Powerful Tools for Caregivers Training

This April, Monadnock ServiceLink Aging and Disability Resource Center in partnership with Home Healthcare, Hospice, and Community Services (HCS) will run a nationally recognized caregiver support training program called Powerful Tools for Caregivers. The Powerful Tools for Caregivers training will help informal caregivers, those who provide the care that allows a loved to remain living at home in the community, to develop the skills and plans they need to take care of themselves.

An estimated 21% of Americans are informal caregivers. One third of these caregivers report symptoms of depression and anywhere from 11% to 17% report their health has deteriorated due to their caregiving responsibilities. Based on these estimates, there are over 3,000 residents of the Monadnock region who could realize significant health benefits from participating in Powerful Tools for Caregivers.

The training sessions will take place at Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, 312 Marlboro Street, Keene on Thursdays, April 4th through May 9th, from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm.

The trainers will be Beverly Lee Packard, Caregiver Specialist, Monadnock ServiceLink Resource Center and Jena Rutter, Site Supervisor, Monadnock ServiceLink Resource Center.

Seating is limited. RSVP by calling 603-357-1922

Monadnock ServiceLink Aging and Disability Resource Center is a community-based organization that provides information, options, and support to older adults, disabled adults, chronically ill individuals, and family caregivers. Services are provided at no cost to everyone, regardless of income and/or eligibility for state or federally funded programs.

Event Planning For Profitable Fund Raising: A Professional Approach

Peterborough Chamber March Breakfast

Wednesday March 6, 2013
7:30 am-9:00 pm
Monadnock Country Club, 49 High Street, Peterborough, NH

Carl Lindblade, speaking from over forty years of experience, brings us his expertise on Event Planning For Profitable Fund Raising. Carl began his hotel career at the Balsams Resort in Dixville Notch and for the past 40+ years has operated 3 and 4 diamond hotels and resorts. In addition to years of hands on experience he brings a commitment to community and industry service. He is currently a lecturer in the hospitality management department at the University of New Hampshire.

Carl will share his professional approach to organizing an event for fund raising and how to measure the PR as well as the economic impact of an event. This seminar will challenge you with new ideas and helpful hints to make your fund raising events more profitable, purposeful and professional.

Only $10 for members, $15 for not-yet-members. A delicious breakfast buffet will be provided by Nonie’s Bakery & Catering. You may register online, email rsvp@peterboroughchamber.com, or by calling the Peterborough Chamber at 603-924-7234.

Tax Season — Learn About Free Resources to Help You Through

For many, filing their own tax return can be a daunting task, and they seek the help of a tax preparer. Did you know there are free tax preparation sites in or near your community? VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites are located at non-profits, banks, and credit unions throughout the state. The preparers at these sites are trained and knowledgeable about tax filing rules. To find a VITA site near you, contact the IRS at (800) 906-9887 or call 211. AARP’s Tax-Aide program also provides free tax preparation assistance through trained volunteers. To find a list of Tax-Aide sites, visit http://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/. Both VITA and Tax-Aide sites are usually open by the beginning of February, so there may be one available to you now in your own community.

When you have your taxes prepared, you will need to bring some important documents. For a list of these documents, go to http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers and scroll down. Get a head start by beginning to gather these documents today.

When you have your taxes prepared for you, one of the credits the preparer should screen for is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), one of the federal government’s largest anti-poverty programs. If you qualify, it could mean a sizeable refund. Several criteria must be met in order to qualify for the credit. To learn if you will qualify for the credit, visit this IRS EITC page at http://apps.irs.gov/app/eitc2012/SetLanguage.do?lang=en. This page will provide you with all the information you need to determine if you can claim this credit. If you have children and plan to claim them on your return for EITC purposes, you should also review the “qualifying child” rules and be sure you have proper documentation handy to show that you meet the guidelines.

Many have increased stress around tax filing season because they have an unresolved tax problem from a prior year. If you, a family member, friend, or someone you work with is in this situation, the NH Pro Bono Low-Income Taxpayer Project (LITP) may be able to help. The LITP works with volunteer lawyers and tax professionals to provide free representation to taxpayers before the IRS to help resolve past tax year disputes. The types of issues the LITP addresses include deficiency notices, audits, non-filers, and social security or wage levies, just to name a few. To learn more about the LITP and whether you may qualify for assistance, call (603) 228-6028 or visit the Project’s website at http://www.nhbar.org/for-the-public/low-income%20taxpayer%20project.asp.

Don’t let tax filing season or a past tax year problem ruin your spring! Know that there are resources available to assist you and reach out today.

