Here at the Firefly Sisterhood, our focus is to create one-to-one connections between breast cancer survivors and women who are recently diagnosed, providing hope, support, and guidance for women in need. We have had the good fortune to get to know the founders behind a newly created local organization with a different focus: the caregiver. Jack’s Caregiver Coalition’s mission is to serve male caregivers by building a community that fortifies them. Working to empower these men to receive the support they need through camaraderie and shared experience, Jack’s serves the very people who spend the majority of their time, energy, and resources serving others. This unique group of men works to provide emotional, social, practical, and financial support to men who may traditionally avoid reaching out for help. The founders of Jack’s Caregivers have personally experienced this unexpected need for support themselves and are committed to getting this care to other men in the community.
The unusual idea for Jack’s Caregivers emerged slowly. The seed was planted when co-founder, Kyle Woody, serving as primary caregiver to his terminally ill wife, was visited by a friend, Robb Culp, who immediately saw a role he could fill when he stated to Kyle, “I’m here to serve you.” From cutting weeds to organizing Kyle’s’s garage to fixing the family’s gate, Robb’s service allowed Kyle the time and energy to care for himself, thus being better able to continue caring for his wife and family.
The significance of Robb’s service had a profound impact on Kyle. Fast forward a couple of years when life circumstances brought Kyle into contact with a few other male caregivers in the Twin Cities. These men with a common life experience took the opportunity to share their stories, engage socially and emotionally, and support each other within a safe community, Thus, Jack’s Caregiver Coalition took root. With a core group of men meeting regularly to socialize and offer each other respite, and others engaging when the time is right, these men and their families are empowered and cared for in ways they may not have experienced in the past at a uniquely critical time in their lives.
Jack’s current crew of Kyle, Justin Nicolay, and Dustin Cesarek are ready to serve local male caregivers in myriad ways, while providing and encouraging opportunities to connect and find support.
For more information:http://www.jackscaregiverco.org/
This Is Living With Cancer