Central CA Regional Message – October 2022
My name is McKenzie Dern and I am the Regional Manager for Central California. Below is my message to you for the month of October 2022.
Happy October!! As the holidays are coming closer, I hope you are finding time to be with the ones you love. Our next big events for Central CA will be the Holiday Party and the AARBF Dinner and Dance Fundraiser. Stay tuned for more information on those!
If you are a burn survivor and family member and wish to be added to our monthly email, please email info@aarbf.org and indicate your region.
Art Expression
October 27, 2022
Save the date for the next Expression Session – Art Expression, scheduled for the fourth Thursday in October at 7:00pm via Zoom.
50th Anniversary Celebration
October 15, 2022
If you’re unable to join us in-person for our 50th Anniversary Celebration in Southern California, you can still get in on the fun by participating in our virtual auction. The auction opens today, October 1st and will close during the in-person event on October 15th. Those attending in-person will be able to see the items available, but will still use the online platform to bid.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.aarbf.org/50th-anniversary-celebration/.
AARBF’s Dinner & Dance
December 10, 2022
The annual Dinner & Dance is returning to Clovis for the 12th year! Space for this event is limited and we sold out early last year. So, round up your friends and join us! Visit our website at https://www.aarbf.org/dinner-and-dance-2022/ to learn more. Or, email McKenzie Dern at mdern@aarbf.org.
Central Holiday Party
December 3, 2022
Mark your calendar for this year’s holiday party. Watch your email and social media for more information coming soon!
Support Groups
Fresno Community Regional Medical Center – October 11, 2022 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members. Currently this group is meeting virtually, but will convert back to an in-person group as soon as it is safe to do so. Contact me at mdern@aarbf.org to register.
Caregiver – October 6, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online state-wide support group for family members, care givers and loved ones of burn survivors. This group is closed to burn survivors. To register, please contact Scott Wertz at swertz@aarbf.org.
Spanish Speaking – October 18, 2022 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. This is an online support group specifically designed for Spanish-speaking burn survivors. To register, please contact Daniel Chacon at dchacon@aarbf.org.
Statewide – October 20, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online support group open to both burn survivors and their loved ones throughout California. To register, please contact Scott Wertz at swertz@aarbf.org.
Peer Support – Not everyone is comfortable in a group setting, which is why the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation offers one-on-one Peer Support. Peer Support is a power tool for healing from a burn trauma. There is something magical that happens when one survivor sits and shares their experience and healing process with another. Peer support can relieve the feeling of being all alone in your experience. Peer support can come in many forms; a burn survivor talking to another burn survivor, a parent talking to another parent or loved one. This service is not limited to burn survivors. A burn injury can affect the entire family, caregivers and other loved ones. Contact me at mdern@aarbf.org to get started today.
Back to School Support (available upon request) – Contact me at mdern@aarbf.org to learn more about this program.
Featured Videos
AARBF’s Multimedia Resource Library includes tip sheets, videos, stories, and so much more. Video content within the library has been developed by the AARBF Community; including our staff, volunteers, burn survivors and community partners! Below are our featured videos for July!
AARBF Wellness Team members Jamba and Poppy share ways to help you manage stress and anxiety through breathing.
If you want to try yoga but think your body can’t do the yoga poses, then this video is for you. Our yoga team will show you how to modify the poses to suit your body.