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Hello friends!
The new year can be symbolic of new beginnings, the renewal of commitments, and the setting of goals. It can also give us reason to pause and reflect.
At Hope Grows, we look back at 2016 with a great sense of gratitude for your support and for our many accomplishments. As you’ll see in this issue of Pathways, there is much to be enthusiastic about as we move through the new year reaching for new goals with our new and current board members, focusing on this year's theme —The Joy of Caregiving—with our new logo and new website! Yes. Lots of news.
We also have the return of annual programs and events such as the Tea and Tee event later in spring, our ongoing support groups and therapeutic respite activities, Think Caregiver online and phone support, Pathways, and much more that you can check out for yourself at hopegrows.net.
We hope you find this issue of Pathways valuable and we very much look forward to continuing and growing our service to you and our caregiver community!
Lisa Story
Executive Director
Hope Grows
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HOPE GROWS NEWS & HAPPENINGS
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Makeover
Hope Grows is delighted to roll out a new logo and a new website expected to launch this spring. The new logo features the word “hope” in bright purple signifying the brightening of spirit that hope brings. “Grows” is showcased with large, bold text representing the growth of hope that our programs and services aim to deliver. Blooming from the word “grows” is the almond blossom, a symbol of hope and a tribute to the memory of the father of Hope Grows founder and executive director, Lisa Story. Click here to learn more about the almond blossom and the history of Hope Grows.
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Winter/Spring Happenings
Hope Grows has a variety of winter and spring events and activities lined up to offer therapeutic respite, support, and education for caregivers.
Click here
to view our events calendar!
Among the many things we have lined up, we are pleased to announce Pittsburgh Botanic Garden as our partner for the winter season of our Take A Break In The Dirt Program. Take A Break In The Dirt is a seasonal, volunteer-run, adaptive gardening program that engages children with disabilities, ages 5-18, in gardening and nature related activities while their family (caregiver) takes a well-earned break. Click here to learn more.
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The Joy of Caregiving
Our theme this year—
The Joy of Caregiving
—presents five key elements of joyfulness in the caregiving journey: hope, faith, balance, healing and strength. Along the path, we can harvest balance by setting boundaries around our needs and having faith that tomorrow will be bearable. We can maintain strength as we learn to lean on someone when the path becomes overgrown and we need help and healing. We can find hope in the midst of the demands of caregiving when we allow ourselves to believe that tomorrow will be alright.
Hope Grows' Think Caregiver program can assist with these five elements conveniently and at no cost. Just click here to learn more or call 412.369.4673 to sign up for Think Caregiver check-in calls. ALSO, click here to read our latest blog posts.
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Hope Grows Returns to Comcast Newsmakers
In December, Hope Grows Founder and Executive Director, Lisa Story, returned to Comcast Newsmakers to continue the caregiver conversation and raise awareness of caregiver issues and the support available through Hope Grows. In this segment, Lisa shares information about Think Caregiver, the End of Year Giving Campaign, the Tea and Tee event in spring, and plans for the Hope House caregiver bed and breakfast. Click here to watch.
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Fall Fun & Fundraising
In October—thanks to all who participated—we successfully transitioned our Hike for Hope event to a new, virtual, autumn trek we named "In2Nature." Using an online fundraising platform and social media, In2Nature allows supporters to participate and raise funds by getting out into nature to walk, run, hike, bike, or kayak at a location of their choice on a day of their choice during the week of the event. In this first In2Nature event, our presenting sponsor, UPMC for Life; our t-shirt sponsor, JR Advertising Specialties Inc., and 23 trekkers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and California helped raise $5,000 for Hope Grows programs and services. Join us next year the week of September 23-30, 2017.
Congratulations to our In2Nature contest winners:
Kelly Welsch, Team Bazinga Avenue
- Team Leader who recruited the largest team
Team Boom
- Most creative team picture
Chuck Story - Green Leaf Trekker prize winner for raising over $800
Sarah Gabriel and Lisa Story - Gold Leaf Trekker prize winners for raising over $250
In2Nature was followed by our last fundraiser of the year, the second annual Hope Grows End of Year Giving Campaign, which launched on Giving Tuesday, November 29 and raised $2,240. A big thank you to all who included Hope Grows in their holiday and year-end charitable gifting! Our third annual End of Year Giving Campaign will offer fun new ways to participate. Stay tuned!
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Tax Deductions for Caregivers
April 15 will be here before we know it. As a caregiver, are you aware of the tax deductions that may be available to you? It may benefit you to check in with your tax accountant now so that you can be prepared for your tax return filing. Click here to check out an article with some interesting tax information.
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Balancing Work and Caregiving
When the demands of work and caregiving collide, the joy of caregiving can quickly turn into the stress of caregiving. You can't be in two places at the same time, but perhaps there are some practical steps you can take to help balance your work and caregiving responsibilities. Click here for eight valuable tips from AARP's Caregiver Resource Center.
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Apps to Help Simplify, Save Time, and Seek Solace
Technology meets caregiving with apps that can help you with everything from managing caregiving logistics and family communication to maintaining pertinent care recipient information and tracking medication. Click here to check out the latest in caregiver apps.
And though it may seem contradictory to use technology to help us with our meditative efforts for relaxation, restoration, balance, and mindfulness,
there are a number of well-designed apps to do just that. Click here for Marie Claire's top four picks for best meditation and mindfulness apps of 2017.
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Three for Me
When you need some "me" time, but there is very little time to be had, you can enjoy this "breathing space" meditation in just three minutes. This brief but effective "breathing space" meditation
is presented by Dr. Hagen Rampes of Mindful Healing.
Click and relax!
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LEARN MORE & STAY IN TOUCH
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Hope Grows | Phone: 412 369 HOPE (4673) | Fax: 412 369 HOPE (4673) |
Email
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Website
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