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Fresh Starts Begin Here: New Groups & Workshops
Caregiver Support Group
Bonding Beyond Boundaries: Building Community at Any Age
Bonding Beyond Boundaries: Building Community at Any Age
Caregiver Support Group
Location: Women & Family Life Center Carriage House
96 Fair Street, Guilford, CT 06437
Date: Starting May 9th – Second Saturday of the month
Time: 10:00 -11:00 AM
Email us programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required prior to attending your first session.
After that, participants are welcome to join on a drop-in basis
Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. This Caregiver Support Group facilitated by Margo Merin, DSW, provides a supportive, judgment-free space for caregivers to connect with others who understand the emotional and practical challenges of caregiving. Through shared conversation and mutual support, participants can feel less alone, gain helpful coping strategies, and find reassurance in knowing they are not navigating this journey by themselves.
Please note: This group is for family and informal caregivers rather than professional caregivers.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Bonding Beyond Boundaries: Building Community at Any Age
Bonding Beyond Boundaries: Building Community at Any Age
Bonding Beyond Boundaries: Building Community at Any Age
Bonding Beyond Boundaries: Building Community at Any Age
Location: Women & Family Life Center Carriage House
96 Fair Street, Guilford, CT 06437
Date: April 21st
Time: 1:00–2:30 PM
Email us programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required.
This supportive space is designed for adults ages 60–75 who are looking to build meaningful relationships and feel more engaged in their community.
Through guided conversations, participants will reflect on life experiences, share personal stories, and explore future goals in a welcoming, judgment-free space while building social connections and reducing isolation.
The workshop will also introduce participants to local community resources and opportunities for engagement. This may include ways to stay socially connected, access support services, and become more involved in the community. Facilitated by Emma Dufresne, MSW, the workshop also incorporates elements such as guided meditation to encourage reflection and mindfulness.
Everyone is encouraged to share at their own comfort level, with respect and confidentiality at the core of the experience. There will also be an opportunity to complete quick check-ins before and after the workshop to reflect on their sense of connection and comfort in a group setting. Those who wish may exchange contact information at the end of the workshop, though this is completely optional.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Empowerment Through Preparedness
Bonding Beyond Boundaries: Building Community at Any Age
Empowerment Through Preparedness
Empowerment Through Preparedness
Location: Virtual
Date: April 30th
Time: 6:00–7:30 PM
Email us programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required.
Together with New Horizons, we are expanding beyond both service areas to ensure individuals across Connecticut can access this workshop at no cost.
Safety looks different for everyone. This workshop offers an informational overview of safety planning and the restraining order process, helping participants better understand their options and next steps. Participants will learn what a safety plan is, including the different types and key components, and gain a clearer understanding of how the restraining order process works, along with available resources and supports. Designed to be informational and empowering, this workshop provides the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about personal safety. This workshop is offered in collaboration between the Women & Family Life Center and New Horizons, and is facilitated by Destiney Stackhouse, MSW, and Kennedy Porter, Community Outreach Advocate and Educator, who bring experience in advocacy, support, and resource navigation and connection.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
More Ways to Connect & Grow
Divorce & Money: What Do You Need To Know?
Divorce & Money: What Do You Need To Know?
Divorce & Money: What Do You Need To Know?
Divorce & Money: What Do You Need to Know?
Date: April 7th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Virtual
Email us 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required.
Steven H. DeGraff, CDFA®, CExP™, a seasoned financial planner and certified divorce financial expert, will lead this virtual workshop focused on making sense of the financial side of divorce. He has been a longtime volunteer financial consultant with the Women & Family Life Center, supporting individuals and families as they navigate complex financial circumstances.
