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PACE Home Care

November 7, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

TRU PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) coordinates and provides care for older individuals so they can continue living safely in their community and receive care directly in their home through our PACE Home Care program. Many of these individuals receive their care at the TRU PACE Day Center, which includes social space and programming, as well as a medical clinic and a rehab gym. At least 60% of PACE participants also get a CNA and home visit.

TRU PACE provides initial assessments for all participants in order to determine which services are needed and where they will best be served. An individualized plan of care is developed, and participants who will be better served at home will receive care where they live, within their community. Home care can include light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation and delivery, personal care, and medication reminders. It can also include physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical care, and more! The PACE patient community is very diverse, made of individuals from different backgrounds and with a variety of health issues.

Recently, a team from PACE Home Care visited a gentleman to assess his needs and health status. The man clearly takes pride in his appearance with freshly ironed clothing and his home immaculate and clean, but unfortunately had very poor living conditions. Doing the best with what the man had, he still could not afford the copays required from his benefits. When asked why he was continuing on this way the man replied, “because there is no one to help”.

Enter PACE. From the moment that PACE Home Care visited, the man has been a part of the PACE program. Their home visit assessed the man’s living situation and was able to determine the best support for his future health and overall quality of life. Everyone who comes into the program gets assistance, regardless of their ability to pay.

The overall goal of PACE Home Care is to keep individuals safe at home for as long as possible. PACE Home Care works to ensure that each person gets the right care at the right time. Things we often take for granted, such as the ability to bathe, grocery shop, and go out in public, are returned to PACE Home Care participants through simple actions of support such as installed shower chairs, meals on wheels, medication reminders, and dental care.

Kyle Engstrom, the Home Care Coordinator for PACE, shared this story saying,

“Our home care nurses get to see participants in their homes, in their own environments where they spend their lives outside of the Pace Day Center. Our nurses make sure they’re getting the assistance they need to be at home safely. The home care aides are very much the unsung heroes. They see our home care participants weekly, sometimes daily, and help prevent accidents in the home and improve the participants’ overall health and outlook on life. I think it’s cool. These are things we take for granted and are the fundamentals of health.”

TRU PACE serves seniors from all walks of life. Our program can enroll individuals who meet the following eligibility requirements:

At least 55 years old
Living in our PACE service area
Certified by the State of Colorado as needing nursing-home-level care, and
Able to live safely in the community with PACE services at the time of enrollment.

Learn more about the PACE program by visiting the National PACE Organization.

TRU PACE participants must receive all needed healthcare, including primary care and specialty physician services (other than emergency services) from TRU PACE contracted providers. TRU PACE participants may be fully and personally liable for costs of any unauthorized out-of-network services. TRU PACE participants may disenroll at the end of any month.
TRU Community Care is a Colorado-licensed, Medicare and Medicaid-certified, nonprofit health care organization serving the greater Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson, and Weld Counties. We rely on the support of our donors, sponsors, and community to provide the services necessary. To learn more about how you can support TRU Community Care, please visit www.trucare.org/donate

Fall News!

October 4, 2019 by TRU Community Care

The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, and we are looking forward to the fall season! Read more about what’s happening at TRU Community Care in our 2019 Fall Newsletter. A few highlights are included below:

Care for Everyone in Our Community

TRU Community Care believes that everyone in our community deserves to be supported throughout advanced illness and at end-of-life with compassionate, high-quality care. By providing a continuum of care that includes PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), palliative care, hospice care, and grief services, it is our hope that more community members will be aware of and utilize our services as soon as they are needed. Access to care remains a prevalent burden that we seek to ease by providing community outreach and education as well as access to our services, regardless of an inability to pay. TRU offers “indigent patient care” for patients with an inability to pay for services. TRU seeks to reduce potentially avoidable physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual suffering, regardless of one’s socio-economic status.

