The Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends is a non-profit, self-help support group for bereaved families following the death of a child, sibling, or grandchild, from any cause, at any age. According to their members, “We are a group who understands your pain and wants to help with your grief journey. We are not professional counselors; we are just experienced friends and can help whether your loss was recent or years ago.” The Compassionate Friends meet monthly on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Union County Public Library from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Contact group leader Kathy Malone at (770) 979-1763 or Judy Quillen at (706) 835-21270 for more information. The national Compassionate Friends website is at www.compassionatefriends.org.

Kathy & Judy became involved with TCF When they lost their children. Kathy began attending meetings in June of 1995 after the death of her 25 year old son Lance from a motorcycle accident. She has also suffered the death of two other children - Scott in 1971 at 16 hrs. old, and Erin - miscarried in 1974. Her involvement has included chapter Leadership in Lawrenceville, Georgia, National Regional Coordinator for the state of Georgia, and giving workshops at the yearly national conference.

Judy become involved when her 20 year old daughter Jamie was killed in a car accident in Feb of 1997. Judy was also involved with the Lawrenceville chapter of TCF where she help with chapter jobs and become a co-leader. Kathy & Judy became close friends at the Lawrenceville chapter and have continued that friendship here in Blairsville. Their goal is to make TCF available to other parents that need help dealing with the death of a child or sibling.

The Union County Interagency Group is proud to have The Compassionate Friends as a member.