Marketplace Today Blog

The Fox Valley Sibling Support Network will hold a concert focused on family members who care for an aging parent, a chronically ill spouse, a child with special needs or an adult sibling with a disability or long-term illness.

Jana Stanfield, a multi-platinum songwriter, humorist and educator, will be featured at this public concert at Faith Lutheran Church–Celebration Campus, 3100 Evergreen Dr., Appleton, Friday, April 9 at 7 p.m.

“Ms. Stanfield is one of Nashville’s favorite songwriters and has appeared in Appleton several times, always drawing an enthusiastic and appreciative audience ready to laugh and enjoy lots of feel-good music,” said Sally Randa, one of the concert organizers.

A free Resource Fair by area health and human services agencies and businesses will take place prior to the concert at 6 p.m. to provide family caregivers and others with valuable information.

A seminar for adults who care for siblings or expect to care for siblings in the future will be offered at Faith Lutheran Church–Celebration Campus Saturday, April 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The main topic will be Wisconsin Family Care and what it means to family caregivers — especially siblings — as more and more counties convert to this new funding and care system.

Stanfield will provide music and laughter to inspire and energize. The seminar will conclude with a Sibling’s Day celebration lunch.

Nearly one in three adults spends at least 20 hours per week caring for a family member — a disabled child, spouse, parent or sibling — who has a disability or long-term illness. According to a 2009 U.S. survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving, family caregivers, more than most groups, are at serious risk for depression. During this economic downturn, almost 20 percent of caregivers report a decline in the quality of care for their loved one and 14 percent say that the amount of care they have been able to provide has decreased.

The seminar is funded in part by a grant from the SAC Developmental Disabilities Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc., the Tom and Jane Driscoll Fund, and the Keith Niemuth Charitable Fund.

For details, to order Angels Among Us tickets, or to register for the Sibling Seminar, visit www.FVSSN.org or call (920) 968-1742.