Support Team — Blog — Courage to Caregivers

AUGUST 2026 Newsletter - Advocacy: Acting with Empathy and Compassion

“Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.” - Janna Cachola

For family caregivers, advocacy is deeply intertwined with our lives whether we name it as such or not. The Missouri Foundation for Health defines advocacy as “any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.” Whether we are listening to our loved ones' needs, speaking up during appointments, or forming our support networks, we are engaging in advocacy.

There are numerous ways we can be advocates not just for loved ones, but also for ourselves and others in our communities. The West Virginia University Health Science Center defines three different types of advocacy: self-advocacy, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy.

Self-advocacy relates to how we are able to communicate our own needs and defend our rights. We engage in self-advocacy when we understand our own needs, believe in ourselves, and communicate effectively with others.
Individual advocacy refers to when one or several people work together to protect the rights of another person. We become individual advocates when we nurture our support networks and speak up on behalf of our loved ones.
Systems advocacy focuses on changing institutional policies, laws, and rules in order to protect groups of people. When we share our stories, join campaigns, and volunteer with dedicated advocacy groups, we are participating in systems advocacy.

As we head into September, we urge you to reflect on how you are and can be an advocate. Like Janna Cachola emphasizes, “Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.” How will your empathy allow you to find connection and stand up for your loved ones and community today?

Check out the entire August 2026 Newsletter focused on Advocacy here.

Make It Easy for Others to Say “Yes”

"We are not meant to do life alone." — Brené Brown

Caregiving was never meant to be a solo journey. By staying connected to a support network, we are better equipped to care for those we love.

Creating a support network isn't a sign that we're struggling. It's one of the most powerful ways we protect our own health and well-being. Along the behavioral health continuum, connection serves as a protective factor that can reduce stress, strengthen resilience, and help prevent isolation, compassion fatigue, and burnout before they become overwhelming.

AdvocacyKristi HornerAugust 6, 2026Support Team, Support Network

AUGUST 2024 Newsletter: We Can ALL Be Advocates

"All advocacy is, at its core, an exercise in empathy.” ~ Samantha Power⁣

There are so many ways we can show up as advocates. ADVOCACY is defined by the Missouri Foundation for Health as “any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.” As caregivers, we balance many of these roles as we stand up for ourselves, our loved ones, and fellow caregivers.

The West Virginia University Health Science Center denotes three types of advocacy: self-advocacy, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy.

There are numerous ways we can be advocates, but, as Erin Galyean emphasizes in her book "Badass Advocate," we can't do them alone. That's why this month we have stressed the importance of CREATING our support networks, MANAGING our stress, and COMMUNICATING effectively. By finding hope and support in one another, we can heal and recover together.

"A Badass Advocate doesn't try to do it all by herself, rather she leads to a strong team who works to fight for the patient." - Erin Galyean, author of "Badass Advocate"

Check out our entire August newsletter focused on Advocacy here.

Support Is a Two-Way Street

We actually have two themes this month. First, it’s National Family Caregivers Month, which celebrates, supports, and raises awareness about family caregivers across the country. So this month, we’ll be hosting our third annual Caring for Caregivers Virtual Summit, Getting UNStuck: Moving From Languishing to Flourishing, on November 16 and 17. Both days will feature sessions by professional facilitators on topics ranging from connectedness and empowerment to resiliency and gratitude.

Also this month, our regular Support Group curriculum will be covering topics related to the theme of collaboration, and this week, the topic is your support network.

When we allow others to help us, we give them the opportunity to show their kindness and compassion. When we do the same for others as part of a support network, we return the favor. In other words, having a strong support network is a win-win for YOU and for EVERYONE!

CollaborationKristi HornerNovember 3, 2022Support Team

With a Good Team, You’re Never Alone

Caregivers have to make many important decisions that affect their loved ones, their families, and themselves. These are HARD decisions, and they can weigh heavily on our minds, adding to our burdens and our stress. It’s all part of the long journey of caregiving, but that journey can get a little easier when you realize that you do not have to travel it alone.

ManagementKristi HornerSeptember 24, 2020Support Team, Support Network

Reprioritize Your Support Team

For caregivers, his insights show how critical it is to stay connected and to have a solid support team by our side, and that’s our theme for this week. Who do you have that you can rely on in times of need or crisis, or to celebrate a victory?

SocialKristi HornerAugust 6, 2020Support Team, Support Network

Who’s on Your Support Team?

Take a moment and think about those people in your life that you can truly rely on, who are always there when you need them. These are your social supports, and they might be anybody – family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, or community members.

SocialKristi HornerAugust 22, 2019Support Network, Support Team, Caregiver Support