LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For more than 40 years, Mauri Malka has had a broad experience working in social services, with people who experience grief. Throughout the decades, she’s seen a common thread.

What You Need To Know

  • Louisville’s Jewish Family Career Services offers grief and loss support groups

  • The support groups are free to the community 

  • Groups are led by trained professionals who are equipped to help deal with grief and loss

  • The grief and loss groups meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

“I think the common thread is that grief kind of makes you feel very isolated and lonely and you’re alone in that grief. That’s part of the benefit, I think, of people getting together and coming to a group, is really realizing that you’re not alone,” said Mauri Malka, senior director of programs with Jewish Family Career Services. 

That’s one of the many reasons Louisville’s Jewish Family Career Services offers grief and loss support groups. The groups are free to the community for any adults who need it.

“Really, what we’ve found is that unresolved grief results in a lot of things that can be really unhealthy and unproductive for people. It manifests itself physically, so people become more ill, there are more signs of depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, sleeping too much,” explained Kathryn Cowart, assistant director of programs with JFCS.

The support groups were recently reinstated. As of right now, there are 5-6 people in the group. About 15-20 people attend counseling where grief is discussed, among other things. Groups are led by trained professionals. All counselors on staff are equipped to deal with grief and loss issues.

“The idea behind specifically a group support and loss around grief, is that you have other people with you that have a similar experience. Maybe not the same experience, maybe it wasn’t the same person, but they can touch that same place that you have touched with grief,” Cowart said.

Malka said it’s rewarding to work with people.

“I’m a gardener. I love watching flowers grow and become beautiful. It’s the same things for me, I love seeing people grow and bloom in front of me. It’s just very rewarding and priceless,” she said. 

Cowart believes the work is saving lives.

“The idea is to heal ourselves and to heal together as a community and we can’t do that if we pretend the grief and loss hasn’t happened,” she said.

The grief and loss groups meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

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