ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 9, 1993                   TAG: 9305100341
SECTION: DISCOVER                    PAGE: 72   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

SUPPORT GROUPS

The following is a list of various support groups around the New River Valley:\ \ HEALTH ISSUES\ Autism Support Group: For autistic adults and their parents, friends and employers. Also formving a social and learning group for those who have the disorder. Call 552-5305 Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., or call Ms. James at 552-7679 other times. Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month, 7-9 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg.\ \ Adult Geriatric Care Givers: For those who care for older adults. Alvlison Caldwell, 639-2052.\ \ Aphasia Support Group: Formving in the New River Valley for people who have suffered a partial or total loss of the power to use or understand words. Miller or Caryn Bushong, 552-8029, or Susan Singleton, 831-5204.\ \ Arthritis Support Group: Meets third Mondays, 3 p.m. Karr Activity Center, 2603 Warm Hearth Drive, Warm Hearth Village, Blacksburg. Open to those with arthritis or a related disease, family members and anyone interested in learning more about arthritis. Mirviam Kohn, 552-8942, or Mari Bosvworth, 951-2703 or 552-7984.\ \ Alzheimer's Support Group: Meets last Thursday of the month, 2 p.m. Meadowbrook Nursing Home dining room, Shawsville. 268-2203.\ \ Alzheimer's Support: Meets last Thursday of every month, 2 p.m. Sunshine Room, Heritage Hall, Blacksburg. 951-7000.\ \ Hearing Loss Support Group: Open to anyone with a hearing loss, family members and those who want to learn more about improving communication with someone who has a hearing loss. Rosalie Kilper, 951-8732, or Warm Hearth Village, 552-2419.\ \ Hands Group: For hearing impaired and signers. Meets Mondays, 8-9 p.m. Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St. 382-8173.\ \ Hope Is Vital: Support for families and companions of people who have been diagnosed HIV positive. Meetings are second and fourth Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Affiliated with the New River Valley AIDS Coalition. Peggy, 639-5881, or Cecil, 763-2377.\ \ Friends For Life: Support for people who have been diagnosed HIV positive or have AIDS related complex or AIDS. Meets first and third Monday evenings. Tamara, 552-8187; David, 951-3024; or Cecil, 763-2377.\ \ Chronic Pain Support Group: Meets first and third Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Center for Behavioral Medicine, Eleven West Professional Building, U.S. 11, Radford. Free. Sponsored by Radford Community Hospital. 639-0498.\ \ Diabetics Support Group: Meets second Tuesdays, noon, Pulaski Community Hospital Educational Building. Group meets for a brown-bag luncheon. Paddy Ratcliffe or Chris Gagne, 980-6822 or 639-0879.\ \ NRV Chapter American Diabetes Association: Supports programs for research, education and advocacy in the mission to prevent and cure diabetes. Rebecca Apgar, 231-9670 or 552-0962.\ \ MS Support Group: Meets first Tuesday, 7:30-9 p.m., Center for Behavioral Medicine, 11 West Professional Center, U.S. 11, Radford. Group for people with multiple sclerosis and their families. Free. Dr. Bruce Walker, 639-0498.\ \ NRV Ron Mills Epilepsy Support Group: Meets at 1810 Litton-Reaves Hall, Virginia Tech. Jenny Akers, 231-6701, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.\ \ Fibromyalgia Support Group: Meets first and third Tuesdays, 7 p.m., St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Merrimac Road, Blacksburg. Peer support group for those who have the muscular rheumatism-like condition affecting movement, endurance and healing from muscle injury. Discussions of activity and lifestyle changes, coping mechanisms, exercise and other topics of interest to members. Chris, 951-0972, or Sandra, 951-7042.\ \ Post-Abortive Support Group: Support group sponsored by the Post-Abortive Ministries of the Crisis Pregnancy Center of the New River Valley, 102 Marlington St., Blacksburg. Vi Galyean, 552-3347.