Kinship fall 2014

Fall 2014

On Saturday, November 22nd, kinship families gathered for a dinner in celebration of National Caregiver Appreciation Month at Covenant Community United Methodist Church. National Family Caregivers Month is a time to reflect on the compassion and dedication that family caregivers embody every day.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings take on the role of caring for children in our community while putting their lives on hold to lift up someone close to them.

Homemade potato soup, chili, corn bread and desserts were served to all families in attendance. This dinner served as a ‘thank you’ to the families, and everything they do to provide for the children in their care. Upon leaving, entire Thanksgiving meals, including the turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and all the fixings, were given to every family so they had one less thing to worry about this Holiday season. Thank you Kinship caregivers for putting the children you care for, first. Thank you for keeping them safe. Thank you for keeping them healthy. Thank you for the hundreds of small things you do every day that may go unnoticed. Also, The Bair Foundation is thankful for the kindness and generosity Covenant UMC continues to show kinship families in Buncombe County.

On Saturday, October 11th, Kinship families gathered at The Tack Room for the 2nd annual Kinshp Coats 4 Kids event. Winter coats, hats, gloves, pj's and socks were provided to ensure that every kinship child stays warm and snuggly during the cold winter months that lie ahead. Chik-fil-A biscuits, sweet treats, coffee and Millie's wassail were also provided to ensure the experience was extra sweet!

Thank you to The Tack Room and all of the wonderful volunteers who made the day a success. More than 40 Buncombe county kinship children have received winter coats from The Tack Room this year.

If you are still in need of winter clothing items, please contact Millie Lewis via telephone call or text message at 828-777-6033.

Who is Bair & What is Kinship?

Bair’s Asheville Location at Executive Park

T

he Bair Foundation is a child and family ministry with over 45 years of experience in the field of child welfare. Our Asheville office has been providing therapeutic foster care to local abused and neglected youth for the past four years.

We recruit and retain quality homes in Asheville and the surrounding areas that are able to provide structure, stability, safety, and love to children in the foster care system. The Bair Foundation actively recruits teen homes and families who are willing to take sibling groups, as that is where the need is greatest. The objective of our ministry is to strengthen families and ultimately provide permanency for these children, either through returning home, foster-to-adopt, legal guardianship, or kinship care.

Kinship Care is a program designed to help support a child who resides outside of his or her own home, either temporarily or for the long term, with a relative, godparents, stepparents or any adult who has a “kinship bond” with a child. Kinship Care is an option that allows a child to grow into adulthood in a familiar family environment instead of being placed in foster care.

THANK YOU Kinship families for providing transitional care for your “kin” while their biological parents complete the steps necessary so their children can return home.

Questions?

Laura May, Kinship Coordinator The Bair Foundation Executive Park Suite 108 - Bldg. 1 Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 350-5197 (877) 213-0723 toll free (828) 350- 5199 fax email: LMay@bair.org Buncombe County Dept. of Social Services 40 Coxe Avenue, PO Box 7408 Asheville, NC 28802 (828) 250-5500 (828) 250-6235 fax

Kinship

Resources

Community Action Opportunities: Weatherization Assistance Program

COMMUNITY ACTION OPPORTUNITIES

(828) 252-2495 Weatherization Services help families and individuals who live on limited incomes to stay warmer in winter, cooler in summer and save money on their utility bills. Both homeowners and renters can apply for services.

Through the Weatherization Assistance Program, home improvements are made that result in safer and more energy efficient homes. A trained crew visits the customer's home to identify problems. The best approach

to improve the homeowners efficiency is determined. Customers do not have to pay for either the experienced labor or the high quality materials used in the program. Landlords with incomes above federal poverty guidelines are required to pay a minimum of $275.00. Residents can request more information and/or apply for Weatherization Services by calling 828-252-2495.

Immunization Clinic: Get Your Flu Shot Today The flu is a serious disease that can particularly affect younger children, older adults, and individuals with certain chronic health conditions. The CDC recommends that all individuals 6 months and older get the flu vaccine each and every year. Flu shots are available from your health care provider and local pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid).

The flu vaccine is also available at the Immunication Clinic located at 40 Coxe

IMMUNIZATION CLINIC

828-250-6400 40 Coxe Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 Avenue in downtown Asheville, across the street from the post office and bus station. Parking is free. Anyone 6 months and older may receive a flu vaccine at this location, without an appointment, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

this Winter The Farmer's Almanac has given us time-tested and generation approved advice on the weather for nearly 200 years. Below are some tips - from both Almanac editors and readers - about how to stay warm this winter. These aren't 'big' projects, just simple and resource ways to help warm you up!

