|
Contents
1. AARP Highlights Project Compassion’s Neighborhood Support Team Partnerships
2. Learn How to Create Support Teams: Leadership Development Conference, September 23 - 24
3. Read Bill’s Story: Helping Hands and Healing Hearts
4. Join a Support Team in Chapel Hill, Durham, Siler City or Saxapahaw
5. Experience the Team Approach by Attending Support Team Orientation
6. New Study Shows Cultural Barriers Put African Americans with Cancer at Risk
7. “Ask the Caregiving Coach” Offers Expert Guidance for Family Caregivers
8. Tiffany Christensen’s Three Keys to Patient Advocacy
9. Be the First to Participate in “Train the Trainer” for Finding Your Voice
10. A New Chapter at Project Compassion: Brooks Accepts Position with AARP -- Warnock Appointed Interim Executive Director
Articles
1. AARP Highlights Project Compassion’s Neighborhood Support Team Partnerships
The AARP Bulletin, a monthly publication for AARP members, highlighted Project Compassion's partnerships with neighborhoods in June. The article reported on Project Compassion's two year partnership with the Falconbridge neighborhood, featuring Nona Saling's Support Teams and the community organizing work of Support Team organizer Rosemary Hyde. To read the online version of this story, click here.
At Project Compassion we are excited about our emerging partnerships with a number of neighborhoods in the Durham-Chapel Hill area. As neighborhoods seek effective ways to support other neighbors living with illness and chronic health conditions, we offer resources and support to help make this possible.
To learn more about neighborhood partnerships, contact Steven Warnock at steven@project-compassion.org or (919) 402-1844. Just a little added support may be all a person needs to remain at home as they navigate illness or increasing frailty.
2. Learn How to Create Support Teams: Leadership Development Conference, September 23-24
Registration is now open for our Support Team Development Conference in September.
The Support Team Development Conference is a two day interactive workshop designed to equip volunteer and organizational staff with a complete set of skills to organize, orient and support volunteer caregiving Support Teams. Project Compassion offers this conference in partnership with the national Support Team Network. Participants across the country have used this model successfully to multiply caregiving support.
The first day offers an overview of successful Support Team development. The focus is on understanding the team approach and learning how to organize and orient Support Teams in various settings. The second day focuses on how to connect teams with the persons they will serve and how to grow and sustain teams over time.
Thursday, September 23 and Friday, September 24, 2010, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Hosted by Carolina Meadows Retirement Community, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost for registration to NC residents is $125 for early registration (September 10); $150 if registered after the early-registration deadline. For those living outside of North Carolina, registration is $200. Registration fees include 16 hours of training, all materials, as well as continental breakfast and lunch for two days. Click here to register, email Steven Warnock at steven@project-compassion.org, or call (919)402-1844.
3. Read Bill’s Story: Helping Hands and Healing Hearts
Knock down surgeries only happen to others, never ME! One extra blip on an EKG at a June 2009 physical followed by a Sonogram and a MRI changed thatI’d had a “silent” heart attack that left a hole in my heart, which, fortunately for me, was covered by a hen’s egg sized aneurysm.
I needed major surgery, but I also had a lot of concerns. How would my elderly mother get back and forth to Duke to see me during the 6 day ICU stay? How would I deal with an initial recovery period of 45 days during which time I cannot drive nor lift more than 10 pounds, but am required to walk several miles a day?
I asked for help from the Contra Dancers Care Circle...
To read more of Bill's Story, go here: http://www.project-compassion.org/nc-initiatives/stories/69-bills-story-helping-hands-and-healing-hearts
4. Join a Support Team in Chapel Hill, Durham, Siler City or Saxapahaw
Chapel Hill - Barbara has volunteered with organizations and advocated for those less fortunate for years. She has been a voice for local leaders to turn to when they needed a pulse of the community. When she thinks of doing things she enjoys, it revolves around helping others. Now Barbara’s voice is tired and she is the one who needs help, and she is struggling to have the energy to advocate for herself. Barbara was diagnosed with leukemia …
To read more about Barbara’s story and other Support Team opportunitie, go here: http://www.project-compassion.org/get-involved/volunteer
5. Experience the Team Approach by Attending Support Team Orientation
If you would like to volunteer to be part of a Support Team, the first step is to attend a Support Team member orientation. In the Support Team orientation you gain an understanding of the team approach and how working as a team can increase what individuals are capable of doing.