\ \ LITERACY SUPPORT\ Share and Learn, a Literacy Volunteers Support Group: Meets first Monday, 7:30 p.m., Grove United Methodist Church, 1020 Tyler Ave., Radford. Discussions of issues related to literacy volunteers. Open to all, including literacy volunteers, tutors, students and their families. Transportation and child care may be provided. Literacy Volunteers of America, 382-7262.\ \ Helping Hands: Volunteer service available to help those who need assistance reading or writing letters and completing forms. Meets first and third Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m., 175 W. Main St., first floor, Christiansburg. Location is directly behind the American Red Cross office. Call Tuesdays for appointments, 382-1106.\ \ MENTAL HEALTH\ "Connect" Psychiatric Assessment Service: Telephone information, assessment and referral service offered through Saint Albans Psychiatric Hospital and Roanoke Memorial Psychiatric Services. The 24-hour service staffed by clinical social workers and psychiatric nurses who offer advice to adults and adolescents with problems such as prolonged depression, suicide attempts or threats, extreme anxiety or alcohol and drug abuse. To access the service, call (800) 284-8898.\ \ NRV Chapter Alliance for the Mentally Ill: Meets first Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon, Radford Public Library, 30 First St. Support group for families and others concerned about mental illness. Information about mental illness, the mental health system, available resources, the family's role in treatment and the rights of families and consumers is available. Chapter also advocates for mental health needs in the community. RAFT Crisis Center, 382-1738, 674-1738, 921-1738, 639-1738 or 745-2333.\ \ New River Valley Supported Living Council: Parents and professionals whose aim is to provide support for adults with disabilities to enable them to live and work in the community. Parent Resource Center for Montgomery County Schools, 382-5194.\ \ GRIEF SUPPORT\ New River Valley Hospice: Support for people who are dealing with terminal illness, loss or grief. 552-8077.\ \ Grief Support Group: For parents who have lost a child. Meets third Mondays, 7 p.m., Crisis Pregnancy Center of the New River Valley, 102 Marlington St., Blacksburg. Vi Galyean, 552-3347.\ \ PARENTING ISSUES\ Parents and Teachers of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Meets second Thursdays at 7 p.m. in Dublin. Next meeting, Thursday at the Free Memorial Library. Duke Turman of St. Alban's Psychiatric Hospital will speak. Michelle Piepgrass, 633-0480.\ \ Families of Children with Disabilities: The New River Valley Respite Care program has information for those who need short-term relief care for children with special needs. The program may cover full or partial cost of the care. 231-8789 or (800) 354-3388.\ \ Parents of Children with Special Needs: Meets first Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Special Education Office, 1180 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg. Building is in front of Christiansburg High School. Sponsored by the Parent Resource Center for Montgomery County Schools. Free baby-sitting available. 382-5194.\ \ Pulaski County Parent Resource Center: Offers parents, teachers and members of the community an opportunity to work toward providing service for children in special education. Free course, "Understanding Special Education," and information on disabilities and resources is available. Meets Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Center is in the Pupil-Personnel Services office, Dublin. 674-2534.\ \ Teen Parents: Support group providing growth, development and social opportunities for young parents and their children. Free nurturing group meets Wednesdays, 5-6:30 p.m., Old Farm Village Community Room, Christiansburg. Child care and refreshments provided. Transportation available. Michelle Bouchard, 382-6186.\ \ Support for Stepfamilies: New group forming in the New River Valley. Also open to teachers, grandparents and employers. 731-4429.\ \ Mom's Talk: Support group led by a registered nurse addresses concerns of new mothers. Meets first and third Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Montgomery Regional Hospital. Babies welcome. 