Finding Strength for the Journey

There is a very special group that meets twice a month in St. Paul’s library. Both men and women attend. Probably half are under the age of sixty. They share at least two things in common: they are all caregivers, and they try to never miss a meeting. This is no ordinary meeting. It is a time and place of safety and compassionate acceptance. Hardly a meeting passes that someone doesn’t comment, “You are my family.” Members of this group have found themselves the primary caregiver for their spouse, parent, or close friend. Those being cared for suffer from a wide variety of illnesses or conditions.
    There is no cost for belonging to this special group. All caregivers are welcome. No caregiver needs to “go it alone.” Our conversations are totally confidential, and are highly therapeutic and revitalizing. There is a group facilitator, but the group itself steers its own course, providing deep insights and thoughtful listening.
    The “cared for” person does not need to attend the C.A.R.E.S. program, though a number of them do. (C.A.R.E.S. provides a safe and helpful environment for them, and they feel more assured knowing the caregiver is “just downstairs.”)
    We meet the first and third Thursday of every month, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Please join us.

                             -Gay Blundell, facilitator