In one recent case, a young female facing advanced-stage cancer was torn because she desperately needed help getting her pain under control, but she was still thinking about pursuing treatment in the future. She became frustrated with another organization that she felt had too many restrictions. Our team approached her with the attitude that “we will take this walk with you, day by day.” She was admitted to the TRU Hospice Care Center where our team could focus on managing her pain and addressing her current concerns, so she could get back home to her young children. At that moment, she needed our expert hospice care. Regardless of what the future may hold, TRU is committed to doing the right thing for our patients and families each and every day as we walk with them on their journey.

Butterflies “Take Flight”

On June 22nd, TRU hosted our1st Annual “Take Flight” Butterfly Release and Memorial, serving as a celebration of life and an important step in the grief process for loved ones coping with loss. Approximately 200 hundred people gathered at this year’s ceremony to share memories, relay personal experiences with grief, read poems, and to be surrounded by others who might understand on a deeper level. The rain cleared and the sun came out just in time to release the butterflies in the labyrinth behind TRU PACE – a representation of the transition of one life form to another.

Next year’s “Take Flight” Butterfly Release and Memorial will take place on June 13, 2020.

“The butterfly event was beautiful. I loved watching my friend fly away from me. It was a beautiful visualization of what happened. Thanks for all you do to bring peace to people in grief.”
– TRU Volunteer and “Take Flight” attendee

TRU Grief Services

TRU Grief Services are available to everyone in our community. These services include extensive support and resources for people of all ages and throughout all phases of the grief process. We are honored to serve families and individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Kathy F. completed our 4 and 8-week grief groups in the Spring of 2018 after the unexpected passing of her sister and brother-in-law earlier in 2017. Her sister was her “best friend in the whole world” and Kathy knew she needed additional support to offset the burden on her family. When she reached out to Reta Morrisette with TRU Grief Services, Kathy was comforted by how calming and supportive Reta was as she walked her through all of the available Grief Services options.

The grief groups provided a place for Kathy to navigate her feelings and be accepted without judgment. After completing both programs, Kathy continues to meet with members of one of the groups once a month. Inevitably, they have become her friends on a deep level. Kathy’s advice to anyone thinking about TRU Grief Services is, “At least give it a try. It’s not always easy, but every minute counts and it is 100% worth your time.”

In addition to our free group offerings for the community and one-on-one support provided to families who have experienced a loss through one of TRU’s programs, TRU Grief Services is excited to announce a fee-based one-on-one support program for grieving community members starting this fall.

Visit trucare.org/grief for more information about our expanding grief services.

Palisade Peaches in Lafayette

Our 2019 “Perfect Peaches” Community Peach Sale fundraiser was a success, with White Orchard in Palisade providing a truckload of peaches from the Western Slope to help support our efforts. Farmer Ray White, a long-time hospice supporter, says, “Working with hospice keeps the peaches rolling out the door and helps people receive the care they need. It’s been a great experience to work with TRU and to see how the community pulls together to make it happen. I’m proud to provide quality peaches each year.”

Local businesses also rallied to support our mission. Superior Towing donated the tractor-trailer and driver to transport the fruit from Palisade to Lafayette. AAA Barricade provided the cones that allowed us to create our peach pickup drive-thru. Our printing partner, MailGraphics, even lent us a pallet jack. Event sponsors Ewing Leavitt Insurance Agency and Boulder Community Health provided generous underwriting for the event, which raises funds to support TRU’s mission to affirm life at every step of your journey with illness and loss. We’re grateful to our many 2019 Event Series sponsors, too!

Next year’s “Perfect Peaches” Community Peach Sale Pick-Up will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2020.

TRU Gives Back

TRU Community Care is dedicated to giving back to the community, not only locally, but also abroad. In 2006, TRU approached the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA), an arm of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and was paired with Bumbuli Hospice. Bumbuli is located in Northeastern Tanzania near the Kenyon border which is about 6 hours from Kilimanjaro. Currently, they serve 972 patients with just 6 full-time staff members and 43 volunteers! Over the years, TRU has helped to support Bumbuli Hospice with donations totaling over $100,000. The majority of this contribution has come from employee efforts such as bake sales, potlucks, craft fairs, and donations through payroll deductions. TRU has participated in exchange visits, hosting members of the Bumbuli team in Boulder and deploying multidisciplinary teams to Bumbuli to learn, conduct training, and offer services.

