UPDATE – April 2021
Given the Covid-19 pandemic, our in-person peer support groups are not meeting. Instead, we are pleased to offer free, virtual groups via Zoom Meeting. These will continue through March 2021 (at least). You will see the schedule below under “VIRTUAL”. Pre-registration is required. To register for one of the virtual groups, please use the form below. The link to participate will be shared once your registration is approved. Kindly register at least 3 hours in advance of the group to ensure that your registration is received in time.
What is a Peer Support Group?
Providing in-person peer support is the cornerstone of our mission here at Resolve New England (RNE). In fact, it’s how the origins of our organization in 1974 were when a small group of women in Belmont, Mass. began to meet regularly and commiserate in their shared infertility experiences. Our peer support groups–open to women and men, individuals and couples–provide an opportunity for open discussion where you can come together and meet others who are facing similar challenges in a relaxed and confidential setting. Facilitated by a volunteer peer leader, our groups are on-going and meet in a variety of locations throughout New England, as noted below.
We are pleased to offer groups focused on primary infertility and groups focused on specific topics, including secondary infertility, donor egg decision-making, adoption, as well as pregnancy and parenting after infertility. Discussion at our general infertility groups may include talking about current treatment, dealing with friends and family, and coping strategies. Discussion at our specialized topic groups enables attendees to meet others who share a similar struggle, learn more about a specific issue, and hear about resources for help. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been in the trenches for years, attendees from all stages of the infertility journey will be warmly welcomed.
Pre-Register for a Group
If you are a new attendee and have any questions, feel free to contact us!
Testimonials
Registration & Fees
Pre-registration is required for all our Virtual groups. While changes to our groups are always posted on our Facebook page, pre-registering for our groups is the best way to receive notifications about any group changes or cancellations*.
Please pre-register by filling out the form below.
*Please note that while changes and cancellations are infrequent, they do occur from time to time.
Our virtual support groups are FREE to everyone!
RNE Virtual Group Schedule & Details
Primary Infertility Group
This group is for anyone struggling to grow their family and not yet parenting.
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Dates/Times
Friday, April 2, 12:00-1:00pm, led by Jennifer
Monday, April 5, 7:30-9:00pm, led by Erin
Thursday, April 15, 6:30-8:00pm, led by Stephanie
Thursday, April 22, 7:00-8:30pm, led by Jeannine
Wednesday, April 28, 7:00-8:30pm, led by Elizabeth
Expecting After Infertility and/or Loss Group
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Date/Time
Mondays, April 12, 26, 7:00-8:30pm
Leader
Kristin Der
Donor Egg Decision-Making Group
Are you considering donor egg as a way to build a family? Join us for an open discussion of the issues, decisions, and emotions surrounding this family building option. This group will be led by a mom through egg donation.
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Date/Time
Tuesday, April 6, 7:00-8:30pm, led by Beth
Donor Conception Support Group
This group is open to all at any stage of the donor egg or donor sperm process from decision-making to pre/post-cycle to parenting.
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Dates/Times
Wednesday, April 14, 7:00-8:30pm, led by Phoebe and Peter
Thursday, April 29, 7:00-8:30pm, led by Chrissy
Pregnancy Loss Group
This group is open to people parenting or not yet parenting. It offers support to those who have experienced miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, chemical pregnancy and/or recurrent pregnancy loss.
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Dates/Times
Wednesday, April 7, 7:00-8:30pm, led by Danielle
Wednesday, April 21, 7:00-8:30pm, led by Jess
Queer Parents to Be Support Group
This group is open to anyone under the LGBTQ+ rainbow who are trying to grow their families. It is a partnership between Family Equality Council, LGBTQ+ Perinatal Wellness Center and Resolve New England. Registration is required via the link above.
Location
Virtual
Dates/Times
Wednesdays, April 7, 21, 7:00-8:30pm EST
Leader
Jenn
Adoption Support Group
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Dates/Times
Tuesday, April 13, 7:00-8:30pm
Leader
Karen Fiore
Childless Not By Choice Group
Virtual via Zoom
Dates/Times
Mondays, April 19, May 17, 7:00-8:30 pm
Secondary Infertility Group
Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to conceive, or to carry a pregnancy to term, after having one or more children. This group provides support to those facing the unique challenges and frustrations of parenting while struggling with infertility.
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Dates/Times
Tuesdays, April 27, May 25, 7:00-8:30pm
Leader
Erin Chrusciel
Fertility and Family Building Support Group for Men
This group is open to any person who identifies as male that is struggling to become a parent, including but not limited to those with a male fertility diagnosis.
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Dates/Times
Tuesday, April 20, 7:00-8:30pm
Leader
Andy Lamb
Cancer and Fertility
This group is open to anyone impacted by cancer and fertility, whether you are newly diagnosed with cancer, learning about your fertility preservation options (or lack thereof), or for those struggling with infertility after cancer.
Location
Virtual via Zoom
Date/Time
Wednesdays, May 12, 26, 7:30-9:00pm
Leader
Kristin Der
RNE Group Pre-RegistrationIf you would like to pre-register for one of our many Support Groups, please fill out the form below.
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RNE Group Attendees & Leaders Share Their Stories
“When my wife first suggested that we attend a support group, I was not overly enthusiastic. What would these other people tell me that I didn’t already know? You have a problem, you get medical treatment and then things work out. Infertility was not a club that I had any interest in belonging to and I had no interest in hanging out with other club members. Given my upbringing as a sensitive male, I told my wife that I could understand the need for support and would be willing, if not anxious, to go with her to a support group.
We went and it was a revelation. Infertility could be funny, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and a growth experience. Our support group helped me learn things about myself; my wife and life that made infertility have a positive side to it. My experience with the Resolve New England support group touched me as very few things have done in my life. Thanks to RNE, my life has been enriched by the words and deeds of some wonderful people whom I would never had met otherwise.”
-Peer Group Attendee
“Six years ago, I went to a support group to help me through infertility. Angry, crushed, but ‘fully in control’ (or so I thought), that’s when I met my friends. We would talk daily and be supportive of all the failures; there were no successes for us. Our small group ended up staying in touch. We’d find out what each one was doing, how the treatments were going, be supportive, and provide encouragement.
Four of us from this support group are still friends. We get together as adults and as mothers with our kids. All of the kids get along together and us four moms have a connection that will always be there. We have a relationship that is unconditional – we went through too much with each other for it to be anything else.”
– Peer Group Attendee
“I am deeply moved when one person reaches across the room to another, whom they have just met, giving a gentle touch of knowing compassion. I love when someone finds courage through another’s story to tell a family member they cannot go to that baby shower. I smile to myself seeing some members linger in the parking lot afterwards, talking to one another, not wanting their new found connection to end.
Resolve New England peer support groups can help heal our own sense of being broken, help cultivate our sense of control and encourage us to discover new moons of our own. Great power and healing comes through compassionate human connection and collective energy. I am honored to bear witness to it each month.”
– Anne Brennan Belden, Portland, Maine Peer Group Leader
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