ALS Support Groups
Led by professionals, ALS Support Groups provide opportunities for group members to share their personal experiences and to learn more about living with ALS. Participants learn that they are not alone nor without help or hope. Support Group meetings are free and open to all people living with ALS and their caregivers. Support Groups sometimes feature speakers on relevant topics and are designed to share information as well as strategies for preserving the independence and quality of life of both people living with ALS and their caregivers.
Regional ALS Support Groups for People Living with ALS, Family, Caregivers, and Friends
(all are welcome)
Portland
First Wednesday of every month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Montavilla United Methodist Church
232 SE 80th Ave., Portland, OR 97215
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Amber Smith at 503-238-5559 ext. 122 or Amber.Smith@alsoregon.org
Vancouver, Washington
Second Wednesday of every month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
at St Luke’s Episcopal Church
426 E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Susan Pennock at 503-238-5559 ext. 114 or Susan.Pennock@alsoregon.org
Beaverton
Third Wednesday of every month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Beaverton First United Methodist Church
12555 SW 4th St, Beaverton, OR 97005
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Susan Pennock at 503-238-5559 ext. 114 or Susan.Pennock@alsoregon.org
Eugene
Second Wednesday of every month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hilyard Center
2580 Hilyard St, Eugene, OR 97405
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Mary Rebar at 541-990-1246 or Mary.Rebar@alsoregon.org
Bend
Alternating Virtual & In-Person meeting every other month
Second Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
In-Person: July, September, November, and January
Virtual: August, October, December, and February
In-person meetings are held at:
Westside Church
2051 NW Shevlin Park Rd, Bend, OR 97703
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Christina Riddock at 541-977-7502 or Christina.Riddock@alsoregon.org
Medford
VIRTUAL GROUP AT THIS TIME
Third Tuesday of each month from 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. PST
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Laura Geilenfeldt at 541-292-8775 or Laura.Geilenfeldt@alsoregon.org
Please note that the State Capitol is not currently meeting in person. We are working hard to get back in person, but for now we would suggest joining the Statewide Support Group. We will provide more details as we know them!
Support groups are one of the many free services offered by the Chapter.
Portland Family Caregiver Group
Third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The Redwood Room
6650 SW Redwood Lane, Portland, OR 97223
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Amber Smith at 503-238-5559 ext. 122 or Amber.Smith@alsoregon.org
Vancouver, Washington Family Caregiver Group
Third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m - 5:30 p.m.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Susan Pennock at 503-238-5559 ext. 114 or Susan.Pennock@alsoregon.org
Salem Family Caregiver Group
First Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m.
Broadway Commons, Second Floor Conference Room
1300 Broadway St NE #100, Salem, OR 97301
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Mary Rebar at 541-990-1246 or Mary.Rebar@alsoregon.org
Please note that Central Oregon Family Caregiver Group meets virtually only. Southern Oregon Family Caregiver Groups is currently on hold. We are working hard to get back in person, but for now we would suggest joining the Statewide Family Caregiver Support Group. We will provide more details as we know them!
Oregon Statewide ALS Support Group (Virtual Group for People Living with ALS, Family & Friends)
Fourth Wednesday of each month from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. PST
Note: The Statewide Support Group will run concurrently with our Educational Topic Call in May, June, September, and December.
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Cassy Adams at 503-238-5559 ext. 100 or Cassy.Adams@alsoregon.org
Oregon Statewide Family Caregiver Support Group
Second Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. PST
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Christina Riddock at 541-977-7502 or Christina.Riddock@alsoregon.org
Central Oregon Family Caregiver Group
Fourth Tuesday of every month at 1 p.m.
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Christina Riddock at 541-977-7502 or Christina.Riddock@alsoregon.org
PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) Support Group
Available to anyone living with a Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) Diagnosis
Quarterly Meetings occur the first Thursdays in March, June, September, and December from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
2023 Schedule:
- Thursday, June 1 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
- Thursday, September 7 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
- Thursday, December 7 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Mary Rebar at 541-990-1246 or Mary.Rebar@alsoregon.org
Generation X/Y/Z Support Group
(Geared toward people living with ALS age 50 or younger)
Quarterly Meetings occur the Fourth Thursday’s in March, June, September, and December from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.; please note that the June 2022 meeting will occur the Fifth Thursday of the month, June 30 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
2022 Schedule:
Thursday, March 31 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 30 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 22 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 22 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
ALS/FTD (Frontotemporal dementia) Family Caregiver Support Group
(Open to family caregivers with a loved one with ALS & Frontotemporal dementia)
Meetings occur the First and Third Thursday of every month from 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Cassy Adams at 503-238-5559 ext. 100 or Cassy.Adams@alsoregon.org
Nationwide Virtual Support Group Offerings
ALS Association chapters across the country offer special interest virtual support groups to the ALS community. Check out a full list of nationwide virtual support group offerings here.
Upcoming Meetings
If you decide to come to an ALS Support Group, come at least three times to figure out if it is right for you. The first time can be scary not knowing what you will see or hear. The second time, you feel more comfortable and start taking in more information. By the third time, you stop seeing people with ALS and just see people who are your friends and supporters.”
Janis W.
Portland, OR