History

THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS HISTORY

The first meeting of The Compassionate Friends took place in England in 1969. Founding co-parents, Joe & Iris Lawley MBE and founder, Rev. Simon Stephens gathered to support one another. 

The Compassionate Friends is now in approximately 30 countries with a network of over 1000 chapters.

The first Canadian chapter began in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1977. The Compassionate Friends of Canada was formed in 1986.

There are more than 50 Canadian chapters.

The Compassionate Friends of Waterloo Region was born in 2019.

The Compassionate Friends remains the only organization that specifically deals with the death of a child at any age, from any cause, at any time; therefore, mental health workers, counsellors, and teaching and helping professionals often refer their clients to us.