"I’m so grateful to the Center. I was so lost, and now I have hope. Their dedication and compassion truly made a lasting difference for my family.”

Protecting Your Finances As You Age

Location:Women & Family Life Center Carriage House

96 Fair Street, Guilford, CT 06437

Date: Tuesday, June 2nd

Time: 5:30 PM

 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (203) 458-6699

Registration is required. 

Protecting Finances As You Age is an educational workshop designed to help participants better understand practical ways to safeguard their finances, plan ahead, and feel more prepared for future needs. The session will focus on steps individuals and families can consider when thinking about long-term financial well-being, unexpected life changes, and protecting the resources they have worked hard to build.

This workshop is intended for anyone who wants to feel more informed, more confident, and less overwhelmed when thinking about financial planning as they age or support a loved one through that process.

Presented in partnership with Chase Bank and Women & Family Life Center.

To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.

Legal Language, Forms & Grounding for Everything In Between

A self-filing divorce workshop 

Location:Women & Family Life Center Carriage House

96 Fair Street, Guilford, CT 06437

Date:Saturday, June 6 

Time: 10:00 AM

 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (203) 458-6699

Registration is required

  Filing divorce can feel overwhelming, esepically without an attorney. This workshop will help participants navigate the judicial website, find the divorce forms they may need, understand courthouse basics, and make sense of common legal terms.

Led by Jonna Rigon, a paralegal with 20+ years of experience, this session offers practical guidance to help participants feel more informed, prepared, and empowered.

Jonna also brings a grounding approach through her background in Reiki, sound healing, and energy work, recognizing that divorce is both legal and emotional.

To access services at Women & Family Life Center, participants must complete an intake process with a Referral Navigator.

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 Dr. 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  

This group has wrapped, but more are on the way.

Reach out to be added to our waitlist and stay connected for upcoming sessions.

 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (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.

Taking Care: Intentional Aging 

 This group has wrapped, but more are on the way.

Reach out to be added to our waitlist and stay connected for upcoming sessions.

 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (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 Circumstances

(previously Strategies for Managing Life Transitions)

This group has wrapped, but more are on the way. Reach out to be added to our waitlist and stay connected for upcoming sessions.

 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (203) 458-6699

Registration is required.

Life changes can be challenging, and this six-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 

This group has wrapped, but more are on the way.

Reach out to be added to our waitlist and stay connected for upcoming sessions.
📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (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.

Adapt Divorce Workshop 

This group has wrapped, but more are on the way.

Reach out to be added to our waitlist and stay connected for upcoming sessions.
📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (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. 

Divorce & Money: What Do You Need to Know?

This group has wrapped, but more are on the way.

Reach out to be added to our waitlist and stay connected for upcoming sessions.

 📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (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

This group has wrapped, but more are on the way.

Reach out to be added to our waitlist and stay connected for upcoming sessions.
📩 programs@womenandfamilylife.org
📞 (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