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Community Corner

National REST Training Program

REST, (Respite Education and Support Tools), a nonprofit
program dedicated to training quality respite care trainers and volunteers,
will host a two-day national training this fall in Bloomingdale. The originally
designed interactive course will be held Thursday and Friday, Oct. 25 and 25,
at the Chicago Hilton-Indian Lakes Resort.

This unique Train-the-Trainer program equips volunteers and professionals with the skills needed to support caregivers in their communities
through respite. Respite care provided by volunteers has become a growing need
throughout the country as family members are needing to provide round-the-clock
care to loved ones and cannot always afford to hire professional assistance.

 “The
vision of this program is to create an international network of
organizations that prepare individuals to support caregivers through
respite,” explained Lois Sheaffer Kramer, REST Master Trainer. “The goal
is to get as many people trained to 

provide this necessary services on a volunteer basis wherever it is needed.”

Standardizing
the training for volunteer respite care workers will send a message to
caregivers that they can feel confident in leaving their loved one with
someone else – even for a short time – and not feel fearful or guilty
about doing so.

Those who complete the REST training program
will then be able to provide trainings on their own at faith
communities, respite coalitions, community groups and other
organizations who wish to create a corps of skilled volunteer respite care workers.



Hours for the course are 9 a.m. - 5.p.m. Thursday and 9 a. m. - 3 p.m. Friday.  A fee
of $500 will be required and scholarship opportunities are available for those
who qualify. For information visit www.restprogram.com 

or contact Lisa Esposito at lesposito@restprogram.org

or 630-529-2871 ext. 3290.

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