Changing Lives: TRU Hospice Nurse Justin Raff's Volunteer Journey

As an RN at TRU's Hospice Inpatient Unit, Justin Raff’s days are filled with opportunities to provide life-changing care, but for Justin, the transformative power of such service extends beyond the workplace. Each year, he volunteers as an operating room nurse with Uplift Internationale, a Colorado nonprofit, on a mission to the Philippines. Their goal? To perform cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries on pediatric patients in need.

Justin's journey with Uplift Internationale began six years ago, sparked by a former colleague—a Filipino nurse—who introduced him to the organization. Since then, he has dedicated himself to this cause, embarking on his third trip with them this past January. Each trip is entirely self-funded; Justin takes precious time off from work and covers his travel expenses. This year, he created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his mission.

The impact of Uplift Internationale's work is impressive. Beginning Sunday morning with patient screenings, the team works 14-hour days performing surgeries that are life-changing for the children and their families. Their roster comprises volunteer nurses, surgeons, doctors, and even non-clinical staff — the youngest of whom this year was 13-years-old. Together, they performed over 100 surgeries during the week.

Read more on TRU's blog.



March is Social Work Month - Thank You TRU Social Workers!

Each day, TRU social workers demonstrate their dedication by providing support and compassion to those in need. Whether offering comfort to patients in hospice care, guiding families through challenging times, or connecting individuals with essential resources, your tireless efforts make a profound difference in the lives of many, and we are. grateful for your hard work and empathy. 

Thank you, social workers! You are appreciated this month and every month!



Bonuses Increased Throughout March for Employee CNA Referrals

In an initiative to hire needed Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), TRU has increased the employee referral bonus for CNA hires from $500 to $750 throughout the month of March. 

If you are acquainted with any suitable candidates, kindly submit a referral bonus request form to the Human Resources department before your referral's scheduled interview. Additionally, ensure that they mention your name when completing their employment application.

More about the Employee Referral Program here.



Please Help TRU Find Badly Needed Volunteers in Your Area

TRU has been expanding service to the southern areas, including suburbs surrounding and south of Denver. 

Volunteer Services needs an entire base of volunteers to serve this area. Our best efforts are from you - either talking with friends, neighbors, and relatives or posting on your Nextdoor or other social media for caring individuals age 18 and older. 

If you live anywhere outside of Boulder County - particularly in these cities to the south, please email TRU's Volunteer Department at volunteer@trucare.org. This will help us learn how to reach more communities like:

• Denver
• Parker
• Centennial
• Englewood
• Littleton
• Aurora
• Highland Ranch
• Golden
• Wheatridge

While these volunteer roles are often "companionship,” to visit patients where they live;

there are also needs for others such as:

• Veteran Companionship
• Massage Therapy, Reiki, or Comfort Touch
• Errands or Organizational help
• Pet Therapy, Aromatherapy
• Notary volunteers

Our expansion also includes regions surrounding Boulder County such as

Broomfield, Brighton, Thornton, Westminster, Northglenn, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Arvada, Superior, Berthoud, and Firestone/Fredrick Dacono areas

More wonderful caring people like you can be hard to find; let's share the goodness of TRU!

Please email volunteer@trucare.org for more information



TRU Thrift Shop March Sales Calendar

Current Job Openings

TRU Staff: Earn Money for Employee Referrals!

Current Job Openings at TRU

We know that good people, like you, know good people.

Let us reward you! More information here.

Be sure to submit your referral bonus request form prior to your referral's scheduled interview and ensure they write your name when completing their employment application.

Current employees can apply by emailing HR@trucare.org.

Do not apply through Indeed, as it is for external applicants only.



Save the Date

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Event

Friday, March 29, 2024, 9 am - 2 pm

Ceremony and reception at 1 pm

March 29th is National Vietnam War Veterans Day and the day before Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day is observed in Colorado. TRU Community Care and the Carbon Valley Community Center would like to honor all Veterans on this day, especially Vietnam Veterans. RSVP information will be shared in the next edition of TRU Team News. The day will include donuts and coffee at 9 am. Healing Warriors pop-up from 9 am. – 12:30 pm. Veteran to Veteran Café from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, and a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans commemoration and dessert reception from 1 – 2:30 pm.

Carbon Valley Community Center

151 Grant Street

Firestone, CO 80520

Pre-register at trucare.org/welcomehome.

My Life, My Death, My Choices

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 pm (National Healthcare Decisions Day)

Please Join TRU Community Care and The Conversation Project in Boulder County for a showing of CELLO and an evening of meaningful conversation.

Cello is a short film about a renowned musician facing a terminal diagnosis and navigating important end-of-life conversations. The film viewing will be followed by a panel and audience discussion. Hearty appetizers and dessert provided. Cash bar.

The Dairy Center for the Arts Boedecker Theater

2590 Walnut Street

Boulder, CO 80302

Pre-register at trucare.org/cello. SPACE IS LIMITED!

Welcomes and Congratulations

We're excited to welcome the following employees and travelers to our TRU family:



• James Bowers – Medical Biller/Patient Account Representative
• Thomas Cantasano – Landmark Cook
• Kylee Corder – Afterhours Hospice Triage / Virtual Care RN
• Eric Curry-Pitcher – Landmark Cook
• Esmeralda Favela – Hospice CNA
• Amy McCormick – Volunteer Coordinator
• Megan McCullough – Hospice Chaplain

And our congratulations to:

• Megan Kissel for her promotion to Hospice Clinical Manager
• Tiffani Foster for her promotion to Clinical Manager/KSC Float

This reflects new staff members and travelers who started between this edition and the last edition of TRU Team News

Fond Farewell

Sending best wishes to the following people who recently left the organization:

• Mayra Gonzalez Chavez
• Kristine Johnson
• Danyelle Ogden
• Susie Saunders
• Mary Vigil 

Congratulations to the following volunteers celebrating aniversaries with TRU in March. We appreciate all that you do for TRU!

15 Years - Sandy Hard

13 Years - Kate Sladen

12 Years - Claudia Johnson

12 Years - Caryl Sharp

11 Years - Paula Prentup

10 Years - Don Boselli

9 Years - Marie Zrust

8 Years - Bob Benson

8 Years - Barbara Gordon

8 Years - Stephen Parker

7 Years - Michele Kolman

7 Years - Donna Sueper

5 Years - Sally Kornblith

5 Years - Abigail Sperry

4 Years - Janet Denny

4 Years - Ellen Hogan

3 Years - Jessica DeSimone

3 Years - Bria Vogt

2 Years - Gail Connally

2 Years - Geoff Galbraith

2 Years - Valerie Hedge

2 Years - Jerry Jacob

2 Years - Kelly Robbins

2 Years - Patricia Shea

1 Year - Lydia Bickell

1 Year - Carol Dyer

1 Year - Kristen Eisenman

1 Year - Timothy Prout

1 Year - Linda Scanlan

1 Year - Luca Wolf-Scala