The support of peers and is the bedrock of our work together. Join fellow FSS members who have lost a loved one for bi-weekly conversation facilitated by FSS staff. We ask that you try to attend all 6 sessions.

Register to receive the Zoom link

Anniversaries and birthdays can be very challenging. These are times to be comforted by peers who have been through similar loss and heartbreak.

Join this ongoing gathering in the month of your or your loved one’s anniversary and/or birthday to share stories, traditions, to comfort others and receive comfort.

This gathering will be facilitated by FSS support staff and open to anyone who has a crash anniversary or birthday in the given month.

Register to receive the Zoom link

WE ARE SO SORRY TO BE POSTPONING THIS EVENT. WE WILL RESCHEDULE SOON.

Expressing difficult emotions through art can help us to process traumatic events, and address difficult emotions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. We will be guided by Chelsea Ritter-Saronen of Chalk Riot for a (virtual) hands-on art project, and as always, conversation with peers and FSS staff.

For the activity, please collect over the weekend the following items: 
- 10-15 small leaves (of any kind, truly!) 
- A few small pebbles or stones (perhaps no bigger than a silver dollar) 
- 2 sheets of blank paper (8.5"x11" or bigger) 
- 1 marker or pen (whatever color you wish) 
- Anything else intriguing that you find on your explorations! Sticks, acorns, etcJ

A note from Chelsea:

I'm honored to be invited to share space with the Families for Safe Streets community, thank you for having me. At my business Chalk Riot, not only do we produce traffic calming murals fairly regularly, but we also create rapid-response chalk art when traffic violence happens in our own community in Washington, DC. We love chalk because of its ephemeral, fleeting nature. The medium allows us to release complicated feelings from our bodies, engage in conversation with others, and let it all wash away to make room for all other things that fulfill us rather than weigh us down. I've spent over a decade learning about ephemeral art practices around the world thanks to my fascination with chalk, and while we cannot create with chalk easily over zoom, I invite you to participate in our activity that will center the same spiritual pillars of impermanence and soulfulness. 

Honor and remember loved ones lost to crashes and those who have suffered life-changing injuries by adding to the Community Story Map.  The map is a way to focus attention on the human cost of preventable crashes severe injuries. This gathering is a weekly opportunity to find support for writing your story and adding it to the map.

Register here to receive the Zoom link.

The Community Story Map is a memorial to loved ones killed in traffic violence an a place to acknowledge your own injury crash. By sharing your or your loved one’s story on the map, you are also helping to build a collective portrait of preventable loss that is difficult to ignore. Sharing stories is among the most compelling ways we can focus attention on this crisis. The more stories we share, the more the map will reflect the true crisis on our roadways. Join us for guidance, and meet community members in the process.

Anniversaries and birthdays can be very challenging. These are times to be comforted by peers who have been through similar loss and heartbreak.

Join this ongoing gathering in the month of your or your loved one’s anniversary and/or birthday to share stories, traditions, to comfort others and receive comfort.

This gathering will be facilitated by FSS support staff and open to anyone who has a crash anniversary or birthday in the given month.

Register here to receive Zoom link.

FSS Peer Mentoring provides bereaved family members, or those seriously injured and their caregivers, with a connection to a volunteer peer support mentor. Our FSS mentors are all individuals who have been through similar experiences and are dedicated to helping others survive these life-altering tragedies. Join the training to learn more and join our team of mentors.

Register to join the training

From physical pain to emotional trauma and lifestyle changes, the effects of crashes for survivors can be life-changing. Join peers for conversation and the support of those with shared experience.  Conversation facilitated by the FSS Support Team.

Register here

Anniversaries and birthdays can be very challenging. These are times to be comforted by peers who have been through similar loss and heartbreak.

Join this ongoing gathering in the month of your or your loved one’s anniversary and/or birthday to share stories, traditions, to comfort others and receive comfort.

This gathering will be facilitated by FSS support staff and open to anyone who has a crash anniversary or birthday in the given month.

Register here to receive Zoom link.

Our loved one’s possessions are filled with memories, and letting them go can be painful and exhausting. How do we approach the process of going through possessions in a way that is mindful and supportive and not overwhelming?

A conversation for those who have lost a loved one, to explore the process of letting go of possessions and understanding which will bring connection. We’ll share ideas for lifting up special objects, letters, photos, etc., and in the process remember our loved ones and support each other.

Register here

This weekly space is for anyone who wants a little guidance, or simply a little company as they write their loved one’s story to add to our national story map.

The map is a forum where our community can honor loved ones or their own crashes, and show decision makers the true human cost of traffic violence, beyond the numbers and statistics. We hope you will share your story.

Register to receive the Zoom link.

Anniversaries and birthdays can be very challenging. These are times to be comforted by peers who have been through similar loss and heartbreak.

Join this ongoing gathering in the month of your or your loved one’s anniversary and/or birthday to share stories, traditions, to comfort others and receive comfort.

This gathering will be facilitated by FSS support staff and open to anyone who has a crash anniversary or birthday in the given month.

Register here to receive Zoom link.

From physical pain to emotional trauma and lifestyle changes, the effects of crashes for survivors can be life-changing. Join peers for conversation and the support of those with shared experience. Conversation facilitated by the FSS Support

Register here

Expressive writing can ease symptoms of PTSD and help to find meaning in life changes following a traumatic event. A regular writing practice can provide a release that can reduce trauma symptoms like feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, sleeplessness, and poor concentration. Getting thoughts out of your head and onto the paper can offer a safe and judgement-free place to express feelings, build resilience, empowerment and well-being.

Join with peers in a journal writing support group led by FSS member Robin Felsher. No writing experience or expertise needed! This group is open to all.

