Memorial Bears Bring Comfort to Grieving Family

When a TRU hospice patient passed away earlier this year, her sister had a special request. She asked if any volunteers could create memorial teddy bears using the patient's clothing - something tangible for the family to hold onto and remember their loved one.

"I loved the idea and I thought that we have wonderful volunteers so why not just put it out there to see if there was anyone who could help this grieving family," said Laura Rhea, TRU Volunteer Coordinator.

Laura emailed the volunteers, and it turned out the wife of a current volunteer and her best friend were both skilled seamstresses. From a collection of the patient's clothing, they lovingly crafted 10 teddy bears - one for each of the patient's three adult children and seven grandchildren.

"When the sister came up to pick up the bears, she walked into the office and immediately burst into tears. She said it was like her sister was there with her," Laura recalled.

The bears were a wonderful keepsake, created by caring volunteers who turned something so simple into an invaluable gift during an immensely difficult time.

"I just love this organization so much because I see that in so many people - loving, helping, putting goodness into the world for no other reason than to put goodness in the world," Laura said. She is now considering recruiting others to offer this special service to more families served by TRU.

If you are someone who sews and would enjoy being a part of similar projects in the future, please email TRU Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Rhea at laurarhea@trucare.org.

Thanks for Attending Our Town Hall Meetings

Thank you to the 80+ attendees at the town hall sessions we held to discuss TRU's current talks with St. Paul's Senior Services. We appreciate your attendance and your insightful questions and comments.

If you were unable to attend these meetings or have further questions about the possible affiliation between TRU and St. Paul's, please reach out to Jen Thomas at jenthomas@trucare.org.



TRU Thrift Shop Staff and Volunteer Appreciation Party - Thank You!

Thank you for coming out to celebrate together and enjoy live music, dancing, food, and fun at the exclusive shopping party for all TRU employees and volunteers. 

Grief Services Spring/Summer Offerings

Join us for TRU’s exclusive grief support programs this spring and summer to help you cope with grief and loss.

Equine Workshops

TRU is partnering with Heartlight Center to offer a transformative experience alongside compassionate horses who provide invaluable support on your path through grief. Workshops are offered amidst the serene landscapes of private ranches. No prior horse experience is required.

Choose the date that works best for you; cost is $100 per participant. Workshops meet in Lyons, from 10 am – 4 pm:

• Sat., June 1, 2024
• Sat., June 29, 2024
• Sat., July 20, 2024
• Sat., September 7, 2024

Register here or call (303) 604-5300 with any questions.

Step-by-Step Hiking Group

This group offers support, exercise, and a safe place for quiet reflection on the trailhead for anyone who has suffered a death loss. We meet every Thursday morning during the summer from 9 to 11 a.m. Register here for meeting location and details. 

Register here for any of these, or call (303) 604-5300 with any questions.

Honoring Our Veteran Employees — A Message from Human Resources

Dear TRU Employees,

TRU takes immense pride in employing veterans who have bravely served our nation. We recognize that some veteran employees' service backgrounds may not currently be reflected in our records.

If you are a veteran and would like to share this information with us, please send an email to HR@trucare.org. By updating your records, we can ensure that we appropriately recognize and honor your service during company events and initiatives.

We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices made by our veteran employees and want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your service to our country.

TRU Thrift Shop May 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

Take Flight! Butterfly Release and Memorial 2024

Saturday, June 22, 2024 

9 a.m. at Heritage Park, Louisville

W. Cherry St. and S. Madison Ave.

Join us for TRU’s annual butterfly release! Releasing a butterfly in memory of a loved one is a special way to honor those we’ve lost.

Butterflies may be reserved for $20 by June 19. If, for any reason, you can’t be present on the day of the event,

our staff will release your butterflies for you. 

To purchase a butterfly, visit TRUcare.org/butterfly.

Welcomes

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



• Geneive Babyak – Student Nurse Extern 
• Nicole Clements – Nurse Navigator/Transitional Care RN
• Shyla Currier – PACE RN Case Manager
• Gil Gomez – Landmark Cook
• Luisa Lopez – PACE Intake Specialist
• Fatima Maldonado – QMAP/Caregiver
• Ivonne America Nava – Hospice CNA
• Denise Rodriguez – Dietary Aide
• Armando Salas – QMAP/Caregiver
• Jennifer Siler – Hospice RN Case Manager

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:

• Megan McCullough
• Yolanda Olvera



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

16 Years - Barb Hable

16 Years - Deborah Kelly

16 Years - Marci Ridgley

16 Years - Karen Sankey

16 Years - Miriam Sparks

15 Years - Sonia Katzer

11 Years - Patricia Barnes

11 Years - Bill Diesch

11 Years - Vindya Donahue

10 Years - Mike Arellano

9 Years - Heidi McClain

8 Years - Clair Beckmann

8 Years - Ann Thompson

7 Years - David Sherrington

7 Years - Paula Sinn-Penfold

7 Years - Ginny Watson

6 Years - Chris Munro

6 Years - Deborah Parks

6 Years - Katherine Schneider

6 Years - Connie Simpson

4 Years - Peggy Richardson

3 Years - Stella Reivich

6 Years - Chris Munro

6 Years - Deborah Parks

6 Years - Katherine Schneider

6 Years - Connie Simpson

4 Years - Peggy Richardson

3 Years - Stella Reivich

2 Years - Shane Czarnecki

2 Years - Jane Loehr

1 Year - Frank Bruno

1 Year - Isaac Crist

1 Year - Mary Kay Gilson

1 Year - Emma Lorimer

1 Year - Maria Pougiales-Posey