During the 3 hour orientation we will cover the Support Team model and team approach, walk through ways to provide practical, social, quality of life, and emotional and/or spiritual support, how to set up healthy boundaries and limits, and how to support one another as a team over time.
Member orientations are held monthly, with the next orientation on Monday, July 19, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, location TBA. If you would like to attend this orientation click here, or to be notified of future orientations please email Steven Warnock, Support Team Initiative Director, at steven@project-compassion.org or call (919) 402-1844.
6. New Study Shows Cultural Barriers Put African Americans with Cancer at Risk
The Raleigh News and Observer recently reported: “Despite a high likelihood of death, black patients are much less inclined to have surgery for early stage lung cancer than whites, often because of a communication gulf between them and their doctors, scientists at UNC-Chapel Hill report.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, UNC-CH researchers surveyed nearly 400 patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer to determine what factors influenced their treatment decisions.
For black patients, who have long had worse outcomes for lung cancer than whites, just 55 percent chose surgery to remove the tumor - the only lifesaving option when cancer is diagnosed early. Sixty-six percent of white patients chose surgery.
The UNC-CH team found that many black patients misunderstood their prognosis, or didn't connect well enough with their doctors to feel comfortable discussing the options.
Such insights, while specifically addressing a decision about lung cancer treatment, may help explain persistent differences between racial minorities and whites in disease interventions and outcomes.
To read the full News and Observer article from June 16, 2010, go to: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/06/16/535128/cancer-study-sees-cultural-factors.html#ixzz0rgGZ8acR
At Project Compassion, our Circles of Care initiative is working to overcome barriers and increase access to health care for African Americans living with cancer and other illnesses. Crcles of Care teams give community members the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of African Americans living with illness and caregiving. Currently Circles of Care is looking for volunteers in Raleigh, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties. We ask ordinary people to do what they love to do to improve someone’s quality of life.
To learn more, go to:
http://www.project-compassion.org/get-involved/volunteer become part of a Circle of Care, team volunteers must complete the member orientation. If you would like to sign up please click here:
http://www.project-compassion.org/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2010/06/17/21/-/ZjRjZDE3YjY5NDkyN2I3Mzc0NTFhNjhkZTY2Mzc2Njk=/circles-of-care-member-orientation
7. “Ask the Caregiving Coach” Offers Expert Guidance for Family Caregivers
Project Compassion’s Caregiving Coach, Margery Pabst is a nationally acclaimed author, speaker, and facilitator. Her fourth book, Enrich Your Caregiving Journey, explores how successful caregivers take care of themselves while caring for others.
In Project Compassion’s new online service – Ask the Caregiving Coach – Pabst responds to questions submitted by caregivers. Here are few questions Pabst has fielded recently on the webpage:
Question: Even though I am the primary caregiver, I have three siblings who need to stay in touch with the situation. I think it's important to keep them updated about Mother, but is there such a thing as too many meetings with the family? Lauren
Question: Is it natural for caregivers to feel resentment? Bill
Question: My mother lives in another state and has advancing dementia. I believe her care is excellent but I often feel nervous about not knowing what is happening day to day. What can I do? Deborah
To read Pabst’s responses to these and other questions go to http://www.project-compassion.org/javascript/coach
Email your question or comment for Ask the Caregiving Coach to CaregivingCoach@project-compassion.org. Learn more about Margery Pabst and Enrich Your Caregiving Journey at www.pivotalcrossings.com.
8. Tiffany Christensen’s Three Keys to Patient Advocacy
Negotiating the health care system can be a challenge for any patient. While we often believe that our healthcare providers have access to all information regarding all medical challenges, the reality is that modern technology has expanded the world of medicine beyond what one doctor might know or suggest. As a patient or caregiver, it is essential that you become involved with your care and take a proactive approach to wellness. The following three keys will help you begin your journey of understanding how you may embrace your role as a Patient Advocate.
