Virtual Support Groups Available During COVID-19
Wayside’s Parent-Peer Partnership Program support services are available virtually during COVID-19. Parents, caregivers and young adults can join any of the virtual groups for free. All groups are confidential and are funded by the Department of Mental Health. For questions, please email or call the contacts listed below.
Parent/Caregiver Support Groups
The weekly support groups below are for parents and caregivers who are raising children and young adults with mental illness. We would like to invite all parents/caregivers and young adults to join our virtual groups! Even though groups are listed by area please feel free to join any group that is convenient for you.
Canton Parent/Caregiver Groups: Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
Open Discussion – Mondays, 6-8 p.m.
Open Discussion – Tuesdays, 10:30-12:30 p.m.
For questions, contact facilitator Kelly Murphy
Kelly_Murphy@waysideyouth.org or 508-250-0622
Framingham Parent/Caregiver Groups: Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Open Discussion – Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Transition Age Youth (ages 16-25) – Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Open Discussion – Thursdays, 11-1 p.m.
Contact group facilitator Christi Fagerberg to RSVP.
Email: Christi_ Fagerberg@waysideyouth.org or call 508-469-3297 or 470-601-7602
Framingham/Grandparents Group
This group meets the second and fourth Friday of each month
Friday 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Facilitator Dodi Hardsog
Email: Dodi_Hardsog@waysideyouth.org or call 508-469-3221
Lowell Parent/Caregiver Open Discussion Groups, Tuesdays & Thursdays
Open Discussion (Española and Portuguese) – Second and fourth Monday of the month, 11 a.m. -12 p.m.
Open Discussion – Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m.
Open Discussion – Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m.
Contact group facilitators Roberta Agostinho and Malik Marrero to RSVP.
Email: Roberta_Agostinho@waysideyouth.org or call 978-349-4177
Email: Malik_Marrero@waysideyouth.org or call 978-349-4171
Medford Special Education Clinics
Our clinics are free and open to any parents, guardians or caregivers who need help with their child’s IEP.
Tuesdays, 9:30-11 a.m.
Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m.
Contact: Carol Silva, family support specialist, to schedule an appointment
Carol_Silva@waysideyouth.org or 781-423-5218
Waltham Parent/Caregiver Open Discussion Groups: Wednesdays & Thursdays
Open Discussion – Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m.
Open Discussion – Thursdays, 9:30-11 a.m.
Contact group facilitator Catherine Picciotto for link and to RSVP.
Email: Catherine_Picciotto@waysideyouth.org or call 781-966-5690
Young Adult Groups (ages 16-25)
Our weekly activity groups are open to any young adult, ages 16-25. Activities include art, music and crafts.
Adulting 101,Young Adult Skills Group
Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., Zoom
Email: Sabrina_Francomedina@waysideyouth.org or call 508-469-3284 or 401-702-0173
Email: Brianna_Lynch@waysideyouth.org or call 508-202-0714
Speak Your Thoughts, Open Conversation Group
Mondays, 5-7 p.m., Zoom
Contact facilitator Evan McDonald
Evan_McDonald@waysideyouth.org or call 508-499-8950
Music on My Mind Activity Group
Thursdays, 5-7 p.m., Zoom
Contact group facilitators Abby Burgener and Felecia Violette for a Zoom invite.
Email: Abigail_Burgener@waysideyouth.org or call 508-656-0539
Email: Felecia_Violette@waysideyouth.org or call 781-728-5625
NOVA Activity Group
Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., Zoom
Contact group facilitators Josh Lucente and Cameron Hulme for a Zoom meeting invite.
Email: Joshua_Lucente@waysideyouth.org or call: 508-202-0073
Email: Cameron_ Hulme@waysideyouth.org or call: 857-244-0420
Sketch-Y Minds Activity Group
Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m., Zoom
Contact group facilitator Sabrina Franco Medina or Brianna Lynch for a Zoom meeting invite.
Email: Sabrina_Francomedina@waysideyouth.org or call 508-469-3284 or 401-702-0173
Brianna_Lynch@waysideyouth.org or call 508-202-0714
Open Mic
Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.
Facilitators: Abby Burgener and Diana Duquette
Abigail_Burgener@waysideyouth.org
Diana_Duquette@waysideyouth.org
Virtual Open Studios
Wednesdays & Fridays, 12- 2 p.m. Facebook Live
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1-3 p.m., YouTube Live
Contact group facilitator David Sebastian for more information.
Email: David_Sebastian@waysideyouth.org or call 617-513-8003
Wayside’s Parent-Peer Partnership Program’s support services are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
