Bereaved Families of Ontario--Midwestern Region is a registered charity offering free of charge bereavement support in Waterloo and Wellington Regions, and beyond.

Our primary focus has been the support of families who have lost a child to death; in April 2004, we expanded our mandate to encompass support to all members of the community who have lost a loved one.  Services include structured support groups, one-on-one peer support, a resource lending library and an annual intensive facilitator training program for volunteer support group facilitators.  We are the bereaved helping the bereaved live with grief and continue through life with a renewed sense of purpose. 

Our Mission

We are a community based self-help/mutual aid organization whose purpose is to assist bereaved families with the grieving process.

Our Goals

	To support parents grieving the death of a child.
	To provide ongoing assistance and programs to families throughout the grief journey.
	To educate and enlighten our community about the grief process.
	To work in conjunction with and to augment existing bereavement supports and referral agencies.
	To assume the responsibility of training qualified group leaders and other necessary volunteers.

Board of Directors

President:	Lloyd Field
Vice-President:	Jim Padgett
Secretary:
Treasurer:	Wendy Gascho
Past President:	Ron Helps
Directors:	Wayne Short, Alexa Winchell, Av Lieberman, Deb Cochrane, Donna Buchan, Suzanne Hemming

History

Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO) was initiated in 1978 by four bereaved mothers as a self-help, mutual aid program under the auspices of the Chaplaincy Department of the Hospital for Sick Children. In July 1984, a grant from the Trillium Foundation enabled the organization to become a provincial body. Midwestern Region became a member of this caring family in April 1996. With a dedicated board of directors, a strong team of volunteers, and an executive director, BFO-Midwestern Region is fully operational in both the Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge area. Our new chapter is providing support services, public awareness, and volunteer training in our Region.

Funding

	All our programs and services are offered free of charge.
	BFO-Midwestern Region currently receives no federal, provincial or municipal funding, nor are we a member of the United Way.
	Most of BFO's funding comes from individuals, corporations, foundations, and special events.
	Bereaved Families of Ontario-Midwestern Region is a non-profit, charitable organization. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $10.00 and above.