Join us on November 7th for “Who Cares? We do!” a free conference on caregiver needs, services and resources
East Texas AAA • October 24, 2019
In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, ETCOG’s Area Agency on Aging of East Texas has joined with the St. Louis Baptist Church of Tyler’s Comfort and Care Ministry to bring a free conference for caregivers, “Who cares? We do!”. The conference is designed to offer caregivers – families and individuals in East Texas caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions – with information and resources needed to carry out their role as caregiver. The conference will include presentations from local experts on Opioid Misuse Prevention, Medicare Enrollment, Services in the Aging Network, and featured presentations, “What Makes the Impossible, Possible,”
from care recipient, Wendell Jeffery, and “Lessons Learned from Ms. Jessie & Me,”
from motivational speaker, Lawandra Smith.
“As loved ones age, debilitating disease, chronic health conditions or simple frailty can arise in a family, and one may end up a caregiver, sometimes unexpectedly,” said ETCOG’s Area Agency on Aging Director, Bettye Mitchell. “While some employ paid providers, most rely on assistance from families, friends and neighbors, who soon become “on call" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We see the role stress plays in the lives of family caregivers who are trying to do too much with too few resources. This conference is here to support and guide individuals in their caregiving role.”
“Who cares? We do!”
Caregivers Conference will be held on Thursday, November 7th, at the St. Louis Baptist Church located at 4000 Frankston Hwy., from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Lunch will be provided.
“Caregivers are a gift of honor,” says Rev. Ralph E. Caraway, Sr., senior pastor of the St. Louis Baptist Church. “St. Louis’ Comfort and Care Ministry and I are dedicated to honoring those who give so much of themselves.”
Pre-registration is needed by Tuesday, November 6th to participate. For reservations, please call (903) 595-5212 or email Juanita.Padron@etcog.org.
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas is partnering with First Christian Church in Jacksonville to offer a free Benefits & Estate Planning Presentation for Seniors and Caregivers. The informative workshop will be held Thursday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Christian Church Sanctuary, 1920 Beaumont Street in Jacksonville. Presented by Paul Zambie, Managing Attorney with Texas Legal Services Center, the session will help attendees better understand legal and planning issues that can affect older adults and their families. Topics will include wills and trusts, deeds, transfer-on-death deeds, long-term care Medicaid, Medicaid estate recovery, and senior services. This free presentation is designed to give seniors and caregivers practical information to help prepare for life’s challenges and make informed decisions about the future. For more information, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at 903-218-6500 or 1-800-442-8845.
This summer, ETCOG Director of Aging Programs Adrian Cornejo welcomed an extraordinary experience into his home through his volunteer work with Creating Friendships for Peace (CFP). For one month, Adrian hosted two students from Cyprus, Michael and Derin, who came to East Texas through the CFP program. During their stay, the students shared a room in Adrian’s home, experienced daily life in the region, shadowed Adrian at ETCOG, and attended an ETCOG Executive Committee meeting. Creating Friendships for Peace brings young people from communities affected by longstanding divisions together for cultural exchange, dialogue, and relationship-building. Cyprus has been divided for decades between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, with a history of conflict and mistrust that can shape how young people see those from the other side of the island. Adrian said the experience gave him a deeply personal view of how division can affect young people and how meaningful it can be when they have the opportunity to connect outside of those divisions. “What I witnessed through these young men was difficult to process,” Adrian said. “Each of their societies has, in different ways, instilled distrust, division, and even hatred toward people on the ‘other side.’ Perhaps the most heartbreaking part is hearing that this begins when they are children.” Through his involvement with CFP, Adrian also hosted two young men from Israel for a few days, one Jewish Israeli and one Arab Israeli, who similarly came from communities shaped by complex social and political divisions. “This is not a political story,” Adrian said. “It is a personal reflection on what has been one of the most emotional and humbling experiences of my life. Hearing the students’ experiences made me realize just how much we take for granted here in the United States,” he said. “We have the freedom to think, to question, and to decide for ourselves what we believe and how we treat others.” For Michael and Derin, their time in East Texas offered an opportunity to see a different community, to witness regional collaboration in action as our elected officials voted on ETCOG business, and to build friendships beyond the boundaries and assumptions they may encounter at home. “I think words are too little to describe the last four weeks,” said Michael. “This month we became a family. I was talking with Derin, and I told him it feels like we are packing to go to vacation, not home.” “I want to thank Mr. Adrian for hosting us and being part of our destiny in this trip,” said Darin. “You are very hard working and care about us. I am very grateful for you taking us to San Antonio trip, for your work, and giving us opportunities to meet wonderful people…I wish to mature up and become a person like you one day wh helps everyone like you do.” Adrian said the friendships formed through CFP demonstrate that meaningful change often starts on a personal level. “Peace doesn’t begin with governments or political agreements,” Adrian said. “Sometimes, it begins with a conversation, a friendship, and the willingness to see another person as a human being rather than as a representative of ‘the other side.’” He added that he is grateful for the friendships and perspectives the students brought into his life. “I will carry their stories, their friendship, and what I learned from them with me for a very long time,” Adrian said. ETCOG is proud to recognize Adrian’s commitment to service and his willingness to share both his home and workplace with students participating in this important exchange for peace.
