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Respite Care - A Lifeline for Families
Friendship Ventures is offering 71 respite care sessions next year, one nearly every weekend at either Camp Friendship or Eden Wood Center – or both. Shannon McGuire, program manager for the Creative Options Respite Care program, sees firsthand how families need and value weekends away from the daily demands of caring for a family member with disabilities.
Shannon, who was a summer camp counselor in 2001 before working full time for Friendship Ventures, has been program manager for two years. She manages respite sessions at Eden Wood Center, while Kristin Olson oversees respite care at Camp Friendship. Kristin has a degree in therapeutic recreation and has worked for both community recreation and residential programs prior to joining Friendship Ventures’ staff in September. Shannon and Kristin set up each respite weekend, recruit, hire and supervise weekend staff, plan onsite activities and day trips and work directly with parents.
Shannon said, “We’re in constant communication with parents,” emphasizing that parent communication is key. “We make sure that they are happy and feel comfortable with everything here.”
Kristin echoed the importance of parent communication, saying, “Communication with parents helps us make sure that the respite care weekend goes well. They may send behavior plans, share ways to diminish problem behavior, request particular staff or inform us of changes in medication. Knowing about the routine clients have at home helps us provide an easier transition from home to here.”
To learn more about respite care services at Friendship Ventures click here or call Shannon or Kristin at 953-852-0110.
Shannon McGuire (left) and Kristin Olson manage the Creative Options Respite Care program.
Friendship Ventures is a non-profit agency that creates unique educational, recreational and social opportunities for people of all ages with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. We also offer conference and retreat services and professional team-building programs to the communities we serve. Friendship Ventures operates Camp Friendship near Annandale, MN, Eden Wood Center in Eden Prairie, MN and Camp New Hope near McGregor, MN.
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