Jenny feels like she can’t even sit down during the day. She must get to work, pick up the slack for her co-worker being out, do errands, then she’ll try to sit down to eat, and her mother will need to be taken to the bathroom.
Melissa can barely leave her house because she’s caring for her bedridden husband. She hasn’t been able to meet friends or go out for a nice dinner since the accident. She’s frustrated and feels isolated from the world.
Norah is frustrated because she feels she must be everywhere at once. She has four kids, a full-time job, and aging parents. On Tuesday, she had to be at three places at the same time. She spent over two hours planning so that everything would fall into place.
These are just a few examples of how women caregivers can feel overwhelmed in the current world. Whether they are caring for a child, spouse, parent, or multiple generations, it’s easy to understand how stresses can compound and negatively affect someone’s mental health and well-being.
That’s why a new joint program between Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta (JWFA), MACoM (Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah), and JF&CS (Jewish Family & Career Services) was founded. The program is called POW! and stands for a Pragmatic Outlook for Women.
How Caregivers Use POW!
Funded by the JWFA, the program is the combined efforts of JF&CS therapists Rebecca Brown and Julie Zeff in conjunction with MACoM’s Jocelyn Schorvitz. The group has three two-hour meetings to talk over issues and learn tools that can help participants with their problems.
Together, the group concentrates on more practical, real-world help. “We identify day-to-day problems and then formulate goals and solutions with a step-by-step process,” says Jocelyn.
“We’re offering a space to connect, talk about challenges and struggles,” said Julie. “The caregivers will set intentions and get a clear understanding about what they want for themselves. They will then be taught a very specific method that can help them solve issues and problems so they can achieve their goals.”
“We see the Mikvah as a liminal space,” says Jocelyn. “We are facilitating change and transition. And everyone in the program will get a gift certificate to the Mikvah so they can come in and celebrate that transition.”
“Going to the mikvah is a physical marker to an emotional transition,” adds Rebecca.
The Mikvah, however, is not the end of the program. Participants have the option of attending monthly get-togethers with other caregivers that have gone through the process. These meetings will offer a place to continue to connect, talk through new problems and help with additional resources. Groups like AgeWell and JumpSpark have already expressed interest in helping in these monthly meetings. “The content of the monthly meeting will really be tailored to the needs and wants of the group,” explained Julie.
Even Super Women Benefit From POW!
The goal of the program is to help all types of women caretakers. Whether they’re dealing with:
- a newborn
- aging parents
- a large family
- a small family unit
- a special needs child
- a spouse
- a non-traditional family
Any woman who feels overwhelmed taking care of others can benefit from the program.
“We acknowledge that people who need this don’t have a lot of time,” says Rebecca. “We are trying to be as flexible as possible.” The next group will start in January. Visit the registration site to sign up. Scholarships for the $36 fee are also available for caregivers in need.
If you’re interested in the POW! program you can find more information at https://www.macomatlanta.com/copy-of-pow or email Jocely Schorvitz at info@atlantamikvah.org.