St. Augustine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women at 6501 Waltho Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32277 US - Respite Volunteer Program

St. Augustine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

2008 - 2009 Report

Anytime an ill or infirm person comes to mind, we rarely see that behind is always and exhausted and overwhelmed caregiver with no relief in sight. The need for Respite Care continues and grows everywhere as the medicine advances allow persons to live longer.  Some are able to live independently, but a good number requires assistance.  Respite Care provides this assistance to the caregivers as the demands on them impacts the whole family.

The Respite Volunteers are the heart of the program, to the caregivers become a caring and dependable good friend as they enable them to improve their quality of life and increase their ability to care for their love one with more compassion and understanding.

This year we are pleased to report 75 diocesan Respite Care Volunteers, many closed cases over the year, 39 on going, and 5,388 hours of service.

Thanks to our participation in the annual non-for-profit Belk Great Benefit Sale, our only fundraiser, we were able to secure $1,665.  This fundraiser's success was due to the unselfish and generous help of the St. Augustine DCCW affiliations, St. Catherine of Siena and San Jose Catholic parishes.  With these funds we will be able to secure the program's success and stability.

"Discipleship" takes many forms, although its essential component is that "we love God and one another", and in a very special way those who are suffering.  The Respite Volunteers are authentic disciples as they lovingly give of themselves while providing the caregivers their most needed relief.

We take pleasure extending our sincere appreciation to the St. Augustine DCCW for their continued generosity and valuable assistance.

God Bless you in abundance.

Olga M. Bertozzi, Chair

St. Augustine DCCW