JACOB'S FUND :: New perspectives

Laura meeting Spirit

It is always a joy to bring new people along on our trips as they offer us fresh perspectives on both our work and our partners. They take in everything for the first time, and their impressions are often poignant. Today we share those impressions with you, first from Laura, a supporter and horse-lover from Ohio. Then, we'll hear from our President, Kathy, as she shares the changes she's observed over the years.

Laura Ramsey :: I am a full-time in-home clinical social worker for children and families. I have had the privilege of working in many settings from hospice to foster care during my career. Never in my professional life have I seen anything quite like McKenna Farms; I was truly in awe as I took it all in. 

We arrived to a see white picket-fenced farm, the parking lot full of cars, the entire area buzzing with children and therapists. McKenna Farms has an ease and a feeling of home coupled with the murmur of evidence-based therapy and change. 

McKenna Farms seamlessly joins physical therapy, occupational therapy, therapeutic riding, and hippotherapy, all in one place. The staff, licensed professionals, talented horse handlers, and dedicated volunteers work together seamlessly to create an environment in which therapy is delivered to 350 kids per week. 

At McKenna Farms, I see and hear passion everywhere. I see it in the faces of both clients and parents. I hear it in the voices of those who talk about their experience and those who are delivering therapy. 

Jessie, founder and director, has dedicated her professional career to creating a unique farm that has managed to overcome the financial barriers that stand in the way of those who wish to join multi-disciplines together. Jessie’s passion spills over when she speaks of the future, which includes a pool where water therapy can be delivered on site. 

My visit to McKenna farms made me clearly understand why The Red Thread Promise has chosen to support the children there. The Farm is forward thinking and capitalizes on the talents of many to impact the lives of children at a crucial moment in time. McKenna Farms is truly a one-of-a-kind agency that I look forward to returning to in the future.

Kathy enjoying one of the therapy horses

Kathy Korge Albergate :: Our September, 2014 visit to McKenna Farms was my first in three years and it’s obvious that I’d been away too long. Way too long. So much has happened in that time. Laura, a friend of The Red Thread Promise, and Sonya, Vice-President of The Red Thread Promise, joined me on this trip.

Though Sonya has made the trip several times in those three years, and her last visit was less than four months ago, she was astounded to see the changes made over the summer.  

The outdoor riding arena has been rotated 90 degrees and moved closer to the fence bordering the pony corral. The remaining space where the area used to be has been readied for a future pool in which the children will take water therapy.

The entrance to the Jacob Beachy Sensory Trail is now a pleasantly curved trail. The stations have been revitalized and a new one completed. In some areas the woods have been cleared and the trail extended toward the creek on the property.  

Only passion for these kids and their ability to grow and become more independent could fuel the constant improvements Jessie and her team continue to make at McKenna Farms. And only her complete professionalism and eagerness to employ every therapy avenue that will help these children could bring those improvements to fruition.

As a Jacob’s Fund partner, McKenna Farms embodies the spirit of The Red Thread Promise, enabling children to live the richest, fullest, most independent lives possible.

Vice President, Sonya Yencer

HAITI :: Many many thanks

Samantha and Kirsten (photo credit: Brian Clark)

To every donor who gave generously...

your financial support made it possible for us to host 40 campers for a full week at the 3rd annual Camp Jake, providing quality medical care, multiple forms of therapy, three meals a day, and a comfortable bed in a nurturing environment. Your gifts allowed these precious children to experience life outside the bustling city in a safe non-judgmental space, surrounded by people who value them as human beings.

Claudio and JoJo (photo credit: Brian Clark)

To every in kind donor who donated supplies...

your gifts of toiletries, apparel, beach towels, sporting equipment, games, snacks, watches, duffle bags and other items allowed us to teach many life-skills over the week including personal hygiene, time management, personal responsibility and protecting their own environment.

Kathy and Dayana (photo credit: Brian Clark)

To every volunteer who gave their time...
your willing spirits and energy helped us fundraise for, organize and promote the camp, securing donations, supplies, counselors and safe travel for 60+ people in a developing country.

