Virtual Support Groups
Meet Mary! Mary Holt-Paolone, MSRN came to the MDA/ALS Center of Hope in 2005. She has been a registered nurse for 30 years working with chronic and terminal illnesses and received a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology in 2004, specializing in psychological trauma, grief and bereavement. She also completed mindfulness teacher training with the Jefferson Center for Integrative Medicine and has been teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and other mindfulness courses for the past 15+ years. Mary combines her educational and professional expertise with her personal lived experiences for a safe, supportive and non-judgmental group environment for others and considers it an honor to do this work.
Caregiver & PLS Support Meetings
You are invited to join our Virtual Support Groups, led by Mary Holt-Paolone, MSRN, Mental Health Specialist at the MDA/ALS Center of Hope at Temple University.
All groups are hosted via Zoom on Fridays. We offer a free-flow conversation style, where participants can share experiences and resources and connect with others who understand in a safe and supportive environment.
PLS SUPPORT MEETINGS (for people living with PLS):
- 4th Friday of each month at 11:00AM EST
- Alternating months, Speaker/Open Discussion
CAREGIVER SUPPORT MEETINGS:
Spouses and Significant others
- 1st Friday of each month at 11:00AM EST
Children, friends, and other family members (18 and older)
- 3rd Friday of each month at 11:00AM EST
ALS Women’s Support Group Coming September 2026
What is True North Men’s Group?
The True North Men’s Group is an ALSHF support group run by Jamey Piggott and John Furey. The group is comprised entirely of men living with ALS and meets every other Thursday at 1:30 pm via Zoom. Members are always invited to meet in the ALSHF office, as well.
This is a supportive, peer-led conversation. There’s no expectation to share more than you’re comfortable with; sometimes, listening is just as meaningful.
The True North Mission
The True North Men’s Group provides a safe, stigma-free space for men living with ALS to connect, reflect, and rediscover strength through shared experience.
Guided by courage and grounded in connection, we help empower men living with ALS to reclaim a sense of agency, belonging, and purpose.
Together, we explore what it means to lead, to care, and to endure with honesty, humor, and hope.
True North at the International Alliance ‘25 Meeting
This year, John and Jamey were honored to present the True North Men’s Group at the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associates in Canada. Click through the deck below to see their presentation and learn a bit more about True North!
Video of the presentation will be released shortly