This session covers:
- Understanding your true net worth, including assets and debts
- Breaking down income and cash flow, including irregular or hard-to-track earnings
- Planning for realistic post-divorce budgets and potential spousal support
- Navigating the tax implications of dividing assets like retirement accounts and investments
- Building confidence to advocate for yourself during financial discussions and negotiations
With over 20 years of experience, Steve has supported individuals and families through financial transitions during divorce and beyond. He works closely with attorneys and CPAs to ensure people feel informed, prepared, and supported every step of the way.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Now available to residents in the following towns for a small fee: New Haven, West Haven, Mystic and the Lymes.
Divorce Mortgage Workshop
Divorce & Money: What Do You Need To Know?
Divorce & Money: What Do You Need To Know?
Divorce Mortgage Workshop
👉 Missed this session? Contact us to be notified when this program is offered again.
Email us 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required
In partnership with Marc Meglio, CDLP®, CMA™, Certified Divorce Lending Professional and one of the dedicated volunteer Financial Consultants at Women & Family Life Center, we’re pleased to offer a workshop focused on mortgage planning during and after divorce.
Whether you are just beginning the process or navigating life post-divorce, this session will provide helpful insight into topics such as qualifying for a mortgage, what to consider when exploring housing options, managing debt, and making informed decisions about home equity.
Participants will leave with practical tools, greater clarity, and increased confidence to support thoughtful financial decision-making—wherever they may be in their journey.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Now available to residents in the following towns for a small fee: New Haven, West Haven, Mystic and the Lymes
Bereavement Support Group
Estate Planning Workshop Series
Estate Planning Workshop Series
Bereavement Support Group
👉 Missed this session? Contact us to be notified when this program is offered again.
Email us 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required.
Dr. Margo Merin, DSW, leads this thoughtfully designed group as a guided series rather than an ongoing drop-in group. Each session builds upon the last, offering participants the opportunity to explore different aspects of the bereavement process within a consistent, supportive group setting. This is a welcoming space where individuals can come as they are—sharing, connecting, and finding support in a safe, understanding environment. Dr. Merin brings deep expertise in grief, bereavement, and working with older adults, and has facilitated similar supportive groups that focus on healing, mindfulness, and rebuilding one’s sense of purpose.
Please note: Due to the structure of this group, if your loss is very recent, prolonged, or complex, you may benefit from other forms of support at this time—we’d be glad to guide you toward the right resources. Please reach out
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Estate Planning Workshop Series
Estate Planning Workshop Series
Estate Planning Workshop Series
Estate Planning Workshop Series
We’d love to save you a spot!
Email us 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required.
Topic To Be Determined!
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Adapt Divorce Workshop
Taking Care: Intentional Aging
Taking Care: Intentional Aging
Adapt Divorce Workshop
👉 Missed this session? Contact us to be notified when this program is offered again.
Email us 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required
Join W&FLC for a virtual, in-depth divorce workshop designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to move forward with confidence. If you're ready to begin your divorce journey, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Led by Thea Bourke Martin, JD, E-RYT — an experienced attorney, life coach, mediator, and yoga teacher — this workshop will cover everything from the different types of divorce and key documents to gather, to how to choose an attorney and explore your legal options.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Now available to residents in the following towns for a small fee: New Haven, West Haven, Mystic and the Lymes.
Taking Care: Intentional Aging
Taking Care: Intentional Aging
Taking Care: Intentional Aging
Taking Care: Intentional Aging
Location: Women & Family Life Center Carriage House.
96 Fair Street, Guilford, CT 06437
Date: May 2nd
Time: 9:30 AM
Email us 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required.
Let’s face it—healthcare can feel overwhelming, especially as we get older. Appointments can feel rushed, information can be confusing, and it’s not always clear what’s “normal” anymore. This workshop, facilitated by Maya Bartel, APRN is a series designed to help you feel more confident, informed, and supported in your healthcare journey. Together, we’ll talk through common challenges, share practical ways to better navigate appointments, and help you feel more comfortable asking questions and advocating for yourself. We’ll also take time to reflect on the bigger picture—using art, music, and conversation to explore what aging, health, and well-being mean to you in this stage of life. In our first session, we’ll explore how healthcare providers approach aging, what changes are typical—and what might need attention—and how to feel more prepared and empowered as a patient.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Options for Managing Life Transitions
Options for Managing Life Transitions
Options for Managing Life Transitions
Options for Managing Life Circumstances
(previously Strategies for Managing Life Transitions)
Email us 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required.
