Central Family Forum
Threads of Life offers families affected by a workplace tragedy the opportunity to attend an annual forum where they can share, network, and, ultimately, heal. It’s a community—and an event—like no other.
Why we gather
When you are coping with a life-altering injury that happened on the job, an occupational disease, or the aftermath of a workplace fatality, you may be feeling very alone.
The Family Forum is your chance to learn and connect with others who get it.
Who Should Attend
The Central Family Forum is for workers and families in Ontario and Nunavut.
This event is for anyone whose family life has been affected by a work-related fatality, or has had a life-altering injury or occupational disease affect themselves or a loved one.
Participants often include:
- Spouses, parents, siblings, close relatives or friends to those affected
- We do recommend a minimum age of 14 years to attend. Participants should be emotionally able to share and hear about other grief experiences. Please note: Childcare services are not available.
This event will be presented in English, but we are happy to work with you if you need translation support or accessibility accommodations. Please reach out to us.
Benefits
By gathering with individuals, spouses, parents, siblings, and close friends who have shared similar experiences, you will gain:
- A greater understanding of your loss and its impact.
- Strategies for coping and healing.
- A new network of individuals who have had similar experiences.
- The assurance that you’re not alone
—family member
Event Highlights and Agenda
The 2026 Central Family Forum will take place October 23 – 25, 2026, at the DoubleTree Hotel Opens in new tab, Kitchener, Ontario.
Friday, October 23
1:00pm-2:00pm – Sessions (Optional*);
2:15pm-3:15pm – Sessions (Optional*);
3:00pm-5:00pm – Check-in and registration;
3:30pm-4:30pm – Orientation Session (first time participants)
5:45pm-8:30pm – Dinner and Reflections Ceremony (everyone)
Saturday, October 24
8:30am-4:30pm – Sessions and Workshops;
6:00pm – Dinner
Sunday, October 25
9:00am-12:00pm – Sessions and Workshops;
12:00pm-1:00pm – Lunch and Departure
* These additional sessions are an optional pilot offering. If you’re able to join us, please do!
The Reflections Ceremony
The Reflections Ceremony is one of the most moving and impactful features of a Threads of Life Family Forum. It is a powerful and emotional opportunity to collectively honour our loved ones, injured family members, and those living with occupational disease.
Families attending are invited to participate by displaying a framed photo of the person they’ve lost—of their loved one, or the person they were before they suffered a workplace injury or occupational disease.
—family member,on their experience of the Reflections Ceremony
Registration, Financial Support and Travel Info
Registration fee: Registration is free for family members aged 14 and older who register by September 10, 2026. Please register early. We do our best to accommodate all guests, however we do have a limited amount of space.
Cancellation Policy: Please notify us of any changes or cancellations prior to September 22, 2026 so your room can be offered to those on the waiting list. Threads of Life reserves the right to pass along late cancellation fees for hotel accommodations and meals to you.
Complimentary Support: Thanks to fundraising from Steps for Life and our grants and sponsors, we are able to offer complimentary accommodations, meals and free registration (maximum of four to a family group). Note: When you register, there is an expectation that you will attend workshop sessions and be present for all meals.
Travel Assistance: Please call the office for further information, with all requests confirmed by September 22, 2026
Register for the Central Family Forum
Register to let us know you’d like to attend, and one of our staff will follow up shortly. If you have any questions, please call 1-888-567-9490 or email us at [email protected] Opens in new tab.
This event will be presented in English, but we are happy to work with you if you need translation support or accessibility accommodations. Please reach out to us.
Not required, but certainly appreciated…
As a charity, Threads of Life relies on donations and grants to cover the costs of meals, hotel accommodations, and Family Forum program offerings. If you are able, a donation of $50/person or $100/family would be greatly appreciated.
