The Dinner Party is building a community of 21-45 year olds who have each experienced the loss of a parent, partner, child, sibling, other close family member, or close friend.
Here is what our community offers…
Not your parent’s grief group.
We’re really sick of traditional grief support options kind of sucking. But, you know that feeling when you’re around the people who seem to just “get you”? Maybe they have similar identities or a similar loss experience? Whatever it is, we want to connect you with those people, in a space that’s safe, accessible, personal, and maybe even…fun? Ya we said it! Grief support can be fun.
The ability to pick your own path.
We know that your grief is just that, yours. So, we offer two different programs (Buddy System and Dinner Tables) that you can mix-and-match, with our heart-forward community experience team ready to offer support and help navigate you to what would feel most healing.
The peer-to-peer promise.
Our goal is to ensure that when you’re with your Table or Buddy you don’t have to explain the complicated hues of this grief-thing to someone making pity-eyes at you, you get to feel that “oh my god, me too” feeling, and that you can just be with others who get it.
How The Dinner Party Works
Curious how this thing works?
Check out our illustrated guide below, or read through our FAQ’s.
1.
You join the club nobody wants to join
You lose someone significant in your life: a parent, sibling, partner, child, or close friend, whether 3 months ago, 3 years ago, or 3 decades ago.
2.
You feel a little bit like an alien
It’s harder to connect with family or friends. You feel isolated, alone, unsure of how to move forward with your life.
3.
You find out about The Dinner Party
You think “What! This exists?!” and decide how you want to participate. You can sign up for Buddy System, checkout our currently available Virtual Tables, or hop on the waitlist if none strike your fancy. Perhaps you want to just stay in touch, hear about events, and special storytelling projects? You can sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
4.
You select a table to join, or get matched to a buddy.
Let’s say you choose to join a virtual table after browsing all of the host bios. You read about a host whose bio resonates with you, or someone who is hosting an affinity table that speaks to your experience (i.e. LGBTQ+, suicide loss,) or maybe they sound like they could be a homie, and you join their table. Your host emails you within a few weeks with information about the next dinner. If you chose the buddy system route, a member of our team hand matches you with a buddy, introducing you two over email with instructions, so you can be off to the races.
5.
You log on for your first virtual dinner, or have your first hang with your buddy.
You probably experience first-dinner nerves, but you find a private spot where you can get comfortable, and you log-in to the Zoom link. You’ll find yourself in a “room” with other people around your age who have also experienced significant loss. Back in the golden days of 2019, dinners would be in person over potluck meals - so feel free to bring a beverage or snack, but no pressure on that front. Once everyone gets settled in, your host will start the conversation, you’ll introduce yourself , share what brings you to the table, and where you’re at with your loss right now. The conversation will flow and you’ll listen while others do the same.
6.
You keep coming back, and realize, because of your heartache, you can also create amazing friendships and forward motion in your life.
The Dinner Party is not about one-off dinners. It’s about building community and connection over time. Your virtual table or buddy and you will ideally meet every couple weeks or so and you’ll start getting to know more about your fellow Dinner Partiers beyond just their story of loss. You feel less alone and have new friends who you can share all parts of your story with — even the parts that rarely see the light of day.
Sound like The Dinner Party might be right for you?
As seen in…
You've Got This.
Introducing The Dinner Party Manifesto.
Read, Share, and Pull Up a Chair.