November is Family Caretaker Month, a special time to recognize and honor the dedicated individuals who provide essential care to their loved ones. Whether it’s a parent caring for a child with special needs, a spouse managing a partner’s health challenges, or an adult child supporting aging parents, family caretakers often shoulder immense responsibilities with love and dedication.
This month is an opportunity to express our gratitude for the countless hours, emotional energy, and selflessness that family caretakers invest daily. Their roles often go unnoticed, yet they play a vital part in maintaining the well-being and dignity of those they care for. The sacrifices they make—juggling work, family obligations, and personal health—deserve our deepest appreciation.
Being a family caretaker can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s crucial to acknowledge not just the hard work involved but also the emotional, physical and mental toll it can take. Many caretakers experience feelings of isolation, stress, and fatigue. This month, let’s take the time to reach out to these unsung heroes. A simple “thank you” or a heartfelt note can make a significant difference, reminding them that their efforts are valued.
Moreover, we can extend our gratitude through action. Offering help, sharing resources, or simply listening can provide much-needed support. Encouraging caretakers to prioritize their well-being is essential, as self-care is vital for sustaining their capacity to care for others.
As we celebrate Family Caretaker Month, let’s cultivate a culture of appreciation and support. Together, we can honor the incredible dedication of family caretakers and commit to uplifting them, recognizing the profound impact they have on our families and communities.
Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a time to honor and express gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Originally established as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, it was later renamed Veterans Day to celebrate all veterans, regardless of when or where they served.
This day serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our military personnel. Many veterans have faced unimaginable challenges, both during their service and upon returning home. From combat situations to the complexities of reintegration into civilian life, their experiences shape not only their lives but also the fabric of our nation. Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on their courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms.
Commemorative events take place across the country, including parades, ceremonies, and community gatherings. These events not only honor veterans but also educate the public about the importance of their service. Schools often participate by holding special programs, ensuring that younger generations understand the sacrifices made for their liberty.
Gratitude can be expressed in many ways. Whether through a handwritten note, or simply thanking a veteran in your community, every gesture counts. Additionally, supporting organizations that assists veterans and their families can make a meaningful difference.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, let us come together to acknowledge the contributions of all who have served. By honoring their sacrifices and advocating for their needs, we can create a more supportive and appreciative environment for our veterans, ensuring that their service is never forgotten. I am a Proud U.S. Navy veteran. I have several family members who have served, those I was born into and those I was sworn into. I am forever thankful.
A Season of Gratitude and Growth at The ASCEND Collective
As we embrace the fall season and reflect on all that we are thankful for, November brings a sense of renewal and progress here at The ASCEND Collective. We’re excited to share updates on the many ways we’ve been working to support our Veterans, diverse-ability individuals, and justice-impacted communities. We’re also launching exciting new initiatives to better serve our clients and partners.
Veterans ASCEND: Honoring Service and Strength
With Veterans Day upon us, we pause to honor those who have bravely served our country. Our Veterans ASCEND program continues to help military veterans translate their valuable skills into meaningful civilian careers. We are proud to announce that we’ve recently partnered with Palmetto Pathfinders to pilot a new delivery system for Veterans ASCEND. The first meeting will be held in mid-November, and we are hopeful that this collaboration will extend to more veterans in need of career support across South Carolina.
We also look forward to our upcoming meeting with Bexar County Veterans Association in Texas later this month. We’re eager to explore how we can help more veterans in that region transition into rewarding civilian roles.
Ability ASCEND: Empowering Diverse-Ability Talent
This month, our Ability ASCEND program continues to make strides, particularly in helping neurodiverse professionals, like Julie*, transition into more fulfilling careers. Julie’s journey of moving from a people-heavy care management role to exploring a more behind-the-scenes informatics career is a powerful example of how Ability ASCEND can help unlock potential and guide professionals to the roles that align with their unique talents.
We are thrilled to see the success of our curriculum in helping individuals chart their next steps, and we’re excited to support more clients like Julie in discovering the right path for them. (*name changed to protect anonymity)
Mission2 ASCEND: Expanding Second Chances
We are also working to strengthen Mission2 ASCEND, our program that supports justice-impacted individuals in finding meaningful employment. This program, powered by our AI-driven skills matching technology, is growing fast. We’re excited to announce the development of a new online repository and training system to be launched soon. This system will provide enhanced training for our clients, allowing them to build stronger personal brands and ultimately find employment that fits their unique abilities.
Looking Ahead: Join Us for Giving Tuesday!
As we look toward the holiday season, we invite you to join us in making a difference this Giving Tuesday. Your support helps us continue to create lasting change for veterans, diverse-ability individuals, and those seeking second chances. Whether through a donation or by sharing our mission with others, you can help us transform lives. Congratulations to Sharis Moss for winning the $250.00 Costco Giftcard raffle!
Donate now at www.theascendcollective.org/donate or text FundTAC to 53-555 to support The ASCEND Collective’s mission. Together, we can make a difference this holiday season!
Stay connected for more updates, and thank you for being a part of The ASCEND Collective family!
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Big news, folks! 🥳 I’m excited to announce that the winner of our $250 Costco gift card raffle is none other than Sharis Moss! Congratulations, Sharis! Thank you to everyone who participated – your support makes a direct impact on our programs at The ASCEND Collective.
But we’re not stopping there. 🚀 We’re thrilled to officially launch our 2024 Travel Auction! It’s live now at https://givebutter.com/c/TACTravelAuction2024/ and open for your bids. Whether you’re dreaming of a sunny beach getaway or a cozy cabin retreat, we’ve got amazing experiences up for grabs. Check it out and support a great cause while planning your next adventure!
Now, onto another exciting update: our new online learning platform is almost here! We are putting the finishing touches on it and can’t wait to unveil it soon. This platform will be a game-changer for our communities, offering tailored learning experiences to empower veterans, the diverse-abled, and the justice-impacted. 🎓
To get you ready, here are 4 tips for maximizing online learning and making the most of our platform when it launches:
- Start with Goal Setting: In Module 1, we guide you through setting clear, achievable career goals. Before diving into any online course, take a moment to outline what you want to learn and how it aligns with your career transformation.
- Leverage Skills Enhancement: Use our skills-matching tools (featured in Module 3) to identify new areas of growth. Don’t just learn for the sake of it – target courses that fill gaps or build on your existing knowledge to advance your personal brand.
- Engage Actively with Content: Module 4 emphasizes the importance of storytelling in building your professional identity. When you’re taking a course, be active: take notes, ask questions, and think about how what you’re learning fits into your story.
- Track Your Progress: Finally, use the tools we’ve built into the platform to measure your success (Module 5). Completing courses is great, but understanding what you’ve gained and how it can be applied in your job search or current role is what will set you apart.
We can’t wait to see you all on the new platform soon! Stay tuned for the official launch date.
In the meantime, please check out our travel auction and help us reach our fundraising goals. Donate now at www.theascendcollective.org/donate or text FundTAC to 53-555. Happy bidding, and as always, thank you for your incredible support!
