NO MEETING THIS MONTH
NEXT MEETING
TUESDAY
DECEMBER 8th 5:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 975 7539 9927

We are collecting donations (gift baskets, etc.) for an online auction to raise funds for our Scholarship Fund as well as our organization. Please send us photos of what you'd like to donate so we can add them to the auction. Winners can coordinate pick up of prizes directly from the person who donated it. Please send photos by November 30th.
ADOPT A FAMILY

  • The Retreat's annual Adopt a Family program brings great joy to the staff, donors, and clients alike. When you give, you are helping a family have a brighter holiday season. Thank you.
  • The holidays will be different this year and very difficult for many people who are struggling with abuse, financial hardship, and unemployment. When you give to The Retreat's Adopt a Family program, you are helping bring joy to a family in need and allow them to buy holiday gifts.
  • When you adopt a family this holiday season, you are helping ensure a family can provide warm winter clothes for growing children and toys that will bring brightness all year long.  
  • Give comfort to families affected by abuse when you join The Retreat's Adopt a Family program. You can help give slippers, pajamas, stuffed animals, and blankets to families in need this winter.
We'd also like to give a big THANK YOU to The Retreat for giving us a great, informative presentation at our meeting last month! If anyone participates in the #HearMyVoice hash tag on social media raise awareness, let us know so we can share your post!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

To promote and elevate our hard working members and the businesses they run, we are interviewing them for monthly spotlights in our newsletter and social media. This month we spoke with Helene Korbin about all the hard work she does at Comfort Keepers in Riverhead.
This month we talked with Helene Korbin, Certified Senior Advisor at Comfort Keepers in Riverhead, which she has run for over 15 years. Comfort Keepers is a home care agency fiercely committed to its clients; from those who only need 3 hours of assistance per week, to full-time live-in aides. Helene started the franchise after battling to find quality care for her mother when she needed it. “I can’t be the only person out here who needs this,” she told us. A lot of people in need simply cannot afford the high cost of home health aide, and Comfort Keepers is there for them. Women are the backbone and driving force behind the Riverhead location; all the office staff are female, as well as the overwhelming majority of aides. “They get it,” Helene says, “when it comes to caregiving.” Most people who end up in this profession are led to it, like she was, through familial experiences. “Other Comfort Keepers locations are owned by men, and they do very well. People in society expect women to be caregivers, though the men in our profession are also amazing.”
We are still looking for gift cards and monetary support for the 2 families mentioned in previous newsletters that have been affected by COVID. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Barry
Barry was a Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative (SCFI) program client. He died from COVID-19 complications on April 19, 2020 leaving 2 children behind. Barry enrolled in the SCFI program following his release from prison. He completed the program and worked with our case manager on short term goals. The program assisted him in getting his barber license- He eventually opened up his own barbershop in Bay Shore. It was everything to him. He first started giving free cuts to homeless men in shelters. He would hold back-to-school events with a barbecue and bouncy houses outside giving out school supplies to children in need. He was a mentor at the Wyandanch Community Youth Center and helped young children learn skills as part of their summer program. He also frequented the Central Islip courthouse to offer mentorship to young men who run afoul of the law and help them find their way back to school or job. 
 
Jose
Jose was a client of the Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative Program. Jose died in the beginning of April right after completing the program due to COVID-19. Jose left behind his wife Dina and 2 children, a 13 years old daughter and a 16 years old son. Maria spoke to Dina and was informed that her husband was the head of the household and the sole provider for the family. Since his passing it has been very difficult for her to pay her mortgage, bills and put food on the table for her and her children. Dina stated that she works but barely makes enough to cover all her expenses. Dina wants to thank everyone in advance for all the help that you can provide her and her family.
Know a member who needs a shout out for their good work? Let us know so we can feature them next month!
Any relevant content for next month's newsletter is also extremely welcome! Promotions relating to your business, fundraising opportunities, news articles, photos, etc., we'd love to see it!
We are thankful for the support, friendship and collaboration each and every one of you has demonstrated to TFPWC and wish you and your families a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving! ~ Ana, Kelli & Jani
Twin Forks Professional Women's Circle