WHO WE ARE
As a registered charity, Good Grief Central provides donation-funded loss and grief support, training, education and counselling.
We work with people coming to terms with loss due to the death of a loved one, homicide, rape, abuse, physical and emotional disabilities, unemployment, chronic and terminal illness, etc.
We work with people coming to terms with loss due to the death of a loved one, homicide, rape, abuse, physical and emotional disabilities, unemployment, chronic and terminal illness, etc.
Good Grief Central evolved from the Good Grief Workshops for Children and Teens. These biannual workshops have been in operation for over two decades and were founded by leading grief expert Dawn Cruchet.
On July 1, 2017, Good Grief Central became a not-for-profit (NFP) organization. Then, in a very exciting development, we attained Charitable Status on January 1, 2023. We will continue to provide the Good Grief Workshop for Children and Teens. In addition, we are expanding our service offerings to be able to offer qualified professional counselling, support, information, workshops, lectures, education, and consulting. These services will be free to all those in need. Our credentials, skills, and expertise in thanatology (the study of death and death-related behaviours, thoughts, feelings, and phenomena) will be utilized to help Canadian communities and community members struggling with loss and grief-related challenges due to homicide, suicide, accident, chronic illness, palliative care, caregiver advocacy, loss, and death.
We aim to provide direct and timely aid to Canadian individuals of any age with a family member, friend, colleague, or other person close to them who has died. We will do this through workshops, lectures, support groups, a twice-yearly weekend retreat, one-on-one loss and grief counselling, and other beneficial services pertaining to loss, death, and grief challenges as needs become evident.
Successful fundraising is critical to our ongoing growth and success. Our fundraising efforts will be greatly enhanced now that we can issue income tax receipts. As a Canadian charitable organization, we intend to raise money by bringing awareness, education, and information to communities through publicity and special events.
We aspire to engage other healthcare experts and professionals to further explore and educate in the thanatology field, leading to improved community awareness. We recognize the importance of passionate, dedicated volunteers to our Organization. We remain determined to commit and invest in the ongoing education of our volunteers by training them in the area of thanatology. The training and experience gained by our volunteers will bring a much coveted and valuable skill to their communities. Furthermore, our volunteers will gain the opportunity for future involvement and service, should any aspire to employment in the health care profession or to remain a volunteer in their community.
On July 1, 2017, Good Grief Central became a not-for-profit (NFP) organization. Then, in a very exciting development, we attained Charitable Status on January 1, 2023. We will continue to provide the Good Grief Workshop for Children and Teens. In addition, we are expanding our service offerings to be able to offer qualified professional counselling, support, information, workshops, lectures, education, and consulting. These services will be free to all those in need. Our credentials, skills, and expertise in thanatology (the study of death and death-related behaviours, thoughts, feelings, and phenomena) will be utilized to help Canadian communities and community members struggling with loss and grief-related challenges due to homicide, suicide, accident, chronic illness, palliative care, caregiver advocacy, loss, and death.
We aim to provide direct and timely aid to Canadian individuals of any age with a family member, friend, colleague, or other person close to them who has died. We will do this through workshops, lectures, support groups, a twice-yearly weekend retreat, one-on-one loss and grief counselling, and other beneficial services pertaining to loss, death, and grief challenges as needs become evident.
Successful fundraising is critical to our ongoing growth and success. Our fundraising efforts will be greatly enhanced now that we can issue income tax receipts. As a Canadian charitable organization, we intend to raise money by bringing awareness, education, and information to communities through publicity and special events.
We aspire to engage other healthcare experts and professionals to further explore and educate in the thanatology field, leading to improved community awareness. We recognize the importance of passionate, dedicated volunteers to our Organization. We remain determined to commit and invest in the ongoing education of our volunteers by training them in the area of thanatology. The training and experience gained by our volunteers will bring a much coveted and valuable skill to their communities. Furthermore, our volunteers will gain the opportunity for future involvement and service, should any aspire to employment in the health care profession or to remain a volunteer in their community.
MEET OUR TEAM
JILLIAN LUCHT
PRESIDENT, FOUNDER
CONSULTANT
SOCIAL WORKER
I am a clinical social worker and member of the Ordre Des Travailleuses Sociales. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from McGill University. I began my social work career in cancer care in a large city hospital, working with patients dealing with feelings of loss, grief, bereavement, and anticipatory grief. This sparked my interest, and I began to learn more about loss and bereavement. I then met and took seminars with Dawn Cruchet, who got me involved in the Good Grief Workshop for Children and Teens. That first experience as a Good Grief Workshop facilitator hooked me to the cause! Even though I felt that, in comparison to these children, my grief was insignificant, the experience taught me that no grief or loss is insignificant, and always has an impact on our lives. Year after year, the workshop allows me an opportunity to commemorate my loved ones who have died.
NATALIE SEGALL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOUNDER
CONSULTANT
THANATOLOGIST
LOSS AND GRIEF SPECIALIST
Natalie Segall is a dedicated loss and grief therapist, educator, and consultant based in Montreal. Her journey into the field of grief support began with personal tragedy; at the age of 16, she experienced the devastating loss of her father to suicide, an event that profoundly impacted her life and shaped her understanding of grief. Years later, Natalie became her mother's sole caregiver, until her death from cancer. This ordeal further deepened her awareness of the complexities of grief and loss.