1. Dress in Layers Bundle up with long underwear, sweaters and even hats inside.

Remember the days of "sleeping caps"? they make sense when so much heat escapes from the head. To avoid getting overheated inside, wear layers, and try a "wicking" polyester (or silk) undershirt next to your skin rather than cotton.

2. Keep Your Feet Warm House slippers and socks make a difference, but keeping your socks changed helps. Everyone forgets that your feet sweat, and THAT can make you cold even when you are layered up. For the outdoors, it really helps to insert foam liners in your boots or shoes to give your toes an extra layer of insulation.

3. Heat Up Your Bed Don't turn up the heat for the entire house. Use an electric blanket. An even cheaper and safer option may be a hot water bottle with a wool or fleece cover, or a rice bag heated in the microwave will help keep your toes warm.

4. Harness the Sun During the day, open the blinds and curtains on the south-facing windows and let the sun warm you. At night, close the blinds and curtains to better insulate your home.

5. Block Drafts Just like layers of clothing, put layers on your window .Flannel or thermal backed drapes or curtains over blinds will help hold in the heat. Towels or a draft roll at the bottom of doors will help keep out the drafts. Close off parts of the house that you are not using with a large blanket over a stairwell or hallway opening, will help keep the heat in the part that you are using.

6. Humidify Your Home Not only does a humidifier keep your house warmer, but also eliminates drying indoor air.

- Adapted from The Old Farmers Almanac www.almanac.com/blog/editors-musings/blog-keeping-warm-winter

Bair’s Monthly Kinship Caregiver Support Group

The Wood Shed Ministry Will you be in need of firewood this winter? If so, the Kinship Program has a resource available for families to help with this need. Depending on availability, the Wood Shed will deliver the wood to your home free of charge within one week of the request being made. In addition, if you have hardwood trees or large limbs on the ground that you need removed from the property, please let us know. The Wood Shed is always interested in cutting and splitting hardwood limbs and trees to replenish our wood supply. Please contact Laura May at 350-5197 for more information.

When you go to a kinship support meeting you get a chance to connect with other kinship caregivers by sharing stories and information, offering support and listening to each other.

Come out and join us for Kinship, Coffee & Conversation! Please contact Laura May for more information or questions.

Bair Support Groups Dates: Tuesday, December 16th 9:00 AM Thursday, January 8th at 5:30 PM Tuesday, January 20th at 9:00 AM *Kinship Caregivers are also invited to attend Bair’s Opportunities in Crisis training. This training will discuss how to decrease conflict and power struggles with the children you are caring for. Contact Laura May for dates and times if interested.

Where: Bair office: Executive Park Building 1, Suite 108, Asheville Contact: Laura May 828-350-5197 email: lmay@bair.org

A Decree for Me! Taking care of someone else is a selfless act of love, but it can easily become overwhelming. One of the most important, and often neglected, tasks of a caregiver is to take care of yourself. Your physical, emotional and mental health is vital for the well-being of both yourself and the child you are caring for. With the New Year upon us, it’s a great time to make resolutions that can relieve stress and have a positive impact on your role as a caregiver.

Here are some ways to balance your needs:

Dial 2-1-1

1. Seek Help. It’s OK to ask for help. Just because you took on the responsibilities of a caregiver doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. There are many local and online support groups for caregivers that can offer support and provide valuable resources. When a friend or family member offers help, say “yes.”

United Way’s 2-1-1 of Western North Carolina is a community service information line that links people to health and human services in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, McDowell and Transylvania counties.

2. Give Yourself a Break. Leisure time may seem impossible in a busy care giving situation, but it is important to get some time to yourself. Visit with friends and don’t lose those connections. If it’s difficult to leave the house, invite friends to your place. Find time to watch a movie, read a book, paint, listen to music or do something you enjoy. The time you take to relax will enhance the quality of your care giving.

2-1-1 service is free, confidential and available 24/7 to speakers of all languages. Whether you want to find or give help, trained referral specialists are available to answer your call and identify the right resources for you.

3. Eat Healthier and Exercise More. Easier said than done… and while it may seem easier to eat fast food or buy microwaveable meals rather than prepare healthier meals, a more balanced diet will give you the energy to maintain high-quality care. Even a short walk around the neighborhood can be a great way to relieve stress and take care of some of your needs.

Remember, it’s never too late to decide to take better care of yourself! *http://blog.caringbridge.org/self-care-for-caregivers