Category: Clubs and Organizations

Organization Details:

Interregnum Inc.

Full Description:

Interregnum Inc., Finding life after loss

Interregnum Inc. is a grief counseling, education, and support organization -and a wonderful resource for New Jerseyans to have in our own backyard. Interregnum was founded five years ago by Judith Pedersen, a Montville resident, following a personal tragedy of her own. A skilled social worker, with an advanced degree in death, dying, and bereavement (Fellow in Thanatology), Judith founded the nonprofit because she wanted to help others learn to cope with the type of devastation that she herself had experienced firsthand.

Interregnum Inc. runs three outstanding programs- Moving Forward, Lessons in Loss, and Hearts of Hope. Moving Forward  is a unique 8-week bereavement support program that Judith has designed and trademarked. A trained facilitator (often Judy herself) leads grievers through an educational, supportive process that helps them come to terms with the loss they have experienced and "move forward" with their lives. Offered at a variety of locations throughout the state of New Jersey, participants have found it to be immensely helpful and life-changing.

Here's what one widower had to say: "When my wife passed away, I felt as is I went into a state of super limbo. I agreed to try the group and found that right from the beginning we all understood each other. There was no judgment, and therefore no reason to hold back. For each 1 ½ hour session, that room became my universe and I found myself sharing more with these people than I had shared with my closest friends. We formed great friendships and now get together on our own for a monthly dinner." Chuck Klemballa, Group Participant Judith explains that for most of us, 'our longest, hardest journeys are the ones we take in grief.' Through her program, Judith helps people begin to process their intense emotions, and provides a supportive setting in which they can 'tell their stories' and begin to move forward with stronger steps.

Through its Lessons in Loss program, Interregnum offers educational workshops that span a variety of topics related to loss, grief, and bereavement. Judith presents these workshops at client locations such as hospitals, hospices, and assisted living facilities. The Professional Education components consists of clinically accredited courses for nurses and social workers; while the Community Seminars are for anyone interested in learning more about coping with illness, loss, and other caregiving issues.

Interregnum's Hearts of Hope community outreach program engages groups in the creation of beautiful hand-painted keepsake hearts that the staff distributes free-of-charge to people transitioning through difficult times in their lives-including patients, people who have lost loved ones, and men and women in the military.

To learn more, and to register for programs, please visit www.interregnum.org, or call 973-224-6900.

RADIO INTERVIEW LINK:  To listen to a recent radio interview with Judith, go to: www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamer­ica/vepisode.aspx?aid=44662