PeerGalaxy Original Calendar

Welcome to PeerGalaxy Calendar featuring over 187,600+ monthly offerings of FREE telephone- and online-accessible peer support, recovery support, and wellness activities!  Plus 50+ warmlines, helplines, chatlines, and hotlines.  Plus workshops, webinars, job postings, resources, observances, special events, consumer input opportunities and more.

WE ARE PEER FOR YOU!

Click the Accessibility Button on the right side, halfway down in the middle, for enhanced viewing and/or access options!  Click the Translate Button in the lower left corner for language options. 

Your use of this site is subject to the Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions of Use.

If you have an event to add, email us: webmail@peergalaxy.com

Training Opportunities in July 2020
List Provided Courtesy of State of Oregon, Oregon Health Authority
Click here to download PDF Format, 16 pages

Calendar Event Sorting

At the top, the 24/7/365 SAMHSA Disaster Helpline and similar links.

Next, Bundled “All Day” Events

Some organizations (like 12 step recovery programs, AA, NA, AlAnon, etc.) have so many events happening throughout the day that they need to be in a bundled listing to spare endless scrolling.  Often there is a link to look up events by zip code and other criteria.

Lastly, Time-Specific Events

So you can see what’s happening in the next hours, time specific events are tagged and listed by start time from 12:01am early morning to 11:59pm late night.  There can be events and warmlines operating in different time zones, though we try to list all in Oregon’s Pacific Time Zone.

Page Advancement

The calendar displays ~50 listings per page.  To advance to next page with ~50 more listings, click the right arrow in the lower left corner of the calendar


Screenshot image of the page advancing arrows at the bottom of the calendar, lower left corner.
Nov
3
Sun
2024
VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 3 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
4
Mon
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 4 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 4 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
5
Tue
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 5 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 5 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

CA – Crim-Anon – Criminals Anonymous Fellowship – OREGON CITY HILLTOP MEETING – Tuesday @ Online via Zoom
Nov 5 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm

 

sponsor event banner

 

CRIM ANON (Criminals Anonymous) Recovery Group

Without You There Is No Us

Crim Anon Virtual Group on Tuesday Nights

7:00pm-8:15pm PST

 

About Crim-Anon (Criminals Anonymous)

We are a recovery fellowship comprised of men, women, youth, survivors, and their families that are committed to supporting and living a crime-free lifestyle. We welcome you to check out our website at www.crimanon.org. Zoom on in with us!  To join this meeting, use the ZOOM Link and Meeting ID provided below:

CONTACT US:
Criminal Anonymous World Services
2601 SE 160th Ave., Portland, OR 97236
Bear C: (971) 282-1903    bear01@crimanon.org
Zane M: (503) 754-5217
Billy S: (971) 985-4849
Hours of Operation    24/7 
Get in touch with our team at Criminal Anonymous World Services in Portland, OR if you need support, have any questions.
Grand Elders are available      24/7:
 Bear – (971) 282-1903
 Zane – (503) 754-5217
 Reina – (503) 446-0243
 Billy – (971) 985-4849
 Bo – (971) 772-8307
 Amber – (503) 799-2552
 Andrey M – (503) 660-9448
 Tara – (971) 323-2699
 DJ – (503) 501-1368
 Twila – (503) 936-5185
 Caitlin – (971) 804-2848
 Nick – (503) 465-7013
 Joanie – (503) 732-4115
 Michelle – (503) 875-7985
 Cliff – (971) 283-3133
 Dick – 503) 380-5800
 Melanie – (503) 922-5014
 Sean – (971) 276-5365

Crim Anon Website:

https://www.crimanon.org

Facebook Crim Anon Home Page

https://www.facebook.com/CriminalsAnonymous/

Facebook  Crim Anon Fellowship Page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/475073000014931/

 

Nov
6
Wed
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 6 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 6 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
7
Thu
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 7 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 7 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
8
Fri
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 8 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 8 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
9
Sat
2024
VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 9 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
10
Sun
2024
VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 10 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
11
Mon
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 11 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 11 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
12
Tue
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 12 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 12 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

CA – Crim-Anon – Criminals Anonymous Fellowship – OREGON CITY HILLTOP MEETING – Tuesday @ Online via Zoom
Nov 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm

 

sponsor event banner

 

CRIM ANON (Criminals Anonymous) Recovery Group

Without You There Is No Us

Crim Anon Virtual Group on Tuesday Nights

7:00pm-8:15pm PST

 

About Crim-Anon (Criminals Anonymous)

We are a recovery fellowship comprised of men, women, youth, survivors, and their families that are committed to supporting and living a crime-free lifestyle. We welcome you to check out our website at www.crimanon.org. Zoom on in with us!  To join this meeting, use the ZOOM Link and Meeting ID provided below:

