SERVING OTHERS
3 Programs, 2 Hands, 1 Passion
Our mission of Creating a more caring community using our hearts and
hands” is met through the three related programs described below.
OUR WE CARE TEAM: “Doing small things with
great love.”
The WE CARE TEAM is a team of professionals and volunteers working together
to meet the needs of people in need in our community.
Together we help the elderly and disabled, as well as families and individuals going through hard
times or who are in crisis situation.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and are all ages; including
seniors, families, students, girl scouts, baby boomers, church and civic groups
alike, even those who have previously received our services now want to give back,
by paying it forward.
OUR FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM
“Caring for those who care for
others.”
This program rose out of the need to support the family caregivers we
were coordinating volunteer respite for. Seeing their needs were far beyond just
an occasional break, a passion stirred within us to serve them with more formal
services. So in 2004 we began another program focused on caring for the caregiver.
Family members who are taking care of a loved one, whether it is an aging parent
or a spouse who is ill, are supported by professional staff members who act as
family consultants.
These consultants "coach" the caregivers helping them gain
information, skills and tools to confidently continue providing care during this
season of their life. By using creativity, collaboration and compassion we have
cared for well over 400 area family caregivers through one-on-one support,
educational workshops and support groups.
We currently are the only comprehensive caregiver program in the Central Minnesota
area.
OUR YOUTH INITIATIVE
THE BRIDGING PROJECT “Bridging today’s youth
with tomorrow’s leadership through people and their stories of yesterday."
With reason, relationships, relevancy and responsibility in mind, we
started an intergenerational youth initiative in the fall of 2006 to bridge youth
with their elderly neighbors.
The Bridging Project is based upon the legacy of a former student
volunteer, Bridgett Stoll who died as a result of an accident; it seeks to connect youth to
service and other generations through the platforms of service and relationships.To
date, more than 3,000 youth have participated in service projects and opportunities
for friendly visiting.
Using the word “BRIDGE” as an acronym, youth are equipped with relational
skills prior to the projects in which they will serve, ensuring their time of
service will be meaningful and relational.
The second phase of The Bridging Project is the “Adopt-a-Grandparent”
program. Students are given opportunities to develop long-term relationships with an older neighbor in their community and
“adopt” them. The idea also stems from the legacy of this former student volunteer,
as it was one of her life goals to create such a program in her community.
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