Camp Jake 2013 (photo credit: Brian Clark)

To every counselor who tirelessly gave of themselves...

your positive attitudes, big hearts, and passion for equality gave campers the opportunity to be themselves in a loving environment. You modeled respectful behavior toward people with disabilities and set a positive example for others in Haiti. Your example continues to teach campers to accept and love themselves the way God made them.

Thank you to everyone who made this camp possible. 

We look forward to Camp Jake 2014 

and invite you to join us in making it a reality. 

HAITI :: Making wishes at Camp Jake

Counselors preparing the hand-made Chinese sky lanterns (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Young Frenel and Michel pushing their wish skyward (photo credit: Brian Clark)

Following the traditional "end of camp dance" on the final evening of Camp Jake, counselors made their way to the beach, each carrying a biodegradable sky lantern to be released at sundown. All counselors prepared a wish for their group of kids that would be shared as the lanterns were lit and released over the ocean.

The onset of rain and the delicacy of the tissue paper may have hurried the process along, but the weather couldn't change the heartfelt wishes each counselor attached to their lantern. It was a memorable finale to the third successful camp, one that was shared by all campers, counselors, Kaliko staff members and other resort guests. 

"I wished for a productive and happy life for my kids 

and for more acceptance of them in Haiti." 

~ Shawn 

"I wished for the campers' safety, happiness and health." 

~ Kathy, The Red Thread Promise President 

"I wished for the kids to never give up hope; 

for them to find their purpose in life and make a difference in the world; 

and finally, for each to know and believe how much they matter."

~ Tina 

Camp Jake Director Tom propelling a lantern into the sky (photo credit: Brian Clark)

CAMP JAKE - Wish list

Jean enjoying some free time at camp in Jan 2012

People continue to ask how they can support Camp Jake 2013. Here is another opportunity! Below is a list of items that are needed for camp that will be re-used year after year. Items still needed are in red.

APPAREL

70 – pairs swim shoes - DONATED - THANK YOU!
70 – backpacks - DONATED - THANK YOU!
70 – 100% cotton beach towels - DONATED - THANK YOU!

Claurrician working on a masterpiece!

ART SUPPLIES

30 – bottles Deco Art Americana 2 oz. acrylic paint -

various colors of your choice
10 – digital cameras
sewing machine needles - DONATED - THANK YOU!

10 – sets Crayola markers - DONATED - THANK YOU!

Older campers always enjoy playing cards

GAMES

3 – THE GAME OF SET cards

3 – sets pick up sticks
2 – sets of Checkers / boards - DONATED - THANK YOU!
2 - sets wooden blocks - DONATED - THANK YOU!
2 – sets braille dominoes - DONATED - THANK YOU!

3 – playing cards - DONATED - THANK YOU!

3 – UNO cards - DONATED - THANK YOU!

3 – sets dice - DONATED - THANK YOU!

3 – sets jacks - DONATED - THANK YOU!

Moise loves everything and anything that has to do with a ball

SPORTS

3 – durable high quality single jump ropes
3 – durable high quality double-dutch jump ropes
3 – inflatable basket balls - DONATED - THANK YOU!

3 – inflatable soccer balls - DONATED - THANK YOU!

3 – inflatable volley balls - DONATED - THANK YOU!

3 – inflatable red rubber balls - DONATED - THANK YOU!

One of the many jam sessions from Camp Jake July 2012

MUSIC

11 – earbuds (standard peg style jacks)

any type of musical instrument that can be hand-carried

MAKE-UP

appropriate for dark skin tones - DONATED - THANK YOU!

MISC

travel size laundry pods or packages

If you or an organization you know is interested in donating any of the items listed, please email Kathy to specify what you'd like to donate and the quantity. Kathy will supply a shipping address for these items. Please do not ship to our Havertown address. We will be dividing up the supplies among our counselors from across the states who will be hand-carrying everything into Haiti for camp in July. Thank you for your continued support.

