Voices from the Women’s Respite Programs Stella Niagara, NY Volume 18, Issue 1, Spring 2014

TWO GREAT PROGRAMS. TWO MORE TO COME.

The 2014 Alums

were a great

group. It was

cold outside this

past January,

but all the love

made it warm

inside. For more

love, turn to

page 2 to read a

poem by one of

our alums.

Most of the gang

are here from

the March

Respite for

Women with

Cancer. (A few

had to leave

before we took

the photo.)

Some women

are modeling

their prayer

shawls, donated

by area churches.

While doing the

needle-work, the

creator prays for

the recipient.

MARCH

JANUARY

2014 SCHEDULE Women’s Respite Programs

June 6-8 Grandmothers raising grandchildren

July 30-Aug 2 Single Moms with low income

For information, call 893-0931.

Find applications at womensrespite@wordpress.com

ome of us came weary

ome pressed past our fear

All of us are grateful

We were invited here.

Some had a chance to sleep

A thing almost forgotten how to do

Some had a chance to talk

Oh….and listen too.

Everyone had a story

All had a chance to share

Making so much lighter

The burdens we’ve had to bear.

Surrounded by God’s creation

Some took a nature walk

Others gathered in the lounge

We all had a chance to talk.

... Greeted with open arms

w ish l is t (new or gently-used)

Suitcases

Bathing suits (all sizes,

especially plus sizes)

Linens and towels

Grocery store gift cards (any

amount)

To grant a wish, call 893-0931.

Stay in touch!

especially if you change your address

Write us at: 1301 Ferry Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14301

Call us at 716 893 0931 or email us at womensrespite@yahoo.com

www.womensrespite.wordpress.com

R e s t o r i n g h o p e s , r e f r e s h i n g b o d i e s , r e n e w i n g s p i r i t s

Some laughed, some watched,

some listened

All found a place to hide.

From children. From stress.

From issues that living life will bring.

So many choices were offered

All could find something

..Something to provide a moment

To breathe in. Then exhale

Love was poured into this time

Down to the smallest detail.

Open arms and warmth

They met us at the door

Hearts that searched for ways

To embrace us…heal us and more

Thank you—for this place

This time to get away

Now wisdom... Strength… And sleep

Spread the word

Everyone says more people should know about the Women’s Respite Program.

You can help spread the word. Call us for some brochures that you can take to

your library, your children’s school, any agencies you visit, anywhere there are

women who could use a rest. We’ll come to you, too, so call us about a brief

presentation. 893-0931

Happy Mother’s

Day

Thank you, Jodi! After eight

and a half years with the Center

of Renewal, Jodi Jackson

retired in March. Jodi is the la-

dy who snapped all those group

shots at the end of so many Res-

pite Programs. We’ll miss you,

and we send best wishes for a

happy retirement.

RESOURCES FOR WOM-

EN WITH CANCER

Camp Good Days (WNY office)

716/206-0709

www.campgooddays.org

Adult oncology programs

Breast Cancer Network of WNY

716/706-0060

www.bcnwny.com

Advocate/support/educate

Life Transitions

(Formerly Gilda’s Club)

716/836-6460

www.lifetransitionscenter.com

Variety of support groups

Susan G. Komen WNY

716/332-2481

www.komenwny.org

Educational materials,

including online videos

RESPITE FOR WOMEN WITH CANCER – MARCH 2014

R e s t o r i n g h o p e s , r e f r e s h i n g b o d i e s , r e n e w i n g s p i r i t s

ALUMNAE WEEKEND – JANUARY 2014

The Alums had a great time. The bingo was intense.

The craft was fun—making yarn necklaces with

volunteer Cindy. The gals splashed around in the

pool, shopped at Marie’s Boutique, and

everyone went home with a door prize.

Right: Four

new hairdos

from our

own stylist

Andrea.

Don’t they

look great?

Directly left: Carol (stand-

ing) with hands on S. Mary.

Above left: Blanca on

left and S. Marie on right.

Each woman has a Stella

Niagara Prayer Partner

who prays for her all

weekend. On Sunday

afternoon, they got to

meet one another,

and spend a little time

chatting.

“I have found myself and my inner

strength and will not let anyone take

that from me . . . I am a strong

woman and a great mother.”

“This retreat lifted

a great emotional

weight off my

shoulders. It was a

rejuvenation on

many levels—

emotional,

spiritual,

psychological.”

“I have learned

that I am not

alone in this

journey with

cancer. God has

placed wonder-

ful people on my

path to healing.”

Women’s Respite Programs 1301 Ferry Ave. Niagara Falls, NY 14301

The Women’s Respite Program provides women in need with an opportunity for rest and renewal in a safe,

comfortable and healing environment. We serve low-income single mothers, grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren, and women with cancer.

The women are referred by various WNY agencies. The program is supported by grants and donations.

R e s t o r i n g H o p e s , R e f r e s h i n g B o d i e s , R e n e w i n g S p i r i t s

Grandmothers with low

incomes who are raising

their grandchildren are

invited to apply for a

respite at the Stella

Niagara Center of

Renewal. If you have

attended a Respite Program

before and would like to

attend this June, fill out the

form on the left.

Applications from those

who have attended in the

past are drawn by lottery.

If you have not previ-

ously attended and

would like to, it is

necessary to complete

a different, first-time

application and health

form, and have a

letter of referral.

For information,

call 893-0931.

June 6 to 8, 2014

Respite for Grandmothers

raising their grandchildren

Name

Address

City Zip

Phone I need transportation ___ Yes ___ No

I can help with transportation ___ Yes ___ No

Complete this form and mail to Women’s Respite Program

1301 Ferry Ave.

Niagara Falls, NY 14301

Applications must be in program office by May 22.