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Wells Co. Mentoring * Faith in Action Senior Companions ... Flipbook PDF
- June 08 - Sources of Strength Wells Co. Mentoring * Faith in Action Senior Companions * Hospice St. Aloisius Long Term
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- June 08 Sources of Strength Wells Co. Mentoring * Faith in Action Senior Companions * Hospice St. Aloisius Long Term Care Pastoral Care * Befrienders Precious Goodbyes * Nurturing Program ALIVE * RSVP
Dear Mentors, Youth, Volunteers and Friends, Hello everyone. Here we are in June, with school out, gardens planted and farmers busy in the fields. Don’t you love the color of green? It’s so nice to see things fresh and growing. You are probably aware that the St. Aloisius Community Volunteer Program operates off of funding from a Suicide Prevention grant, but it has come to my attention that some of you may not realize what we are actually doing with Suicide Prevention. This is probably because everything we do is under the “Sources of Strength” model, which is how we approach Suicide Prevention. (Rather than using the negative term “Suicide Prevention”, we use the more positive approach by building upon the “Sources of Strength”.) Simply put, the Sources of Strength model is made up of eight components that contribute to wellness. They are Family Support, Positive Friends, Healthy Relationships (mentors), Healthy Activities, opportunities for Generosity/Leadership, Spirituality, Access to Medical and Access to Mental Health. Generally speaking, the more of these that a person has, the healthier they are likely to be. Effective Suicide Prevention is a holistic approach. You don’t just do gatekeeper training, just provide education or just address depression. You can’t typically look at someone and know if they are planning to harm themselves. What you can do to have an effect on suicide, is to enhance people’s well-being and provide resources for them to utilize during tough times. Therefore, everything that we do in our various programs enhances the Sources of Strength for those we serve, making them healthier people, which is “Suicide Prevention”. If you would like more information on the Sources of Strength or would like us to talk about it at a club or group, please let me know. We have some good information and would love to share it. Senior Companions: We are still in need of one to two more Senior Companions for our program. Senior Companions are healthy older adults who help other adults live independently. They provide support to family caregivers, assist with light chores or other daily tasks necessary to maintaining independence. They offer senior citizens encouragement to remain active, provide a helping hand to make sure they take their medication, a watchful eye to notice when extra care is needed and friendship that lasts a lifetime. Without Senior Companions, many older adults would not be able to continue living at home and would need more expensive, less personal care. Senior Companions are over 60 years of age, can volunteer 20 hours a week, have limited income and enjoy to helping their neighbors. They receive $2.65 per hour for visiting with others, which is considered a stipend, so it doesn’t affect social security income. They also receive training and on-going support, as well as opportunities to attend special events at no cost. In addition to knowing that they are contributing to help a senior citizen maintain independence to remain in their home, Senior Companions are recognized for their service throughout the year. Please consider joining our team. For additional information, contact Tammy at 324-4769 Ext. 342 or Sonja Michelson at Lutheran Social Services in Minot (701-838-7800).
Faith in Action: The Central Dakota Ministerial Association (CDMA) is the acting board for Faith in Action. It is made up of pastors, priests and ministers from area churches. We met this month to address the need to increase the mileage for volunteer drivers to equal the state rate of .51 per mile. We have been fortunate to be able to provide thousands of miles of transportation to and from medical appointments at no cost to recipients, but due to the price of gas, the board has decided that we have to ask that all out of town riders pay a portion of the costs. It currently costs FIA approximately $125.00 to go to Bismarck and $85.00 to go to Minot. Therefore, riders are asked to contribute $25.00 per trip to Bismarck or $15.00 per trip to Minot, in order to help sustain this program so we can continue to provide medical transportation. (This is a suggested rate and should be adjusted if the rider is able to afford to do so.) We ask that volunteer drivers continue to have riders reschedule appointments to allow as many to ride, per trip, as possible. All riders will be asked to contribute, regardless of how many are in the vehicle. We are fortunate to have this benefit in our community and trust that recipients will see the advantage of contributing to a program that they utilize. Thanks again to the volunteer drivers who give their time and use of their vehicles to make this ministry possible. God bless all who contribute and participate in the Faith in Action program. Relay for Life is June 13 – Please join us for the 2008 Relay for Life “There’s No Place Like Hope” event on June 13, at the Harvey High School track, starting at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 7:00 a.m. If you can come walk with our team (even for a short amount of time), please contact Ruby Franklin at 693-2357. Many of our team members are unable to walk that night and they ask that someone from each team be on the track at all times, so we appreciate your help. Community Volunteer Program Relay for Life Team Rummage Sale – We raised $481.16 on the rummage sale. Thank you to everyone who donated items, helped out and made purchases! Computer Help – Thank you to Marian Hase who has agreed to help with blogging and power points! We are always in need of computer savvy volunteers! June- Mentor of Month – Jennifer Keller I believe this person deserves special recognition because: Jennifer mentors a young lady in Harvey. We appreciate her willingness to make a difference in the life of a child. Thank you, Jennifer.
