Community Briefs – July 31, 2017

Family grief support group meeting on Aug. 3
The Compassionate Friends of Saipan will be holding their monthly grief support meeting on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 6pm to 7:30pm, in the NMPASI conference room on Middle Road, in Gualo Rai.

We offer understanding and hope to parents, siblings and grandparents who are grieving the loss of a child of any age, and from any cause.  We provide a safe, confidential setting, in which to share our experiences, while respecting and supporting each other, and listening. We have “been there.” We do not espouse any specific religious or philosophical ideology. There is no “right way” to grieve, and family members are welcome to come to share or just to listen.

The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others to be supportive. For more information, e-mail tcfSaipan@gmail.com or call Donna Krum (783-1900).  To learn more about The Compassionate Friends, visit their website at www.compassionatefriends.org. (PR)

Saipan chamber meeting on Wednesday
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will have its August general membership meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Charley’s Cabaret of Pacific Islands Club. The speakers are Bobby Shringi, board chairman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, and Chris Concepcion, managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority.

Shringi will speak about some of the Guam chamber’s activities and missions, about the Guam business climate, and about ways Saipan and Guam can benefit from each other. Concepcion will update Chamber member on the efforts and activities of the MVA.

The buffet luncheon begins at 11:30am with the meeting portion of the agenda starting promptly at noon. (PR)

VA benefits outreach on Saipan
The U.S. Department of Veterans Benefits Administration will be visiting Saipan on Aug. 31, 2017, and will be conducting a benefits workshop/claims clinic and outreach at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. The workshop/claims clinic will be from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Veterans will also be meeting one-on-one with the benefit counselor from 12:30pm to 3:30pm.

Workshop topics include VA benefits, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation & employment, death benefits & education benefits. Counselors will be available to answer questions and assist with the claim process. (PR)