CAMP JAKE - Camper gift list

Mackenson receiving his backpack full of supplies from Camp Jake / July 2012

For those who have asked how they can support Camp Jake 2013—a summer camp experience for Haitians with disabilities—here is the perfect opportunity! Below is a list of items that will be gifts to the campers for use at camp and beyond:

70 – athletic exercise shorts - adult & child size - 20 received; 50 needed

70 – pairs ankle socks: adult & child size - DONATED - THANK YOU!

70 – containers of shea / cocoa butter - DONATED - THANK YOU!

70 – stainless steel water bottles - DONATED - THANK YOU!

70 – toothbrushes - DONATED - THANK YOU!

70 – tooth paste - DONATED - THANK YOU!

70 – small toiletry bags - DONATED - THANK YOU!

35 – digital wrist watches

35 – bottles of sunscreen - DONATED - THANK YOU!

30 – deodorant sticks - DONATED - THANK YOU!

30 – compact mirrors 

15 – braille wrist watches - DONATED - THANK YOU!

If you or an organization you know is interested in donating any of the items listed, please email Kathy to specify what you'd like to donate and the quantity. Kathy will supply a shipping address for these items. Please do not ship to our Havertown address. We will be dividing up the supplies among our counselors from across the states who will be hand-carrying everything into Haiti for camp in July. Thank you for your continued support.

HAITI :: A Team United

Hearing impaired students at St. Vincent's (photo by Al Laus)

In April 2013, The Red Thread Promise will team up with Team Canada Healing Hands on the ground in Haiti for the first time! We are excited for this opportunity to work hands on—as one unified team—at St. Vincent’s Center for Handicapped Children (Port-au-Prince).

Forty-two new children will be tested and fitted for digital hearing aids during this trip. This includes students who were too young to test in 2012 as well as any new hearing-impaired students enrolled at St. Vincent’s. While this is an increase in the number of students expected, we are up to the challenge of providing hearing aids for every one of them!

During the trip, Kathy (Red Thread President) will take a turn in the sound isolation chamber and go through the same testing a child would endure to better understand the process. We plan to videotape our auditory adventure and share it with you.

Following the testing, we need to purchase the digital hearing aids that will be customized for each child’s hearing loss. As an extended part of our team, we need your help to complete the process for the kids. The estimated cost of 50 hearing aids is $11,520 (US).

Your continued support is the difference between living in a world of silence and a world filled with laughter. Thank you!

*******************

This report and many others from The Red Thread Promise can be found on GlobalGiving.org, a powerful crowd-funding website. We are blessed to have 5 active projects on this site. It's a great way to share our work with many we may never meet but feel a connection to our cause. Feel free to check them out and share the links with others! 

• Provide Medical Care to Haitian Orphans
• Nutritious Meals for 200 Disabled Haitian Children
• Provide All Terrain Wheelchairs in Haiti
• Give Hippotherapy to Children with Disabilities
• Fund Critical Surgery for 6 Chinese Orphans

HAITI :: Calling all camp counselors!

The following letter was sent to potential Camp Jake counselors this past week. If you are interested in becoming a counselor for the 2013 session of Camp Jake and did not receive a letter, please read below. We welcome all applicants!

Thank you for your interest in joining The Red Thread Promise as a counselor at Camp Jake, July 2013.

Camp Jake is an extraordinary summer camp where disabled Haitian children and teens are given the opportunity to move beyond their disabilities in a fun and compassionate environment, discovering and nurturing their own innate abilities. Each camper is given the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges with counselors, sports, aquatics, creative arts, music and physical therapy at Kaliko Beach Club, located in Montrouis on the Northern coast of Haiti. Carefully selected activities are geared toward campers developing new life skills and experiences that impart greater self-confidence and self-esteem, with a focus on the campers’ future integration into the greater Haitian society.

The Red Thread’s first Camp Jake was held in January 2012, followed by another session in July 2012, each a success! Our campers continue to build on past experiences at Camp Jake and are excited about our next session. Camp Jake 2013 will host 50+ campers and with that we require 14-16 extraordinary counselors with varying backgrounds.

