ShareCare is a project of the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi funded by the Foundation for the Mid South in partnership with the American Red Cross.

ShareCare Bank is a project designed to build a community of families and friends who care for adults with disabilities as well as senior adults but is open to anyone in the community. Each member will contribute something to the collective, mowing a yard for example, and his/her time contributed will be banked as time so that in the future when he/she needs a service they can call on the bank. One hour/one service equals one Time Dollar.  The basis of the program is building relationships and as a by product alleviating caregiver burden and isolation. This program is not just for caregivers and their families, but is an excellent opportunity for anyone to give their time and talents to their community.

ShareCare Recovery & Resiliency Connection is a project created to assist people over 50 years of age who have experienced loss related to Hurricane Katrina.  This project will conduct a variety of activities including individual problem solving counseling, person centered planning, disaster preparedness workshops, and case management; support groups dealing with grief and loss; telephone assurance for vulnerable senior adults and those with disabilities and/or their family caregivers; and accessible referral information on services related to rebuilding and recovery efforts.

“This project is important because it connects individuals who are elderly with each other and promotes a system of shared resources at a time when resources are hard to find.  Individuals who are elderly have had an especially hard time dealing with the aftermath of the hurricane.  This project will assist them with their recovery efforts” states Dr. Jane Siders, IDS Director.