Syracuse Resident Launches Grief Support Affiliate
The local chapter of Helping Parents Heal provides a community for parents mourning the loss of their children.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Eldercare
Nancy Chappell has established a Syracuse-based affiliate of the national organization Helping Parents Heal to support grieving parents. The group seeks to help members process their loss through shared experiences and spiritual connection.
Why it matters
Chappell founded the local chapter to provide a dedicated community for parents who often feel isolated following the death of a child. The organization focuses on facilitating connections among those navigating similar experiences of profound grief.
The new support group holds meetings in Clay, N.Y., starting at 6 p.m. Activities at these sessions include writing memories in a jar and utilizing a gratitude pumpkin.
The players
Nancy Chappell
She is the founder of the Syracuse affiliate of Helping Parents Heal and a resident of Geddes, N.Y.
Helping Parents Heal
This national non-profit organization provides support and resources to parents who have experienced the death of a child.
The details
Founder Nancy Chappell was inspired to start the group after attending a national conference in Arizona during the summer of 2026. The affiliate serves to bridge a gap in local support, following the deaths of Chappell's sons, Steve in 2018 and Chris in 2024.
Timeline
Steve Chappell died in 2018.
Chris Chappell died in 2024.
Chappell attended a national conference in Arizona in summer 2026.
The Syracuse affiliate held its first meeting in October 2026.
The next support group meeting will occur on November 16, 2026.
Culture Shift
The Syracuse chapter follows a model established at the Helping Parents Heal national conference, which serves as the foundational precedent for this affiliate. This growth reflects a broader trend of decentralized peer-to-peer support networks forming to address specific types of loss.
Residents seeking community can attend meetings in Clay to connect with others who have lost children. These sessions offer a structured environment for those needing support through specific activities like memory journaling.
The takeaway
Finding a community that shares similar experiences of loss can be an essential step for parents navigating the grieving process. Those interested in local support should look for resources that emphasize shared, spiritual, or symbolic activities to manage their grief.
What happens next
The local affiliate is scheduled to hold meetings on November 16, 2026, and December 14, 2026, both beginning at 6 p.m. in Clay, N.Y.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services in the Syracuse Eldercare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsChannel 9.
