Health Beat: Volunteers needed to work with homeless

PortWatch

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. To join the discussion, you must use your real name as your screen name. Instructions can be found on this link: SIGNING ON

comments powered by Disqus

November 30, 2012

Health Beat: Volunteers needed to work with homeless

Health Beat Newburyport Daily News The Daily News of Newburyport Fri Nov 30, 2012, 02:00 AM EST

Horizons for Homeless Children is looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to play with children living in family homeless shelters in the area.

Volunteers need only to commit to two hours each week and they will make a significant difference in the lives of some children.

The following training sessions have been scheduled: Saturday, Dec. 8, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lawrence; Wednesday, Jan. 30, and Thursday, Jan. 31, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Lowell. (Participants must attend both nights of the January session).

Call 978-557-2182 or email northeast@horizonsforhomelesschildren.org for more information and an application, or fill an application out online at www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org.

Community yoga sessions in Amesbury

People’s Yoga Co-op in Amesbury is offering a series of community karma yoga classes.

These classes are offered by donation and participants can pay what they can afford. Dec. 7, Yoga for a Healthy Back with Jennifer Freeman; Dec. 14, Forward Folding Yoga with Nancy MacDougall; Dec. 21, Restorative Yoga with Paula Wilson, and Dec. 28, Year End Twist & Shout Yoga with Jennifer Freeman.

All classes run from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. For more information, visit www.peoplesyogacoop.com. People’s Yoga Co-op is located at 14 Cedar St., Suite 101, Amesbury.

Elder Services assessment under way

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. is conducting a community needs assessment during November and December throughout the Merrimack Valley.

The organization is seeking feedback from elders about their concerns, challenges and needs in order to deliver the most responsive services, make the best use of resources and understand emerging trends.

Elder Services wants to hear from LGBT elders within the Merrimack Valley to learn from their experiences, challenges and concerns with regard to aging, care giving, health care, etc. Interested elders in completing an anonymous survey should contact Maureen Drouin via email at mdrouin@esmv.org.

“The survey consists of questions ranging from health needs, financial positions and support solicited. With this information we will be able to properly implement assistance where it is needed,” community programs director Maureen Drouin said.

In addition to the survey, ESMV also hopes to conduct a focus group with LGBT elders from the Merrimack Valley to explore needs and concerns and to discuss ways to bring LGBT elders together and build connections. If interested in attending this group, contact Ron Bourque via email at rbourque@esmv.org.

To have a survey mailed to you, contact Laura Marsan 978-946-1303 or on email at lmarsan@esmv.org.

Bereavement Group meets in Amesbury

The Amesbury Council on Aging and Beacon Hospice are jointly hosting a bereavement group on Thursday evenings at 5:30 at the Amesbury Senior Center, 68 Elm St.

Healing from Loss is for individuals dealing with the loss of a loved one. It is through the process of sharing in a confidential environment that healing is fostered.

Registration is required. Call Lu Bonanno, Beacon Hospice, at 978-837-3333 for additional information and to register. The group is free.

---

If you have an item for Health Beat, contact Katie Lovett at 978-462-6666 or klovett@newburyportnews.com.