The goal of the group is to offer a time and space for any sort of caregiver, including parents of children with special needs and those caring for elderly loved ones. This is a means to focus on the support of the caregivers to share and discuss the struggles they face. Not only does the group meet the 2nd Thursday of each month, but they have decided to get involved in the community with projects.

When Jennifer Suppa reached out to friend Brenda Saporito, the two decided to form a group that would be open to any caregiver in need of an outlet for sharing similar challenges. Both sharing in the challenges of caring for their parents, the ladies felt the community could benefit greatly from it. Suppa spoke of the stress she was experiencing as a caregiver for her father and how she knew that Saporito was a caregiver for her mother.

“We need a support group to talk about this stuff and just vent or find out other ways that people are dealing with issues and how they do things,” said Suppa.

Saporito shared, “Being a caregiver, you can get burned out in a hurry and so you need people to support you and talk about what we’re dealing with because they’re at the same level we are. What works for us may not work for everybody but come together to share ideas.”

Photo submitted by Brenda Saporito Pictured are Jennifer Suppa and Brenda Saparito sharing gift bags with residents at the Kinzua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Water Street in Warren.

The Facebook group, also titled “Caregivers Support Hub” was formed in October and already has 216 members. As far as the in-person meetings that started in October, the group is slowly growing. In November, Saporito got to thinking, “I do better talking when my hands are busy.” That sparked the idea to come up with activities and project ideas which has already proven as an effective way for many to open up in order to be able to talk about what they face as a caregiver.

Recently, around a dozen volunteers helped with what they called “Project Santa Bags.” Donations were collected for a short amount of time and organizers Suppa and Saporito were both blown away from the generosity of the community. The volunteers quickly carried out the mission of filling gift bags with items senior residents would find useful. The auxiliary program room 4 in the Warren YMCA was set up with several tables of sorted items and volunteers went around the room carefully filling over 100 bags with health and beauty items, blankets, socks, puzzle books and more.

A local preschool made some coloring pages and greeting cards were also placed in the gift bags. In all, there were 39 bags filled for men and 67 for women. Gift bags were then distributed to the Rouse, the Manor and Kinzua nursing homes.

Other projects the group has done are the Blessing Boxes that were done during Thanksgiving.

Members of the group hope that the community is encouraged by it and that it reminds others in the community to check in on seniors.

The Caregivers Support Hub says it plans to continue supporting caregivers and reaching out to seniors across Warren County throughout the year. Saporito pointed out that the time between Christmas and spring is approaching and can bring a sense of dullness and cabin fever to many people. That is why Saporito has been thinking about the next project already for February with Valentine’s Day coming. The nursing home activity directors welcomed this project and the group hopes to remain in connection.

“We could not have done what we did here today without the support of the community, so we are thankful to the people of Warren,” said Saporito.

Suppa does many projects through her position at the YMCA and both ladies are very grateful to Thad Turner, YMCA director, as well as all the people who have been so generous and supportive of programs like these, connecting people and their needs in a place that brings people together for great causes. When people are engaged in social settings, it improves their overall well-being. You do not have to be a caregiver to help volunteer for the projects that the group comes up with.