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It is with great pleasure to report that our first Caregiver's Respite Workshop was a success and you will read the response of one of our members in attendance. There were four attendees who were deeply invested in the process. Kind Essence of The Haven opened her doors to welcome our Heroes. She conducted a cleansing prayer/meditation period, which allowed us to Purge Our Negative Feelings, open up a space to fill with Positive, Healing energies. Heroes talked openly of their hopes, fears and feelings and then danced them away with Free Style yoga dance.
Heroes were then able to clear their heads/hearts through floor yoga poses followed by refreshments and discussion of what was just experienced. It was a very swift-moving 3 hour session. We didn't know where the time went. Sis. Kind, thank you for your lovingkindness and for opening your doors to us. It is an experience that was needed by all who attended. NOTE FROM BEVERLY: Good evening: Today, I had the profound pleasure of attending a Respite Workshop for Care Partners. The event was held at The Haven - 5702 Wynnefield Avenue and was facilitated by Kind Essence and Jean Kirkley. This event allowed me to release stress, connect with other care-partners, eat healthy food, STRETCH, cry and laugh in an emotionally safe environment. I am so very happy I was invited and attended. Beverly Anne Edwards
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It's been awhile since I've made a notation. Please forgive me!!!
I am personally very happy to see Christmas, New Years and Valentine's Day are now over. Yay!! The Holidays are a personal struggle for me. From Christmas, which is when we got engaged through Valentine's Day which is his birthday, it's hard sometimes to fully function. I am continually learning that although you might think you have it together on the outside, your heart will remind you of those times that are very important to you. So....I'm continually having to remember why it is that I'm feeling so run-down, tired and anxious, all at the same time. It's a very strange feeling, but those of you who have experienced the loss of your spouse, child or parent..you know what I mean. It's 7 years ago as of January 22, that I lost my Roy, and January is still a very tough time period for me. March is coming and I couldn't be happier. Thank you all for supporting me and BOOMERS 'R HEROES. I love you all. Jean Dear Heroes,
BOOMERS 'R HEROES will be represented heavily in Philly during the month of October. Beginning 10/10, I will have a table at three consecutive Heath Fairs:
I'm seeking some volunteer help for these events, as well. If you're interested, please call to discuss your availability. NATAP (National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project) will be sponsoring a FREE forum, “Aging and HIV & New Hepatitis C Treatments” NEXT WEEK on Friday, October 2nd, 10AM – 1:30 PM (breakfast opens at 8:30 AM) at the Drexel University Creese Student Center (corner of 32nd and Chestnut Streets). This event, which features Dr. Stacey Trooskin and Dr. Todd Brown, is co-sponsored by Philadelphia FIGHT. BOOMERS 'R HEROES regularly scheduled meetings are changing as I write this note. Updates will be noted, as usual, when the occur. Respectfully Submitted, Jean Heroes,
The meetings this summer were lightly, but faithfully attended a few members who know they need continued support. As it so happens, I am committed to a class every Thursday evening for 6 weeks from 9/3 through 10/8 provided by PhillyFIGHT on HIV/AIDS Education. It's a great group and I'm very grateful to have been accepted into this course. I feel it will (and has already) benefit(ed) BOOMERS 'R HEROES by arming me with pertinent information to better attend to those who may be isolated due their fight with HIV/AIDS. It's no longer the DEATH SENTENCE it once was, folks come out bear witness to the fact that they've lived with this disease for 18-35 years or more and lead healthful, productive lives. Meanwhile, my monthly Thursday night meetings at Hayes Manor have been disrupted due to this course, though I'm referring everyone to attend a meeting on Thursday, October 8th sponsored by GEN Philly at the United Way Bldg. on the Parkway Thursday, October 8, 5:30pm – 7pm United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway......$8 Discounted Parking at the Sheraton (201 N. 17th) with Validation Tkt Hopefully, you will take advantage of this opportunity to gather information for the experts in Philadelphia to better handle your caregiver needs. I'm praying that you're going to do this for yourselves. Dear Heroes,
