Tag: Social Connection

This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

With Chef Kara Garrett

We’re thrilled to announce that our Young Adult Supper Club is back! Join other young adult cancer survivors (in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s) and friends around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation in Smith Center’s healing kitchen. You will assist Chef Kara with making fresh pita bread to enjoy alongside a Middle Eastern-inspired dinner menu. You will learn how to make a quick pita dough*, roll, and watch your pita puff as you learn to cook them in the oven or on the stovetop. You will then use your fresh-made pita to make a delicious apple stuffed dessert. You will even get to take home pita dough to make at home! The best part of the evening is coming together to enjoy the fruits of your labor along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. The menu includes:

  • Beet Hummus
  • Babaghanoush
  • Yogurt Dip with Herbed Garlic oil (contains dairy)
  • Fattoush salad
  • Vegetable Maqluba (“upside-down” layered rice)
  • Stuffed Pita Pies

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. BYOB. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, March 5th to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

Note: This program is open to young adult cancer survivors in their 20s, 30s and early 40s. 

*Please contact us in advance to accommodate gluten restrictions, as well as any other dietary allergies or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $15

About Chef Kara Garrett

Kara Garrett Cancer Support Program Coordinator

Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.

This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

With Chef Kara Garrett

We’re thrilled to announce that our Supper Club is back! Join other young adult cancer survivors around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation at Smith Center’s Friendsgiving. Chef Kara will present traditional holiday flavors with a healthy spin in easy-to-follow recipes that can be used to impress friends & family. You will learn how to make fresh pasta* dough, roll out sheets, cut, and assemble your own pumpkin ravioli. We will enjoy your ravioli creations along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. This year’s menu includes:

  • Pumpkin Ravioli
  • Warm Wild Rice Salad with Curry Roasted Squash
  • Maple Roasted Carrots with Golden Cashew Cream
  • Spiced Apples with Quinoa Nut Crunch

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. BYOB. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, November 1st to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

*Please contact us in advance to accommodate egg or gluten restrictions for pasta, as well as any other dietary allergies or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $15

About Chef Kara Garrett

Kara Garrett Cancer Support Program Coordinator

Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Carolina Ruiz, MSW, LCSW, Vashta Thompson, LCSW-C, and Nicole Ramos, MSW, LCSW

VA Caregiver Support

We invite you to join us for an interactive talk about Caregiver Burnout and Self-Care. Given the natural stress and strain that accompany the day-to-day demands of a Caregiver, we are all at risk of experiencing burnout.

 

Have you or someone you know ever experienced burnout?
What did you (or they) do to start feeling back on track?

 

Our aim is to introduce strategies that can sustain you in feeling confident, capable and supported in your caregiving role.
By the end of this presentation you will be able to:

  • Identify 4 Self-Care/Mindfulness Activities
  • Learn Ways To Make Social Connections
  • Learn How To Ask For Help
  • Practice Ways To Show Self-Love

All are welcome to participate.

About VHAWAS

What is the Caregiver Support Program? The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is essentially two programs under one umbrella: Program of General Caregiver Support Services and Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.


What is the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)?
The Caregiver Support Program’s (CSP) PGCSS provides services to caregivers of Veterans of all eras enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare. PGCSS offers a wide array of services to family and friends who care for Veterans, including peer support mentoring, skills training, coaching, telephone support and online programs.


What is the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)? The Caregiver Support Program’s (CSP) PCAFC is for eligible Veterans who have incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975 or on or after September 11, 2001. This program provides resources, education, support, a financial stipend, and health insurance (if eligible), beneficiary travel (if eligible), to caregivers of eligible Veterans.

Need Help?
Call the DC Caregiver Support Line (CSL) at 202-745-8000 x55926. E-mail: vhawas.generalcaregiversupport@va.gov
Your local Caregiver Support Coordinator is a licensed professional who can support you. They can match you with services for which you are eligible and provide you with valuable information about resources that can help you stay smart, strong and organized as you care for the Veteran you love.

About Carolina Ruiz, MSW, LCSW

Carolina Ruiz graduated with a Masters in Social Work in 2014 from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Carolina spent 7 years working through the Inova Health System in Northern Virginia as a Social Worker/Case Manager helping patients and families with discharge planning and coordinating their care.

She has worked with a multitude of families and caregivers facing challenging needs and guiding them through difficult situations. She understands how demanding and difficult it is to be a caregiver and is honored to be given the opportunity to help support these amazing individuals through the Caregiver Support Program at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Carolina is a native of Northern Virginia and her favorite form of self-care is binge watching Netflix documentary series.

About Nicole Ramos, MSW, LCSW

Nicole Ramos graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University in New York in 2006.

