2025 Freedom of Expression Retreat: for People Grieving Loved Ones Who Have Died By Suicide
Saturday, October 4, 2025 will be the 19th annual Freedom of Expression retreat for people living with grief after the deaths of Loved Ones by Suicide. Always in-person at The Light Center.
Details:
Includes time for stories of our loved ones & our grief. Sharing love, sadness, laughter, & more. Plus opportunities for walks, energy healing, chair massage, creativity, & more.
Snacks, drinks, & lunch provided. Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free and Omnivore options will be available. Participants are encouraged to bring what is suitable for their special needs.
Suggested donation to "Unity Light Center": $40 to $60 per person, to cover costs including some scholarships for people unable to pay. You may donate by following the link below. Payment by cash or check to "The Light Center" at the door is also fine.
Learn More:
The roots of this retreat began growing with Robin Goff, founder of The Light Center, and Rose Eiesland Foster & her family. Long before the 1st Freedom of Expression retreat in 2007, Rose's family made sure she participated in a retreat for cancer survivors at TLC. Although Rose survived bouts of cancers, Gordon Foster, Rose's beloved husband, died by suicide on May 4, 2004. And in 2007 Rose asked, "Do you think we could do a retreat for suicide loss survivors at The Light Center?" Robin and I/Marcia answered, "Yes!" And the poster for our 1st retreat, the one in November 2007, was created by a very young Georgia Foster, Gordon & Rose's daughter.
Through the years of our retreat, we have formed a Grief Support Team providing special grief support experiences. Some of us will be Helper-Participants at this retreat.
Each of us has much personal experience with grief after the deaths of loved ones as well as professional training & experience: Marcia Epstein, Social Worker for Suicide, Grief, & More; Rose Eiesland Foster, Social Worker for Veterans & for Grief; Robin Goff, Retired Nurse, Energy Healer & Hospice Chaplain; Donna Hanschu, Grief Support Person for Families & Individuals; Shannon Musgrave, Retired Nurse & Intuitive Medium; and Jancy Pettit, energy artist & healer. In 2025, our expanded team includes Kevin Gates, Andy Lewis, Kelly McCoy, & John Musgrave. Kevin & Kelly each with much professional experience responding to crises, and personal experience as dads living with grief after one of their sons died by suicide. Andy brings a great depth of experience as a hospice nurse. John has decades of personal & helping experience, especially related to veterans, as he is a Combat Veteran of Vietnam.