TRU staff give back in so many ways. More than 30% of TRU Community Care staff donate either to Bumbuli, TRU’s Employee Education Fund, TRU’s General Operating Fund, or in support of a TRU event. TRU employees donate their time by volunteering at our “Take Flight” Butterfly Release and at our “Perfect Peaches” event. Staff volunteers help in all aspects of the events. Our community of TRU employees and volunteers are engaged in community service beyond their efforts in support of TRU. They volunteer for and donate to countless organizations throughout the region.

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — William Shakespeare

TRU’s Community of Volunteers

Each year more than 300 volunteers give their time and effort to assist TRU Community Care’s mission to provide patients and families with the best emotional, spiritual, and practical support available so they feel affirmed at every step of their journey with illness and loss. TRU volunteers worked 34,048 hours in 2018, providing patient care and clinical support or working at the TRU Thrift Shop.

In 2019, we expanded our volunteer program to include volunteer support for our growing palliative care patient population. Holly M. started volunteering at the beginning of the program, providing companionship for a patient twice a month at her home. The volunteer program has allowed Holly and the patient to share life’s experiences, such as work, family, and travel. Overall, the palliative volunteer program has left Holly feeling enriched by learning about the palliative patient’s life and blessed by a volunteer relationship that is now growing into a friendship. Holly would suggest volunteering with TRU Palliative Care Services because there is so much to learn from another person’s experience, even if they’re in a different stage of life.

Another exciting program at TRU is our TRU Heroes program, through which our veteran volunteers help honor and care for patients who are also veterans. One aspect of this program is our Veteran Pinning Ceremonies. These ceremonies often include a veteran patient’s family members and loved ones who recognize and wish to honor the memorable and historical efforts and sacrifices made by the veteran. TRU offers and produces these ceremonies to honor an individual’s service to the United States Military. These ceremonies give veterans the opportunity to share more of their story in a safe space as they near the end of life.

If you are interested in becoming a TRU volunteer, please contact TRU Volunteer Services at 303.604.5226 or email volunteer@trucare.org.

Best of Boulder’s TRU Thrift Shop

TRU Thrift Shop is not just a store, but a community. Did you know that our shop partners with over 40 nonprofits, including Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, Boulder Valley Humane Society, and Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), to
ensure that resources get into the hands of those most in need in our community? We are proud to support such incredible organizations through our Giving Room program.

TRU Thrift Shop was recently named the best thrift store in Boulder County for the seventh year in a row. This isn’t just because of our amazing “one-of-a-kind finds” and our incredible volunteer program. It’s also due to the fact that TRU Thrift Shop helps to support Boulder and surrounding communities by funding TRU Community Care programs like TRU Hospice and TRU Palliative Care.

TRU Thrift Shop is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and now features a café with a beautifully shaded patio. We are excited to announce that Huckleberry Roasters of Denver, CO is now our official coffee sponsor! Stop in to enjoy a cup today.

Save the Date!

TRU Cares Fundraising Luncheon
Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Academy Senior Living in Boulder

TRU Heroes Veteran Honoring Ceremony
Monday, November 11, 2019 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Louisville Recreation & Senior Center

Go in Peace! Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion
Monday, November 11, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Dairy Arts Center in Boulder

Lights of Life Holiday Remembrance
Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Unity Columbine Church in Boulder

Visit trucare.org/events for more information.

How YOU Can Give Back to TRU

TRU Community Care relies on support from friends like you to continue our vital work: providing the best possible care to anyone who needs us, regardless of an inability to pay.
Our programs are funded partly through Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, and private payments, but because we give the same unparalleled care to everyone, we also rely on the generosity of business, foundations, and individuals like to you to help bridge the gap.

When you make a gift to TRU, you make a gift of lasting value. You are ensuring that everyone experiencing advanced illness or loss in our community is treated with respectful and compassionate care they deserve. We thank you for your consideration and generosity.

Visit trucare.org/donate make a tax-deductible contribution today.

