Two ways you can support Life Essentials this week

Life Essentials is in its 26th year providing services to seniors struggling with mental illness in our community. The Chums program, the original program offered by the agency, specializes in assisting seniors in developing social relationships and skills for an independent life.

One of the organization’s goals is to ensure that all seniors have the best quality of life available to them.

“One factor in having that high quality of life is to have safe and stable friendships,” says the organization’s executive director Linda Roepken. “In the Chums program, participants develop friendships, social connectedness as well as other social skills. In addition, they work on skills such as assertiveness, protecting themselves from being victims of fraud and survival skills for the holidays.”

Roepken says one Chums participant described life before Chums as “a mess.” After attending? “Now I’m happy. I needed to get out of the house.”

One benefit to participating in the Chums program is the ability to visit the Chums pantry. There participants can use “chums bucks” — earned for participating, sharing and taking risks. Participants can then shop for personal hygiene products.

Here’s what our readers can contribute to the pantry:

  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes
  • Dental Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Hand/body lotion
  • Liquid soap
  • Bar soap
  • Dish detergent
  • Paper towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Shaving cream
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Brushes
  • Combs
  • Razors
  • Deodorant

Drop off your donations at 40 South Perry St., Suite 130, Dayton. You can visit the website at www.lifeessentials.org to make an online donation.

Life Essentials also provides guardianship services to adults who need guardians as decided by the Montgomery and Greene County Probate Courts. Professional staff and trained volunteers protect and preserve the rights of individuals who lack capacity to make informed decision.

ANOTHER WAY TO HELP

Life Essentials invites the community to come to its third annual Chalk About It Chalk Festival on Saturday, June 10 at The Greene. Visitors can watch the street painting as artists bring chalk art to life. The art begins at 10 a.m.; the kids area opens at noon. A beer garden begins at noon and a band will play at 5 p.m.


Columnist Meredith Moss writes about non-profit organizations in our area and their specific needs. If your group has a wish list it would like to publish, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com

Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your organization’s mission.

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