changing lives changing families changing futures to the helpers who cannot serveDear Helpers, I know this is hard. I know you are hurting, wanting to help but being told to stay inside, stay away, stay still. However, being still is not what you know. What you know is speaking out, creating action, being on the front lines, and fighting disparity, discrimination, …

changing lives changing families changing futures dO-OVERS & APOLOGIZINGThere’s a lot of uncertainty right now. This can leave tensions high and we may find ourselves saying and doing things we regret. We’ve all been there. Our kids have been running around all day and we’re at our wits’ end. We become impatient. We yell. We scream. And everyone is upset. Often …

changing lives changing families changing futures romance in quarantineSome of us are quarantined with our partners right now. And whether it’s a new relationship or one that has lasted decades, today’s stress has the potential to put a strain on those relationships. But we can intentionally use this time to strengthen our connections and get to know each other better. Even …

changing lives changing families changing futures focus on what you can doRight now we are hearing about all the things we can’t do: go out to eat, shop, gather in groups, go to church, touch our faces, and go to work (some of us). While all these things are needed for a healthier society, focusing on the negative can get us …

changing lives changing families changing futures office to homeWorking in an office and at home are very different experiences. In the office, we are surrounded by co-workers, the tools, technology, and materials we need, and a space that is dedicated to our work. However, at home, we are surrounded by distractions with children, significant others, our bed, the television, that DIY …

changing lives changing families changing futures sticking with recoveryOne thing we all have in common right now is stress. Losing our jobs, losing our routines, and the uncertainty of the days ahead, everyone’s life has been changed by the effects of COVID-19. And for some, this isn’t just stress…they are relapse triggers.Isolation, losing the support of our regular meetings, boredom, extended …

changing lives changing families changing futures focus on spiritualityFeeling the StressDuring times of uncertainty and anxiety, we tend to focus on meeting our physical needs. We worry about having adequate food, water, and toilet paper. We see lines outside of stores, daily government updates and ever growing numbers of disease. All of these can create a sense of uneasiness and disorganization.What’s …

changing lives changing families changing futures start with 5Turn on the TV, get on social media, talk to your friends and in no time at all you’ll start to hear about stress — how stressed everyone is, how to relieve stress, and, if you’ve been in any of our groups, the effects stress can have on our bodies. But where do …

changing lives changing families changing futures take a breathFamily…the people you love the most and the people that drive you crazy the quickest. These days we are (hopefully) all staying home as much as possible. It’s easy to get frustrated with the people you love. Caretaking can be draining, especially if you are suddenly finding yourself at home with your kids …

changing lives changing families changing futures Sleep helpsSometimes when we’re dealing with stress and change we find it hard to sleep. With having to stay home as a result of this virus, we may have less to do… or significantly more to do if we have younger ones at home because childcare and schools are closed. This can be very difficult! …