She currently works as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Washington DC VA Medical Center’s Caregiver Support Program. She has been working with Veterans, their family members and Caregivers since 2014.

During a second year Social Work Internship her Supervisor emphasized the important role Social Workers have to Educate, Empower and Elevate others.
This really resonated with Nicole and over the last 15 years working with children, adolescents, adults, the Geriatric population and now Veterans and Caregivers, she continues to take on this mission. Nicole views working with Caregivers as a privilege and she is humbled and appreciative of the opportunity to work with Caregivers and be of service to others.

If you were to look in her Self-Care Toolbox, you would see that Nicole enjoys spending time with family including her 25 lb. Beagle named “Cash”, reading, watching Crime shows set in the United Kingdom, and being physically active.

About Vashta Thompson, LCSW-C

Vashta Thompson is a Caregiver Support Coordinator for the Program of General Caregiver Support Services at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DCVAMC). Ms. Thompson has worked in various departments at the DCVAMC over the last 7 years including inpatient medicine and outpatient clinics. Ms. Thompson has also supported the VA Homemaker Home health Aide Program, Suicide Prevention Program and Integrated Ethics committee.

In addition to serving veterans, Ms. Thompson has previously worked with several home care agencies to provide medical social work support to Medicare and DC-Medicaid recipients. She also currently provides clinical supervision to two journeyman social workers supporting students in DC Public Schools. Originally from a small suburb of Chicago, IL, Ms. Thompson completed her MSW studies at Howard University School of Social Work with a clinical concentration in direct practice mental health.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Kiersten Gallagher & Smith Center Staff

Happy Holidays to Our Extended Family

In an effort to keep our Smith Center family connected over the holidays, we have set up two times that we can hop on Zoom and be with one another. We hope that you will utilize this time to check in with each other. Wishing you peace and love during this holiday season.
Holiday Chats Dates: 
  • Monday, November 23, 12-1pm
  • Monday, December 28, 12-1pm

About Kiersten Gallagher

Kiersten has served as the Cancer Support Program Director for Smith Center since 2014. Before coming to Smith Center, she had the privilege to serve individuals and families living with cancer at Wellness House of Annapolis. Kiersten aims to offer programs to reduce stress and help participants to see the world we live in from different perspectives. She thoroughly enjoys teaching yoga and creativity classes at SmithCenter and encourages gentle movement and creativity in the healing process. Kiersten is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and also has her YCAT (Yoga Therapy in Cancer and Chronic Illness) Professional Certification through the Integral Yoga Academy. She has completed Patient Navigation training through Smith Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation and has also completed the Commonweal Healing Circles: Advanced Cancer Support Training. Kiersten is also certified in CLIMB®(Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) a program that aims to build upon the strengths of children and increase his/her ability to cope with stress associated with a parent’s illness. She believes in a holistic approach to healing, human relationships and is grateful for each and every day. Kiersten has also completed the Compassion Cultivation Training – CCT™ an 8-week program, developed at Stanford University, with insights and techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice. In her spare time, you may find Kiersten laughing with friends, cycling, taking art classes, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband Shane, son Liam, and dogs Hooper and Pablo.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Kiersten Gallagher & Smith Center Staff

Happy Holidays to Our Extended Family

In an effort to keep our Smith Center family connected over the holidays, we have set up two times that we can hop on Zoom and be with one another. We hope that you will utilize this time to check in with each other. Wishing you peace and love during this holiday season.
Holiday Chats Dates: 
  • Monday, November 23, 12-1pm
  • Monday, December 28, 12-1pm

About Kiersten Gallagher

Kiersten has served as the Cancer Support Program Director for Smith Center since 2014. Before coming to Smith Center, she had the privilege to serve individuals and families living with cancer at Wellness House of Annapolis. Kiersten aims to offer programs to reduce stress and help participants to see the world we live in from different perspectives. She thoroughly enjoys teaching yoga and creativity classes at SmithCenter and encourages gentle movement and creativity in the healing process. Kiersten is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and also has her YCAT (Yoga Therapy in Cancer and Chronic Illness) Professional Certification through the Integral Yoga Academy. She has completed Patient Navigation training through Smith Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation and has also completed the Commonweal Healing Circles: Advanced Cancer Support Training. Kiersten is also certified in CLIMB®(Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) a program that aims to build upon the strengths of children and increase his/her ability to cope with stress associated with a parent’s illness. She believes in a holistic approach to healing, human relationships and is grateful for each and every day. Kiersten has also completed the Compassion Cultivation Training – CCT™ an 8-week program, developed at Stanford University, with insights and techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice. In her spare time, you may find Kiersten laughing with friends, cycling, taking art classes, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband Shane, son Liam, and dogs Hooper and Pablo.