CONTACT US:
Criminal Anonymous World Services
2601 SE 160th Ave., Portland, OR 97236
Bear C: (971) 282-1903    bear01@crimanon.org
Zane M: (503) 754-5217
Billy S: (971) 985-4849
Hours of Operation    24/7 
Get in touch with our team at Criminal Anonymous World Services in Portland, OR if you need support, have any questions.
Grand Elders are available      24/7:
 Bear – (971) 282-1903
 Zane – (503) 754-5217
 Reina – (503) 446-0243
 Billy – (971) 985-4849
 Bo – (971) 772-8307
 Amber – (503) 799-2552
 Andrey M – (503) 660-9448
 Tara – (971) 323-2699
 DJ – (503) 501-1368
 Twila – (503) 936-5185
 Caitlin – (971) 804-2848
 Nick – (503) 465-7013
 Joanie – (503) 732-4115
 Michelle – (503) 875-7985
 Cliff – (971) 283-3133
 Dick – 503) 380-5800
 Melanie – (503) 922-5014
 Sean – (971) 276-5365

Crim Anon Website:

https://www.crimanon.org

Facebook Crim Anon Home Page

https://www.facebook.com/CriminalsAnonymous/

Facebook  Crim Anon Fellowship Page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/475073000014931/

 

Nov
13
Wed
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 13 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 13 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
14
Thu
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 14 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 14 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
15
Fri
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 15 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 15 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
16
Sat
2024
VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 16 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
17
Sun
2024
VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 17 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
18
Mon
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 18 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 18 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

Nov
19
Tue
2024
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone
Nov 19 all-day
01 - Support Line - Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ (503) 575-3764 - 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F @ Phone

 

Crisis / Support Line For Racial Equity Support

503-575-3764
Answered by BIPOC counselors 
M-F from 8:30 AM -5:00 PM PST

The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.

Many of us experience racism every day.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.

Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.

Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.

We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.

The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.

Call us today at 503-575-3764.

This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.

If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.

Toll-Free Access

If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.

For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.

VAFP – VisionAware and Front Porch – Support Groups and Other Resources For the Blind and Visually Impaired @ Online Event Register Online
Nov 19 all-day

 

 

support group sitting around table

Importance of Joining a Support Group

If you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition, have a family member who has, or have become a caregiver, joining a support group may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. Whether online or in your local community, such groups offer the opportunity to talk to others; share common concerns, frustrations, and stories; and find solutions to your vision-related difficulties. For more information on support groups, you can read Support Groups and the Adjustment Process.

Check out Finding Support Groups for more information including links to directory listings of support groups.

Support Group Resources and Supportive Communities Meeting Virtually

  • The APH Directory of Services allows you to find local support groups as well as organizations that offer counseling and adjustment services, low vision services, mobility training, and vocational rehabilitation.
  • ILVSG TeleSupport – This support group is designed for older adults with low vision who may not have access to the internet or other in-person groups. It is a monthly meeting offered over the phone and there are no fees or obligations. It is designed for low vision seniors anywhere in the U.S. who have no access to the Internet or cannot attend a live support group. Learn more at: MD Support — TeleSupport or call toll-free at 1-888-866-6148 to get started!

 

  • The Friendship Line – The Institute on Aging established this toll-free line for older adults who may be depressed, lonely, disabled, or in crisis.  It is both a crisis “hotline” and a ‘warmline” for emotional support. Trained volunteers answer the calls and make calls. The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including: providing emotional support, elder abuse reporting, well-being checks, grief support through assistance and reassurance, active suicide intervention, information and referrals for isolated older adults, and adults living with disabilities. Volunteers will also call people on a regular basis to help monitor their  physical and mental health concerns. This service can improve the quality of life and contentedness of isolated callers. Reach out today and call 1-800-971-0016. To learn more, visit Senior Intervention Hotline for Crisis Support Services.

 

  • Social Call – This Covia program connects adults 60 and older to new friends on the phone or video calls. Volunteers are “matched” to participants with the goal of building friendships through weekly calls.  This free service is a great way to socialize and make connections when you can’t get out in your community. Go to: Social Call | Covia Corporate or call 1-877-797-7299 to get started. 

 

  • Covia Well Connected and Well Connected Espanol– This program, previously known as Senior Center without Walls, offers enrichment, community, fun, support and learning groups for older adults who may be homebound. All groups meet over the phone and/or on-line and are free. They offer support groups specifically for the visually impaired. It is a rich and supportive community and there is something for everyone! Visit their website to check out the catalog of offerings and learn how it all works. Call 1-877-797-7299 to register and get started.  

