By Diane Hasili
Special Event: Nurturing the Nurturer Conference
Date: Saturday, January 15, 2011
Time: 9:00 am -12:00 noon
Location: YWCA Princeton, 59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Cost: Free
Other: Open to the public
Chances are most everyone will be a caregiver at least once in their lifetime, whether it be for a child, a spouse, or their parents. With an aging population, many will take on the role of caregiver within the next two decades. Knowing where to start or even finding the strength with which to ask for assistance is beyond some caregivers.
With multiple demands of working, running a household, and often managing their own family unit, caregivers quietly slip into the role without much knowledge about the various types of help and resources that are available. As they give up their lives, they often find themselves frustrated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. This conference offers an opportunity to be on the receiving end of support, fun, and compassion.
Special Conference
On Saturday morning, January 15th, a special conference, Nurturing the Nurturer, has been scheduled. It will be held at the YWCA Princeton, 59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton, and is open to everyone. Registration starts at 9:00. The program kicks off at 9:30 and ends at 12 noon. The event is free.
The event is the collaboration of a number of community organizations including: Bon Appétit, Trinity Counseling Service, Princeton Resource Center, YWCA Princeton, Wisdom & Beyond, LLC. They are partnering to educate participants about local organizations and resources, to enable caregivers to connect with one another, and to provide a forum for caregivers regarding critical issues.
Participants will have a chance to win door prizes and gift certificates from many area merchants including Hamilton Jewelers, Tuscan Hills Furniture and Accessories, Spruce Florists, Amy Karyn Interior Designs, Princeton Nails, Princeton Holistic Clinic, Rocky Hill Inn, Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, Chambers Walk, Lisa’s Body Care Products, and Viburnum Designs.
Empowering Caregivers
The conference will feature mental health experts who will discuss how to flourish while still being an effective caregiver. There will be five breakout sessions participants can attend. The sessions will cover children, spousal, and parental caregiving and insights from a male caregiver. Also, experts will also share legal and financial information caregivers should know.
Throughout the day, participants will better understanding the how to create joy, laughter, and empowerment while caring for a loved one. They will discover how to partner, set boundaries, set roadmaps returning to a healthy life and thriving.
Expert Contributors
A number of area professionals from various organizations are donating their time to lead breakout sessions and provide useful tips, contacts, and resources available to local caregivers. Local author and radio talk show host, Teena Cahill, Psy.D., of Wisdom & Beyond, LLC will be the key note discussing “Changing the Model: From Care Giving to Care Partners.”
Leading the breakout sessions are local health and community resource experts: Dr. Valerie Brooks Klein, PhD, Sharon Press, PhD, Wendy Matthews, PhD, Eileen Kennedy Moore, PhD, Susan Hoskins, MSW, Judith Hutton, CEO, Mia Cahill, JD and PHD, Elizabeth Smith, JD and MSW, Douglas Zeigler, CPA, Caryn Kennelly, Psy.D., and Rev. Peter Stimpson, MSW.
Meaningful Topics
There will be five breakout sessions focusing on different aspects of caregiving. They include: “Working Women and Care Giving,” “Caring for Kids: Skills for a Lifetime,” “Building Connections: Strategies for Building a Care Team,” “Legal and Financial Issues for Caregivers,” and “Caregiving for Aging Parents with Special Insights from a Male Caregiver.”
For more information on the event, please visit www.ywcaprinceton.org or contact Debra Raines at (609) 497-2100 ext. 307 or [email protected].

