Hello AARBF Family. My name is Andrew Mersmann, and I am the Director of Programs and Services.

Ahhh, Spring. We close our eyes and wish for nature’s beauty resurging from dormancy bringing the water of April showers for not only May flowers, but for some levels toward drought recovery as well.

Spring brings lightness to spirits, lightness after our darker, shorter days, and light blossoms break through garden dirt and dead compost. A bud pushes ever forward, with all its promise still tightly wrapped in upon itself for protection. Is there anywhere that bud seems familiar, like some of the coping mechanisms we use to feel safe when so little else does.

Nature is getting ready for the high energy portion of the year. Scattered seeds find purchase on rocks and begin to put down roots of stability for the season of beauty coming soon.

Some of your life gardening prep could be filling out your camper‘s CampDocs application so we can be sure they can join us this summer.

You gardeners need to be nourished as well, so we all look forward to April 16-22, Volunteer Appreciation Week, one of our favorite weeks of every year to honor the best.

What else makes your plant grow? Stability, water, calm undisturbed soil—starts to sound like our support groups. If it’s been a while since your last group, come back to check out the changes plus all the kindness you’ll find there. Check out the bountiful harvest we have on offer:

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.

March 3-5, 2023

Women ages 21+
Calvin Crest, Oakhurst

Thank you to all who registered. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

March 10-12, 2023

Ages 7-17
Bear Valley

This is the last chance to register for this year’s state-wide ski trip. It is open to all burn survivors, ages 7-17, throughout the state of California. This is a great time to reconnect with your camp friends while enjoying skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and snowmobiling. Don’t worry – lessons are included!

To learn more about this trip and to register, click here. Or, go straight to the registration using the link below.

For questions regarding the Statewide Ski Trip, please contact McKenzie “Bubbles” Dern at mdern@aarbf.org or 559-286-0710 ext. 150.

We have made some changes to our support group registration process. Please contact Scott Wertz at swertz@aarbf.org or 415-495-7223 Ext. 190 for all group registrations, regardless of your region.

Our Zoom rooms have changed. You will need to be registered with Scott to receive the new Zoom links.

We are also working at restoring our regional groups to in-person. Scott will be happy to provide you with more information on this and address any concerns you may have.

Southern California – March 5, 2023 from 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Currently this group is meeting virtually, but will convert back to an in-person group as soon as it is safe to do so. It is available to both survivors and their family members.

Fresno Community Regional Medical Center – March 9, 2023 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members. You may also contact Marissa McCallough at MMuro3@communitymedical.org to register.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center – March 1, 2023 (and April 5, 2023) from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. Currently this group is meeting virtually, but will convert back to an in-person group as soon as it is safe to do so. It is available to both survivors and their family members.

East Bay Burn Survivor – March 8, 2023 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members.

Saint Francis – March 30, 2023 from 11:30am – 1:00pm. Currently this group is meeting virtually, but will convert back to an in-person group as soon as it is safe to do so. It is available to both survivors and their family members.

Caregiver – March 2, 2023 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online state-wide support group for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of burn survivors. This group is closed to burn survivors.

Spanish Speaking – March 21, 2023 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. This is an online support group specifically designed for Spanish-speaking burn survivors.

Statewide – March 16, 2023 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online support group open to both burn survivors and their loved ones throughout California.

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 Scott Wertz at swertz@aarbf.org to get started today.

Back to School Support (available upon request) – Contact Scott Wertz at swertz@aarbf.org to learn more about this program.

Nurturing ourselves enough to allow us flower and bloom can be hard work, but much of life’s greatest battles are won from the greatest battles. And after your hard work nurturing your personal garden, you’ll own, 100%, the results of your willingness to give energy toward beautification of yourself and the world.