Register here

Anniversaries and birthdays can be very challenging. These are times to be comforted by peers who have been through similar loss and heartbreak.

Join this ongoing gathering in the month of your or your loved one’s anniversary and/or birthday to share stories, traditions, to comfort others and receive comfort.

This gathering will be facilitated by FSS support staff and open to anyone who has a crash anniversary or birthday in the given month.

Register here to receive Zoom link.

Durante esta reunión, nos reuniremos para compartir nuestras experiencias, conectarnos entre nosotros y construir un grupo de apoyo en español. Juntos, podemos construir una comunidad de habla hispana fuerte y solidaria en FSS. Si conoce a otros miembros que podrían beneficiarse de este grupo, no dude en pasar esta invitación o enviar un correo electrónico a ana@familiesforsafestreets.org. Puede acceder a la reunión por Zoom Aquí

FSS Peer Mentoring provides bereaved family members, or those seriously injured and their caregivers, with a connection to a volunteer peer support mentor. Our FSS mentors are all individuals who have been through similar experiences and are dedicated to helping others survive these life-altering tragedies. Join the training to learn more and join our team of mentors.

Register to join the training.

Join the NYS Safe Streets Coalition, Transportation Alternatives, Families for Safe Streets, and the New York Bicycle Coalition as we travel together to Albany and lobby for the SAFE Streets Package on Tuesday, May 7.

Sign up here!

By sharing your crash story on the map, you are creating a collective portrait of preventable loss that is difficult to ignore. Sharing stories is among the most compelling ways we can focus attention on this crisis. The more stories we share, the more the map will reflect the true crisis on our roadways. Join the virtual weekly Story Writing Support Circle for a little guidance and camaraderie as you write.

Register here

Holidays can be stressful and exhausting even in the best of times. After the sudden loss of a loved one, holidays can be the time when we miss our loved ones most. This is also the time when we most need support from others who understand. Community members share strategies for remembering loved ones during holidays, creating new traditions, and finding solace at a difficult time. Please join us at 7pm ET/4pm PT.  
RSVP to receive the Zoom link

The space to process grief, remember loved ones, and understand the repercussions of one’s individual loss is essential. Yet grief can be isolating, and even close friends and family may not be able to understand all you are experiencing.

FSS founding member and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Dana Lerner shares her expertise and experience as a bereaved parent in a new support group geared for those who have lost a child to traffic violence.  Dana works with individuals, couples, and families, and focuses on issues including bereavement, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She has written about our culture’s harmful tendency to pathologize grief and disregard the realities and needs of those who suffer from profound loss.

This group is a safe and welcoming place for community members who have lost a child in traffic violence. A monthly facilitated conversation will enable participants to tell their stories, connect with others and share perspectives unique to the loss of one’s child.

* This group will meet twice a month for a limited time. Participants are asked to join each session. Dates include:

April 17, May 1, May 15, May 29, June 26, July 10

Register here.

This weekly space is for anyone who wants a little guidance, or simply a little company as they write their or their loved one's story to share on the map.

The new FSS National Story Map is a forum where our community can honor loved ones or their own crashes, and show decision makers the true human cost of traffic violence, beyond the numbers and statistics. We hope you’ll share your story.

Register to receive the Zoom link.

Anniversaries and birthdays can be very challenging. These are times to be comforted by peers who have been through similar loss and heartbreak.

Join this ongoing gathering in the month of your or your loved one’s anniversary and/or birthday to share stories, traditions, to comfort others and receive comfort.

This gathering will be facilitated by FSS support staff and open to anyone who has a crash anniversary or birthday in the given month.

Register here to receive Zoom link.

Gather with peers who have been affected by injury crashes. We will talk about challenges, resources practices that you have found helpful, and listen to your ideas for future Survivors gatherings.

Please join us at 7pm ET/4pm PT. RSVP to receive the Zoom link.

Anniversaries and birthdays can be very challenging. These are times to be comforted by peers who have been through similar loss and heartbreak.

Join this ongoing gathering in the month of your or your loved one’s anniversary and/or birthday to share stories, traditions, to comfort others and receive comfort.

This gathering will be facilitated by FSS support staff and open to anyone who has a crash anniversary or birthday in the given month.

Register here to receive Zoom link.

Poetry has a unique ability to unlock and express emotions - providing imagery and words to help us understand our own feelings around pain and loss, and share this with others. Join community members to connect, reflect, and support each other using poetry as our medium. We will create a bibliography of favorite poems, lyrics, and more. 

RSVP here.

Anniversaries and birthdays can be very challenging. These are times to be comforted by peers who have been through similar loss and heartbreak.

Join this ongoing gathering in the month of your or your loved one’s anniversary and/or birthday to share stories, traditions, to comfort others and receive comfort.

This gathering will be facilitated by FSS support staff and open to anyone who has a crash anniversary or birthday in the given month.

Register here to receive Zoom link.

Book Club #2: February 20th, 4 pm PST, 7 pm EST

Three meetings: February 12th, 20th, and 26th

We all enjoyed the first book club so much hat we are hosting a second one with our fearless facilitator and literary guide, FSS member Rebecca Sonkin - a writing professor and author, whose work can be seen in the Washington Post, LA Review of Books, and more. We will be reading Men We Reaped, a memoir by Jesmyn Ward, called “one of the best books of the century” by New York Magazine. The book addresses traffic violence, untimely loss, societal failure, and the role of strong community and family.

Before each gathering, Rebecca will share reading assignments and prompts to help us think through the book. If you haven't completed the reading we encourage you to attend anyway. (Fine to listen to the book on audio too of course.)

Register here for meeting #2 on February 20th

Register here for meeting #3 on February 26th