Blog Posts

Felling a Tree in Someone's Life

2/20/2015

Native American Church of Virginia -- Not everyone can bring down a dead tree safely without preparing carefully and cutting correctly. Life is that way too.
   This particular 120' + feet dead pine tree caused fear in the heart and mind of one senior citizen who feared it will fall and destroy her home. So Chris cut it down.
   Now, cutting a tree is dangerous work. There is much to consider especially power lines, bouncing off branches and other buildings. But some people, like Chris, have the gift of preparing and sawing the tree to fall exactly where he or she intends it, by judging the fall, balance, leverage, lean, wind and rot.
   Some people's lives are filled with rotten trees, taking up space, causing fear, causing doubt, causing sickness. If you know someone who lacks the skills to get rid of the rot in their lives, encourage them to seek professional help.
When we help others cut the bad out of their lives, we help them create new space for something good to grow. With practice and patience, and working together as neighbors caring for neighbors, we can learn to remove all the bad and create space for new possibilities in everyone's life.

Have you helped fell a tree in someone's life lately?

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Hospice Care - Passing Over Ceremony

2/11/2015

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Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church CEO Chris (Comeswithclouds) White waiting to hold sacred passing over ceremony at the Blue Ridge Hospice Center. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

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Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem features Native American Church Elder Care Program

1/16/2015

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The HOSLJ January 2014 newsletter, with worldwide circulation, features the Native American Church of Virginia's Elder Care program on page 3 highlighting contributions and awards in 2014.
Chris (Comeswithclouds) White, church

president and Rene' White (Feather), church CEO received Officer of Merit and Companionate of Merit recognition from the Order in 2014. The couple also received recognition from President Obama for volunteering more than 4,000 hours each.

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Heating Emergency? Free Crisis Assistance Available for Low-Income Households Nationwide this Winter

12/18/2014

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      "Our goal with The Native American Church of Virgina is to help reduce suffering," said Rene' White church president.. "'Spreading the Word Spreads Help' to those who need it. If you share this, and everyone shares this, we could reach everyone who needs the help."
     Crisis assistance for heating emergencies is a available free and varies state by state. Contact your local Department of Social Services for details.
     In Virginia, deadlines are Nov. 1 - March 15 and Jan. 2 - March 15. Details (explained below).

In Virginia:

When to Submit an Application

Equipment-related assistance & security deposits - November 1 through March 15
Heating fuel & utility bills (primary heat expense) - First workday in January through March 15

Assistance Available

Heating equipment - repair or replacement
Heating equipment - supplemental (example: fuel tanks)
Security deposit - primary heat expense
Heating fuel/utility - primary
For details and a complete list of assistance available, refer to the manual below

Eligibility Requirements

There must be a heating emergency, such as:
- Lack of heat
- Imminent utility cut-off
- Inoperable or unsafe heating equipment
For a complete list of eligibility requirements, refer to the manual below.

"Spreading the Word Spreads Help"

Rene' White (Feather) church president founded the Medicare Cafe and provides easy to understand resources online to help others across the United States.

How to Apply

Option 1: Screen for eligibility and/or apply online through CommonHelp
Option 2: Bypass eligibility screening and submit an application manually. Fill out the appropriate application below and return it to your local department of social services:
- Crisis Assistance Application (PDF)
- Crisis Assistance Application (Spanish) (PDF)

Weatherization Assistance is also available and Applies to Energy efficiency & Air Filtration

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers this program. For details, visit their website.

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Church Seeks Volunteers to Help Low-Income Families with Medicare and Medicaid

12/15/2014

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The Native American Church of Virginia (NAC of VA) is seeking volunteers to help more low-income families apply for and understand their Medicaid and Medicare benefits in 2015.
“A lot of low-income individuals are eligible for help, but many don’t know how to apply nor have a computer.” said NAC of VA President René White (Feather). “They could be receiving “Extra Help,” lower premiums, in-home nursing care, light cleaning, lower prescription costs or even therapeutic shoes but more volunteers are needed.”

Free appointments for the next Medicare Café scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18 are available by calling all 540 635-7141540 635-7141 ext. 303. Individual appointments are from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.

In Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe is expected to expand Medicaid eligibility for low-income Virginians, according to sources. Wednesday’s budget (Dec. 17) release is expected to expand publicly funded Medicaid health insurance eligibility to 400,000 able-bodied, low-income adults.

René White (Feather) helping an audience during a recent Medicare Cafe' at the VFW Post 9760.

