|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||
|
Stories of Hope from People You Know "...I believe in these programs and I know from experience how beneficial they can be to loved ones in a time of need." As Chairman of the Board of the SIMON House, an organization in Frankfort that offers transitional housing for women with children who would otherwise be homeless, I can tell you the wonderful things we make happen through funds we receive from the United Way. The women who come seeking our care have nowhere else to turn. In addition to providing for their basic needs, we help them find jobs, encourage them to pursue a GED or other educational opportunities, assist them with the red tape of government services for which they may qualify, and also teach them the parenting and life skills they need to become independent and productive members of society. The cost of the upkeep of our old house in downtown Frankfort is astronomical. Our organization could not exist without the funds we receive from the United Way, which directly benefits from KECC. We are very grateful to people like you who believe "to whom much is given, much is expected." I thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the women at the SIMON House whose lives are being given back to them by your generosity. -- Melissa Russell, Finance and
Administration KECC helps communities When Vision 2000 started our county became very active with our community partners in trying to reach and help groups that had otherwise fallen through the cracks. Our Vision 2000 became Mountain Connections and has been able to help a lot of people. Our office has designated our KECC funds to go to United Way, designated for Mountain Connections. We have been able to help a lot of High School seniors get ready to go to college with some of our money. We have purchased paint and furniture for the local Senior Citizens Center with our money, we recently purchased items needed to make up 145 Easter baskets for the nursing home residents. We have purchased two new couches for the Teen Scene. Our list of projects, paid for largely by our KECC money goes on and on. We are very proud and pleased to be able to see our clients benefit from the money we pay into KECC, and are able to give directly to our clients. -- Susan Dennison, Health and Family Services
KECC helps in times of trouble On July 9, 2004 I lost my
husband to suicide. Following his funeral, the funeral director gave me a
folder with information regarding suicide. In that folder was a flyer for
the Hospice Survivor of Suicide (SOS) Program. I went to my first SOS
meeting at the Hospice in Frankfort, which at the time was one of the KECC
recipients. The group was small so I moved to the one in Lexington. The
amount of help and support that both Hospices provided me with was
immeasurable. Not only have I used Hospice, but my family has used various
other organizations within the KECC partnerships. For example, my mother
passed away from breast cancer, my father from a heart attack and my
sister has multiple sclerosis. Prior to my parents deaths, they received
services from Hospice and from several other partners in the Community
Health Charities and my sister still today benefits from the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society which is also one of the Community Health
Charities. My mother-in-law, prior to her death, attended the Senior
Citizens Center, which is covered by the United Way, another partner in
the KECC. Today, my grandchildren participate in YMCA activities.
-- Marcia M. Egbert, Education, Office for the Blind
My daughter's apartment in Louisville was flooded last fall. they lost almost everything they owned.(this is after a fire in a previous apartment in June 06 both times the red cross was there to assist. they were given vouchers for clothing, bedding, food even dog food. they were given vouchers for replacing medications, food, etc. I was so impressed by the wonderful help they were given I added the Red Cross to my charities I give to thru KECC. Hopefully my family will not need this help ever again but I wanted to make sure it is there for others in need. --Kathy Valentine, Education KECC helps with healing In October, 1977,
while in the process of walking into a store, I was struck by a car driven
by a man who accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake when
pulling up to park. I was taken to Lexington where it was discovered that
I had sustained brain damage and a broken neck at C-2, resulting in total
paralysis. After a month in an acute care hospital, I was ready to be
return home to a nursing home in Barren County, where I was from (still in
traction and unable to move). Fortunately, one of the nurses told me about
Cardinal Hill and I was admitted. I received excellent care and training
while there and, several months later when I began to experience "return",
I was taught to sit, crawl and, eventually, to stand and walk again. As I
had no health insurance at the time of my accident, I was extremely
fortunate to be allowed into the program. After my recovery I went
back to school, got my law degree and practiced law for some twenty years
before devoting my efforts to personnel work. -- Mahlian Carmichael, KYTC
KECC helps families I've worked for state government for 15 years. I've participated in KECC fundraisers many times. However, I had never had a set donation come out of my paycheck. For some reason, during the 2006 enrollment period, I felt a serious need to fill out the form for once. I felt tremendously guilty for all the years I'd never filled out that form. My father had many health problems over the years. By the end of 2006, his health had rapidly declined. My mom had arranged for Nurses Registry to come check on my dad. A few weeks later, one of the nurses suggested we contact Hospice since they would be able to provide more assistance. My mom contacted Hospice in Frankfort and they started making daily visits to check on my dad, and help my mom. It was such a relief to me and my family that we were able to keep my dad at the home he'd lived in for over 30 years instead of having to send him to a nursing home. My dad took his last breath with his family at his side on February 22, 2007, just 11 days past his 74th birthday. I'm so grateful to Hospice for affording us the opportunity to care for my dad at home. Even though it was difficult when we realized it was just a matter of hours before his death, it was comforting to be able to spend that time privately with our family and not be surrounded by strangers in a strange environment as would have been the case if he'd been in a nursing home. Hospice provided a service more valuable than any dollar amount I could ever donate. My KECC monthly donation may not be going to directly to Hospice this year but I know that my money is helping other equally worthy organizations. -- Malinda Mays, Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
About 7 years ago my dad had a massive
stroke. He was paralyzed on one side and couldn't talk. The doctors said
he would probably only live about 6 months. They said we could send him
to a nursing home or take him home and let Hospice help us. We chose to
take him home. Hospice was wonderful. They visited everyday and supplied
everything we needed to keep my dad comfortable. He lived almost two
years after that. All of the nurses, aids, and counselors were
wonderful. I am very thankful for Hospice. I have volunteered as a
KECC coordinator in my cabinet because I believe in these programs and I
know from experience how beneficial they can be to loved ones in a time
of need. Please include details about how KECC helped a friend, relative or you and describe the services provided and how they were helpful. Thank you for sharing! We catalogue these stories here, in our eNewsletters, and perhaps some of you would like to serve as speakers. You can of course choose to remain anonymous.
|
