Join us for an interactive and reflective discussion on how to thoughtfully engage with mortality—both personally and within our communities. An aging population brings new and complex challenges particularly for staff working in shelters, safe havens, supportive housing, and harm reduction centers. And since Covid with the increase in overdose deaths, addressing grief carried by staff and tenants in the wake of sudden death is vitally important. Participants will also have opportunities to ask questions, share approaches and discuss best practices. Together we will briefly:

• Name the elephant in the room

• Explore our own histories with death and dying

• Learn skills to walk alongside others at end-of-life and support self-care

• Identify how grief impacts our ability to do the work

• Discuss ways to support staff and acknowledge fear and burnout