Survivors Unlimited goes online

Lorraine Jones believes no one should grieve alone, especially children.  This conviction led her to establish Survivors Unlimited, a training and event management company specializing in bereavement support services.  “Especially in our Jamaican context, there are a lot of persons coming to terms with the loss of loved ones, and we want to provide a resource so they can relate to the experiences of others and realize that they are not going crazy, and they are not alone,” says Jones.

Survivors Unlimited supports the bereaved on their journey to healing because many find it difficult to feel optimistic about the future, according to Jones.

To take the organization’s message to a wider audience, Jones asked Panmedia to develop a website as a source of useful articles, blogs, live webinars, podcasts, and other bereavement support resources. “The website is a ‘meeting point’ for persons who are touched by loss and grief issues, whether as survivors or those working with survivors,” says the Survivors Unlimited founder. It will be launched at the end of this month.

“Many people working in the helping professions, or in law enforcement have had no formal training in bereavement,” she explained. “But they know this is something they need to have a handle on to respond more effectively to the individuals they encounter in their job.”.

Visitors to her site will be able to access information research data and lectures and interviews about loss and grief, and browse the bookstore of more than 200 titles.  They will also be able post questions to the forum or share experiences either as grievers, or someone who is ‘companioning’ a griever. 

Jones is no stranger to grief, having lost two family members to homicide. After her brother’s tragic murder 15 years ago, she searched for resources to help his children cope with the loss. This inspired her to establish Survivors Unlimited.

When her son was murdered in 2009, Jones walked away from her successful career in corporate communications to give all her energy to the organization. She sees it as her way of channeling her grief for good.  “Through my blog, I share my own personal journey back from the loss of a child, and try to encourage others to celebrate life and love.”

“We are happy that Panmedia has been able to help us bring the concept of this online meeting place to life through a very intuitive and open design,” says Jones.