With more people getting older and seniors living longer, the need for understanding Medicare and Medicaid is growing.
Anyone interested in becoming Medicare/Medicaid volunteer counselor, free training is available in every state. Those interested in volunteering in Virginia or learning more about what is available in their state can reach René directly below.

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What is Elder-Care

12/1/2014

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Elder-Care is an outreach program designed to help senior citizens and certain persons with disabilities and is offered by our volunteers with the Native American Church of Virginia.

We listen to our seniors and try to understand their likes and needs. It is also about respecting their dignity and uniqueness.
We do this not by compulsion but willingly. Not for dishonest gain but eagerly.

The current NAC of VA Elder-Care program presently serves seniors in Virginia from the City of Winchester and nearby counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren and Loudoun. We are looking to help on a bigger scale.

We help senior citizens in different ways to include:

Hold Ceremony with and for Elders.
Offer a Medicare Café.
Provide food to those who need it.
Encourage activities that promote individual creativity.
Provide caregiver support.
Pray and mentor with them to encourage them in their walk.
Administer spiritual studies and presentations with them and to them.
Information about furthering education.

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Elder-Care Contributions in November

11/30/2014

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Saved $49.387 for 12 people
and "Saved the Farm"

     Rene' volunteered 23.8 hours helping people with disabilities and cancer survivors to low income families and people new to Medicare, from ages 49 to 88 years old.
     "I couldn't have done this without the support of VFW Post 9760 volunteers and the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) that certified me as a counselor," Rene' said. "One person I helped said, 'We saved the farm.'"
     By helping individuals understand and make wise choices, Rene' helped 12 local citizens save $49,387 in future drug costs.
    For More See: Medicare Cafe'

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Elder-Care Contributions in September

9/30/2014

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The Native American Church of Virginia (NAC of VA) provided 115 volunteer hours in September to prepare for and hold the September Medicare Café, provide mentoring and speakers programs, assist with other cooperation projects and assist with non-profit fundraising.

Received Presidential Honors
ONAC of VA president and CEO received:

Life-time achievement awards from President Obama for more than 4,000 volunteer efforts.
Companion of Merit awards from the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.

Medicare Café
We led the Sept 25 Medicare Café held at VFW Post 9760. Contributions include:

Handed out literature.
Interviewed with News Reporters.
Created and edited briefing slides.
Edited signup sheets and forms for printing.
Prepared and set up an exterior signage.
Conducted set up & break down.
Managed volunteers, food and drink.
Provided more than 18 hours of 1-on-1 counseling sessions.
Prepared summary slide/report and emailed reports to critical agents.

Human Rights Meetings
Advised and met with U.S. civil rights representative on matters relating to reducing suffering among Indigenous people with diabetes. Held event for a 15-member U.S. civil rights representative and his team, visiting from multiple states. helping develop plan to be presented before Congress.

Other Cooperation Projects

Met and partnering with "Professionals Working 4Seniors" a local senior's panel.
Supported Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem non-profit to help reduce suffering in the world.
Made numerous connections that resulted in being offered several international TV and radio spots.

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Elder-Care Contributions in August

8/31/2014

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Our Native American Church president became a licensed volunteer counselor with the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP). Rene' is now trained and certified to help those who need help with their Medicare.

Held 1st Medicare Cafe'

ONAC of VA contributed 250 volunteer hours towards the first Medicare Café held August 28 at VFW Post 9760. Contributions included:

Direct Aid to Senior Citizens
Designing Materials and Preparation including Power-Point Presentation
Planning and Execution
Publicity with News Reporters and Handing out Flyers
1-on-1 Counseling
Coordination and Communications

Other community support to meetings and events:

Attended the Clarke County Community Services Council is meeting
National Night Out community awareness-raising for the local police, fire and rescue first responders.
Fundraising to help local man buy a pace-maker.

VFW during County Fair.

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Forward>>

Felling a Tree in Someone's Life

Hospice Care - Passing Over Ceremony

Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem features Native American Church Elder Care Program

Heating Emergency? Free Crisis Assistance Available for Low-Income Households Nationwide this Winter

Church Seeks Volunteers to Help Low-Income Families with Medicare and Medicaid

Tell me more about Volunteering

What is Elder-Care

Elder-Care Contributions in November

Elder-Care Contributions in September

Elder-Care Contributions in August

Held 1st Medicare Cafe'

Elder-Care

Elder Info