UNDATED (WTAQ) – Green Bay will soon be getting a grief support group for those who’ve lost a loved one to addiction.
Wendy Steward started The Red Balloon Group following the death of her daughter, Alyssa, from a heroin overdose two years ago.
“Going through my own grief, I realized there was so many people out there working to not get kids using drugs, but there wasn’t any grief support groups, there wasn’t anybody on the other side,” Steward explains. “When you lost your child, there wasn’t anybody helping people through that that I could find.”
The inspiration of the group’s name came from a ceremony done in honor of Alyssa Steward.
“Because Alyssa’s birthday was the same day as her funeral, we ended up doing a balloon release on that day,” Steward says. “We attached cards that said ‘We release these balloons in loving memory of Alyssa Steward’, and I asked that people text a picture of where the balloons landed. That first year, one red balloon made it across Lake Michigan to a cherry orchard and it was just the most beautiful setting. So everything I do, since Alyssa passed away, has a red balloon on it. It has kind of become her symbol.”
Steward says it pushed her to start support groups for parents and loved ones to share, support and connect with others about what they’re going through.
“I have parents that are very grateful for the group, I’m very grateful for the group because I also find support there,” says Steward. “I also run a Facebook group where people can post on Facebook and get support from other members.”
For those looking to join The Red Balloon Groups, you can check out their Facebook pages for parents and other family/friends.
- In Oshkosh — The Red Balloon Group for parents meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at Solutions Recovery Club, 621 Evans Street, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
- In Appleton — The Red Balloon Group for parents meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at Mooring House, 607 W. 7th Street, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The family/friends Red Balloon Group meets at the same place on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Steward hopes to start The Red Balloon Group for family/friends in Green Bay in August, with a future group in Milwaukee later this year.
