Meeting Recap - October 2026

Written By Sara Hayden

FTC One Year Celebration


On October 5, we gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of For the Caregivers.

What began as two caregivers who never met before in a childrens playroom has grown into a community shaped by people who continue to show up for one another.

October 2025, first caregiver gathering at our house

At our October gathering, over 130 people gathered to celebrate caregivers. 81 caregivers came together. 28 attended for the first time. They ranged in age from under 20 to over 79, representing 10 counties and one traveler from out of state. Caregivers came as spouses, parents, children and adult children, foster and adoptive caregivers, siblings, other family members, and neighbors and friends. We are also seeing a growing group of caregivers who have lost loved ones, along with professional caregivers. The people in our community are navigating many experiences, including cancer, end-of-life care, autism, dementia, medically complex conditions, and special needs.

We were glad to welcome community resource partners Angela Snider, Wesley Brown, Pathways, Home Instead, and Comfort Keepers. Their presence gave caregivers a chance to learn about local resources and connect with people ready to help.

Pictured left to right: Martha Hopper, Kelly Williams, and Kim Wilson shared caregiver spotlights. Their stories helped us honor the strength, love, and everyday realities of caregiving. Barbara Knipper also shared how For the Caregivers began and reflected on the community that has grown over the past year.

Meal Sponsor: Dr. Crocker

We are grateful to our meal sponsor, Dr. Crocker, for helping make the evening possible. Melissa Spurgeon, CEO of Community Foundation of West Tennessee, also shared how to make a tax-deductible gift to support For the Caregivers.

Andrea Simon, Volunteering her compassion at the Caregiving for Parent Table

After our meal, caregivers can join a small group that feels like the best fit for them. Groups are organized around caregiving relationships or shared experiences and diagnoses, making space to connect with people who may understand some of the same joys and challenges. You’re welcome to listen, share, or simply be there—come as you are.


NEXT GATHERING

November Special Guest Speaker Stephen Sutton

Join us for our next caregiver gathering on Monday, November 2, from 530–8 p.m. at Englewood Baptist Church’s Jett Fellowship Center. We’ll share a meal beginning at 5:30 p.m., connect with one another, and hear a special message as we look ahead to the holiday season. All caregivers are welcome—come as you are.



SAVE THE DATES:

Our December Christmas Mart is Monday, December 7, 2026, at the STAR Center gym. Caregivers shop from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by public shopping from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy local vendors, live music, refreshments, photos with Santa, a balloon artist, and more—all while supporting For the Caregivers.

STAR CENTER

Know your options and discover resources that may support you or your family. 💜 Join the STAR Center for an informal, informative morning for individuals, families, caregivers, and professionals. Learn about available services, ask questions, and explore options for your journey.

📅 October 15, 2026 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
📍 STAR Center, 1119 Old Humboldt Road, Jackson
☕ Free event; light refreshments provided. Space is limited.

RSVP by October 8: 731-554-5160 or email don.young@star-center.org

Free Caregiver Yoga with Jennifer Emerson through Ballet Arts of Jackson

We’re excited to welcome Jennifer Emerson, E-RYT 200, RYT 500, as the instructor for Yoga at For the Caregivers. With a lifelong passion for alignment-based Hatha yoga, Jennifer focuses on mindful movement, healthy posture, and restorative breathwork. Her gentle, accessible approach is designed to help caregivers feel nourished and supported.

Move. Breathe. Restore.

  • Fascia release: Gentle holds to ease targeted tension 

  • Posture & strength: Seated and standing alignment 

  • Restorative breathwork: Calm the mind and relax the body

Join us Thursday, October 15, from 6–7 p.m. at Ballet Arts of Jackson. 

Sign up for caregiver yoga

BELONG

You’re invited to Belong—a community-wide evening of food, fun, and worship for adults (18+) with special needs. Join Fellowship Bible Church on Thursday, October 8, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Grace Shepard at gshepard@fellowshipjackson.com.

LET US SERVE YOU BETTER

Surveys to Help Us Serve You Better

Your responses help us better understand the needs of our caregiver community and how For the Caregivers and our community partners may be able to serve you better.

