One in four Americans provides caregiving support for another adult. As the Baby Boom population ages, the need for caregiving support will continue to expand significantly in the coming years.  Family members often cannot provide all the support needed.  Professional services can make a difference but often do not provide all the caregiving support people need. 

Since 2002, Project Compassion has used a team approach to mobilize community volunteers in the Triangle area of NC and beyond. 

These Support Teams:

• offer practical, emotional and spiritual support for people living with illness and caregiving
• create meaningful community for people living with challenging health conditions
• empower individuals to remain in their own homes longer
• engage community members of all ages in caregiving support as part of living meaningful lives and creating livable communities   

Support Team volunteers pool their talents, creativity, time, and leadership abilities to offer much more support than one volunteer can provide alone. Teams average 6-12 volunteer members, 2 volunteer co-leaders and a coach.  Their activities often include a carefully coordinated combination of:

• Practical Support:  such as help with transportation, respite, meals, errands, household tasks, yard work, etc.
• Emotional and Social Support: such as visits, calls, check ins, shared time together, etc.
• Quality of Life Support:  such as social outings, gardening, help with hobbies, computer access, art projects, cookbook projects, pet care, etc.
• Advocacy and Resource Support:  such as tapping community resources, help with problem solving, accompanying friends on doctor visits, organizing records and bills, etc.           

Project Compassion has now created over 250 Support Teams with 1,750 volunteers who have provided over 60,000 hours of free consistent caregiving support for over 650 individuals.

Support Teams have assisted individuals and families dealing with many types of cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, severe burns, Batten Disease, and other life-changing health conditions.  This service is offered at no cost to the recipients.  The economic cost savings for fragile families in the Triangle area of NC now exceeds $1,200,000.   

Project Compassion’s Support Team Initiative has been recognized nationally as a model of excellence by AARP, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Council on Aging, the Metlife Foundation, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.   

To learn more about the impact of Support Teams for people living with illness, read Our Stories.
 

Ways to Get Involved with Support Teams

Joining a Support Team

New Support Team members experience a 3 hour orientation before beginning and then meet monthly for 59 minutes to communicate, educate and coordinate.  Begin by completing the Support Team Member Information form and register online for an upcoming orientation.  If you have further questions, contact Steven Warnock at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (919) 402-1844.

Leading or Developing a Support Team

Persons interested in helping lead a Support Team are invited to attend a leadership training event.  This two day training is a dynamic, interactive introduction to team facilitation.  To learn more, see Support Team Development Conference.  Register online to attend one of our upcoming Support Team Development Conference being held on September 23-24, 2010, and March 17-18, 2011.  If you have further questions, contact Steven Warnock at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (919) 402-1844. 

Partnering with Project Compassion to Create Support Teams

To learn about the Support Team resources and oreintation options we offer faith communities, neighborhood groups, community organizations, friendship groups and others, contact Steven Warnock at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (919) 402-1844.

Referring Someone Who May Benefit from a Support Team

Support Teams are for individuals and families living with illness who would benefit from additional community support.  Referrals may be made by health care providers, community members and individuals and families facing illness.  Contact Steven Warnock at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (919) 402-1844.

Partnering with Project Compassion Outside the Triangle Area of NC

To learn more about what we offer partner groups and organizations outside the Triangle area of North Carolina through The Support Team Network, take a look at our National Initiatives.

Coordinating a Team Online with Lotsa Helping Hands   

Lotsa Helping Hands is a free of charge, private, web-based community to coordinate family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and volunteers during times of need.  This online calendar can help a team of volunteers coordinate activities and manage their time with an intuitive group calendar. Teams can also communicate and share information using announcements, messages boards, and photos.  Lotsa Helping Hands is a great tool and wonderful complement to Support Teams, caregivers, and others as they do what they enjoy when they are able in a coordinated way.  Click here to begin or continue a Support Team calendar.

 
Why should I link to Lotsa Helping Hands through Project Compassion?      

Project Compassion has partnered with Lotsa Helping Hands since 2005.  By linking through Project Compassion’s website you are part of both the Project Compassion and Lotsa Helping Hands communities.  Linking from Project Compassion also helps us know how useful this tool is in the formation and development of your caregiving support.  In this way, we can learn how to make the online calendar a better resource for you.  Click here to begin or continue a Support Team calendar.