Compassionate Touch
How the Economy is Affecting
Compassionate Touch
By Brenda
Tolbert, Development Officer – Compassionate
Touch
“An
individual has not started living until he can rise
above the narrow confines of his
individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of
all humanity.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Compassionate
Touch is a benevolent component of Lifeline Chaplaincy,
providing short-term housing, parking
assistance, and other non-medical support to patients
financially strapped by their medical condition.
Many
of our supporters and several hospital social workers
have asked if the current economy has affected Compassionate
Touch. Yes, it has. Philanthropy at all levels is
weakened; corporations and foundations have less to
give. Our carefully stewarded funds have been limited.
Yet
our response has been practical, prudent and assertive.
We’re constantly reviewing our budget to maintain
our goal to serve the greatest number of needy and
indigent patients and their families with emergency
funding for short term needs. Compassionate Touch
continues to be a unique service to the major urban
medical centers of Central Texas, Dallas, Fort Worth
and Houston. We work exclusively with hospital social
workers to assist needy patients with temporary lodging,
food or transportation.
“At
Parkland we’re known for having one of the most
critical and destitute patient populations in the
Dallas area, Texas and the nation. We are encouraged
by your willingness to help us in our efforts.
Historically,
Parkland employees have had to “pass the hat”
to raise the money to help families pay for these
basic costs related to caring for someone in the
hospital. With the exception of a few small funds
that assist a small portion of our patient population,
Compassionate Touch is the only program that helps
as long as the resources are available and hospital
social workers see the need for the patient.
Lifeline
Chaplaincy may be able to measure the dollars spent
and the number of families served, but we will be
the fortunate ones at Parkland to see the other
immeasurable ways the patients and families benefit
from the generosity of Compassionate Touch, Lifeline
Chaplaincy and their donors. We thank you for the
opportunities you have provided for us and our patients.”
-Susan
Cauley, RN, BS, MS
Parkland Health & Hospital Systems
The
economic downturn is real, impacting the lives of
many people, but especially the seriously ill and
their families. The newly laid off father who must
choose between paying for groceries or paying for
parking to visit his spouse who is hospitalized for
several weeks. Or the single mom who must sleep in
her car with one child while the other is hospitalized
because she cannot afford a hotel room. Because of
your generous financial contributions, Compassionate
Touch has been able to be there for those like these
most in need.
We
all know someone affected by the economic downturn.
Doom
and gloom seem to follow us everywhere we turn - in
the newspaper, on TV, in magazines – it’s
hard to escape the hardship caused by the recession.
For
just a moment, though, I’d like to offer you
the opportunity to step outside the gloom and doom.
I’d like to
share with you the good news happening every week
at Compassionate Touch.
Because
many of you opened your hearts and your checkbooks
in 2008 to Compassionate Touch, 1,771 needy patients
and family members were assisted with temporary lodging,
food or transportation. While we had hoped to grow
our capacity to help in 2009, we were still blessed
to assist 1021 requests for assistance. Thanks to
a generous targeted donation, we have been able to
support organ transplant patients in Houston, Central
Texas, Dallas and Fort Worth. We are eager to increase
funding to support non-transplant patient needs in
these areas as soon as possible.
At Parkland we’re known for
having the most critical and destitute patient
populations in the Dallas area, Texas and the nation.
Over
the years, the names and faces of the patients are
different, but the stories are the same. Someone needs
help. Now. this economy has given us the opportunity
to do more for so many more. You, our supporters,
have seen us through natural disasters such as hurricanes
Katrina, Rita, and Ike. We
know that you will see us through this economic challenge.
Help
us remain the “touch of compassion” so desperately
needed. Help us to always be there when we are needed.
As
the development officer for Compassionate Touch, I
want to personally thank everyone who has supported
our mission over the years. We are especially grateful
to the individuals, corporations and foundations who
have kept us in their hearts and minds during both
the good and the challenging financial times.
Humanity
needs Compassionate Touch, and Compassionate Touch
needs you.
Because
Lifeline Chaplaincy generously provides the administrative
costs, Compassionate Touch (a 501c3 program) can direct
the majority of every dollar specifically towards
patients and families.
Please
visit our website Compassionate
Touch, or call 713.524.1055.
Lifeline
Chaplaincy's Compassionate Touch™ Program
seeks to ease this burden by providing a non-medical
one time funding to in-patients being seen at one
of the area hospitals.
Lifeline
Chaplaincy's Compassionate
Touch™ Program since June 1997 has continued
to help provide some comfort to patients and their
families whether the need is short-term housing while
undergoing treatment, parking assistance, or just
a meal to help feed a family member. Patient or their
family member may contact the hospital's social worker
in their area concerning qualifications for our program.
We
are aware that you may have many questions, such as:
WHAT
ARE THE AREAS OF FUNDING?
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR FUNDING?
HOW ARE MY NEEDS ASSESSED?
HOW DO I CONTACT A SOCIAL WORKER?
HOUSING NEEDS? GO
HERE
Come, visit our web
site where most of your questions will be answered.
Rosa
Winfrey
Director,
Compassionate Touch Program
Phone:
713-524-1055
1-888-767-6363
(toll free)