TRU Volunteers Serve

September 26, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

This week, TRU Thrift Shop celebrated Morgana Young for her nearly 14 years of volunteer work. TRU Thrift Shop volunteers, employees, friends, and family all gathered at the shop’s cafe to say farewell and show appreciation for Morgana’s years of service to TRU Community Care.

Volunteers are an essential piece of the mission, vision, and values of TRU Community Care. Last year alone, TRU volunteers accounted for over 30,000 hours of work, equating to over $900,000 in value. We could not serve the greater community without the dedicated service of our volunteers. Ultimately, they provide an immeasurable value that goes beyond volunteer hours and represents the dynamic support we are able to provide in TRU Hospice, TRU Palliative Care, TRU PACE, and TRU Grief Services.

Reta Morrisette, the Volunteer Coordinator for TRU Community Care, works with volunteers supporting our Grief Services and those coping with illness and loss. She is amazed by the devoted care and service of these volunteers on a daily basis. In Reta’s words, “It is a true honor and privilege to serve the bereaved in our community. Our volunteers are very compassionate and skilled in bringing a sacred place to our community, offering their time and hearts to serve the bereaved who are coping with illness and loss.”

TRU volunteers are skilled in practice and devoted to the heart and values of our community. Without them, we would not be able to provide the depth of care and compassion that supports our mission and makes TRU not just a service provider, but also a supportive community. Volunteers are at the heart of why we are TRU Community Care.

We are always searching for new volunteers to help us support our mission as they serve our patients and families with the best emotional, spiritual, and practical support possible; lend valuable administrative assistance to the organization; and play a key role at TRU Thrift Shop. Our volunteers are all admiringly devoted and often choose to remain “behind the scenes,” serving in humility. They find joy and contentment in making a tangible difference in people’s lives, giving back to our community, and continuing to learn new skills while meeting new and interesting people.

We cannot thank all of our volunteers enough! We look forward to serving you as you help serve the mission, vision, and core values of TRU Community Care.

If you are interested in becoming a TRU volunteer, please visit: https://www.trucare.org/careers-volunteers/volunteer-overview/

In a Word, Hospice is “Comfort”

September 13, 2019 by TRU Community Care

In life’s crossing points, it’s not always easy to know when it is time for hospice care. TRU Hospice supports individuals and families when one is nearing their final months, days, or moments, and no longer looking for a cure. We recently had the opportunity to support Mary Marcantonia and her mother, Rella Marcantonia, through the last steps and days of Rella’s life and her transition into the next. Like so many of the people we care for, Rella was a remarkable individual who left quite a legacy.

From Mary’s written obituary for her mother, Rella Mae Boon Marcantonio, 99 of Redvale, CO was born July 29, 1919, in a tent atop the Uncompahgre Plateau. Her family moved to Grand Junction, CO in 1922 to settle down into life in Western Colorado. She earned an Associate of Arts degree at Mesa State College, now known as Colorado Mesa University, in Grand Junction, CO and a degree from the University of Colorado School of Nursing in Denver, CO. She continued to nurse during WWII.

Rella had a passion for the arts and for education. A philosophy she lived by and promoted often was: “Get all the education you can get. It’s the only thing ‘nobody’ can ever take away from you.” Her teaching took many forms, ranging from a one-room schoolhouse to all areas of public education and even private lessons at her kitchen table. She never lost her desire to inspire and was always willing to help others acquire knowledge.

When the time came for Rella to enter TRU Hospice Care, her daughter, Mary, had been working with her mother for four months. In-home health care through Medicare had been maxed out, leaving Mary to take on full responsibility for Rella. Rella’s primary physician recommended TRU Community Care for her because of our great rapport and communication with families and physicians. Her physician also assured Mary that she would know when it was time for Rella to be admitted to hospice care. This time came when, one night, Rella began speaking to people that Mary could not see. Mary realized Rella was ready to transition to hospice care. She called TRU Community Care and a nurse arrived shortly after.

