Students to Offer Organizational Assistance for Caregiving

Published 11.03.2009

News
Human Services & Restorative Justice
Events
Student News

Students enrolled in the human services major at Pennsylvania College of Technology will host an event Nov. 4 to offer organizational help to caregivers and their loved ones.

As part of the Service Learning in Sociology course, taught by LaRue R. Reese, assistant professor of human services/social sciences, the students are offering to help organize "Share the Care" groups for Lycoming County residents who, because of illness or injury, need assistance with daily tasks.



The concept is based on the book "Share the Care: How to Organize a Group to Care for Someone Who is Seriously Ill." The handbook was coauthored by Cappy Capossela and Sheila Warnock, who were part of a group of 12 women who received a call in March 1988 to come to a meeting to try to find a way to help their friend cope with her worsening cancer. The 12 women worked together for three and a half years to take care of her, dividing such duties as cooking, shopping, taking her to doctor appointments and keeping track of her medications.

Members of that group were moved by the experience and have since founded a nonprofit organization to help others set up similar teams. The group's mission is to help improve the quality of life for a person who is seriously ill, disabled or experiencing challenges from aging, and to reduce the stress, depression, isolation and economic hardship often suffered by caregivers.

The Penn College students would like to help others in Lycoming County set up such a caregiver "family" of friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances. They will help teams organize using a simple, easy-to-follow system and a workbook guide that helps ensure every job will be completed and no one person will have too much to do.

The students will host an informational meeting for anyone interested in forming such a group. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 in the college's Student and Administrative Services Center Presentation Room (Room 1056).

Service Learning in Sociology is a course in which students initiate advocacy, contribution, volunteerism and service, transferring the theoretical knowledge they've gained in the classroom to the community.

Students participating in the project are Jill S. Arnold, of Montoursville; Angela E. Burfield, of Williamsport; Dana M. Eaton, of Honey Grove; Marjaneh R. Frelin, of DuBoistown; Nicole S. Gross, of Northumberland; Nicole S. Hetner, of South Williamsport; Maranda L. Kromer, of Williamsport; Valerie A. LaCerra, of Linden; Laura A. Richards, of Williamsport; and Teresa C. Schon, of Williamsport.

To learn more about Share the Care, visit online .

For more information about human services and other academic programs offered by the School of Integrated Studies at Penn College, call 570-327-4521 or visit on the Web .

To learn more about Penn College, visit online , call toll-free 800-367-9222 or e-mail .