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Site FeedbackCaring Hands Newsletter - Fall 2008
First Spanish-speaking Volunteer Training a Success!
Caring Hands hosted its first Spanish speaking training for bilingual and monolingual individuals in September. The training was for those who had expressed a desire to become Caring Hands volunteers, but were unable to do so because of language barriers.
“This event opened up important avenues into finding ways to bring Latino volunteers who are language limited into our organization,” says Nancy Ramirez, Caring Hands Hispanic Outreach Coordinator. “These volunteers want to share their skills and time with seniors in our community. Each offers a lifetime of experiences, diversity of opinion and culture that will strengthen and enrich all they touch. By creating a safe, accepting environment with a genuine respect and delight of cultural diversity, Caring Hands is breaking new ground. We are committed to serving all seniors.”
The purpose of the training was to encourage participation among potential volunteers in their own language, and most importantly, ensures that each volunteer understands the policies and procedures of the Caring Hands Program.
Eleven volunteers from many different Latin backgrounds attended the training. Seven were originally from Mexico, two from Peru, one from Colombia, and one from El Salvador.
"I have been trying to volunteer for the past three years, but hadn't found an inspiring program. Being trained in my own language and serving Latino seniors was the answer to my prayers," said Elida Rodriguez.
Caring Hands is currently serving 28 Hispanic seniors and will be hosting its next Spanish speaking training March 14, 2009 in Brentwood. Please contact Nancy Ramirez at 925-952-2999 for more information.
We would like to thank our trainers who included: Carlos Torres, MSW Latino Senior Program Coordinator/ Jewish Family and Children Services of the East Bay; Ernesto Hidalgo, Hispanic Services Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association; Marco Godinez, LCSW, Educational Director for El Puente Program Los Medanos Collage; Elvia Estrada, Caring Hands Volunteer; Father Hugo Hernandez, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Concord; Tina Simmons, Physical Therapist/ John Muir Health Rehabilitation Services, Concord Campus; Gerardo Bustos, MD, Instructor of Nursing Assistant Classes for Contra Costa College.
[back to top]Caring Hands Celebrates New Location & 10th Year of Service
Caring Hands hosted an Open House and celebrated its ten-year anniversary on August 28th at its new location at Walnut Creek Executive Business Park. Treasured caregivers and care receivers, and supporters of Caring Hands gathered to congratulate the program on ten years of service.
Founded in August 1998, Caring Hands volunteers have logged more than 130,000 hours of service since its inception. “Caring Hands continues to grow each year to serve more seniors. Currently, we are serving more than 250 seniors each week with the support of more than 250 volunteers, and six professional staff (including two licensed clinical social workers). We are looking forward to expanding our program to serve even more seniors in the coming years,” says Rita Clancy, MSW, Chair of the Caring Hands Advisory Committee.
“This was a wonderful ‘kick-off’ for the next ten years,” says Pat Lester, one of Caring Hands’ first volunteers. Joy Moore, a John Muir Health nurse and avid supporter of Caring Hands agrees. “They are just wonderful and caring people. The volunteers love what they do and their work is thoroughly appreciated. To know that a program like Caring Hands is out there is truly comforting.”
The 10th Annual Appreciation Dinner will be held on February 26, 2009. “We will be honoring our volunteers and donors for their continued commitment to our program,” says Carol Louisell, Program Manager of Caring Hands. “Caring Hands would not be possible without them!”
Caring Hands Wins "Provider of the Year!"
Caring Hands was recently awarded the “Ilene Lubkin Senior Transportation Provider of the Year Award for 2007” by the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging. The Advisory Council on Aging consists of forty members who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Its purpose is to advise the Board of Supervisors on issues related to older adults.
The award is named to honor the late Ilene Lubkin who passed away unexpectedly in 2005 at the age of 76. She was an active member of the Advisory Council on Aging for more than 12 years where she served on the Health and Transportation work groups. She believed that “transportation equals independence” and worked tirelessly to improve transportation access to frail seniors.
“This award is given to those groups who have demonstrated a significant effort to improve or expand transportation services resulting in increased mobility for seniors in Contra Costa County,” says Paul Branson, Transportation Services Manager for Contra Costa County. “Caring Hands has provided more than 10,000 one-way assisted rides and is very deserving of this recognition.”
The award ceremony was held October 7 at the Board of Supervisors chamber in Martinez. In addition to the Ilene Lubkin Senior Transportation Provider Award, one of Caring Hands’ caregivers, Ray Zenoni, was chosen as Volunteer of the Year. He was nominated by Senior Outreach Services where he also volunteers as a Meals on Wheels driver.
Congratulations to Caring Hands for all of your hard work in helping seniors stay connected in our community!
Caring Hands Advisory Committee |
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| Rita Clancy, MSW | Jewish Family & Children's Services, Vice Chair |
| Rafael Quintero | Security Pacific Real Estate, Vice Chair |
| Harry Jayasingha | Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, Secretary |
| Solomon Belette | Catholic Charities of the East Bay |
| Roxanne Foster | Director of Volunteer Services, John Muir Health |
| Sandra Lemmons | Companion Care |
| Rev. Dwane Michael | Pastoral Care, John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus |
| Lynn Opp, CFP | Merrill Lynch |
| Mary Roberts | Saint John Vianney Caholic Church |
| Grala Warren | Saint Matthew Lutheran Chuch |
| Ray Zenoni | Pleasant Hill |
Caring Hands Staff |
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| Carol Louisell | Program Manager |
| Kathy Friend, LCSW | Social Services Coordinator |
| Linda Groobin | Volunteer Coordinator |
| Lilian Kotz | Department Secretary |
| Nancy Ramirez | Hispanic Outreach Coordinator |
| Maria Tataru, LCSW | Intake Coordinator |