Life changes can be challenging, and this eight-session support group is designed to help participants navigate transitions with greater confidence and resilience. Common life changes may include moving, children leaving home, changes in family roles, or other significant life adjustments.
Facilitated by Dr. Margo Merin, DSW, the group focuses on developing coping skills that help minimize unproductive responses to change while strengthening emotional awareness and personal growth. Dr. Merin brings extensive experience in meditation, mindfulness, grief, and bereavement counseling. She holds a Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice from Columbia University’s School of Social Work and a Doctorate in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University This group provides a supportive space to explore life’s challenges while building skills in mindfulness, self-awareness, and decision making.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Restart Divorce Support Group
Options for Managing Life Transitions
Options for Managing Life Transitions
Restart Divorce Support Group
We’d love to save you a spot!
Email us 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Call us 📞 (203)458-6699
Registration is required.
Restart is a 5-session divorce support group facilitated by Thea Bourke Martin, JD, E-RYT, an Attorney, Life Coach, Mediator, and Yoga Teacher providing emotional support and connections with other woman going through the life change of separation or divorce.
To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.
Now available to residents in the following towns for a small fee: New Haven, West Haven, Mystic and the Lymes.
Personalized Support, Just for You
Guided Assistance Program (GAP)
The Guided Assistance Program (G.A.P.) provides personalized, one-on-one support for individuals navigating life’s challenges, transitions, and moments of growth. Through thoughtful guidance, our Referral Navigators work alongside each person to connect them with the resources, services, and community supports that align with their needs and goals.
Rooted in connection and care, G.A.P. is a unique offering along the Shoreline that helps individuals and families feel supported, empowered, and confident as they move forward.
For more information or to make an appointment with a Referral Navigator please call 203-458-6699 or email at programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Achieve Career Services
Achieve is a career program that offers participants the chance to meet in one-on-one consultations with seasoned experts who will provide comprehensive guidance in key areas of career advancement.
Experts can review the following:
· Review resume and cover letter writing
· Job search strategies
· Interview skills, and more!
For more information or to make an appointment for Achieve, please call 203-458-6699 or email us at programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Safe Search
Safe Search is a program that allows participants and walk-ins needing a safe place to use a phone or access the internet. Individuals have access to a computer, the internet, phone, printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine. Safe Search is a time and place where individuals can call counselors, and lawyers, research jobs, and revise and print a resume. We also offer a secure location to keep documents for future use.
To utilize Safe Search stop by Women & Family Life Center
Monday-Friday 10:00am-3:00pm
Financial Consults: Meet with a Volunteer Financial Advisor
Financial Consults offers participants one-on-one appointments with a volunteer Financial Coach to review finances and help those involved take control of their economic independence and success. Topics include budgeting, divorce, finances, debt, death claims paperwork, and more. For more information or to make an appointment with a financial coach please call 203-458-6699 or email at programs@womenandfamilylife.org
Lawyer Time: Meet with a Volunteer Attorney
Lawyer Time gives community members the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a volunteer attorney to talk through legal questions and learn more about their rights and the legal process. These sessions are meant to provide legal education, not legal advice or representation. Our attorneys can speak with you about some civil, not criminal, matters.
Please note: W&FLC does not provide pro bono services or legal representation.
Appointments are offered by appointment only, and are currently booking 1–2 months in advance. Thank you for your patience and understanding. To learn more or to request an appointment, please call 203-458-6699 or email programs@womenandfamilylife.org.
TAKE THE TRIP - YOU DESERVE IT
Help support our mission! We have three incredible trips available for sale, and you deserve to get away. Act fast because they're only available until March 31st!