Venice Hero Provides 'A Unique level Of Support' For Grieving Parents

VENICE, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Juli Shamash who nominated Helen Sands of Venice-Mar Vista. Sands runs a free grief group and reached out to Shamash when her son died.

Local hero’s full name

Helen Sands

Local hero’s home state

California

Local hero’s Patch

Venice-Mar Vista

How do you know the local hero?

She reached out to me when my son died of a drug overdose.

What does the local hero do?

Helen runs a free grief group for parents who have lost kids to drug deaths.

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

Helen and her now-deceased husband Jerry, started this parent grief group four years ago, when there was a lot of stigma about overdose deaths and drug addiction. She provides a safe place for parents to meet, share their tears and their stories. Talking to others in the same situation makes you feel like you are not alone. Helen makes herself available to grieving parents anytime, day or night, providing a unique level of support from someone who has been through the grief herself. She lost her only child, Steven, eight years ago, to drugs. There are other grief groups around, but what makes Helen’s unique is that it is specifically for parents of children who have died from drugs. All of the parents in the group have a special bond and have become like family.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

How giving Helen is of her time, support and feelings.

Thank you for all you do, Helen Sands!

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Know someone making a difference in town?

Nominate them here.