953-5181.\ \ La Leche League of Blacksburg: Support and information for women who want to breast-feed their babies. Lending library available in many languages. Monthly group meetings, mornings or evenings. Open to all pregnant women or mothers and their babies. Evalin, 951-1759, or Laura, 552-8900.\ \ La Leche League of Radford: Open to nursing mothers and their babies. 633-0117 or 382-1219.\ \ WEIGHT CONTROL\ Your Weight: Weight loss/nutrition program and support group sponsored by Giles Memorial Hospital. Meets Mondays, 7 p.m., hospital conference room. $5 per class. 921-6076.\ \ Overeaters Anonymous: (Montgomery County) Meets Tuesdays, 7 p.m., St. Paul United Methodist Church, 220 Main St., Christiansburg. 382-6700.\ \ Overeaters Anonymous: (Wythe County) Meets every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 W. Main St., Wytheville. 228-5825.\ \ Take Off Pounds Sensibly: Blacksburg group meets Mondays, 6:30 p.m., Wesleyan Community Church, 1512 S. Main St. Information, 552-4144. Christiansburg group meets Thursdays, 6 p.m., Our Savior Lutheran Church, Cambria Street, Christiansburg. 381-2318.\ \ Take Off Pounds Sensibly: (Floyd County) Check group meets Mondays, 6:30 p.m., Locust Grove Fire Station. Alum Ridge groups meets Thursdays, 6 p.m., Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren. 763-3263 or 763-2364.\ \ Take Off Pounds Sensibly: (Pulaski County): Meets Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Bob White Boulevard, Pulaski. 980-2626, after 4 p.m. \ Take Off Pounds Sensibly: (Radford): Meets Wednesdays, 10-11:15 a.m., Radford Public Library, 30 First St. 552-2426.\ \ SINGLES\ Suddenly Single: Support group for people who are experiencing separation or divorce. Group addresses issues such as maintaining physical health, answering questions asked by family, neighbors and friends and living as a single person. Doris, 774-0090.\ \ Group Alpha: Helps divorced people or those in process of divorce. Meets Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., Blacksburg United Methodist Church. 552-5424.\ \ Group SELF: Helps those in the process of separation or divorce. SELF stands for support, encouragement, learning and fellowship. Meets Thursdays, 7 p.m., Pentecostal Church of God, behind Leisure Lanes bowling alley in Pulaski. Kathy, 674-4300.\ \ Divorced Parents for Equal Rights: Meets second Sundays, 2 p.m., and fourth Mondays, 7 p.m. 639-0843 or 633-1185.\ \ VICTIMS OF ABUSE\ \ Men's Courage to Heal Group: Meets on alternating Saturdays at Behavioral Medicine Consulting, 200 Country Club Drive, Plaza I, Building B, Blacksburg. 951-9601.\ \ Survivors of Rape: Sponsored by the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley. 639-9592.\ \ Victims of Domestic Violence: Support group for women experiencing problems relating to domestic violence. Sponsored by the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley, 116 Third Ave., Radford. Judy, 639-1123.\ \ Women's Courage to Heal Group: Peer support for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Group draws material from "The Courage to Heal," a book by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis. 951-9601.\ \ Adult Children: Anonymous support group for adults dealing with the effects of childhood abuse or neglect. Program of recovery and healing is based on the 12 steps and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. Meets Saturdays, 10-11:30 a.m., Cooper House rear entrance, Washington Street, Blacksburg.\ \ Co-Dependents Anonymous: Meets Thursdays, 7 p.m., The Cooper House, 305 Washington St., Blacksburg. Parking and entrance behind The Cooper House. Support group for people in co-dependent relationships whose lives have become unmanageable. Monica, 953-0401.\ \ SUPPORT FOR ADDICTS AND THEIR FAMILIES\ \ Sex Addicts Anonymous: A 12-step program for those recovering from compulsive sexual behavior. For brochures and information about the support group, write: P.O. Box 10453, Blacksburg 24062.\ \ Radford-Pulaski County Area Narcotics Anonymous: Open discussion meetings, Mondays and Thursdays, 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 4 p.m., Chemical Dependency Group Room, St. Albans Hospital, Radford. Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, Fourth and Harvey streets, Radford. Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. First Wesleyan Church, Third and Clement streets, Radford. Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m.; Fridays, midnight; and Saturdays, 9:30 p.m. Dublin United Methodist Church, basement meeting room, 424 E. Main St. (800) 777-1515.\ \ Montgomery County Area Narcotics Anonymous: Closed meetings Mondays, 6 p.m., and open discussions Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30 p.m., Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Church and Lee streets. Also, open discussions, Sundays and Thursdays, 8 p.m., St. Paul United Methodist Church, West Main Street, Christiansburg. (800) 777-1515.\ \ Nicotine Anonymous: Support for men and women who want to stop smoking. Meets Thursdays, 7:45 p.m., Blacksburg branch, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, 400 Draper Road. 552-3580.\ \ Stop Smoking Support Group: Open discussion meetings, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Conference room C-2, St. Albans Hospital, Radford. 639-2481.\ \ Al-Anon at Noon: Support for those whose lives are affected by someone else's drinking. Meets Wednesdays, noon-1 p.m., Cooper House rear entrance, Washington Street, Blacksburg. New members welcome.\ \ Al-Anon Family Group: Meets Thursday, 8 p.m., Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Church and Lee streets. 951-3700.\ \ Adult Children of Alcoholics: Meets Sundays, 7 p.m., Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Toms Creek and Prices Fork roads, Blacksburg.\ \ Sisters in Sobriety: Support group for alcoholic women. Meets Mondays, 7 p.m., and Thursdays, 8 p.m., Blacksburg Christian Church main level, 240 Watson Ave., Blacksburg. Closed meetings. 951-9623.\ \ Al-Anon Family Group: (Montgomery County) Meets Tuesdays, 8 p.m., Crockett Springs United Methodist Church, Shawsville. 268-5672.\ \ Al-Anon: (Pulaski County) Meets Mondays and Fridays, 8 p.m. First Christian Church, 524 N. Jefferson Ave., Pulaski.\ \ Al-Anon: (Radford) Meets Thursdays, 8 p.m., Chemical Dependency classroom, St. Albans Psychiatric Hospital, Radford. 639-2481, extension 503.\ \ The Yes Group: Alcoholics Anonymous open meetings. Meets Mondays, 8 p.m., and Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Tom's Creek and Prices Fork roads, Blacksburg. 552-5278.\ \ Primary Purpose Group Alcoholics Anonymous: Meets Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren, Prices Fork Road and Heather Drive, Blacksburg.\ \ Alcoholics Anonymous: (Blacksburg) Open meetings, Sundays, 1 p.m.; Tuesdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 and 8 p.m.; closed meetings, Thursdays, 8 p.m., and Fridays, 7 p.m., Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Church and Lee streets. Also, closed meetings Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at noon, Newman Community Center, 203 Otey St., Blacksburg. Steve, 951-0080, or Lynn, 951-7665.\ \ Alcoholics Anonymous: (Christiansburg) Top of the Mountain Group, Christiansburg. Open meetings each day, 6-7 p.m., except third Thursdays. Asbury United Methodist Church, 490 Stuart St.\ \ Alcoholics Anonymous: (Shawsville) Meets Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Open meetings, first Tuesdays. Crockett Springs United Methodist Church, Shawsville. 268-5672 or 651-6135.\ \ Alcoholics Anonymous: (Floyd County) Meets Wednesdays, open meetings. 8 p.m. Floyd County Community Action Building.\ \ Alcoholics Anonymous: (Pulaski County) Meets Sundays, 4-5:15 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 8-9:15 p.m. First Christian Church, 524 N. Jefferson Ave., Pulaski. 980-7423 or 674-6917.\ \ Alcoholics Anonymous: (Giles County) Meets Sundays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. First Christian Church, 208 Memorial Blvd., Narrows.\ \ Wytheville Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Groups: Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Main Street, Wytheville. 


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