Memory Cafe Of The Red River Valley

TO RECOGNIZE THE INTRINSIC BEAUTY AND VALUE OF THOSE LIVING WITH MILD TO MODERATE MEMORY LOSS WHILE INSPIRING IN THEM AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS HOPE, JOY, AND A SENSE OF EMPOWERMENT.

2022 WAS OUR FIRST FULL YEAR OF HAVING A PAID EMPLOYEE ON STAFF - OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR/PROGRAM MGR. AS A RESULT OF THIS SUPPORT, WE WERE ABLE TO GROW OUR PROGRAMMING FROM MEETING 4X PER MONTH TO MEETING 3X EVERY WEEK. WE SPONSORED OVER ONE HUNDRED GATHERINGS AND WELCOMED ALMOST ONE THOUSAND MCRRV PARTICIPANTS, VOLUNTEERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO OUR FIRST PHYSICAL LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN FARGO. OUR AVERAGE ATTENDANCE GREW FROM 44 TO 63 ATTENDEES LAST YEAR AT OUR LARGER WEEKLY COMMUNITY EVENTS HELD AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. A MILESTONE WAS REACHED WITH OUR ANNUAL REDEFINING MEMORY LOSS DEMENTIA COMMUNITY EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN JUNE, 2022. WE HAD OVER 245 CAREGIVERS, INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MEMORY LOSS, BUSINESS LEADERS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONFERENCE.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WAYS WE REACH INTO OUR COMMUNITY IS THROUGH THE PUBLICATION OF OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER. THIS NEWSLETTER IS SENT TO OVER 1000 BUSINESSES, FAMILIES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. WE HAVE ALSO STRIVED TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BY HOSTING VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, PARTICIPATING IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY GATHERINGS AND CONFERENCES, DISTRIBUTING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM MATERIALS TO THE AREA HOSPITALS, ASSISTED LIVING AND OVER 55 COMMUNITIES, FAITH COMMUNITIES, AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. WE ALSO REACH INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS - FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM. WE SAW SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE IN 2022. WE ALSO HELD A LARGE COMMUNITY HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AND A CAREGIVER CELEBRATION IN 2022.

WE TAKE TREMENDOUS JOY FROM PROVIDING NUMEROUS PRINTED BOOKS AND READING MATERIALS TO OUR PARTICIPANTS, FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT NO CHARGE TO THEM. WE ALSO GIVE MATERIALS TO OTHER MEMORY CAFS AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS AROUND THE REGION. SOME OF OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING INVOLVES VARIOUS BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND OF COURSE WE PROVIDE THOSE RESOURCES FREE OF CHARGE. OTHER AREAS OF EDUCATION INCLUDE INTEGRATION OF THE CREATIVE THERAPIES - ART AND MUSIC. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE HIRED VARIOUS ARTISTS, MUSICIANS AND MUSIC THERAPISTS TO TEACH OUR PARTICIPANTS MORE EFFECTIVE COPING AND STRESS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES THROUGH THESE MODALITIES.