Mary’s and Rella’s experience with TRU Community Care is described by Mary with the word, “comfort”. She experienced special care that was attentive and more mindful of emotions than her experience at the hospital. Mary’s personal experience with the hospice services was so strong that all she could say was, “it was just different… it was the only reason I was able to survive during that time.”

A TRU CNA who works at the TRU Hospice Care Center, was profoundly impacted by Rella during her time with her. “This woman was born in a tent, is related to Grandma Moses, and was riding a Harley as recently as January at the age of 98! She was a teacher, a nurse, a painter, and a published poet. She lived an amazing life and I’m so glad I got to meet her.”

Rella’s memory is full of life, color, art, and poems for her family and community. Mary even painted her nails purple, just the way Rella would want them, the day she entered TRU Hospice Care. Rella’s memory lives on through her loved ones, and we are honored to have provided the necessary support and services for Mary’s family and so many others like them.

To learn more about TRU Hospice Services, please visit trucare.org/hospice.

To read previous TRU blog posts, please visit trucare.org/blog.

Perfect Peaches 2019

August 27, 2019 by TRU Community Care

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 1^st Annual Perfect Peaches fundraiser! On August 17, 25 TRU staff and volunteers spent a fun morning greeting customers, loading cars with fresh Palisade peaches, and sharing stories about our connections to TRU Community Care.

The summer tradition of enjoying peaches from the Western Slope brings support to TRU, Colorado’s first hospice, from across the state with a truckload of peaches from White Orchard in Palisade. Farmer Ray White, a long-time hospice supporter says, “Working with hospice keeps the peaches rolling out the door and helps people receive the care they need. It’s been a great experience to work with TRU and to see how the community pulls together to make it happen. I’m proud to provide quality peaches each year.”

Local businesses also rally to support our mission. Superior Towing donates the tractor-trailer and driver to transport the fruit from Palisade to Lafayette. AAA Barricade provided the cones that allowed us to create our peach pick-up drive-thru. Our printing partner, MailGraphics, even lent us a pallet jack. Event sponsors, Ewing Leavitt Insurance Agency and Boulder Community Health, provide generous underwriting for the event which raises funds to support TRU’s mission to affirm life at every step of your journey with illness and loss. We’re grateful to our many 2019 Event Series sponsors, too!

You never even have to get out of your car…

We’ve heard from several people (and know from the countless peaches we’ve consumed ourselves in the past week) that we made the right decision to push back pick-up by one week to allow the peaches more time to ripen. We’ve also been pleased to receive glowing feedback about how organized, streamlined, and seamless our pick-up process was. It takes a village!

Peach with an attitude…
Great customer service!
We love our mascots

Here is a link to some of our favorite pictures from the morning on Facebook. Thank you to volunteer photographer Gregg Lowrimore for coming out at 5:00 a.m. to capture the entire morning!

We are so glad that so many people took time out of their day to be with us. If you were unable to participate, we missed you and hope you can make it next year!

2018 Annual Report Now Available

August 21, 2019 by TRU Community Care

TRU Community Care is pleased to share with you our 2018 Annual Report. This publication captures TRU’s 2018 accomplishments and milestones, and it highlights how our staff and volunteers support our community members throughout their journeys with illness and loss. We appreciate this opportunity to reflect on our impact and hope that you enjoy the information and stories we have compiled.

We invite you to view our 2018 journey where you will learn more about:

TRU programs and history
Stories highlighting powerful TRU moments
Financial summaries
Details about TRU’s Veteran program
Impact of TRU volunteers
TRU Thrift Shop’s new look
Event recaps and few dates to save for 2019

From all of us at TRU, we offer you sincere thanks for being a part of our community.

Please consider making a donation today in support of our work!

To read more by TRU Community Care, please visit https://www.trucare.org/blog.

View Annual Report

Donate Now

Veteran Pinning – Arthur Sidney Roberts

July 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

Arthur Sidney Roberts served in the United States Navy for four years on an oil tanker during the Korean War. One of his fondest memories while in service, Art (as he prefers to be called), traveled to Australia and visited Christ Church during the same time period that President Eisenhower was touring the island nation. To this day, Art still brags how he has been to both poles while serving his country.