Given the harsh conditions of the Haitian environment and the many disabilities of our campers, we require our counselors to have the following characteristics:

• Empathy and compassion for both campers and their 
• Reliability and responsibility
• Patience with campers and other counselors
• Motivation
• Ability to follow detailed instructions
• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment with sudden and expected changes
• Be physically fit with the ability to lift 75 lbs.
• Ability to work in temperatures exceeding 90F / 32C
• Ability to swim in both pool and sea
• A youthful outlook
• Energetic and gregarious personality
• Sense of humor

In addition to the above qualities, we look for candidates that have experience in the arts, sports, aquatics, French, ASL, physical therapy and those with CPR / lifeguarding certification.

Camp Jake 2013 will require counselors to depart the US from their respective cities on July 10, 2013 and return on July 21, 2013.  All counselors share the same flight into and departing from Haiti. The time includes an 8 day camp, a full day of training before the camp and time to recuperate following the camp.

Our fundraising efforts for the July camp will begin in February and we hope to be able to subsidize the costs of the counselors’ airfare to and from Haiti as we have for the past camps at an average cost of $900.00 per person. All remaining fees (estimated at $1,500 per counselor) are the responsibility of the counselor and must be paid in accordance with a schedule provided by The Red Thread Promise upon acceptance into the program. These remaining costs will cover all ground transportation, accommodations at the hotels in Port-au-Prince and Kaliko Beach Club and meals during the trip. The total cost per counselor is approximately $2,500.00 before any applicable subsidization.

If you plan to do fundraising for your own trip expenses, we will gladly assist you in your efforts over the next several months. Please inquire when you send your completed application and I will contact you to discuss your ideas as well as those used by previous counselors successfully. We encourage all to apply and let us help you through fundraising.  While it may seem daunting task, it can be fun and a highly rewarding experience.

If you would like an application to be a counselor at Camp Jake July 2013, we ask that you contact Kathy Korge Albergate by phone at 817.320.6522 or email at kathy@redthreadpromise.org.  If you have any questions regarding the camp or being a counselor, please contact Tom Landry, Camp Jake Director at tom@redthreadpromise.org.

Given the number of applications we receive for counselor positions, we encourage you to return your Request for Application by February 20, 2013. Upon receipt of your completed application, a formal time-line will be provided for conference calls and fees. Please note that late applications cannot be considered for this session due to the logistical nature of this camp.

Questions and additional inquiries welcome!

Thank you.
Tom Landry, Camp Jake, Director
Kathy Korge Albergate, President, Founder

About Jake Richard, Camp Jake namesakeJake is a vibrant teenager with Duchenne Musclular Dystrophy, a rare and progressive disease that involves rapid degeneration of the muscles with a life expectancy in the late teens. Jake’s dream is to provide a unique summer experience for children with disabilities like his own in a supportive, barrier-free environment. Jake participates in the planning of camp activities and engages the campers via Skype.

St. John's supports our wheelchair program

A big thank you goes out to The Church of St. John's in the Village, New York City, for naming The Red Thread Promise it's 2012 Lenten beneficiary.


St. John's learned about The Red Thread from watching our PBS segment in January, 2012. Not long after the story aired, St. John's contacted Kathy who jumped at the opportunity to visit New York City. She met with the church's Outreach Committee and shared details about TRTP's domestic and international work.

One of St. John's bulletin boards

The committee later selected our All Terrain Wheelchair program as part of the church's Lenten journey and set to work sharing information with parishioners via word-of-mouth, internal and external bulletin boards and their website. The church began receiving donations on our behalf, raising funds for the maintenance and upkeep of our All Terrain Wheelchairs.


On May 13th, Kathy and husband, The Reverend Dr. Scott Albergate, visited St. John's to receive a check for $4,500 during their worship service. A beautiful prayer was offered at the dedication of the check that we'd like to share:

"I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; 

and for the well-being of all people. Pray for the people of Haiti, 

especially all injured children, and for those working in 

The Red Thread project, that the most vulnerable of your people 

in this troubled land may be restored to fullness of life. 

