Upcoming TBI Support Groups & Events
From the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA):
Heading Forward, our monthly bulletin, has grown leaps and bounds since it began in 2023. In response to positive growth and opportunities to increase community engagement and access to information, we have updated the plan for Heading Forward. Starting this month, we will provide two monthly bulletins: one focused on upcoming TBI support groups and events, and one focused on community connections to TBI resources and partners. For this transitional month, we have included some community events occurring in the first half of May so you will not miss out!
📅 Sponsored by DSHS and the TBI Council 📅
May 20, 4 – 5:30pm: Imaginal Network TBI Support Group
In person at Good Shepherd Center at 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Room 221, in Seattle. Contact Janet at janet@imaginal.network or 206-547-2526 for more info.
All Month, Every Month: Connect, Educate, and Engage with TBI Virtual Support Groups sponsored by the TBI Council and DSHS.
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Strategic Partnership Advisory Council of Washington State provides free support groups through the Department of Social and Health Services that emphasize connection, education, and engagement in life after sustaining a TBI. Virtual support groups are predicated on the concept of a person-centered approach that can aid in the development of long-term knowledge and generic problem-solving skills to help attendees overcome barriers to sustaining a fulfilling life.
Click on the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Groups webpage to register for upcoming support groups on:
- Living with TBI
- TBI Support for Family & Friends
- TBI Support for Young Adults
- TBI Support for Accident Survivors
- TBI Support for Veterans
- TBI Support for Caregivers & Providers
These support groups may provide a therapeutic effect, but they do not provide therapy and instead focus on delivering organized bodies of knowledge and resources for the betterment of attendees.
Need Wi-Fi to access a Virtual Support Group? Find free drive-in WiFi hotspots!
📰 Community Sponsored TBI Support Groups & Events 📰
While DSHS/TBI Council does not sponsor these support groups, we share this information as a resource to the TBI community.
Mondays (weekly) at 10am: Kitsap Brain Injury TBI Klatch
Every Monday morning on Zoom, these weekly TBI Klatch meetings are small online gatherings to check in with other survivors, caregivers and family, share experiences and chat over a morning beverage. Zoom invitations are sent the Sunday before the meeting. Register from the contact us page to inform us you would like to attend.
Fridays (weekly), 2 – 3pm: Yoga for Brain Injury at Aditi Yoga | Wellness Studio
Every Friday at Aditi in the Wallingford Center at 1815 N 45th St #205 in Seattle. ADA building. Yoga mats, bolsters, blocks and blankets provided. Contact Janet at janet@imaginal.network or 206-547-2526 for more info.
Sundays (monthly): Seattle Super Survivors
In person one Sunday per month in Seattle, this group of 5-7 quirky, young adult survivors of moderate-to-severe TBIs meets to help each other overcome challenges, achieve goals, and go on fun adventures! We’ve done adaptive cycling, hiking, bowling, barbecues, and much more with the help of our facilitator, David, who is an occupational therapist and mild TBI survivor. Reach out with questions or to join us at logistics@braintreetherapies.com
Monthly: Getting Ahead
Details are dependent on member schedules. Currently we are 4-5 adults with mild TBIs/concussions who help each other get better at work, play, and do all of life’s activities, share ideas for symptom management, learn about new science, and much more! We are hoping to expand from monthly to bi-monthly, and from 5 members up to 15. Two of our members are occupational therapists with TBIs and clinical knowledge/experience with TBIs. We are 50% virtual, 50% in-person depending on schedules. Reach out with questions or to join us at logistics@braintreetherapies.com
May 4, 4 – 5:30pm: Imaginal Network Traumatic Brain Injury Virtual Support Group
Occurs online the first Tuesday of each month. Contact Janet at Janet@imaginal.network or 206-547-2526 for the Zoom link.
May 6, 6 – 8pm: Olympia TBI Support Group
In person the first Tuesday of each month at the Lacey Senior Center at 6757 Pacific Ave SE in Lacey. This support group is available for adult brain injury survivors and their families and support providers. Contact Laura Dahmer-White at 360-709-0601 for more info.
May 7, 3 – 4pm: Kadlec Neurological Resource Center TBI Support Group
Occurs the first Wednesday of each month. Some support groups meet off-site or virtually. For more info or to sign up, call 509-943-8455 or send an email to knrc@kadlec.org.
May 8, 1 – 2:30pm: Kitsap Brain Injury Virtual Support Group
Occurs online the second Thursday of each month. A meeting handout will be distributed before the meeting giving everyone ample time to familiarize themselves with the material. Register by using the contact us page to inform us that you would like to attend. Zoom invitations are sent prior to the meeting.
May 13, 1 – 3pm: Mason County TBI Support Group
In person every second Tuesday of each month at the Shelton Family YMCA at 3101 N Shelton Springs Rd in Shelton. The first hour, survivors/caregivers meet all together; second hour, we have breakout group for survivors and caregiver group or a guest speaker). Contact Monica at mvinson@masongeneral.com for more info.
May 13, 5:30 – 7pm: Forward2Gether Veteran & Military Family Peer Group
In person every second Tuesday of each month, this support group is for veterans and military families at the Elks Lodge #1181 at 4131 Pine Rd NE in Bremerton. Contact at Heather.Bahme@dva.wa.gov or click here to learn more.
May 14, 4 – 5:30pm: Creative Expressions Crafts
Join in at the Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave N in Seattle. All supplies provided! Contact Janet@imaginal.network for more info.
May 14, 6:30 – 8pm: Spokane TBI Support Group
In person the second Wednesday of each month at the Gathering House on 733 E Garland in Spokane. Parking is in the back and come in the back entrance. For more info, contact Penny at 509-838-9348.
May 18, 10am: Grays Harbor Brain Injury Virtual Support Group
Occurs online the third Sunday of each month via Zoom. Please Contact Barb George at 360-281-5332 for info and access to the meeting. Text with “TBI support” in the first sentence of your message.
May 26, 3 – 4pm: Confluence Health Stroke & Brain Injury Support Group
In person the fourth Monday of each month at the Confluence Health Sleep Center at 1000 N. Miller Street in Wenatchee. Caregivers welcome. Contact Sophie.gresh@confluencehealth.org for more info.
May 27, 3 – 4pm: St. Luke’s Rehab Center Brain Injury Virtual Support Group
Occurs online the fourth Tuesday of each month. Contact 509-473-6000 or SLRSupportGroups@providence.org at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to receive an email with info and instructions on how to join.
🗓️ Other Upcoming Events 📰
Sat, May 3, 10am – 12pm: Safe Kids Moses Lake Bike Rodeo
📍 Longview Elementary School on 9783 Apple Dr. NE in Moses Lake for:
- bike skills & safety practice
- free helmets & brain injury safety
- free bike repairs
- free ice cream
- chance to win a bike, trike, or scooter
Sat, May 10, 10:30am – 12:30pm: Safe Kids Lower Columbia
📍 Youth and Family Link on 907 Douglas St. in Longview for:
- a safety fair that is all about kids!
- community organizations with booths, fun activities, giveaways, and prizes
- fun and free stuff- the first 200 families will get a free small Lego set!
❤️🩹 Struggling with Caregiver Burnout? Need Someone to Relate? 💞
Check out Washington Caregiving Journey and find Caregiver Support Groups here.
Find more Caregiver Resources here.
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