Childcare Needs Survey
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiK4gKF5eW0gnElSln0S39fTJdNltHJ9KXQoZR_3gc1dgEng/viewform?pli=1

Christmas Gift Support Survey
https://forms.gle/4tYCiifrwUVckpjE9

Recent Gathering Survey
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfL8Gt-F9zQRzbGjLMyQl2_JPP4n8jpiB_5laGoHxwJbG5q_g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=104516070495371777265

Handyman Survey
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1meAroiFN6o1MCcXJudr4czNBW0f2dX0AzsYuy51hu-s/viewform

Small Group Survey
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zIzRN8GhzDicYgwy06TXASlVkIDzWuFYoTNUzETNjuM/viewform

Completing a survey does not guarantee services or assistance, but it helps us plan, understand needs, and connect support where possible.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Volunteers can serve food, greet caregivers, help with RIFA boxes, send thank-you and birthday cards, and help with setup and cleanup.

Sign up using our volunteer form. You can also support our gatherings through our Amazon wish list or help provide flowers with Sam’s Club’s DIY Floral Bouquet Bar.

WAYS YOU CAN GIVE

Each gathering brings together more than 130 people, including over 75 caregivers, speakers, resource partners, and volunteers. It costs about $2,500 to host a gathering.

Your gift helps provide a comforting meal with meat, sides, dessert, and a drink; a welcome kit for each new caregiver; a goodie bag for every caregiver; door prizes; and centerpiece flowers caregivers can take home. When needed, we also offer transportation, respite, and ASL interpretation at no cost to caregivers.

You may give through the Community Foundation of West Tn to support Caregivers at this link.

You can also support our gatherings through our Amazon wish list or help provide flowers with Sam’s Club’s DIY Floral Bouquet Bar.


For The Caregivers is a Fund of the Community Foundation of West Tennessee, Give at this link.

FTC-Auction

Welcome to the For the Caregivers Auction! Browse donated home décor and other items while supporting caregivers in our community. 100% of the proceeds benefit For the Caregivers, a fund of the Community Foundation of West Tennessee. Visit our Facebook auction group to browse items and bid.

Stay Connected

Stay connected with other caregivers between gatherings. Join our For the Caregivers Facebook group to share encouragement, get updates, and keep building community. Sign up for our newsletter to receive gathering updates, caregiver resources, and news from For the Caregivers.

Thank you to every caregiver, speaker, volunteer, and community partner who helped us celebrate this first year. We are grateful to keep building this community together.

These are the voices of the caregivers who make our community what it is. 💛 Martha Hopper: “Together We’re Stronger. Together We’ve Got this.” Becky Rinks: “24 years ago, I was very excited to become a mommy. I had no
💗 BUY A SHIRT. HELP WELCOME A CAREGIVER. 💗 We’re hosting a T-shirt sale with a heartfelt purpose. Our Caregiver Welcome Kits are completely gone. These small bags are often one of the first ways we welcome new caregivers to For the Caregive
THIS Is the power of showing up. From 2 to 82 caregivers in one year. This community has been backed with nothing but love, care and compassion from “volunteers” which honestly doesn’t honor them enough… they are the care t
GOD BLESS THE CAREGIVERS
✨ TONIGHT, WE CELEBRATE ONE YEAR! ✨ One year of showing up. One year of caregivers finding one another. One year of building something pretty special together. 💛 Tonight is about YOU — past, present, and professional caregivers of all kinds.
5 DAYS! 🤍 Come as you are. For caregivers of all kinds — past, present, and professional. Join us for an evening of a good meal, connection, encouragement, resources, and small groups with people who understand. 📅 Monday, October 5 🍽️ Di
We’d love to keep you in the loop while giving your Facebook feed a little more breathing room. We’ll share our caregiver updates, current needs, upcoming gatherings, and ways to get involved by email. Sign up using the Stay Connected fo
Come as you are. You belong here. 💙 Whether you’re caring for someone right now, your caregiving journey has ended, or caring for others is your profession — this celebration is for you. Past, present, and professional caregivers of al
📣 HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE GUYS — WE NEED YOUR HELP! For the Caregivers is looking for a few dependable high school or college-age men who would be willing to help deliver furniture and larger items purchased through our FTC Auction. 🚚 Hel
Hey guys! We’ve only had one door prize dropped off and meeting is in 10 days. Can we get 9 more door prizes accounted for before next meeting? Can be gift cards, spa/ self care items, food, whatever you think a caregiver might love. Thanks!





Sara Hayden