"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

Does finding a network of services and providers in your community feel like an impossible task? Are activities like shopping, therapy, transportation and socializing difficult to locate or know who to ask for help? Try Community Connections!

These are just a few of the reasons Eiros began Community Connections. We visit different areas of the state, bring our fantastic DSP's and Support Brokers and help you find answers. We host these to help you make connections in the community.

Join us!

Cost per person: FREE

Date: Wednesday November 15th

Time: 12p-4p

Location: Gail Force Winds
148 Farnsworth Ave.
Bordentown, NJ 08505

Can't make this event? Stay tuned! We are scheduling "Community Connections" throughout New Jersey! Want more info about our Community Connections? Click here!

Supportive Housing Conference

Last week, Friday November 3rd, Eiros participated and presented at the 2nd Annual NJ Supportive Housing Conference and Awards.

The annual SHA Conference is an educational and networking opportunity for housing and service providers, community planners, housing developers, public officials, families/consumers, and those interested in promoting and advancing supportive housing for people with special needs. Addressing state, regional, and national issues, the conference draws an average of 300+ attendees.

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary New Jersey Supportive Housing Conference with the theme, “Breaking New Ground; Success Begins with Home,” launched a new enduring title during our milestone event. With a new name to span the years, it expresses the innovation that fuels our industry and the recognition that a safe, affordable, and accessible home is the foundation from which all success is built.

During the conference, Director of Supports Brokerage, Kristen Mathews and Director of People, Sheldon Schwitek presented "Serving Everyone Through a Culture of Gentleness". We shared the basic principles of a Culture of Gentleness, and our journey embedding that philosophy into into our organization.

The Eiros Group provides Support Brokerage services and has been utilizing the practice of a Culture of Gentleness
and Gentle Teaching since its inception. The intention is to have the Culture, along with Person Centered Planning and
Thinking, be the foundation that all the organization’s work was built on.

The presentation stressed how the Culture of Gentleness positively impacts our organization at all levels and encouraged others to incorporate it into their organizations too. It promotes care, compassion, and respect to enhance well-being and personal growth. One of the benefits of utilizing this philosophy is that we experience better workforce engagement and retention.

A Culture of Gentleness permeates our organization and is used to meet the needs of all stakeholders. Support brokerage intentionally focuses on connecting individuals to housing, community connections, job and volunteer opportunities, and other realms that fall outside of the traditional Support Coordination.

It was an exciting conference and we look forward to utilizing the numerous workshops and networking meetings we attended to help bring even more connections to our customers.

For further information, please contact Kristen, Sheldon, or John. You can also find more details about Gentle Teaching and the Culture of Gentleness by signing up for our newsletter, or emailing sheldons@eiros-group.com

“Values in a Culture of Gentleness” (Part 2)

VULNERABILITIES OF CAREGIVERS – JOHN J. MCGEE
“Although our vulnerabilities and the external threats to our well-being are in many ways nothing compared to those of the persons whom we serve, it is important that we recognize our own before dealing further with the vulnerabilities of those whom we serve."

We are all vulnerable to breakdowns in our personal values. Sometimes these can be due to how we feel and what we are experiencing within ourselves; at other times we can be part of a system that makes it harder for us to respond to our shared values. If a caregiver is afraid of being hurt, he/she then becomes more likely to use restraint to control violent behaviors. Or, if a caregiver is depressed, then it is extremely hard to bring joy to others. If we are being beaten and de-valued at home, it is hard to bring non-violence into someone else’s home.

Many of our vulnerabilities are worsened by lack of adequate training and hands-on supervision. Some caregivers are quite isolated and seldom have the opportunity to discuss their problems and search for new responses to challenging situations. It is critical that caregivers recognize their weaknesses and find ways to overcome them.

Community leaders need to listen to caregivers and find ways to offer support and encouragement. Caregivers need to find their own self-worth from themselves, talking frequently,
sharing their anxieties, and pointing out their goodness. Our own worth has to be generated from within ourselves. We need to form strong communities.

The question of burnout seems to be always present. Some caregivers give up and attribute their burnout to poor supervision, working in violent settings, receiving little
guidance, or low pay. Since we are not only teaching feelings of companionship, but also a sense of community, it is important for caregivers to look at themselves, question
their reality, and search for ways for themselves to feel safer, more engaged, and more valued. The first step in this is to step back and examine those things that make us vulnerable.
Let us take a moment to reflect on these aspects of our lives — recognizing these will help us understand better the needs of those whom we serve.”

~Excerpt from John J. McGee’s “Mending Broken Hearts”
Originally posted at https://creativeoptionsregina.ca/vulnerabilities-caregivers-john-j-mcgee/

We will be hosting introductory online training sessions for Culture of Gentleness in the New Year. Keep your eye on this newsletter for more information coming soon!

Are you a Support Coordinator who is interested in learning more about Supports Brokerage?

We would love to present at your next staff meeting to provide you and your colleagues more information. Contact Kristen Mathews, our Director of Supports Brokerage, at kristenm@eiros-group.com for more information.

DDD's Self-Direction Conversation Cafe…

Our team at the Office of Education on Self-Directed Services' "Self Direction Conversation Cafe" on Oct. 17th. The event was a networking session facilitated by the OESDS for Support Coordinators and Supports Brokers to foster community connections and collaborations. It was a great event and glad to have our SC's and SB's attend!

We are growing! We have a number of open positions throughout New Jersey for Direct Support Professionals and experienced caregivers. Want to learn more? Click here and apply today!

Transition Planning Season is coming! Have questions? Need guidance? Reach out! We are here to help!

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