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We had a great year of growth! Thanks to all of you who participate, donate, and enable us to support families with loved ones with mental illnesses.
Blog
New Resources
I subscribe to several groups that offer a wide variety of additional resources as families walk this journey of adjusting to chronic mental illness in a loved one. There is a new blog developed by a mother who bravely shares her journey since learning that her son has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (since 2017). The link to her blog: https://theshatteredpath.net/blog
On Facebook, in addition to our closed support group, there is another closed support group that welcomes families who care for loved ones with mental illnesses called “Families For Care Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1384004078381511/
Finally, another blog that is filled with great information is written by author and advocate, Pete Earley. He has also been a journalist with the Washington Post and he has written over 17 best-selling books that are compelling for their honesty and facts. http://www.peteearley.com/
Donation Goodies!
We are offering some of our resources as gifts for donations of $25 (8×11 poster), $50 (book: Safety or ALL Brochure), $100 (poster and book). The picture features your options! Click the donate button below and you will be redirected to PayPal.
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How to Support a Friend Going Through a Rough Time
Safety Essentials
The ebooklet is a form that you can download and fill out as a user friendly plan that can also second as a crisis tool: booklet
The only psychiatric advance directive in MA and many other states is part of the plan contained in this wonderful, thorough, comprehensive health proxy form. Well worth having on hand for all loved ones, and it is especially helpful when our loved ones have chronic illnesses and are in need for proxy care at times: five wishes
Safety Plan
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Holiday Self-Care
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Greetings and Gift Ideas
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So many things to be grateful for!
We want to thank everyone who has generously donated to our #GivingTuesday fundraiser. Feel free to hop on board; it is still going for at least another week. So far, your charitable giving has brought in over $2500!
Other ways to support us in supporting families:
Turn your great ride into a great gift this holiday season! Grow a Strong Family accepts cars, trucks, boats, RVs, and other vehicles as a form of support— and we provide free and convenient pick-up within 72 hours of completing the donation.
Call 855-500-7433 or click here to contact a Donor Representative to learn more about how easy it is to donate a vehicle— but hurry! Give your vehicle a chance to drive cheer and support to those who need it most before it’s too late to qualify for a 2018 tax deduction.
Donations in honor of or in memory of are now accepted being accepted through: https://growastrongfamily.org/donations/
Another way to give is to buy and give to people you know, copies of “Safety Procedures for Families to Defuse Mental Illness Crises at Home,” by Nancy Pizzo Bucher: http://indieauthorbooks.com/nonfiction
For quick and easy resources: there is now a GASF Brochures page: here is the link https://growastrongfamily.org/sample-page/resources/brochures/ .
The module on, “Defensive, not Offensive,” in the Family Strategies section of the Care4Carers tab is complete! Reframing the behaviors, we experience enables us to identify symptomatic behaviors. Reframing what we experience from our loved ones, frees us to use our strategies for communicating concerns and implementing the safety plans in place. https://growastrongfamily.org/self-care/defensive-not-offensive/
A module has been developed on “Crisis Management and Safety Protocols”. As the title suggests, this is the nuts and bolts of creating an implementable crisis management plan, including a portfolio for emergencies. https://growastrongfamily.org/self-care/safety-crisis-management/
This month, we are completing the module on “The 7 C’s.” This answers the “why” of self-care and offers some ideas for the “how.” https://growastrongfamily.org/self-care/the-7-cs/
FREE COACHING OPPORTUNITY! Volunteers are needed to participate in a televised coaching session on “Developing a Safety Plan.” Date for the taping at Bedford TV is W Jan 9 from 1-2:30. There will be a complimentary private session prior to the taping. Please let us know ASAP your interest! GASFInc@outlook.com
Replanting Lives has been moved the morning group on the second Tuesday from 10:30-noon to the New England Center for Healthy Minds in Acton. It is still in session on the second Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm at the Bedford Council of Aging. This is a support group which offers effective tools and strategies, humor, and relief to family members uprooted by mental illness in their loved ones.
We hold Board Meetings every 4-6 weeks. In these meetings, we discuss development and growth for Grow a Strong Family, outreach, marketing, fundraising, and programming. All are welcome. The next meeting with be held on Jan 27 from 4:30-6 in our home offices. Call 781.405.8376 for more information.
Another way to give!
Turn your great ride into a great gift this holiday season! Grow a Strong Family accepts cars, trucks, boats, RVs, and other vehicles as a form of support— and we provide free and convenient pick-up within 72 hours of completing the donation.
Call 855-500-7433 or Click to donate car to contact a Donor Representative to learn more about how easy it is to donate a vehicle— but hurry! Give your vehicle a chance to drive cheer and support to those who need it most before it’s too late to qualify for a 2018 tax deduction