Programs and Services for 2010
Client Consultation Program
For many eating disorder families, having an experienced person to speak with and confide in is very important. This is why the Foundation has opened its doors to anyone who just needs to talk and some direction in the next steps to recovery. The Foundation receives emails, telephone calls and office visits from eating disorder persons and family members who are looking for help and don’t know what their next step to recovery should be. Office Visits are extremely helpful and give participants the direction to access the resources they need. The Foundation encourages ongoing contact and to rely on us for follow-up support.
Families Supporting Families Support Group
The Foundation offers a Support Group to parents and partners supporting persons with eating disorders. The objective of this group is to respond to the needs of families who are supporting a love one who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder. They are lead by a healthcare professional and a parent. It allows parents and partners to share their stories with other families, as well as share information and available resources. These sessions are very informative and guide families to the next step to more formal treatment and support services. Sessions are usually scheduled every 6 to 8 weeks depending on the number of requests we receive from families.
To register for the next Families Supporting Families Support Group please email us. Registration is Free.
Public Awareness and Education Presentations
The Foundation is dedicated to promoting research and providing public support services and information about matters related to eating disorders, including information on available treatment services for individuals and families who experience disordered eating. The Foundation offers presentations to Service Clubs, Public Meetings, Companies, Healthcare groups, Parent Teacher Association’s and post secondary schools. This presentation focuses on understanding eating disorders including the definition of an eating disorder, the causes and signs of an eating disorder, recent research, current treatment programs and the benefits of early detection and early treatment. To book a presentation please contact Tina at 722-0500.
Resource Material Loaner Program
One of the most important actions you can take when you are supporting a love one who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder is to educate yourself. The more educated and informed you are about the disease, the easier it will be for you to cope, understand and communicate with your love one. Because of the importance of education, the Foundation has developed an extensive library of books, periodicals, brochures, DVDs & VHS tapes available for public use. We encourage the public to drop by the Foundation to take advantage of these free loaner materials. All materials are available on a loaner basis for 6 weeks. For a complete list of resource materials please click here.
Facebook and Email
The Foundation understands that coming forward to ask for help can be very stressful for some people and many are not ready for a one on one session at our office however they still have questions and concerns that need answering. To meet the needs of such individuals we keep in touch through Email and our Facebook group. Individuals who initially contact the Foundation through Email or Facebook will in time visit our office for a one on one discussion.
We currently have over 400 Facebook members who stay in contact with the Foundation and with each other for support. Feel free to post questions to the discussion board or send us a private message. We respond in confidence to all posts. Click here to join our Facebook group.
Website
The Foundation’s website is a living website in the sense that it is updated daily with the Foundation’s latest news and events. It provides important and easy to read information to our viewers and is an ideal way to keep up to date on the Foundation’s activities. It also includes available research and informational materials obtained from pertinent websites and recently published need to know information.
Newsletter
The Foundation produces and distributes a quarterly newsletter to approximately 5000 people via email. This newsletter highlights the Foundation’s most recent activities and upcoming events. It shares success stories of eating disorder persons and links to the latest news articles regarding eating disorders. We welcome articles, success stories and other website information for publication. This is your newsletter; any suggestions to improve its content would be welcomed.
Brochures
The Foundation brochures are designed to provide need to know information including the types and causes of eating disorders, statistics, contact information and a Check Yourself for an eating disorder. These brochures are distributed at all of the Foundation’s events, to those visiting our office and are available by request. Also available is an informative brochure on the Renata Elizabeth Withers Center for Hope outlining the details of this program.
Monthly Hope Always Message
The Foundation also issues a monthly Hope Always Message sharing important need-to-know information for both eating disorder persons and their families who support them. It’s generally serves as a News Alert on some important message about eating disorders.
Media Relations and Newspaper Articles
The Foundation has a full program of Media Relations activities such as press releases, feature stories, interviews, public service announcements etc. These opportunities to spread our message of awareness and early treatment are critical if we are to reach all parts of the Province.
Eating Disorder Awareness Week
The first week in February each year, the Foundation holds an Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The primary purpose of the week is to advocate and highlight eating disorders through a series of awareness programs, seminars, public meetings, media events etc. The week is set aside as a time to reflect on the needs of families for improved support and treatment programs.
Research Grant Program
The Foundation each year provides a modest funding grant for a group/organization/person who engages in a specific and well defined Research Project designed to advance our knowledge and understanding of eating disorders.
Listserv Program
The Foundation has developed a Listserv Program designed to inform, on a regular basis, more than 5000 recipients of pertinent information about eating disorders. This is an extensive email list which includes families, volunteers, media, healthcare professionals, educators etc. If you would like to join our listserv please email us at info@edfnl.ca and we will add your name to our list.
Volunteer Recognition Program
The Foundation has a large list of volunteers who contribute and support our various programs and our message of ‘Early Detection and Early Treatment”. These volunteers are a vital part of the Foundation and each year during Eating Disorder Awareness Week the Foundation recognize and award volunteers (an Individual, a Business, a Community Group) in appreciation for their outstanding commitment and contribution in support of the aims and objectives of our foundation.
Scholarship Program
Each year the Eating Disorder Foundation invites applications for two $1000.00 Renata Elizabeth Withers Memorial Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to two individuals who are studying in a post secondary institution within NL and whose course of study is related, broadly speaking, to eating disorders/disordered eating and plan to continue in the healthcare field. Scholarships are presented during Eating Disorder Awareness Week.
Fundraisers – Golf Tournament, Walk of Hope and Concert of Hope
These fundraisers allow the Foundation to continue its various advocacy, awareness and support programs for our eating disorder families. The support of individuals, community groups and businesses has certainly helped us achieve many of our objectives to date. We encourage our supporters and clients to participate in these events as it maintains an essential “communication link” particularly those needing our support.