July 8, 2021 by Angela

You Can Help Launch a New Era of Healing

What a year it has been! The generosity of people like you helped provide life-enhancing rehabilitation and support throughout the pandemic for people living with a brain injury, concussion or stroke.

A caregiver whose loved one was injured during the pandemic said Schurig Center’s services have been a saving grace for her family:

“Thank God we found Schurig Center! Without the services and resources they offer I don’t think we would make it through this.”

Today, we ask for your support to help to fund an exciting new era of healing for people living with brain injury, concussion, or stroke. As Schurig Center prepares to welcome clients on-site in September, we are thrilled to share we will also be continuing to offer therapeutic classes and support groups online. And, you can help!

What’s needed is a little extra support from our friends to ensure Schurig Center has the equipment and resources it needs to re-open safely for on-site programs while also expanding to a hybrid model of providing services both in-person and remotely online.

Our goal is to raise $30,000 by August 15.
With your help, we know we can reach this goal.

We strive to do the most good with your generosity.

That’s why we can wholeheartedly assure you donations of any and all sizes will help improve many lives. Here are just a few examples of how far your gift will go:

$5,000 covers equipment and technology needed for staff members to facilitate online services from the center.

$1,800 funds a month of weekly Art Therapy, Social Communication and Support Classes for survivors in the CORE Therapeutic Program.

$850 provides one month of Resource Referral Assistance & Consultation Service for 350 people annually – provided free of charge and not offered elsewhere!

$500 provides four months of cognitive therapy software to help 20 survivors improve cognitive abilities, like memory, logic, and concentration.

$250 funds one month of support groups for 35 survivors and family caregivers.

$100 replenishes art supplies for one month of weekly Art Therapy classes for survivors.

Thank you for standing by us!

We are grateful for the unwavering support of our community of friends, like you. Your loyal friendship and generosity truly makes a difference.

February 23, 2021 by Angela

Help Raise Awareness About Brain Injury

Join the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury Campaign

At least 5.3 million adults and children in the U.S. are living with brain injury-related disabilities.

That’s one in every 60 people.

If you know someone who is living with brain injury – or if you have one yourself – you know that brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It’s the start of a misunderstood, misdiagnosed, underfunded neurological disease. Brain injury is often called the “silent epidemic” because public recognition of the injury is low despite the high number of people who are injured each year. The effects of brain injury are also often invisible to an unknowing observer.

Join the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign to help:

Educate others about what it’s like to live with a brain injury
Increase understanding of brain injury as a chronic condition
Reduce the stigma associated with having a brain injury
Showcase the diversity of injury and the demographics of the community
Improve care and support for individuals with brain injury and their families

Ways You Can Help

Donate or fundraise to help ensure no one is alone after a brain injury.

Despite the pandemic, people are still experiencing brain injuries. There are few services available to help people adjust to the significant life changes that can happen after a brain injury. This year, Schurig Center has seen an increase in people contacting us for help, and the number of people we serve living on a low income has increased to 75% of our clients. With your help, we hope to raise $20,000 in March 2021. Your donation or personal fundraiser today will help provide access to continued rehabilitation, education, and support to hundreds of survivors and their family members this year. You help improve lives and abilities. Thank you!

Share your story.

If you or a loved one is living with the effects of a brain injury, share your story on your social media accounts using the hashtag #MoreThanMyBrainInjury.

Know the facts.

At least 3.6 million people in the U.S. sustain brain injury each year. Want to learn more? Click here to learn more about brain injury.

Connect.

Talk with someone with a brain injury and listen to their story. Invite someone you know living with a brain injury to social gatherings or for a fun day out. Humans are hard-wired for connection with others. Isolation and loneliness are common for people living with the effects of a brain injury. Even a simple gesture like a phone call or email to say “hello” can send a meaningful message to a friend living a brain injury that they are not alone.

Speak out.

Advocates like you are our greatest asset. Why not write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining to your community why they should care about brain injuries. Write a positive review about Schurig Center’s programs on Great Nonprofits, Yelp, Google, or Facebook. Your kind words will help more survivors discover and benefit from our healing services and connect us with more potential donors to help fund our mission.

Why #MoreThanMyBrainInjury?

Many people with disabilities have their lives defined for them. The More Than My Brain Injury campaign gives individuals a chance to overcome those definitions, allowing them to tell their own stories and change the narrative of their lives. If you haven’t seen it yet, we invite you to watch “New Normal,” an 8-minute film by filmmaker Andrew Hida about Pam and Jeff’s stories.

October 21, 2020 by Angela

Your Generosity Ensures No One is Alone

As I reflect on Schurig Center’s 35 years, I am inspired and energized by the healing power of a caring community. I hope this note will also lift your spirits by reminding you of the good that you personally help make possible even in these toughest of times. Because of you, no one is alone.

“I’d be terrible.” That’s how John, a stroke survivor, described what life would be like for him without you.

John has severe aphasia, a paralyzed arm, and is unable to read and write. He also lives alone and is confined to his apartment during shelter-in-place. But, happily, John is able to stay connected and continue his recovery in Schurig Center’s speech group, computer class, and art therapy, which are now offered remotely and are powered by your generosity. In the words of his sister, Augusta, these services you help provide are “lifesaving” for John and a “huge relief” for his family.

Together, we’re helping more people.

Despite the pandemic, people are still getting brain injuries. We are still receiving new calls for help. And, the costs to provide services has not changed. Remote services have enabled people outside the Bay Area to attend our programs, and we’ve added a second survivor support group. Over 455 people this past year have been helped by our array of services. While we are serving more people than ever before, 70% of our clients live on a low income and rely on scholarships funded by community members, like you, to access care.

There is much need right now, and I know you are likely receiving many asks. But, if you are in a position to help, I hope you will donate to Schurig Center today as you make your holiday charitable gifts and give as generously as you can.

Your gift by December 31 helps ensure that your fellow community members living with a brain injury stay healthy, connected, and knowing they are not alone. Thank you!

With gratitude,
Patricia Gill, MS
Executive Director

Our goal is to raise $30,000 by August 15. With your help, we know we can reach this goal.