Senior News April, 2003 Vol. 22. No.  4

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Friends of the Dunes: One thing leads to another

April Activities

Nonprofits serve our community

Staff Favorite Nonprofits

Caregiver Registry: Program to change after July 31

Fortuna Senior needs emerge from meeting

Senior Citizens Foundation announces grants

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About one year ago I became a CASA. What's a CASA? A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children who have been removed from the custody of their parent(s) due to allegations of child neglect or abuse. A CASA becomes "a voice for that child" not only in court, but in other areas of the child's life as well -school issues, health concerns, placement issues and the future needs of the child which may reflect difficult life experiences.

My children are grown and live far away. Though I now work with adults and the elderly, I had spent many years working with young children. I like children. They have wonderful energy. They see the world in ways we may have forgotten as adults and they need to know there are adults present in their lives whom they can trust. I have time in my life now to connect with a child who has experienced emotional or physical pain and is in need of an adult who is totally there for them.

I recently went to a CASA Conference. I was touched by the comments of four teenagers who have spent years in the foster care system. They shared that they had been in many different foster homes, had attended many different schools, had many different social workers and attorneys. Change was always a large part of their lives. However, the one constant person for them was their CASA. Many CASAs have a long term relationship with their child that sees them from dependency to adulthood.

Our local CASA agency was founded in 1991. CASA has assisted more than 1,000 children during this time. I am working with one young boy. We spend about three hours together every weekend. We made a list of his favorite activities and check them off each time we go out. We both look forward to our time together. For me, the best gift I can receive is to know I have made a positive difference in another's life.

CASA is now conducting volunteer training. If you think you might have the time and desire to make a difference in a child's life you can contact Yvonne Doble at the CASA office located at 2356 Myrtle Ave. in Eureka. Her phone number is 443-3197. If you can't volunteer, you can support my favorite nonprofit by making a contribution to the Cherish the Child Fundraiser. The goal is to raise $35,000 by June.

Our local CASA also has a website, www.humboldtcasa.org.

What are we doing this weekend? The beach, a picnic lunch and those spontaneous adventures we always find along the way. I'm looking forward to it and so is my CASA child!

Nancy Conlon is HSRC's director of Social Services. Her e-mail is nconlon@humsenior.org.

Barbara Clark My favorite nonprofit is the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, a sterling example of that strange offshoot of Christian and Universalist denominations. It does not tell its members what to believe, but instead it encourages independent spiritual growth. It bases its practices on Judeo-Christian heritage as well as earth-based religions of the Native peoples. Our local group has among its membership people who helped establish Redwood National and State Parks and the Arcata Marsh.

HUUF offers Sunday services at 9 and 11 a.m. with a children's program offered at 11 a.m. My contribution to the Fellowship is to coordinate dream workshops with UU minister Jeremy Taylor from the Bay Area which provide a new local arena for psycho-spiritual growth.

Barbara Clark is editor of Senior News. Her e-mail is srnews@northcoast.com.

Roz Keller My favorite nonprofit is Temple Beth El, an egalitarian Jewish congregation serving people of all levels of observance. The oldest Jewish community in Humboldt County, Temple Beth El offers weekly services, a religious school, adult education, observances of the Jewish holidays throughout the year, and nationally-known visiting rabbis and scholars. It has been my spiritual home since I moved to Eureka in 1983.

Roz Keller is fund development manager. Her e-mail is rkeller@humsenior.org.

Lisa Stone Because of what it does and what it stands for, the Humboldt Senior Resource Center Adult Day Health Services is my favorite nonprofit. It provides a place for adults who have physical and mental disabilities to socialize in a therapeutic environment. This includes medical management by using RNs, physical therapists, speech and occupational therapists, and nutrition and psychiatric consultants. It gives caregivers respite from caregiving in a safe environment for the person in their charge.

ADHS also provides Alzheimer's Day Care and the Alzheimer's Resource Center which offers a resource library and training for family members and caregivers.

Lisa Stone is HSRC fiscal assistant who takes care of Senior News and Adult Day Health Services billing. Her e-mail is lstone@humsenior.org.

The Humboldt Senior Resource Center's web site is www.humsenior.org. Please visit us at 1910 California St., Eureka, California.