NH Pro Bono is a Monadnock United Way Agency.

DONOR RETENTION

by Katie Gardella

“We need to add new names to our database.”

A board member said this to me at a development committee recently. It was my first meeting with the board of a new client so I probed for more information. After a brief discussion I learned that the organization had 5,000 names on the database, that they mailed to this group once a year, and that they don’t engage in any active cultivation.

So you have 5,000 names on your database — people who have demonstrated that they care about your organization and mission and you want to add new people who have no attachment to the organization? Why?

So many people think that “more” is the answer. This particular board member surmised that because revenues were not growing, the answer must be to add new prospects. The fact of the matter is, it is a lot easier to retain and upgrade current donors (and a lot more cost effective) than to convince new ones to give. So: what are you doing to retain and grow your current donor base?

• Are you segmenting your mailing lists? Making sure you are asking your $50/$100/$500 donors to give a little more this year?
• Are you reaching out to your donors occasionally through communications that do not ask for money? An e-newsletter or quarterly update?
• Are you thanking your donors promptly and often? Do you recognize donors on your website, in your newsletters, or at events (with their permission, of course)?
• Are you creating opportunities to meet and educate your donors through events, round-table discussions, brown-bag lunches?

Katie Gardella is Founder and President of Prosper Fundraising Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in major gifts, board and staff development, and development planning. Please visit www.prosperfundraising.com for more information and free resources.

Southwestern Community Services

SCS Energy Services through Southwestern Community Services is available for anyone wishing to apply for Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, or Neighbor Helping Neighbor. The current income guidelines are subject to change based on funding and should not prevent households from applying.

Also, if anyone would like brochures for the Fuel and Electric Assistance Programs we would be happy to provide them. We are also available in the spring and summer months to attend staff meetings, answer questions, provide presentations, etc. Feel free to contact Beth Daniels at bdaniels@scshelps.org for more information.

Please know that the Fuel Assistance Program is open for applications through April 2013. The program will then be closed and will re-open in late summer/early fall. The Electric Assistance Program is open year-round.

Thank you!
SCS Staff

SCS is a Monadnock United Way Agency

City Express Offers Special Green Pass

The City Express, Keene’s Public Transportation for everyone is offering a special “Green Pass” for St. Patrick’s Day. Ten ride passes will be available at the discounted price of $5.00 on March 15 only. Passes will be sold on all City Express buses.

The City Express stops at all major shopping centers, downtown, at the Cheshire Medical Center, most social and human service agencies and many other locations throughout the City seventeen times during the day. Flag stops can also be made along the route as long as the bus can safely stop. For complete schedule information, visit www.cityexpress.org or call 352-8494.

For those who need door to door service, the Friendly Bus is available for senior citizens over 60, and the Para Express is available for those under age 60 with a transit disability. Reservations are needed one day in advance for these services and can be made by calling 603-352-8494.

The City Express is operated by Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, a Monadnock United Way Agency.

Working With Children?

Suelaine Poling, Executive Director of Keene Day Care Center shares some thoughts with those of you who work with children.

You have one of the best jobs in the world!

You have the fun of planting seeds every day
And watching expectantly to see how they grow.

Not just the seeds planted in the beds on the playground that turn into beans, carrots, basil, etc.
You grow the seeds that are the children of our community.

You have a very important role.
You provide the soil and the water and the light.
You protect and nurture the tiny seedlings.
If they are growing crooked, you provide a support for them to lean on.
You watch them gradually unfold.

Sometimes the unfolding is painfully slow,
And sometimes it bursts open.

Yes, you plant seeds.
The seeds of knowledge, curiosity, wonder.
The seeds of beauty, joy, love.

These tiny, fragile beginnings will grow to be the meadows and fields and forests of the future.
The strength of our community depends on them,
And therefore depends on you.

You help shape the future each and every day.
What an incredible responsibility.
What a wonderful privilege.

No other job creates such a lasting impact.

You really do have one of the best jobs in the world!

Keene Day Care Center is a Monadnock United Way Agency.

Programs and Volunteer Opportunities at Hospice at HCS

Sudden Loss Support Group

Hospice at HCS is offering a grief support group for anyone who has experienced the sudden or traumatic loss of a loved one. The group starts on March 13th, and continues on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm through April 17th at HCS, 312 Marlboro Street in Keene.

Registration is necessary. Call Lynn Anne Palmer at 603-352-2253 to register or for more information. This support group is open to the public and is offered free of charge as a community service.

Spring Training for Hospice at HCS Volunteers

Hospice at HCS is offering a volunteer training program starting in March for those who are interested in becoming volunteers. The training will begin on March 19th and continue on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm through May 21st.

