GSV to offer new program

BASIS stands for Brothers and Sisters in Support. The organization, a branch of Handi-Vangelism Ministries International (HVMI), is a grief support ministry for parents who have lost a child.

Jenny Snyder, independent living and social service advocate with Garden Spot Village (GSV), has coordinated support groups for the retirement community for many years. Some time ago, a GSV resident recommended Dan Steinman, director of BASIS, as a guest speaker for a monthly support group. "I was familiar with the name, and some people from the grief group knew him and were involved with HVMI," recalled Snyder, who added that a few months ago another GSV resident suggested starting a BASIS group at GSV. "I talked it through with my team," Snyder reported, adding that traditionally grief groups at GSV have consisted of mostly widows and widowers. "It seemed more and more we are hearing about people who have lost children and grandchildren," she stated.

The result is that BASIS will begin serving GSV each month with a meeting in the GSV Prayer and Meditation Room, which can be accessed through the main GSV lobby at 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland. Meetings, which are open to GSV residents and members of the community, will be held on the first Tuesday of each month, with the initial meeting commencing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7.

Each BASIS session begins with a short devotion. The group leader offers information on a topic that relates to mourning the loss of a child. Materials are often based in Scripture. During meetings participants may take part in open discussion, ask questions, and share about their personal journey and struggles with loss. In addition, BASIS seeks to provide support for grieving parents beyond monthly meetings. The group provides information for those who wish to speak or pray on the phone and mails out informational literature from its library. In addition, the group supports parents by sending notes of encouragement on significant dates such as the birthday of a loved one and the anniversary of a loss. BASIS also provides assistance and training services to churches and schools.

Dan and his wife, Phyllis, became participants of BASIS several years ago after the loss of their son. Although Dan initially refrained from attending the meetings, he eventually joined his wife in participating in the meetings. Snyder welcomes Dan's involvement in the program, noting, "Dan is willing to come here, and he can speak into (the loss of a child) because he has experienced it," said Snyder. "It's so much more powerful if (the leader is) somebody who has been through it." Snyder also felt it was important to open the meetings to the greater New Holland community. "I want people to have a place they feel is helpful," she said.

For more information about BASIS, call 717-859-4777 or email dsteinman@hvmi.org.

Snyder noted that GSV offers support for widows and widowers on a bimonthly basis. Readers who wish to learn more may email JSnyder@gardenspotvillage.org or call 717-355-6259.