As an ordained minister, Art had the honor of presiding over his granddaughter’s wedding last month, just days after being diagnosed with ALS. He represents America with a love of family, country, and baseball. In fact, Art played on a softball league at 83 years old until this past March. He finished his softball season allowing only one walk as a pitcher.

Art’s family gathered on Sunday, July 21st, 2019 to celebrate his 84th birthday and to honor his service in the U.S. Navy with a veteran pinning ceremony. His home in Longmont, Colorado was filled with his family and friends as the TRU Community Care team arrived and prepared for the ceremony.

TRU volunteer and fellow veteran of the Korean War, John Franko, began the ceremony with an introduction paying tribute to Art’s service in the military. Art’s loved ones watched as he received his pin and honorary military salute.

There was a depth of reverence for the sacrifices made by these men, seemingly strangers but brought together by a common thread, their service to our country. John continued the ceremony by giving Art a star saved from a retired American flag that is given only to military veterans and first responders stating,

“I am part of our American flag that has flown over the United States. I can no longer fly, the sun has caused me to be tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten”.

Arthur was filled with deep gratitude, mutual respect, and joy in response to the ceremony. You couldn’t help but perceive the profound and wholehearted life in service to others that Art has lived and carries with him through his family.

TRU Community Care offers and produces Veteran Pinning Ceremonies to honor their service to the United States Military. Veterans, who are near the end of their life, share their experiences both leading up to and during the ceremony. The retelling of stories is an important part of what TRU Community Care offers to individuals nearing the end of their life.

To read more by TRU Community Care, please visit https://www.trucare.org/blog.

“Take Flight” Butterfly Release and Memorial Event Recap

June 26, 2019 by TRU Community Care

Approximately 200 people gathered Saturday at TRU PACE in Lafayette to remember lost loved ones, many of whom received hospice care from TRU Community Care. Hoping to be an annual tradition in the community, this celebration of life is an important part of the grief process for many family members coping with a loss. To view all pictures from the event, please visit the Google Photos album or the Facebook album.

CEO of TRU Community Care, Michael McHale, welcomed guests, spoke about the importance of coming together with others experiencing grief, and shared a poem called A Symbol of Hope.

American Legion Post 111 Lafayette posted the colors and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance in honor of our veterans.

TRU Grief Counselor, Richard Mercer, shared a personal story of friendship and loss and encouraged community members to share their own stories during their journey with grief.

Janie Blakely, TRU Chaplain, facilitated a time for sharing of memories. Attendees took turns standing up and vocalizing something special about the people they lost.

The weather cleared just in time for everyone to adjourn outside and release their butterflies in the TRU Labyrinth. Representing the transition of one life form to another, the butterflies were released into the air.

Participants enjoyed music from flutist Laurie Rugenstein and snacks made by our volunteers throughout the morning. Everyone present shared in a sense of community and many expressed how meaningful the event was for them.

“The butterfly event on Saturday was beautiful. Thank you for bringing it to us. I loved watching my friend fly away from me. It was a beautiful visualization of what happened. Thanks for all you do to bring peace to people in grief.” – TRU Volunteer and “Take Flight” attendee

Thank you to everyone who took part in this special day.

To learn more about other upcoming TRU Community Care events, please visit our 2019 Events page.

Healing with Horses Through Grief and Loss

June 20, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

Healing with Horses is a program of TRU Community Care and a part of our grief services for youth coping with death and loss. This week we sat down with Raegan Gyorffy, the Director of Grief and Volunteer Services, to gain insight into the immeasurable value of the program.

While describing the group and how the horses impact the participants’ lives, Raegan says, ”The group is truly special. Horses are large and intuitive, able to mirror emotions, and provide a conduit for conversation and a good alternative to traditional group talks.”

The program runs for an 8-week period in the fall and again in the spring. Each week the participants meet for themed sessions that pair conversation with interaction and care for the horses. Youth are partnered with one another based on the similarity of age, their stage of grief, and their type of loss. Additionally, they are matched with a horse for added support. Each program has eight youth and up to six adults to ensure the safety and care for everyone involved.

