Today’s Guest for Episode #2 of our series entitled “Aging in America - The New Realities” Series is Ms. Michele Woodard.Ms. Woodard shares her unique situation that has her serving as the primary caregiver for two immediate family members. In this episode she shares some of the challenges and joys that she experiences personally in this dual role. She also shares some advice about self-care for those in similar situations. Here is a little background on Ms. Woodard:* Michele is a highly accomplished leader in charitable services and corporate philanthropy with exceptional knowledge of donor-advised funds in the finance industry.* She has substantial management experience with local and national nonprofits focused on youth-at-risk, mental health and advocacy.* She served as Vice President of Charitable Services and the Office of Corporate Engagement at Ayco, a Goldman Sachs Company for over 20 years, with an emphasis on donor-advised funds and working with donors to facilitate local, national and global giving.* Michele began her college education studying at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University at Albany, State University of New York and went on to earn a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling also from the University at Albany, State University of New York.* Ms. Woodard previously launched a highly successful podcast series entitled “Philanthropy Infusion”. She did so during a collaboration with Kelsunn Communications, Inc. The slogan for her podcast series was – “Infusing Equity into Your Philanthropy”.

Kelsunn Communications invites you to look and listen to this trailer advertising the 2nd Episode in our new series entitled "Aging in America - The New Realities". Listen as Ms. Michelle Woodard shares her challenges and joys as a primary care-giver for her mother and another elderly family member.

Dawn E. Shedrick, LCSW is the Current NASW-NYS Suffolk Division Director. She is a clinical social worker, consultant, educator, and writer whose work focuses on the health and wellbeing of family caregivers, trauma survivors, and queer people. She is the founder and principal consultant of JenTex Training & Consulting, a continuing education and professional development firm for health and human services professionals.

Dawn weaves her extensive experiences as her mother’s primary caregiver since 1996. She is a mental health practitioner, trainer, educator, and holistic healer who creates experiences and tools for caregivers to heal from stress and burnout. She also helps health and human services professionals develop the skills to support them in their healing.

 On October 31, 2024 NPR (highlighted her experience in a full feature article detailing her personal journey as her mother’s primary caregiver.

(https://bit.ly/3ZSli6T)

 She is also the author of Courageous Contemplation: A Guided Journal for Family CareGivers of Chronically Ill, Disabled, and Elderly Loved Ones.

 Here reputation as a Subject Matter Expert on the personal joys and challenges of caregiving was skillfully detailed in the online publication “Sisters of AARP”. (https://www.sistersletter.com/author/dawn-e-shedrick-lcsw)