Pray for peace and justice."

We are humbled that St. John's would think of The Red Thread's work during the holy season of Lent and are thrilled to share that a portion of their funds have already been put to their intended use. Kathy and Tom recently returned from Haiti where they worked with the employees of St. Vincent's on our wheelchairs.


We thank the parishioners and supports of The Church of St. John's in the Village and appreciate all they are doing to make the lives of disabled people in Haiti better.

Working on the wheelchairs

Back in Haiti again

Flag Day celebration

Yesterday The Red Thread team embarked on our second trip of the year to visit and work with our friends in Haiti. Following a redeye flight for Kathy and Tom, the two met up in Miami and flew in to Port-au-Prince together. After settling into the hotel, a meeting and dinner, they went their separate ways to rest up and prepare for the busyness of today, when the real work began.

Tom and a St. Vincent's student

First on the agenda was visiting St. Vincent's where we found out that Tom is quite the kid-magnet! Students of all ages were coming out of the woodwork to greet and hug him, happily posing for pictures, especially those from Camp Jake. To our surprise the kids were preparing for Flag Day. Each had made his or her own Haitian flag and was proudly displaying it in the classrooms, around the grounds and during a ceremony in the courtyard which the team happily observed.

Then Kathy and Tom got down to work, meeting with Fr. Sadoni, Director of St. Vincent's, for a long meeting covering a multitude of topics including: 

• the rebuilding of the school
• creation of a much-needed computer lab
• setting up routine All Terrain Wheelchairs (ATWs) maintenance and repair
• computer accessibility in the pharmacy
• the release of the handicap-accessible van from customs
• the soon to be unveiled St. Vincent's logo (designed by TRTP's Vice President, Sonya) 
• the upcoming session of Camp Jake, the campers and the caregivers

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Computer Lab

Fr. Sadoni was very excited to hear that The Red Thread is working to secure 20 computers to be sent to St. Vincent's in order to set up a much-needed computer lab for students! To top it off, we were excited to learn that our main concern—that of consistent power to run the computers—has already been addressed. A new electrical breaker has been installed on the grounds that provides uninterrupted power in the classrooms and offices. A dedicated, secure space will be prepared to set up a fully functioning computer lab in the school. The Red Thread team will then travel to St. Vincent's to help set up the lab and do some of the initial training of lab workers and older students who will mentor the younger ones as they learn to use the computers. What a blessing!

All Terrain Wheelchairs (ATWs)

One of the things that makes The Red Thread stand out from the "drop it and run" relief organizations is our commitment to the people we serve and the supplies that we send. With each trip, we check on those using our wheelchairs as well as the chairs themselves, looking for signs of wear and tear, making sure they are in good working order, talking to the people using the chairs to provide input, always on the lookout for areas of improvement. 

 Kathy surrounded by workers from the prosthetics shop

 Inserting the new tubes

 Testing out the tire pumps

Making sure everything is in good order!

During our trip in January 2012, we noted that some of the tires weren't holding air as well as anticipated. After much research, Kathy secured alternate tubes as well as several different kinds of pumps for the St. Vincent's crew to try. Kathy and Tom worked hand-in-hand with the St. Vincent's team to change out many of the tubes with the new ones and tested all of the air pumps. Scheduled maintenance has been set up and will be done on the chairs every 2 weeks to ensure that they are always in top working order for their owners. After determining if these tubes hold air better than the originals, we will order new tubes for all of the wheelchairs.

Camp Jake

Tomorrow is the big day for Camp Jake. The team will scout 2 new locations to see if there is another facility with better accessibility for those in wheelchairs. They will also be spending time looking for Haitian markets where more of the camp supplies can be purchased in-country, instead of purchasing everything in the US and carrying it in. We are always looking for ways to save money without sacrificing quality.