A coordinator of the program expresses her experience and perspective of the impact the horses have in the participant’s grief process by explaining that,

“The relationship with the horse offers connection that helps ground the kids and breaks down barriers. We often see kids who are silent during the talking circle and come alive and expand once they are with the horses. It seems to offer a non-threatening space for kids to open up, move their bodies, and engage their senses in a way that gives them access to their emotions and thoughts. Also, being outside, getting exercise and having fun are all healthy ways to cope with big emotions!”

She herself has learned from the youth participants how to cope with grief and loss, the power of connection and being understood, and the importance of the power of feeling seen in our grief. One father told her that his son says “grief camp” is his son’s favorite activity of all the things he does for fun.

Stories like these are truly why Grief Services and specialized programs like Healing with Horses are so crucial to the heart of TRU Community Care. We could not do it without the heart and dedication of our staff, volunteers, families, donors, and overarching community.

To learn more about Grief Services and how you can become involved with Healing with Horses, please visit our Services and Volunteer page.

The Threshold Singers

May 24, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

A melodic sound softly begins to rise as your tired eyes, bones, and heart begins to respond to life and feeling. The gentle voices of the Threshold Singers have the ability to awaken the soul and body, unlike any other healing process. It is entirely communal while simultaneously personal, and anyone in the presence of their music will benefit from their support in song.

“Threshold Choir’s mission is to sing for those at the thresholds of life. Their goal is to bring ease and comfort to those at the thresholds of living and dying. A calm and focused presence at the bedside, with gentle voices, simple songs, and sincere kindness, can be soothing and reassuring to patients, family, and caregivers alike.” – Threshold Choir

TRU Community care is fortunate to have the Threshold Choir volunteering as a service to our families and their loved ones. The Threshold Choir International (TCI) is a nonprofit with over 200 chapters globally, equalling about 2,300 members. Kate Munger, Founder of TCI, travels around the country to rally attention and support for Threshold Singers and in 2012 she hosted an event in Boulder, Colorado.

We had the opportunity to interview four of Boulder’s Threshold Singers, who often sing for the TRU Community. Sally Kornblith, Patricia Petersen, Linda Klein, and Brenda Rowe sat down to talk and sing for us in early May of 2019. After meeting Kate Munger at the event in Boulder, Kitty Edwards and Brenda Rowe co-founded the Colorado Chapter called the Boulder Threshold Singers with Patricia Petersen in 2013. They continuously have 13-25 members annually and serve communities throughout Boulder County.

Patricia Petersen, the co-Founder of The Threshold Singers, tells us how she came to know this was something she needed to do.

“In 2012, my partner, Robin, was dying of cancer. I and three other people would sing for her for hours every Sunday, and it was the only thing that would take away the pain. It was noticeable. Music was so important to Robin.”

Individual threshold members have written and created a large repertoire of hundreds of soothing, comforting non-denominational songs, perfect for bedside singing. From these, the Boulder Threshold Singers have learned 70 of those songs (to date) for their repertoire. They also continue to learn and add more songs. Singers are required to go through a vetting process that makes sure participants are capable of providing not only beautiful sounds but an experience that is soothing and supportive of their community. When they sing, they get close and create a supportive and gentle environment. They sing wherever they are needed – at homes and hospitals in Boulder County, wherever hospice patients are being cared for, and at TRU Community Care.

“People are uncomfortable with death, not knowing what to do with themselves. People often feel like they should take care of you, asking if you’d like something to eat or drink…trying to make a situation comfortable that just isn’t comfortable. So, we sing. The room begins to let go and able to breathe.” – Says Sally, describing a memorable Threshold moment.

Members of the Threshold Singers often find themselves a part of this singing community out of their own experiences with grief and death. They say their work is “a giving circle” and a form of reciprocity. They feel they are equally – if not more – benefiting from their songs as a form of healing. Their music tangibly fills the air with peace and freedom to let go of whatever anyone may be holding on to. We are grateful to have them as a part of our services and look forward to the stories that are built by their songs over the coming years.

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