Volunteers are members of the hospice care team, providing support to the patient and to family members. After completing the training, volunteers assist hospice patients with interests such as writing letters, reading, playing board games, scrap booking, or may accompany a patient to a community event or to visit friends; volunteers also provide respite to family members. Hospice volunteers are especially needed during the day, but time can be very flexible and work around work and travel commitments.

The training program is offered free of charge, but class size is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, contact Lorraine Bishop, Hospice at HCS Volunteer Coordinator at 603-352-2253 or lbishop@HCSservices.org.

The Hospice at HCS is a not for profit hospice with offices in Keene, Peterborough and Charlestown. Care is provided wherever a person calls home — their own home, or in an assisted living facility or nursing home.

GED Services Provided By Western Hillsborough County Family Services

Western Hillsborough County Family Services (WHCFS) has received a grant from the Monadnock Ledger Transcript to continue providing GED services in collaboration with Project LIFT.

“Ledger-Transcript has selected Project Lift as the 2012 recipient of an annual foundation grant from our parent company, Newspapers of New England. Fornier says the $1,500 will help the nonprofit better serve the Monadnock region. The funding will allow the program to continue in Peterborough for another year.” ( Ledger-Transcript 1/8/13)

The WHCFS and LIFT applied for the grant jointly. WHCFS began offering GED services at its Riverview Site in Peterborough in November of 2011 with funding from Southern New Hampshire Services, The Town of Peterborough and Project LIFT. The collaboration has been very successful and has brought Project LIFT back to Peterborough after a 5-year absence. This new grant ensures that we will be able to continue providing GED services in Peterborough and possibly expand the service to more than one evening a week. Currently GED services are offered at the WHCFS office in Peterborough on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm with additional hours available by appointment.

Agencies wishing to access this service can call Erika Alusic-Bingham at 603-924-9601. Western Hillsborough County Family Services is a Southern New Hampshire Services program.

Western Hillsborough County Family Services is a Monadnock United Way Agency.

Agency/Program Wish List

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Western New Hampshire
Digital camera, space heater, laptop computers and a document scanner — 352-9536, ext. 106

The Community Kitchen
Delivery drivers to deliver take-home food boxes on Thursday mornings. Depending on the route, it would take 1-2 hours. Volunteers would need their own vehicle and be able to lift about 40 pounds. — 352-3200

Contoocook Valley Transportation Company (CVTC)
Volunteer drivers for the Eastern Monadnock region — 877-428-2882, ext. 5

Horse Power Therapeutic Riding at Touchstone Farm
Looking for volunteers for Horse Power Therapeutic RidingTouchstone Farm riding program — Terri, 654-8562

Keene Day Care Center
Washable markers, balls (any kind) — 352-2129

Keene Senior Center
Gardening hand tools for vegetable garden, paper towels, paper napkins, disposable coffee cups, IT volunteer to help with computer problems — 352-5037

Monadnock Area Peer Support Agency (MPS)
Digital camera, someone to tune our piano, a cloth to cover the piano keys, twin-sized bed linens, towels, wash cloths, bathmat, twin-sized comforter, Nintendo Wii, jelly stretch elastic for jewelry-making — 352-5093

Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention
Personal hygiene kits: toothbrushes, deodorant, travel-size shampoo, conditioner, body wash/soap, lotion, razors and shaving cream — 352-3782

Monadnock Family Services
Baby soaps & lotions, baby food, bottles and toddler cups, teething rings, toilet paper & tissues, blankets, cleaning products, hand sanitizer/antibacterial wipes, utensils, sheets, cereal bowls, sponges, family-oriented DVDs, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, baggies etc., nonperishable food — Stefanie, 355-3040

Desktop and/or laptop computers — 283-1572

Phoenix House Keene Center
Bicycle(s) in good working condition, area rugs, towels, percussion
instruments — Mary, 358-4041

The River Center
Coats, snow pants, hats, mittens, gloves, boots (ALL sizes!!),
a good strong-working vacuum — 924-6800

The Samaritans, Inc.
Individually packaged snacks and/or beverages, crossword and Sudoku puzzle books — 357-5510

Southwestern Community Services
Plastic sealable totes with lids (large and medium), metal dressers, metal living room furniture, metal or tile tables for kitchen & living room, metal kitchen chairs, energy efficient light bulbs, personal care items, 35-gallon trash bags, twin sheets, new pillows, bath towels — Cathy Thornton, 352-7512, ext. 4295

Winchester Learning Center
Metal Tonka trucks and wagons, large and small — 239-7347