The summer flew by, even though we'd wish it was cooler, it will soon be just that. It's the fall and here we go again. This weekend was very special in that Philly hosted Pope Francis and the peace and love shown over the weekend was very encouraging. We needed someone to bring hope to our city. Things have been rather hard to deal with, but with the spirit of cooperation that ran through the city this weekend, we know that love is possible. Thank you Pope Francis. I'm not Catholic, but I know there is too much hopelessness in the wake of continued violence in our world. Respectfully Submitted, Jean Kirkley Dearest Heroes, Family & Friends,
This event was an eye-opening experience. For those who came out, bravo. We all learned some interesting new aspects of what the Alzheimer's patients experience on a daily basis. I personally reached out to a few of our Heroes I felt really needed to have this information. Any that I missed, please don't let another opportunity get past you. Fredericka E. Waugh, MSW, was the Alzheimer's Association presenter that day along with representative from AARP representatives. Fredericka was, as usual, right on point with bringing us some new insight into AD. Thank you, Fredericka. She called me up to the podium to introduce Boomers after a few questions arose about how can caregivers get help when in this situation. Please keep you eyes open for the emails/newsletters that will be coming your way in the future regarding upcoming events and opportunities to learn more to help you care more. Respectfully submitted, Jean Kirkley Dearest Heroes,
Thank you all for hanging in there with me. I've been making some adjustments and BOOMERS 'R HEROES is moving in the right direction. I know now that the power of attraction is real-- it does work...you put out positive, sincere vibes and people of like feelings will be drawn to you. BOOMERS 'R HEROES has been working closely with North City Congress and AARP since March of this year when meetings were set up at the North Broad St. Sr. Center via Mrs. Eilene Frierson, Ctr. Director and Diana Hill. They invited me to attend a Clergy Conference on April 8, sponsored by PCA where I met Mr. Louis Colbert of PCA, a great supporter of Caregiving issues. Through the twice monthly meeting at the center I was introduced to Ms. Joi Hopkins of AARP who swept me up into a few events they're sponsoring and I was asked to be the Keynote Speaker at an event hosted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phila., Alumae Chapter on May 31st. It was a wonderful experience to tell my story knowing it will help others to understand they're not alone in their struggles. Joi is also heading a Caregivers Program on June 22 to see the play "Mama's Girls" at Temple's Performing Arts Center on Broad Street. It's now all booked up and BOOMERS helped to do that. I was introduced to Mrs. Grace Rustia, AARP by Mr. Louis Colbert and we formed an immediate friendship and working relationship. She's in the middle of numerous events and asked if I could help her get the word out to ensure the Caregivers Event at WHYY on June 9th is a success. In the interim, Grace chose me to be the Keynote Speaker for this event, as well. A number of you have registered for this event and it will be wonderful look out see your faces when I speak of my experiences and how BOOMERS 'R HEROES was formed. I'm floored and so happy that positive people are opening doors for BOOMERS 'R HEROES. We've been working hard for 3 years, never giving up even when it was just me sitting in the meeting room. I thank you with all my heart for continuing to support our group. Please come out to as many meetings as often as you can to support each other...you're not limited to just one a month. Dear Heroes, Family and Friends,
Sadly, on Friday, October 11th, Alvin Seth who was caregiver to his dad, lost his father to complications as he suffered with diabetes and COPD. Please feel free to reach out to Alvin in his hour of need. Please check you email boxes for information I've circulated relating to his loss. Alvin, know that you are not alone and we're here to help you through. Love ya, Jean and Shredding & E-Recycling Event April 20
Celebrate Earth Day by joining my staff and me at our Spring Clean-Up: Shredding and Electronic Recycling Event on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon in the rear parking lot of our district office located at 1536 E. Wadsworth Ave. We will offer onsite shredding of your personal documents such as cancelled checks, credit card applications, income tax information, insurance and medical records. We will also collect small recyclable electronics such as computers, batteries, printers, cell phones and televisions. No major appliances will be collected. For more information contact my district office at (215) 242.7300. |
AuthorJean Kirkley, Founder/Facilitator Archives
April 2016
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