Northern CA Regional Message – August 2022
My name is Scott Wertz and I am the Regional Manager for Northern California. Below is my message to you for the month of August 2022.
Hello Survivors, Supporters and Volunteers!
The Summer is flying by but not over yet, we hope you will join us for 1 more summer festivity at the Getaway Family Camp: This is a great opportunity for those who support our burn survivors (guardians, siblings, children, partners, chosen family) to experience the AARBF family! You can meet the counselors and do some favorite camp activities all while getting support. Sign-ups are below! If you can’t make it to the Getaway there are still plenty of ways to engage through support groups, now both in person and online. Please reach out if you have any questions!
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.
Music Expression
August 25, 2022
Join us for this month’s Expression Session as Bob Aymar shares with us the healing powers of music! This event is open to all burn survivors, family members and supporters.
Please register today at: https://forms.gle/FdoiBht2v2Eu6vW8A.
Save the Date - The Getaway Family Camp
September 3-5, 2022
Watch our social media for information coming soon about the Getaway Family Camp in Coarsegold, CA. Be the first to know when registration becomes available by emailing me at swertz@aarbf.org.
50th Anniversary Celebration
October 15, 2022
If you plan on being in the Southern California area on Saturday, October 15, 2022 – join us for a fun filled evening at the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum featuring a “taste of LA’s favorite food trucks”, including the Kogi Truck, Vivace Pizza, Longshot Coffee, Cousins Maine Lobster and Coolhaus Ice Cream while sipping on wine compliments of Foley Family Wines.
We have extended our early bird ticket pricing to August 12, 2022. Get your tickets today at: https://www.aarbf.org/50th-anniversary-celebration/.
Support Groups
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center – August 2, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. 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 swertz@aarbf.org to register.
North/East Bay Burn Survivor – August 10, 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 swertz@aarbf.org to register.
Saint Francis – August 25, 2022 from 11:30am – 1:00pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members. Contact me at swertz@aarbf.org to register.
Caregiver – August 4, 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 Daniel Chacon at dchacon@aarbf.org.
Spanish Speaking – August 16, 2022 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. This is an online support group specifically designed for Spanish-speaking burn survivors. To register, please contact Margarita Rodriguez at mrodriguez@aarbf.org.
Statewide – August 18, 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 Daniel Chacon at dchacon@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 swertz@aarbf.org to get started today.
Back to School Support (available upon request) – Contact me at swertz@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.