, program director of suicide prevention and bereavement services at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services; and the Spirit of Volunteer Award was bestowed on Joan Klaric, office coordinator of the chaplains’ department.

Zulli is founder and director of the Beyond Loss Bereavement Support Center, in partnership with the chaplains’ department at the medical center. Zulli has a degree in ministerial studies and is a board-certified pastoral counselor.

She is also a nationally certified grief counselor and fellow in thanatology, a sub-specialty of medicine related to death, dying and bereavement.

Zulli is also a bereavement educator and offers ongoing training classes in a variety of grief topics at the medical center.

Over the 25 years of the program at Adventist, 5,000 people have taken training to participate in the program, Nelson said.

“We were up to between 10 and 15 groups per week and they all had between 10 and 15 people,” he added. “As the groups multiplied at the hospital, also did the training, and I’m astounded at the number of people who have participated in the training.”

Now, the program maintains between five and seven groups per week, but fulfills specific needs, such as the partnership with Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in administering the Survivors of Suicide Support Group and a bereavement group for the Armenian community.

For more information about individual grief counseling, weekly support groups, suicide prevention, intervention following traumatic events and bereavement training for professionals and laypersons, call (818) 409-8008.

Event focuses on suicide among military veterans

Wellness Works of Glendale is organizing for the second year an event to raise awareness about military veteran suicide with a 72-hour event from Sept. 14 to 17.

Called “Not On Our Watch 2016”, veterans will take turns walking a symbolic post across the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena and holding vigil. Civilians are invited to “stand post” and hold vigil as well.

The event was created by veterans and for veterans to send a symbolic message that the community has their backs and will leave no veteran behind.

The opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. on Sept. 14 at the grassy area on the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards in Pasadena. Glendale Mayor Paula Devine will be the keynote speaker. Concluding the event will be a memorial ceremony for veterans lost to suicide at 10 a.m. on Sept. 17.

Each day, an estimated 22 veterans lose their lives to suicide, according to statistics provided by Wellness Works. Currently, more military men and women die by their own hand than are killed in combat.

“Wellness Works has a long tradition of providing services for the body/mind/spirit to veterans in the community,” said Kathy Lynch, clinical director of Wellness Works. “But our mission also involves raising awareness of the desperate need for comprehensive veteran services in our community as well as supporting veterans as they work to reintegrate with the civilian world.”

Wellness Works is a nonprofit organization that provides services to veterans and their families in Glendale, Pasadena and surrounding communities. To participate in the event, become a sponsor or access social media links, visit https://bit.ly/2cuM0Ng.

Search is on for female military veterans

The Crescenta Valley American Legion Post 288 will honor women who have served in the military during its Veterans Day program at 3 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave., La Crescenta.

Press representative Lynn McGinnis said he needs the community’s help in contacting female veterans who live in the community.

“In recent years, we have honored Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans and, last year, we honored World War II veterans,” he said. “This year, we plan to honor women veterans. I’m looking for women in the Glendale area who have served in the military at any time and anywhere. They do not have to be members of a veterans organization.”

Women who have served or people who know of a woman who has served are asked to email McGinnis at mcginnix@aol.com.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.