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our
mission
To provide practical and compassionate support, through
volunteer Care Teams, for people living with serious illnesses, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.
our vision
A caring community where no one will face a serious illness alone.
WHO WE ARE
The Care
Communities provides Care Team services to
people with cancer and AIDS. The Care Communities (a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable
organization) was
formed in 1991 by dedicated people of faith who wanted to provide
practical and compassionate support to those living with AIDS
in the Austin area. As TCC grew, it expanded its focus to
include cancer. |
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Carol Johnson, M Div., MBA
Executive Director
Carol Johnson joined The Care Communities staff as
Executive Director in November of 2005. She is a Presbyterian
minister with an MBA, CPA and RN. She comes from Hope
Hospice in New Braunfels, Texas where she was the Director
of Spiritual, Psychosocial and Volunteer Services.
She was born and raised in upstate New York. Outside
of her work she enjoys her two school-age sons, two
miniature dachshunds, the Austin music scene, biking
and exploring Texas. |
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Christina Camacho, LMSW
Care Team Director
Christina joined The Care Communities in August of 2007. She received her MSSW from Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City. Prior to earning her Master’s degree, she has worked with several Austin area agencies and medical facilities with her undergraduate degree from Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. Se Habla Español. |
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Melissa Demand, LMSW
Director of Development & Care Team Associate
Melissa Demand grew up in Kingwood, TX before moving to Austin in 2000 to attend The University of Texas for her undergraduate degree in history. She has just received her MSSW from The University of Texas at Austin. She is currently a volunteer with OutYouth and intern with the Texas Gay-Straight Alliance Network. |
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Jessica Hager
Outreach Associate
Jessica Hager joined The Care Communities team as Outreach Associate in May of 2010. She graduated cum laude from Southwestern University, Georgetown with a major in Communications and double minor in Spanish and Anthropology. Prior to joining TCC, Jessica worked at numerous Central Texas non-profits, and as an AmeriCorps*VISTA. She is happy to have made Central Texas her home, and enjoys spending time with her loved ones traveling and experiencing new adventures. |
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Courtney Sienkiel, BSW
Care Team Associate
Courtney was raised in Georgetown and is our newest Care Team Associate. She started out at The Care Communities as an intern, and after graduating with her Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Texas in 2009, she joined TCC on a full-time basis. She feels very privileged to be working at TCC, and in her free time enjoys running, reading and cooking.
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Roger Temme, M Div.
Outreach Director
Roger is a native of Detroit but has lived in Texas since
1963. Before beginning work at The Care Communities in March
of 1999, he was a member of a Catholic religious community
for 30 years and for almost 25 years as a Catholic priest. Besides
his work, Roger enjoys walking, dancing, reading mystery
novels and the company of his friends and neighbors. |
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Leora Visotzky
Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper
Leora grew up in New York City prior to moving to Austin in 2003. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in art history and has worked in cultural institutions as well as volunteered for non-profit organizations in Austin. She lives in south Austin with her husband and miniature dachshund. |
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Board
of Directors
Stacey McTaggart , President - Texas Gas Service
The Hon. Lora Livingston, Vice President - State of Texas, County of Travis
Kevin Thibideau , Secretary - Apple
W. Blake Robbins , Treasurer - Harden Health Care Employee Benevolent Fund
Donna Benson-Chan - Community Volunteer
Leigh Christie- Community Volunteer
Geoff Chudleigh - Patton Medical Devices
Marion Cimbala - Entrepreneurs Foundation
Kristi Copeland -Community Volunteer
Anthony DeJesus - Ampere Operations Consulting
Jim Faith -Plains Capital Bank
Chris Little -Starbucks Coffee Company
Robyn Milder - BOSSdev
Patti Montgomery - Seton Family of Hospitals
Jennifer Purcell
- Maroch Partners
Robin Reilly -Brown McCarroll, LLP
Linda Richards
- Community Volunteer
Apolonio Silguero- Prosperity Bank
Dee Wallace - DWallace Consulting
Evelyn Williams- Evelyn Designs, LLC
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WE BELIEVE…
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No one should go through a serious illness without
the loving care of a community to sustain everyday
living.
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People should be free to be who they are and express
themselves openly. Everyone deserves honesty
and integrity, and unconditional love. All are
welcome in this community.
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A team of caring people can provide more support
than one person. Sharing support makes care possible.
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Miracles happen every day when someone cares for
another. Heroes are born through the smallest
acts of care.
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People facing a serious illness have support from
power higher than their own.
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In facing AIDS or cancer there is strength
in numbers, comfort in care and hope in support!
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