Motivated by her own experiences, Natalie sought to help others navigate their grief journeys. She pursued higher education, earning two degrees and multiple certifications, and has since worked extensively in various healthcare settings, including as the Cancer Patient Education Coordinator at the Royal Victoria Hospital. In addition to her professional roles, she has volunteered at Mount Sinai Hospital Palliative Care and facilitated grief support groups at the Jewish General Hospital.
As a co-founder of Good Grief Central, Natalie is committed to providing compassionate grief education and support to individuals and families facing loss. Her work emphasizes the importance of understanding grief as a lifelong process and the need for specialized support for those affected by it. Through her workshops and counselling, she aims to create safe spaces for individuals to express their grief and find healing.
MARIA CORSI
SECRETARY
My world came crashing down in August 2021 when my one and only child, my beloved son, moved to Heaven. I didn’t think I could live in a world without my son. He was my everything - my past, my present, and my future. I was devastated, and the pain was just unbearable. I have never experienced such emptiness, loneliness, sorrow, and the feeling that nothing was left for me to look forward to. I just wanted my son back home with me.
I knew I needed help and that my son wanted me to move forward. After searching and searching, I fell upon Natalie Segall, who has been my saviour! I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Natalie, Good Grief Central, my faith in God, and my willingness to get better and bring back some normalcy into my life. Through much therapy and support groups from Good Grief Central, I have come to accept that my grief is forever, but I also know that grief doesn’t define me. The relationship I had with my son didn’t end; it continues on a different level – it is now a spiritual relationship. I am coping with my grief. Each day is different, and step by step, I am learning to smile and enjoy life again.
I’ve decided to become involved with Good Grief Central, an organization close to my heart. I want to be able to give back and volunteer my time to help others going through similar situations. I’ve learned that you don’t have to go through pain, suffering, and sorrow alone.
I knew I needed help and that my son wanted me to move forward. After searching and searching, I fell upon Natalie Segall, who has been my saviour! I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Natalie, Good Grief Central, my faith in God, and my willingness to get better and bring back some normalcy into my life. Through much therapy and support groups from Good Grief Central, I have come to accept that my grief is forever, but I also know that grief doesn’t define me. The relationship I had with my son didn’t end; it continues on a different level – it is now a spiritual relationship. I am coping with my grief. Each day is different, and step by step, I am learning to smile and enjoy life again.
I’ve decided to become involved with Good Grief Central, an organization close to my heart. I want to be able to give back and volunteer my time to help others going through similar situations. I’ve learned that you don’t have to go through pain, suffering, and sorrow alone.
MAURA CORRIGAN
VICE-PRESIDENT
TREASURER
In 2014 I experienced multiple losses. I fell into a deep depression, lost all focus and the want, or will to participate in life.
I knew I was in trouble and searched for help. I found Natalie Segall and Good Grief Central. Natalie patiently helped me to understand the emotions I was feeling, reassured me that I was not crazy, and provided me with a safe place to express the intense emotions that were overwhelming me. Friends were eager to comfort me but were unsure how to do so. Natalie showed me how to ask for the help I needed.
In the process, I learned how to take better care of myself. In addition to working through not only my current losses, Natalie helped me work through an immense amount of compounded grief from my past that had not been healed.
I started volunteering at Good Grief Workshop for Children and Teens, and here I met more wonderful people, all with the common ground of loss and grief. I consider myself very fortunate to have found Good Grief Central. Because of my experience, I want to pay it forward the best way I can by giving my time and energy to something very dear to my heart and spreading the word of this wonderful organization.
Whether your loss has been sudden or expected, Natalie Segall and Good Grief Central will guide and assist you as you learn to cope with the depth of emotions and experiences that are part of healthy grieving.
MICHAEL SILCOFF
YOUTH SPECIALIST
Michael Silcoff is a dedicated Youth Special Education Technician based in Montreal, Quebec, specializing in supporting elementary and high school students. He graduated with a degree in Special Care Counselling in 2017, beginning his career with an internship at the Jewish General Hospital's Early Childhood Disorders program. Currently, he works for a Montreal school board, focusing on youth who face significant trauma, behavioral challenges, and social maladaptations.
Michael's journey into the realm of grief and loss began during his studies when Natalie Segall, Executive Director and Founder of Good Grief Central, spoke to his class about the profound effects of grief on children. Inspired by her insights, he volunteered as a facilitator for Good Grief Central's Good Grief Workshop for Children and Teens, where he witnessed the incredible support that Natalie and her team provide to children and families navigating loss.
After nearly ten years of volunteering, Michael is proud to serve as a Youth Specialist and Board Member of Good Grief Central, where he is dedicated to continuing the organization's essential work in supporting grieving children and their families.
JOHN KOZAKIEWICZ
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
John Kozakiewicz brings a wealth of experience to the Good Grief Central Board, having dedicated his long working life to the literary and mental health fields. He has supervised and opened bookstores across eastern Canada, collaborated with book publishers, and worked in libraries. As the owner/operator of an independent bookstore, John cultivated a deep appreciation for community engagement and the power of literature. His diverse skill set also includes creating websites and editing books, articles, and post-graduate theses.
A longtime volunteer with Good Grief Central, John is passionate about the organization's mission to support individuals navigating the complexities of loss and grief. He is honoured to join the Board and looks forward to contributing to the vital work of helping those in need.