Support Groups
Support Groups provide opportunities for people living with ALS and their loved ones to share their personal experiences and learn more about strategies for preserving independence and maximizing quality of life.
All Golden West Chapter Support Groups are facilitated by our professional Care Managers, who have extensive experience in ALS. With many monthly Support Groups to choose from, our goal is to provide one that is convenient for you and your loved ones.
What You Can Expect
- Tips and practical solutions for navigating the everyday challenges of living with ALS.
- Resources for exploring options and making decisions throughout the disease process.
- Connection and support from other people living with ALS, caregivers, and loved ones.
Some topic-specific groups we offer include:
- Caregiver/Loved Ones
- Veterans
- Trach and Vent
- Living with ALS Under Age 50
- Familial Diagnosis
- General ALS
- LGBTQIA+
- Bereavement
All Golden West Chapter Support Groups are currently meeting virtually using Zoom.
Groups are offered free-of-charge and are open to people with ALS, caregivers, family members, and friends.
Questions?
Contact us for more information at 1-866-750-2572 or careservices@alsagoldenwest.org.
Upcoming Meetings
Calendar of Events
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2 events,
All-Chapter Loved Ones – ALS Online Support Group
All-Chapter Loved Ones – ALS Online Support Group
Facilitator: Kim Venezia, LMFT 510-569-3631 or kvenezia@alsagoldenwest.org Contact Kim for information on joining the group via Zoom!
Walnut Creek/East Bay – ALS Caregiver Online Support Group
Walnut Creek/East Bay – ALS Caregiver Online Support Group
Contact Facilitator Margie Petrakis, RRT, RN, for information on how to participate: mpetrakis@alsagoldenwest.org
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2 events,
All-Chapter Trach and Vent Online Support Group
All-Chapter Trach and Vent Online Support Group
Contact Facilitators: Robin Eller, RCP: 661-364-1913 or reller@alsagoldenwest.org or Kathleen Kelsey, RCP: (818) 292-4315 or kkelsey@alsagoldenwest.org for more information about how to participate via Zoom.
Ventura County Caregiver Online Support Group
Ventura County Caregiver Online Support Group
Contact Emma for information on how to join virtually using Zoom! Facilitator: Emma Karavardanyan, M.A 747-282-8177 or ekaravardanyan@alsagoldenwest.org
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3 events,
All-Chapter ALS Online Support Group
All-Chapter ALS Online Support Group
Contact facilitator for information on how to participate via Zoom! Facilitator: Kim C. Venezia, LMFT, 510-569-3631 or kvenezia@alsagoldenwest.org
All-Chapter Online Community Support Group
All-Chapter Online Community Support Group
Contact Care Managers Robin Eller, RCP at reller@alsagoldenwest.org or 661-364-1913, or Kathleen Kelsey, RCP at kkelsey@alsagoldenwest.org or 818-292-4315 for information on how to participate using Zoom!
San Fernando Valley Online Support Group
San Fernando Valley Online Support Group
Contact facilitator Emma Karavardanyan, M.A. for information on how to participate via Zoom! 747-282-8177 or ekaravardanyan@alsagoldenwest.org
3 events,
Turlock/Central Valley Online Support Group
Turlock/Central Valley Online Support Group
Please contact facilitator, Kathleen Kelsey, for information on how to join via Zoom! Kathleen Kelsey, RCP: kkelsey@alsagoldenwest.org; 818-292-4315
Sonoma and Surrounding Counties Loved Ones Online Support Group
Sonoma and Surrounding Counties Loved Ones Online Support Group
Please Contact Facilitator: Sara Holiday at sholiday@alsagoldenwest.org or (707) 727-5151 for details on how to participate!
