AUGUST THEME: Advocacy

“Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.”

- Janna Cachola

For family caregivers, advocacy is deeply intertwined with our lives whether we name it as such or not. The Missouri Foundation for Health defines advocacy as “any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.” Whether we are listening to our loved ones' needs, speaking up during appointments, or forming our support networks, we are engaging in advocacy.

There are numerous ways we can be advocates not just for loved ones, but also for ourselves and others in our communities. The West Virginia University Health Science Center defines three different types of advocacy: self-advocacy, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy.

Self-advocacy relates to how we are able to communicate our own needs and defend our rights. We engage in self-advocacy when we understand our own needs, believe in ourselves, and communicate effectively with others.
Individual advocacy refers to when one or several people work together to protect the rights of another person. We become individual advocates when we nurture our support networks and speak up on behalf of our loved ones.
Systems advocacy focuses on changing institutional policies, laws, and rules in order to protect groups of people. When we share our stories, join campaigns, and volunteer with dedicated advocacy groups, we are participating in systems advocacy.

As we head into September, we urge you to reflect on how you are and can be an advocate. Like Janna Cachola emphasizes, “Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.” How will your empathy allow you to find connection and stand up for your loved ones and community today?

Freedom comes to those who dare to hold each other's pain - MILCK

THEME AFFIRMATIONS
Use affirmations to inspire you or reframe your thoughts

I am stronger when I nurture my support network.
I recognize what I need in moments of stress.
Communicating effectively allows me to build stronger relationships.
I am an advocate.

APPS FOR GUIDED MEDITATION

CaringBridge - This app offers a space for multiple caregivers and family members to share pertinent information, such as updates, encouragement, and arranging care.
Smiling Mind - This app helps support mental fitness for all ages through skill-training and habit-building.
Remente - This app has several different mental health modules including goal plans, personal development articles, journal-planner, goal settings guide, tips on good communication and leadership.
IanaCare - This app was designed to equip and empower caregivers with the resources and support they need. It provides the ability to organize caregiver teams and request or receive help from family and friends.

PODCASTS

Why You Can’t Do It Alone - This episode explains the importance of accepting support in our lives.
Healing Political Stress and Disappointment with Angela Rye - This podcast episode provides tips for how we can cope with stress and disappointment surrounding politics.
Forget Small Talk: Go Deep Instead - This podcast episode delves into how we can replace small talk with deeper conversations.

The World's Only Accessible Mountain feat. Heather Collins - This podcast episode shares the story of Wilderness of Wheels, an accessible hiking and camping location.

ARTICLES

Developing Your Support System - This article explains why support networks are helpful and how we can nurture them.
Stress relievers: Tips to tame stress - This article shares various ways we can relieve and manage stress.
Effective Communication: Improving Your Interpersonal Skills - This article explains how we can communicate more effectively and recognize what is getting in the way of communication.
Caregiving and Advocacy: How to Best Support Your Loved One - This article provides tips for how caregivers can be advocates for their loved ones.

BOOKS

Our Knives Will Save Us - This book by chef Nephi Craig explores the power of cooking and community.
Everything to the Sea - This novel by Alicia Upano depicts the aftermath of a tsunami and its effects on two lovers.
Beginning Middle End - This novel by Valeria Luiselli explores the story of a mother and daughter reconnecting while traveling.
My Boy Will Die of Sorrow - This memoir by human rights lawyer Efrén C. Olivares shares the stories of family separation and immigration.

Your Voice Can Help

Shape Our Future 💙

Courage to Caregivers is developing our next three-year strategic plan, and we want our community to be part of the process. Whether you’re a caregiver, volunteer, donor, partner, professional, or friend of our mission, your perspective will help us determine our priorities and shape what comes next.

Share Your Perspective

Did you miss out on a

summer camp experience? 🏕️

Are you working with grief in your life?

As we continue to support caregivers through all types of grief, thanks to a generous donation from the Nella Durinda Levenhagen Foundation, we are holding a weekend grief retreat on October 9-11 at Camp Because I Said I Would near Columbus, OH. Scholarships are available to those outside of Cuyahoga county (free of charge to residents of Cuyahoga county). Join us and plan on a restorative, restful time in community. Reach out to Jenny at jenny@couragetocaregivers.org with questions or to sign up!

Angela Tobin is the Founder and Executive Director of Kinship Caregivers Connect (KCC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on supporting and empowering kinship caregivers: the relatives or family friends of a child that provide full-time care in place of birth parents. Established in 2020, KCC offers an online support group, with resource sharing and opportunities for peer connections, as well as resources for educators and well-being consultations to address the needs of kinship families. Read our interview with Angela here.

August's Book Club is TOMORROW, Friday, August 28 at 11 am ET on Zoom

We will be discussing two TED Talks: (1) Jen Oliver's How to Love Yourself to the Core and (2) Adam Roa's Treat Yourself Like Someone you Love (How to Learn to Love Yourself).

If you're interested in receiving our Monthly Book Club reminders and weighing in on the selections, join our Book Club mailing list here.

Our next Question, Persuade, and Refer/QPR Suicide Prevention training is TONIGHT

Thursday, August 27 at 7 pm ET!

Please register here to receive the Zoom link! You need only register for ONE two-hour session. Space is limited for each session, so please register only for a time you know you can attend so spaces don't fill up and prevent others from attending.

September's theme is TENACTIY. We will be practicing persistence, finding ways to be realistically optimistic, and identifying healthy coping mechanisms. With micro-goals, it’s easier to take the next right step - as Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.” Check out September's Micro-Challenges Calendar here.

Courage to Caregivers Breathing Practice for September: Breath Focus Technique

As we support caregivers to make breathing and meditation a practice, we're pleased to share our Breathing Meditation Facilitator Cathy and her monthly breathing practice how-to videos. You can join us for September's Breathing Practice - with this practice, we will observe our breath and practice visualization. This is a great breath to help you focus inward and visualize the places that give you peace. You can watch September's instructional video for Breath Focus Technique here, and remember to subscribe to our 2026 Monthly Breathing Practices playlist to stay updated each month. You can also subscribe to our Breathing Meditation playlist, where we have four years of our weekly breathing meditation recordings, and follow along on our Spotify Breathing Meditation playlist.

The mission of Courage to Caregivers is to empower and equip carers to navigate their journey. We envision a world where healthy carers lead to healthier families and communities. We're in the caregiver burnout prevention business!