As details were ironed out and plans discussed for all of these projects, that red thread of destiny was revealed again. Our team felt a spine-tingling connection to the administration, staff and students of St. Vincent's. We know we are in this for the long haul. We hope you are too. Join us during this journey of providing hope and healing to some of Haiti's most vulnerable children. Through your financial support and volunteerism we can and are making a difference in the lives of these kids.

Fr. Sadoni and Tom

Who Dat Doctor!

Dr. Kanter, Christopher and Kathy

We’ll tell you who dat doctor – it’s Dr. Julie Kanter from Tulane Hospital for Children and the Sickle Cell Center of Southern Louisiana. She delivered the best news today that we could have hoped for:  based on extensive blood work and tests performed in New Orleans, Christopher does not have sickle cell disease! 

One happy father and son!

However, Tulane has determined that he does have sickle cell trait, which is common to 1 in 10 people of African descent across the globe.

So, after the jumping for joy and dancing concluded, we asked Dr. Kanter a few key questions:

• How did this misdiagnosis happen? 
• What does this mean to Christopher in the future? 
• How can we ensure that another child isn’t misdiagnosed?

How did this misdiagnosis happen? Dr. Kanter suspects that a single test was done by the Haitian doctors to form their opinion. She explained that this particular test is by far the least expensive and that it will indeed pick up any trace of sickle cell. However, Dr. Kanter explained that the test does not distinguish between sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait, a critical distinction. Unless the hospital did further testing, the doctors incorrectly concluded that he has the disease. We are unsure if this additional testing is available in Haiti. However, the news is still positive for others suspected of having this painful disease—blood can be drawn on the child in question and brought to the US to complete the test and get conclusive results. 


What does this mean to Christopher? It means he WON’T have to be on penicillin and folic acid for the rest of his life. He won’t have to undergo yearly testing to detect his propensity for strokes. He won’t have painful episodes that often lead to hospitalization and blood transfusions. Since he does have sickle cell trait, it DOES mean there is a 25% chance that he will pass along the trait or the disease to his children. It also means the he should have his spouse tested. If she has the disease or the trait, it drastically increases their chance of having a child with sickle cell. Christopher will see a sickle cell specialist in his teens for further testing and counseling in these matters. 


What does it mean to other children? When children receive a positive diagnosis for sickle cell, adoptive parents, caregivers and orphanage directors can request additional tests to confirm the diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary, costly and intrusive medical intervention.

 The Tulane team

We want to thank everyone—in Haiti, the US, Saudi Arabia and Canada—for their support of this child. Everyone played a critical part in Christopher’s life—from thoughts and prayers to financial support to medical treatment. Now he is in the loving arms of his forever family and to them we say, “Take care of our boy that we have loved for the past 3 years. He will be in our hearts forever.”

A romp through New Orleans

Following Christopher's first appointment at the hospital, we took the family on a quick tour of  New Orleans. Beginning in the famous French Quarter, we headed toward Cafe Du Monde for a little NOLA tradition: fresh beignets and hot chocolate. 

 Cocoa and beignets

Although tentative at first, it didn't take long for Christopher and his sister to begin lapping up the clumps of powdered sugar heaped on top of the sweet treats. After a rousing rendition of happy birthday for his sister, we set off on foot to do some sight-seeing. 

 Kathy (TRTP President), big sister, Christopher and Mom taking in the sights

 Dreams of Mardi Gras

Nothing escaped our view: the river, barges, stunning architecture, horse-drawn carriages, street performers, artists, shops and everything in between. We piled back into our cars and explored Metarie, the Bywater, the Lower 9th Ward with it's modern "Brad Pitt" homes and then headed back into Lakeview to see some of the huge above ground cemeteries. We ended the tour inside St. Paul's Episcopal Church, looking at the plaque far above our heads indicating the waterline from Hurricane Katrina.

 Hugs with TRTP supporter, Cathleen

Christopher, Mom and TRTP Vice President, Sonya

That evening we met up with some Red Thread supporters to introduce Christopher and his family. It was a BUSY but productive day. We are fairly certain that we wore Christopher out and ourselves as well.

Saying goodbye (for now!)