June– Volunteer of Month – Annie Schmidt I believe this person deserves special recognition because: Congratulations to the St. Aloisius Community Volunteer of the Month, Annie Schmidt. Annie volunteers her time to check blood pressures for people who live in Senior Housing each week. She is
willing to help with special events and can be counted on to reach out to others when she sees a need. Thank you, Annie!
Mentoring: Mentors Needed: We are in need of mentors for several local children. If interested, please contact Tammy or Ruby Franklin at 693-2357. Monthly Mentoring Reports: Just a reminder that Ruby Franklin is now taking information for monthly mentoring reports. You can reach her at 693-2357 or [email protected]. Monthly Mentoring Group Activity: Due to lack of participation, there will be no scheduled monthly activities throughout the summer months. We will resume activities in September, starting with our 6th Annual All Family Picnic on Sunday, September 7th at 2:00 pm. Please try to attend. Teen mentors, please be reminded that you are not eligible for scholarships or special awards unless you have attended a minimum of 80% of the monthly activities. Suggestion for healthy summer activities: Free Fishing Days June 6 and 7 (Take your child fishing, as you don’t need a license to fish on either of these days). Wells County Fair June 26, 27, 28, 29 in Fessenden. T-Ball and Soft-Ball – June 3rd through July 24th Contact Brad Birdsell at 324-4133 to register. See attached sheet for VBS schedules Also keep in mind the pool, parks and the library. Humane Society – Wow! Together, we raised $180.00 for the Souris Valley Humane Society. That means, we will be able to sponsor a kennel for 9 months! Congratulations to all of you generous animal lovers. Special thanks to Joe Yasenchack for help with fundraising. There will be a sign on a kennel door that acknowledges it being sponsored by St. Aloisius and the Community Volunteer Program.
Prevention: Sources of Strength in Suicide Prevention Mental Health Association in ND Healing, strength, resiliency, or protection often come from these eight Sources of Strength. If your child or friend is suicidal you should start by helping them get to appropriate mental health or medical services – they may be struggling with an untreated or undiagnosed medical or mental health problem. Remember – move beyond just one support. Develop a cluster of supports around a suicidal young person. Build multiple strengths in your own life. For any type of mental health crisis, call the 211 help line. All calls are kept confidential.
Parents Corner – Keeping children safe in and around the water * Maintain constant supervision. Watch your children around water, no matter what their skills are or how shallow the water. For younger children, practice “Reach Supervision” by staying within an arm’s length reach. * Don’t rely on substitutes. The use of floatation devices and inflatable toys can not replace parental supervision. Such devices can shift position, lose air or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation. *Enroll children in swimming lessons. Your decision to provide your child with an early aquatic experience is a gift that will have infinite rewards. Boating Safety *Be weather wise: Sudden wind shifts, lightning flashes and choppy water all can mean a storm is brewing. Bring a portable radio to check weather reports. *Bring extra gear you may need: A flashlight, extra batteries, sun lotion, safety kit, sunglasses. *Tell someone where you are going, who is with you, and how long you will be gone. Then check your boat equipment, boat balance, engine and fuel supply before you leave.
Happy Birthday To: (If you have a birthday this month and I missed announcing it, please let me know.)
Mark Demory – June 18 Cassie Filler – June 3 Joyce Lilleman – June 5 Virginia Ripplinger – June 13 Angie Volk – June 29 Mercedes Zerr – June 5
Carlie Filler – June 4 Gladys Hager – June 15 Tracy Pfeiffer June 16 Rachael Rott – June 15 Verna Weisser – June 25
Thought to Ponder: What a man does for himself, dies with him. What he does for his community lives on after he is gone. –Theodore Roosevelt
Faith without works is dead. – James 2:17
Keep lighting up your corner of the world! Together, we make a difference! Think safety. Tammy Neurohr, Community Volunteer Program Coordinator 324-4769 Ext. 342 (Work) or 324-4700 (Home) [email protected]