August 28, 2019 by Angela

YOUR VOTED NEEDED… Kimberly Strub, Schurig Center Volunteer Honored as Good Neighbor Finalist

Schurig Center is thrilled to share that the National Association of Realtors^® (NAR) has honored our volunteer Board President Kimberly Strub as a 2019 Good Neighbor finalist.

NAR, the nation’s largest trade association, uses the Good Neighbor Award to honor Realtors^® who have made a positive impact on their communities through extraordinary volunteer service. This year marks the 20^th year of the Good Neighbor Awards program. During that time, NAR has awarded $1.3 million in grants to more than 200 nonprofits led by Good Neighbor honorees.

Kim is one of ten Realtors^® being honored this year who have donated their time, money and passion to enrich the lives of the people in their communities. On October 2, five winners will be named from among the ten finalists and will receive a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their nonprofit.

“The Good Neighbor finalists inspire and motivate action for the greater good,” said Tracey Fellows, acting CEO of realtor.com, the primary sponsor of the Good Neighbor Awards. “Realtor.com is proud to shine a spotlight on these Realtors^®, who truly bring the value of community home.”

Vote for Kim Strub by September 28

The public is invited to vote online for their favorite finalist. The top three vote getters will win bonus grants of $2,500, $1,250 and $1,250, respectively, for their nonprofit. Voting is easy, no email opt-in is needed. Just click the box next Kim’s photo! You can also vote multiple times. Cast your vote at realtor.com/goodneighbor between August 28 and September 28.

[Read more and VOTE NOW here!]

Congratulations, 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.

May 3, 2018 by Angela

A Beautiful Garden is a Work of Heart

May 3 is National Garden Meditation Day. There’s a reason that so many people enjoy gardening. What’s more relaxing than a day spent outdoors on a beautiful day? Sunshine and a breeze. Birds chirping. Hummingbirds enjoying a sip of nectar. The smell of flowers in the air.

It’s no wonder May has been designated “Gifts From the Garden” month.

Did you know?
Schurig Center is surrounded by a beautiful therapeutic garden.

A garden is the perfect place to find refuge from our day-to-day stresses and to reconnect with nature. But, it also has many benefits for those living with the effects of a brain injury.

The garden at Schurig Center provides a peaceful setting for Therapeutic Program participants to engage in Horticultural Therapy – an effective tool that improves one’s quality of life after a brain injury by offering cognitive, social, psychological, and physical benefits. Through hands-on garden activities, participants improve memory, cognitive abilities, and task initiation skills while also strengthening muscles and improving coordination, balance, and endurance. The garden also provides a sensory experience with an array of colors, textures, and fragrances to explore.

Gardening is a direct connection with our natural environment and life cycle that can bring about surprising results, both in improving motor skills and in reducing stress. By caring for plants, individuals also experience first-hand their impact on improving the ecosystem.

So, take some time today to restore your soul and refresh your body in nature. Tend to some plants and flowers…Stroll down a garden path…Rest quietly on a garden bench. Or, stop by Schurig Center and enjoy our garden.

Happy #GardenMeditationDay!

Learn more about the benefits of Horticultural Therapy at the American Horticultural Therapy Association website.

Join Our Host of Garden Angels, Donate by May 31!

Your gift before May 31 sows the seeds that help survivors thrive after a brain injury!

We need your help to raise $5,000 in May. Only YOU can help provide this life-changing healing in nature. Without your support, Schurig Center would not be able to offer rehabilitative services, like therapeutic gardening. These programs are designed specifically for brain injury survivors and are not available anywhere else in our area.

Gifts of $250 or more in the month of May will be honored with a personalized brick in the center’s garden!

DONATE ONLINE NOW!

Thank You!

Schurig Center’s garden has been lovingly created, designed and maintained by Marin Master Gardeners Patricia Compton and Karen Halverson and volunteers throughout the year. Through their constant nurturing and generous donations of plants, soil, and irrigation equipment, the garden has become an oasis of beauty.

We are also deeply grateful to Gwen and Martin Gans for their generous support of the garden in honor of this dedication: “Gardening, a blessing which rewards us with joyous moments unique among healing endeavors.”

Schurig Center is thrilled to share that the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) has honored our volunteer Board President Kimberly Strub as a 2019 Good Neighbor finalist.