Hawaii Caregiver of ALS/FTD Online Support Group
Hawaii Caregiver of ALS/FTD Online Support Group
Please contact Regional Care Manager Rex for information on how to participate via Zoom! Facilitator: Rex Like, MA rlike@alsagoldenwest.org; 808-219-9036
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2 events,
Riverside County Online Support Group
Riverside County Online Support Group
We welcome Charlie Wren, a long-time Golden West Chapter supporter, who has been living with ALS since 2015, and will discuss communication devices at our Riverside County Online Support Group.…
Carson Online Support Group
Carson Online Support Group
Contact Brandon for information on how to participate via Zoom! Facilitator: Brandon Whatley, B.S., OTA 818-699-2280 or bwhatley@alsagoldenwest.org
3 events,
Walnut Creek/East Bay – ALS Online Support Group
Walnut Creek/East Bay – ALS Online Support Group
Contact Facilitator Margie Petrakis, RRT, RN, for information on how to participate: mpetrakis@alsagoldenwest.org
John Gill Central Coast (Monterey Bay) ALS Support Group
John Gill Central Coast (Monterey Bay) ALS Support Group
Contact Julie for information on how to participate using Zoom! Facilitator: Julie Scurich, OTR/L, ATP: (831) 247-9878; jscurich@alsagoldenwest.org
Glendale Online Support Group
Glendale Online Support Group
Please contact Regional Care Manager Cynthia Marks, RT for information on how to participate using Zoom! cmarks@alsagoldenwest.org or 909-736-5677
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4 events,
All-Chapter Online Bereavement Support Group
All-Chapter Online Bereavement Support Group
An additional time slot has been added for our monthly meeting for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to ALS. Contact Support Group Facilitator Daniel Potapshyn, MA at…
All-Chapter LGBTQIA+ ALS Online Support Group
All-Chapter LGBTQIA+ ALS Online Support Group
All LGBTQIA+ people living with ALS and their family, friends, loved ones and allies are welcome to attend this meeting. Some meetings will be general discussion and check-in, and others…
All-Chapter Online Bereavement Support Group
All-Chapter Online Bereavement Support Group
A monthly meeting for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to ALS. Contact Support Group Facilitator Daniel Potapshyn, MA at 707-861-0257 or dpotapshyn@alsagoldenwest.org to participate via Zoom!
3 events,
Hawaii Men’s ALS Online Support Group
Hawaii Men’s ALS Online Support Group
Please contact Regional Care Manager Rex for information on how to participate via Zoom! Facilitator: Rex Like, MA rlike@alsagoldenwest.org; 808-219-9036
Sonoma and Surrounding Counties ALS Online Support Group
Sonoma and Surrounding Counties ALS Online Support Group
Please Contact Facilitator: Sara Holiday at sholiday@alsagoldenwest.org or (707) 727-5151 for details on how to participate!
Grupo de apoyo en español de ELA / Spanish Language ALS Online Support Group
Grupo de apoyo en español de ELA / Spanish Language ALS Online Support Group
Por favor, comuníquese con Debbie Joy para obtener instrucciones. Please contact facilitator Debbie Joy, MHA for information on how to join using Zoom! Debbie Joy, MHA: 562-741-8138; djoy@alsagoldenwest.org
2 events,
Pomona Online Support Group
Pomona Online Support Group
Call Roshandra for information on how to participate using Zoom! Facilitator: Roshandra Edwards M. Ed. 213-898-3388, redwards@alsagoldenwest.org
Palo Alto – ALS Online Support Group
Palo Alto – ALS Online Support Group
Contact Shannan for information on how to join virtually using Zoom! Facilitator: Shannan Sonnicksen, LCSW, MPH 510-342-9313, ssonnicksen@alsagoldenwest.org
3 events,
SoCal Loved Ones Support Group
SoCal Loved Ones Support Group
Please contact Regional Care Manager Crystal Galvan, RRT for information on how to participate via Zoom at 747-284-3003 or cgalvan@alsagoldenwest.org.
San Francisco and Surrounding Counties ALS Online Support Group
San Francisco and Surrounding Counties ALS Online Support Group
1:00-3:00 PM Fourth Friday of each month For information on how to participate via Zoom, contact Facilitator: Trung Ton, BA Kin, 510-753-0395; tton@alsagoldenwest.org
All-Chapter Support Group for Unpartnered People with ALS
All-Chapter Support Group for Unpartnered People with ALS
A chapter wide support group for people living with ALS who do not have a partner/spouse on this journey. For more information and to register, please contact Sara Holiday at…
1 event,
San Luis Obispo – ALS Online Support Group
San Luis Obispo – ALS Online Support Group
Please contact facilitator Julie Scurich for information on how to participate via Zoom! Julie Scurich, OTR/L. ATP: 831-247-9878; jscurich@alsagoldenwest.org
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1 event,
Ventura/Santa Barbara County ALS Online Support Group
Ventura/Santa Barbara County ALS Online Support Group
Contact Kathleen for information on how to join online using Zoom! Facilitator: Kathleen Kelsey, RCP 818-292-4315 or kkelsey@alsagoldenwest.org
1 event,
All-Hawaii ALS Online Support Group
All-Hawaii ALS Online Support Group
Please contact Regional Care Manager Rex for information on how to participate via Zoom! Facilitator: Rex Like, MA rlike@alsagoldenwest.org; 808-219-9036
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“An ALS support group is really just a camaraderie of amazing people, many of whom are dealing with the same issues, who share information. We form strong friendships with each other and with our families about our shared experiences.”
- Julianne Angel