July 6, 2021 by Angela

Schurig Center’s Board President Honored with Picnic Table in Larkspur

National Association of Realtors^® singled out Schurig Center’s volunteer Board President Kim Strub as one of their national Good Neighbor Award recipients in 2019 and provided a $20,000 grant for the organization at that time in partnership with Wells Fargo Foundation. They also decided to dedicate a picnic table to her in recognition of her decade-plus of volunteer service to Schurig Center. The NAR Good Neighbor Awards recognize REALTORS who make extraordinary commitments to improving the quality of life in their communities.

The picnic table dedicated to Kim and Schurig Center is located on the walking path along Corte Madera Creek by Bon Air Center in Larkspur. The public is invited to enjoy the table. An inaugural picnic was held at the new picnic table in June 2021. In attendance from the Schurig Center were Executive Director Patricia Gill and Board member and Larkspur city councilmember, Catherine Way.

“I’m thrilled that the work of Schurig Center continues to be recognized for the important role we play in helping individuals and families rehabilitate after traumatic brain injuries. The center looks forward to reopening our doors to in-person classes in the fall, while our remote support continues to be offered,” said Strub. “We are hopeful that the picnic table can be enjoyed by the public and brings awareness to the need for the services we provide in our local community.”

Since the organization’s founding in 1985, Schurig Center’s mission has been powered by community support. We are deeply grateful for the loyal support of our community of friends, like Kim, who have been helping us improve lives and abilities for over 35 years.

If you’d like to join us in celebrating Kim’s service to the community, we hope you’ll consider making a donation to Schurig Center in her honor today.

Congrats, Kim!

September 26, 2018 by Angela

Volunteer Betty Schrohe Helps Survivors Rediscover Their Voice

Volunteer Betty listens on as John practices his reading and speech skills with a book about Albert Einstein

At Schurig Center, “it takes a village” isn’t just a cliché, it’s the key to our success. We are deeply grateful for Betty Schrohe, one of the caring members of our active community of volunteers and donors whose contributions of time and talent power our programs.

Betty’s training in speech therapy and experience working with stroke survivors and children with disabilities were a natural fit for volunteering at Schurig Center, so she decided to jump in. For almost 10 years, Betty has assisted weekly in classes and worked individually with clients who have aphasia to help them improve their reading and speech skills by reading books aloud together. In a recent interview, Betty expressed that she has found it very gratifying to be able to assist people on their journey to recovery. She also mentioned particularly enjoying her work with stroke survivor John Nelson and shared:

“It’s exciting to watch John’s progress over time. Some days are quite challenging for him, so it’s especially exciting to be with him to celebrate on days when his speech and reading seem to be more effortless. You can really feel how much it means to him.”

Ongoing rehabilitation, like speech therapy, is critical to rebuilding skills after a stroke. Our center relies on the support of people like Betty, and you, to offer an array of services, which are designed specifically to help brain injury survivors improve their abilities. You help provide innovative, high-quality services that are not available anywhere else in our area. YOU truly are the difference that makes a difference. Thank you!

Did you know?

About 25 to 40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia.

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, speak, understand others, read, and/or write.

August 3, 2017 by Angela

Volunteer Spotlight: Paul Miller

Artist Paul Miller leading drawing class photo

Paul leading an animal drawing class at Schurig Center’s Art Studio.

Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery has been fortunate to have Paul Miller share his talent and enthusiasm for art as a weekly volunteer in our Art Studio for many years.

Paul was the Marin Independent Journal’s editorial cartoonist in the late 1960’s, later was the editorial and sports cartoonist for the Novato Advance for most of the 1970’s, has done cover cartoons for the Pacific Sun, and worked as a cartoonist illustrator for the Tiburon Ark. He has also had cartoons published in the San Francisco Chronicle as an “Image to the Editor” contributor.

A former Marine and a UCLA graduate, Paul taught a cartooning course in the College of Marin’s Art Department, where he was a full time faculty member in the English and Communications Departments for four decades.

Paul’s paintings and drawings can be found in private collections throughout the United States and abroad in France, London, and India.

The community at Schurig Center is deeply grateful for Paul’s dedication and contribution made over many years. He is a Marin Country treasure who has truly enriched the lives of many. Thank you, Paul!

Self Portrait

During August 2017 at Marin Humane, animal drawings by Paul Miller will be on display for viewing along with original animal drawings and mixed media artwork created by artists in Schurig Center’s Art Studio under Paul’s instruction.