When: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Where: Western Research Park – 999 Collip Circle, London, ON
Time: Start at 09:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
The Ontario Association for Grief, Bereavement and Loss is a community-focused organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families navigating grief, loss, caregiving, and life transitions.
We recognize that grief is not one-size-fits-all. It can follow the loss of a loved one, a change in health, a shift in identity, or the quiet unraveling of the life we once knew. Our work is rooted in the understanding that no one should have to navigate these experiences alone.
Our current focus is on reaching those who cannot access traditional supports bringing compassionate, peer-based connection directly into the community through in home visits for caregivers and individuals facing life-altering circumstances.
Alongside this, we are committed to developing accessible education and resources that help individuals, families, and communities better understand and respond to grief. Through workshops, training, and shared knowledge, we aim to gently shift the way grief is understood and supported.
As we grow, we hope to expand our offerings to include the Porchlight Program an after-hours support initiative designed to provide connection during the times grief can feel the heaviest. With sustainable funding, this program will offer a steady, compassionate presence for those navigating the long nights.
At every stage, our goal remains the same: to meet people where they are, with care, understanding, and the reminder that they are not alone.
The Exhibition is a free, public, daytime event focused on education, awareness, support of aging adults, caregivers, families and professionals. This event brings together over 20 guest speakers & community vendors and door prizes.
When: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Where: Western Research Park – 999 Collip Circle, London, ON
Time: Start at 09:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Presented by the Ontario Association for Grief, Bereavement and Loss
In partnership with This Thing Called Grief and Thames Valley Cremation Services.
With thanks to our community sponsors.
For more information, please reach out to
Kim Vander Schelde - thisthingcalledgrief@gmail.com
Roberta MacNeil - care@tvcs.ca (Thames Valley Cremation Services Inc.)
You’re invited to attend Aging with Autonomy, a free community event designed to help you and your loved ones navigate the journey of aging with confidence and clarity. Join us for a flexible drop-in experience where you can connect with expert guest speakers, explore valuable resources, and gain practical guidance on everything from home care to future planning.
This event is an opportunity to make informed decisions that support independence, dignity, and control over your future—while engaging with trusted professionals and your local community. Come learn, connect, and take a proactive step toward planning ahead.
David Amin
Founder
Vendor, Sponsor and Guest Speaker
David Amin is the founder of Amin Law Professional Corporation, a London, Ontario law firm built on the belief that every legal matter matters because every person matters. As a Barrister, Solicitor, and Notary Public, David is known for providing wisdom-based legal counsel with integrity, compassion, and clarity—helping clients navigate complex legal matters with confidence and peace of mind.
It is believed that within the next five years, nearly 23% of London’s population will be made up of seniors.
This isn’t a distant reality it’s one that is already beginning to shape our community.
So what does this mean for all of us?
• It means increased pressure on our healthcare system.
• It means more families stepping into caregiving roles often unexpectedly.
• It means greater demand for housing, support services, and end-of-life care.
• And it means more individuals facing important decisions without always having the information or guidance they need.
But perhaps most importantly it means that conversations we’ve long avoided can no longer wait.
This is where the Aging With Autonomy Exhibition comes in.
This exhibition is not just an event—it is a proactive response to a growing need within our community.
By bringing together trusted professionals, resources, and services all in one space, we are creating an opportunity for individuals and families to become informed, ask questions, and begin planning on their own terms.
It allows people to:
• Understand what options exist before they are in crisis
• Have meaningful conversations with loved ones
• Make decisions that reflect their values, wishes, and dignity
• Feel less alone in navigating the realities of aging
For caregivers, it offers guidance and support in roles they may not have chosen, but carry with deep love.
For seniors, it reinforces something incredibly important, that their voice matters, their choices matter, and their autonomy matters.
As our community changes, we have a responsibility to change with it thoughtfully, compassionately, and proactively.
The Aging With Autonomy Exhibition is one way we begin that shift.
Because aging is inevitable…
but how we experience it and how we support one another through it is something we can shape together.
kihwan@o55.ca
(519) 438-1111
https://o55.ca/
(548) 788-2424
aylaalan123@icloud.com
