Calvary Hospital and EnoB are collaborating on “Flowers for Healing,” a program in which caregivers will be able to make floral arrangements each week.  The program is being offered in the Family Care Center at Calvary’s Bronx campus.  It started on Friday, September 21, and will continue through December 14. Before and after each session, Calvary will measure the impact that this program has on caregiver stress levels. There is no charge for family members who want to participate.  This program was made possible by the generous support of the Irving Hansen Memorial Foundation.  In the first session, participants made beautiful bouquets of sunflowers, button pompoms, yellow aster and smoke bush.

“At Calvary, we don’t just admit patients – we admit families. This perspective permeates every aspect of the Calvary experience,” said Stephanie Mastropaolo, LMSW, Coordinator/Social Worker for the Family Care Center. “We are always looking for ways to help family members, especially caregivers, take care of themselves. We are confident that Flowers for Healing will be an ideal program to offer at Calvary.”

To reflect the integral role that social workers play in the lives of Calvary patients and their families, the social work department is known as Family Care, and the Department’s caregivers are Family Care Practitioners.

In 2004, Calvary opened the Family Care Center (FCC) at the Bronx campus. To date, it has served thousands of adults and children. It offers people a respite from the emotional turmoil that can exist on the patient floors, the opportunity to check email, read newspapers, get a manicure or a cup of coffee, or simply gather their thoughts. No other hospital puts the time and effort into caring for the family as does Calvary.

EnoB (www.enob.org) is a 501 c-3, community based nonprofit organization that reaches out to people who are hospitalized, disabled and suffering from socio-economic disadvantages, by designing and performing a series of high quality, edutainment events and programs as musical concerts.  EnoB designs these programs to be an innovative bridge to peace, joy and a brighter future, and also as a resource which connects isolated individuals in our society to arts and culture. They strive to spread happiness to as many needy individuals as possible.

Pictured left to right: Frank A. Calamari, President, Calvary Hospital; Jasmine Chae, Flower Program Director, EnoB; Jae Yeon Kim, Executive Director, EnoB; and Tae Wook Kang, President, EnoB.