 

  • Mather Telephone Topics – Join Telephone Topics to learn about a variety of topics: wellness, music, sports, history. Participate in live discussions and enjoy live performances from home. All you do is call the phone number or log on to the Zoom meeting. Participation is FREE and open to everyone, anywhere! Learn more at: Aging Well Discussions and Programs | Telephone Topics (mather.com)  Then click on “Download Schedule” and choose an option that interests you. If you have questions about Telephone Topics, call 1-888-600-2560.

 

  • Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program which offers emotional support, assessment, information, and referrals to people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It helps people cope with the challenges of adjusting to vision loss, using trained peer support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They serve people in more than twenty states.
  • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has a list of helpful resources for people with vision loss and their families. It also has a national directory of affiliates in each state. Seniors can find information through the ACB affiliate Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss.

 

 

 

 

  • Vision Exchange is an online resource for support group leaders who facilitate support groups for adults with vision loss. The purpose is to exchange ideas, information, and community resources to help adults with low vision be more independent

 

  • The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregivers, and has an online family support group.

 

 

Phone emotional peer support line for blind persons

Rutgers has launched the nation’s first peer support helpline for the legally blind and their families.

Eye2Eye – 833-932-3931 (83-EYE2EYE-1) – is staffed 24/7 by peer support specialists who are legally blind and understand the challenges callers face.

The program, which is funded by a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, serves residents in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The helpline assists people with vision impairments and blindness to work through some of the practical and emotional challenges associated with losing vision. Services include peer support, clinical assessment and referrals to resources for help with mental health, employment and technology. The program also offers callers resilience training to promote wellness, strength and self-care.

Recent studies show that one-third of people with vision loss suffer from depression and anxiety. This risk has gone largely unaddressed in the medical community, which has focused more on the practical problems faced by the visually impaired, such as finding employment and navigating everyday tasks, said Steven Silverstein, a clinical psychologist and vision researcher who co-directs the program with Cherie Castellano, the National Peer Support Call Center program director at  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Eye2Eye peers all have different forms of visual impairments, and these began at different times during their lives. This allows for a ‘cultural connection’ between callers with a wide range of vision problems and life concerns, and our peer counselors.”

Steven Silverstein, clinical psychologist and vision researcher

 

 

Well Connected Program Offerings

Welcome to Well Connected

Well Connected is a nationwide phone and online community that brings  people over the age of 60 together to explore, learn, laugh, and share  experiences. Over 3,500 members join educational, fun, and engaging groups from the comfort of home. The Well Connected community of participants, staff, facilitators, and presenters value being connected to  engaging content, and to each other. Well Connected is a Front Porch  Community Service and is free of charge to individual members.

A Word About Inclusion

We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, opinions, living situations, and abilities. Many of our participants are low vision or blind. Many are dealing with health concerns, chronic or disabling conditions or other issues. Please be sensitive, and mindful of the diversity in our community.

How It Works

1. Browse the materials and find groups that interest you, there a currently    groups to select from.

( download the 2024 Catalog In PDF or TEXT and choose from 77 different groups! )

• Once you are enrolled in the program, there is no limit to the number of
groups you may join. ( To Join use this Link ) or by phone at 877- 797-7299

• Check your Participant Calendar for group times in your time zone, and
for information about how to join.

 

2. Join by Phone

• All groups can be joined by telephone using a toll-free number from an
unblocked number.

• To join a group, call the program line, and when prompted, enter the
two-digit code listed on the Participant Calendar.

• If you need help getting into groups, we can call you! Call the office to
request an automated call-in to any group.

3. Join Online

• All groups can be joined online with a device that connects to the
Internet.

• Create your own online registration account and sign yourself up!

• Once you’re registered for groups in advance, and you will get an email
the morning of the group (check your spam folder!) with a personal link
to join.

• Allow the system to access your microphone and speakers.

• Click the Join Group button to enter the meeting.

• If you need tech help, contact us and we can send you more detailed
instructions, or walk you through how it works.

Call or email the office to get started, or if you have any questions.

(877) 797-7299 | connections@frontporch.net

Other Resources:  

Writing Group:

https://www.portlandwritersmill.org/about-us/

 

Poem Reading and Sharing Group:

https://wccls.bibliocommons.com/events/62686fc43560cac65899bb5c

 

Meditation:

Every Monday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 on zoom, go to https://www.firstunitarianportland.org/events-calendar/ and click on Monday night Loving Kindness Meditatio

CA – Crim-Anon – Criminals Anonymous Fellowship – OREGON CITY HILLTOP MEETING – Tuesday @ Online via Zoom