Build up interest locally and secure permission and funding from the relevant local leader(s) to run a Life-Giving Wounds retreat and/or support group. (We require receiving diocesan approval first if this is for a diocesan parish or diocesan run campus ministry or seminary.)

Select dates and book a venue for the first retreat or support group.

Establish a contract with Life-Giving Wounds and provide an initial deposit to secure dates.

Before and after launch event, schedule regular coaching and planning meetings with Life-Giving Wounds staff for the successful startup of a chapter.

Begin to recruit, vet, and train volunteers to help facilitate the retreat or support group; these should be faithful Catholics who are adult children of divorce or separation. It is especially important to find a team coordinator, chaplain, and counselor. Life-Giving Wounds will virtually train the team and provide ongoing resources for them.

Prepare for and handle all registration and on-site logistics for the support group or retreat (e.g., set up and run landing and registration page, food, tech needs, lodging, etc.).

Develop an outreach team and market the retreat or support group in local channels (e.g., email newsletters, Catholic newspaper, radio, bulletins, social media, ask leaders to make personal invites, have alumni in your area give witness talks about major events, etc.), 4 to 6 months prior to the event dates.

Order retreat guides and journals for the retreat participants OR order the LGW book, support group workbook, and journals for support group participants through the main LGW store (not the Leader’s store) two weeks in advance of the event.

It is is a launch retreat, the LGW traveling retreat team will assist.

Decide on the date of your next retreat and/or support group and develop a yearly calendar for the ministry, including regular local team meeting schedule to ensure smooth functioning of the chapter. If possible, then recruit, vet, and train more team members who were participants in the launch event.