April 2026 Small Business Spotlight

At the heart of every strong community are organizations that provide compassion, support, and hope—especially during life’s most difficult moments. This month, they are honored to spotlight Full Circle Grief Center, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the journey of grief with care and understanding.

💙 About Full Circle Grief Center

Located in Richmond, Virginia, Full Circle Grief Center has been serving the community since September 2008. Founded by Allyson England Drake, the organization was created in response to a deep and growing need for long-term, professional grief support.

After witnessing how unresolved grief can impact individuals—especially children and families—Allyson set out to create a compassionate space where people could process their loss, honor their loved ones, and learn how to move forward with strength and support.

Today, Full Circle stands as the region’s only mental health organization solely focused on grief support, providing essential services that address the emotional and psychological impact of loss.

📍 Location & Contact Information

Address:5511 Staples Mill Road, Suite 301Richmond, VA 23226

Phone: (804) 912-2947Website: www.fullcirclegc.org

Conveniently located right off I-64 at Staples Mill, the center is easily accessible for those in the Richmond area.

🕒 Hours of Operation

• Monday & Thursday: 9 AM – 8 PM

• Tuesday & Wednesday: 9 AM – 5 PM

• Friday: Remote services

🌿 What Makes Them Special

Full Circle Grief Center offers a comprehensive and structured approach to bereavement support. What began as a resource for children ages 3–18 and their families has expanded into a full continuum of care for individuals of all ages.

Their services include:

Counseling Groups

• Overdose Loss Group

• Suicide Loss Group

• Perinatal Loss Group

• Hands On Healing (family-focused)

• Widow/Widower Group (55+)

• Young Adult Group (ages 20–35)

Individual Counseling

Support for children, adults, and families coping with loss or anticipating the passing of a loved one.

Grief Education

• Bereavement training for professionals and community members

• Suicide postvention training for schools and organizations

• Perinatal loss education for healthcare providers

• Publication of a comprehensive local grief resource manual

Through both in-center programs and partnerships with schools and community organizations, they ensure support is accessible at every stage of the grief journey.

📅 Upcoming Event: Living Your Dash Luncheon

One of Full Circle’s most impactful annual events is their Living Your Dash Luncheon, happening on April 23, 2026.

Inspired by Linda Ellis’s poem “The Dash,” this meaningful fundraiser celebrates how people choose to live the time between their birth and their final day. The event honors individuals making a difference in their communities while raising funds to keep grief support services free for participants.

This year’s event will feature:

• Inspirational speaker and best-selling author Marisa Renee Lee

• “Living Your Dash” Awards recognizing outstanding community changemakers

• A goal to raise over $65,000 to support ongoing programs

With over 200 attendees expected, the luncheon is both a celebration of life and a powerful way to give back.

🤝 How You Can Support

While Full Circle does not offer promotional discounts, they shared that one of the best ways to support their mission is simple:

Help spread the word.

By sharing their services, attending events, or connecting someone in need to their resources, they can continue making a lasting impact in the lives of those navigating grief.