To learn about Tiffany’s Three Keys to Patient Advocacy, go to Project Compassion’s resource guide PDF at http://www.project-compassion.org/resources, page 11.
While you’re there, check out all the free resources available.
9. Be the First to Participate in “Train the Trainer” for Finding Your Voice
Finding Your Voice in the Healthcare Maze: Train the Trainer
August 26 and 27, 9:00am - 5:00pm at Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill, NC
To register now for this August training workshop today so you can:
1. Learn detailed information about patient advocacy, advance care planning, and organ/eye/tissue donation
2. Teach the Finding Your Voice curriculum in creative, interactive ways
3. Take "Finding Your Voice" to your community to offer workshops or provide private coaching for people in the healthcare maze
All training materials are at no cost to you. These include the Teacher's Curriculum Guide, 10 participant workshop companion guide and all PowerPoints and educational modules needed to teach the class.
This training is developed for community members and professionals interested in patient empowerment through education and practicing skills.
There are only 6 available slots left for this 2 day training! Questions can be directed to Tiffany at 919.928.2958. Register with Jane Walters at jane@project-compassion.org
10. A New Chapter at Project Compassion: Brooks Accepts Position with AARP -- Warnock Appointed Interim Executive Director
James L. Brooks, Project Compassion’s Executive Director, has accepted accepted a position with AARP as Associate State Director for Virginia. He will begin his new position in July based in Richmond, VA.
Brooks has served as Project Compassion’s first full time Executive Director since March, 2002. During that time, Project Compassion grew into a model program recognized nationally by organizations such as The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, AARP, The National Council on Aging, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and others.
During his tenure at Project Compassion, Brooks has played a pivotal role in the development of the organization’s initiatives, partnerships, funding, staff and volunteers. He has served as Director of Leadership Training for the National Support Team Network and as one of fourteen members of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s National Advisory Board for Caring Connections.
While at Project Compassion, Brooks also authored The Unbroken Circle: A Toolkit for Congregations around Illness, End of Life and Grief; It’s about How You LIVE – In Faith: A Guide for Hospices and End of Life Care Coalitions on Engaging Faith Communities; Offering Spiritual Support for Family and Friends and other publications. He has led or planned over 300 workshops and conferences locally, regionally and nationally while at Project Compassion.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation profiled Brooks as one of five “Emerging Leaders” nationally in end-of life care. In 2009, Brooks was honored by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation with a Sabbatical Award for exemplary leadership and service.
Brooks says: “I leave Project Compassion with a full heart! Serving in this role for the past 8+ years has been the most profound and rewarding experience in my professional life. I am proud of all we’ve accomplished during these pioneering years.
I have such a deep appreciation for all the support for Project Compassion from board members, staff, volunteers, donors and partner organizations. I look forward to hearing about the ways your support continues and grows.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve. I’m deeply grateful!”
If you would like to contact Brooks, you may reach him at jameslbrooksnc3@gmail.com.
As Brooks departs, Steven Warnock,MDiv, will become Project Compassion's Interim Executive Director. In 2008, Warnock became the Support Team Initiative Director at Project Compassion, forming Support Teams, leading Leadership Development Conferences, teaching member orientations and offering educational presentations.
Warnock has developed Support Teams, partnerships and educational materials with local and national groups and organizations. Warnock initially became connected with Project Compassion by volunteering as part of a Support Team for almost two years.s
Prior to Project Compassion, Warnock served as the first Administrative Director for Club Nova in Carrboro, NC, working in community mental health for over seven years. He has also served as a Minister to Youth with two congregations, a Chaplain Intern at WakeMed Hospitals, and East Team Director for Passport Youth Camps.
Warnock holds an undergraduate degree from Brewton-Parker College and a Master of Divinity degree from McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta. Warnock is originally from Louisville, Georgia and has been a member of Transactors Improv Company since 2001. He and his wife, Kelly, enjoy playing with their one-year-old son, Eli.
As we navigate this transition as Project Compassion, we remain focused on our mission – to create community and provide support for people living with illness,caregiving, end of life and grief. We look forward to continuing our existing programs and services and growing into the future!
|
