WHAT IS A CARE TEAM?
Care Teams consist of 4-6 volunteers from local faith
communities, corporations, other small and large businesses and interested individuals. However,
Care Teams do not have to come specifically from any of these
types of organizations, as teams can be made up of any group
of 4-6 people. These 4-6 volunteers are matched with
an individual (Care Partner) needing non-medical care and support.
The unique aspect of the care team process is that the workload
is shared throughout the team, which gives each Care Team
volunteer the opportunity to choose what he or she may prefer
doing for the Care Partner.
Click here to see and read
about one of our care teams.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF A CARE
TEAM VOLUNTEER?
- Attend a one time 3 hour training session
- Our trainings may be held at a volunteer’s
place of business, at The Care Communities office
or at a faith community.
- These trainings teach Care Team basics, psychosocial and other aspects of AIDS and cancer.
- Commit to only 4 hours per month
- After a commitment has been made, our Care Team
Coordinator, Christina Camacho, will discuss placement
on a team, make introductions, and then the volunteer will
begin a remarkable journey in making an incredible
difference in the life of someone who is seriously
ill.
- Report all volunteer hours spent with the care partner, including travel, and ALL communication with
the Care Team or staff. See the “Report Hours” button
on the Home page of the website.
WHAT IS A CARE PARTNER?
He or she is a person living with a serious illness,
such as cancer or AIDS who has applied and been accepted
into our Care Team program. Our Care Partners
range in age from 3 months to 101 years old. Most of
our care partners are unable to work; about 90% live at or
below the poverty line.
A Care Partner is…
A single man who is living with AIDS or cancer, overwhelmed
by tasks such as grocery shopping, clean his home, and dealing
with constant pain, nausea, fatigue, loneliness and depression.
A single mother of four who struggles with end-stage breast
cancer while trying to maintain a stable home for her children.
A gay couple that are both HIV positive. One is bed-ridden,
and one is the caregiver and breadwinner. Both have
been ostracized by their family, and lost many of their friends
from AIDS.
HOW CAN I JOIN A CARE TEAM?
It’s easy! Contact Roger Temme, our Outreach
Coordinator by email at roger@thecarecommunities.org,
call us at 512-459-5883, or send us your request in writing
to the attention of Roger Temme. |
