My name is Margarita Rodriguez and I am the Senior Regional Manager for Southern California. Each month, you will receive an email from me to keep you informed of the upcoming activities available to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation’s burn survivor community.

I am super excited to welcome you to yet another amazing year with AARBF full of wonderful events. We’ve got some returning favorites as well as some changes to better serve you. Many of our events will be in person and others virtually, but whatever your preference – we can’t wait to see you there! Please reach out to me with any questions in the SCA area, and anything else – or just to say hi!

If you are a burn survivor and family member and wish to be added to our monthly email, please email [email protected] and indicate your region.

The monthly Expression Series schedule has been modified for 2022. Sessions will still be held on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM via Zoom, but will now include Movement Expression along with Writing, Art and Music!

Join us this month for our first Movement Expression featuring yoga! Movement Expression is designed to help you focus on your physical well-being. By keeping your mind and body in tune with each other, you will feel stronger and can more readily express your feelings and emotions in a positive manner. This session is designed for beginners, but can still be enjoyed by the intermediate and advanced. For those who need it, modifications will be identified for poses by the instructor.

Click here to register.

February 18-21, 2022

The Young Adult Summit is a weekend long retreat for burn survivors between the ages of 16 to 20. Each Presidents’ Day weekend since 1997, approximately 25 burn survivors gathered at Ocean Pines in Cambria, California to share their stories and strength.

The Young Adult Summit was created to meet unique challenges associated with growing up with burns. All teens must navigate high school, adopting a sense of independence and changing roles. The Young Adult Summit is for teens who deal with these issues in addition to their healing. Workshops and exercises engage teens in life skills lessons, team building, and networking. Each burn survivor gains tools, new knowledge and an opportunity to continue the friendships created at Champ Camp.

Click here to register and for additional information to help you plan for this weekend activity.

February 18-21, 2022

The Adult Retreat provides a survivor-driven program allowing the opportunity for approximately 20 adult burn survivors to learn about their healing process and their journey as a burn survivor. This program is for adult burn survivors 21+ and is an intensive weekend, developed by burn survivors for burn survivors. It will include workshops, support groups and promotes healing, self-discovery and socialization.

Click here to register and for additional information to help you plan for this weekend activity.

Southern California – January 9, 2022 from 1:30pm – 3:30pm. This is an in-person regional support group open to both survivors and their family members. Currently this group is meeting virtually, but will convert back to an in-person group as soon as it is safe to do so. Contact me at [email protected] to register.

Caregiver – January 6, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online state-wide support group for family members, care givers and loved ones of burn survivors. This group is closed to burn survivors. To register, please contact Daniel Chacon at [email protected].

Spanish Speaking – January 18, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online support group specifically designed for Spanish-speaking burn survivors. Contact me at [email protected] to register.

Statewide – January 20, 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. This is an online support group open to both burn survivors and their loved ones throughout California. To register, please contact Daniel Chacon at [email protected].

Peer Support – Not everyone is comfortable in a group setting, which is why the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation offers one-on-one Peer Support. Peer Support is a power tool for healing from a burn trauma. There is something magical that happens when one survivor sits and shares their experience and healing process with another. Peer support can relieve the feeling of being all alone in your experience. Peer support can come in many forms; a burn survivor talking to another burn survivor, a parent talking to another parent or loved one. This service is not limited to burn survivors. A burn injury can affect the entire family, caregivers and other loved ones. Contact me at [email protected] to get started today.

Back to School Support (available upon request) – Contact me at [email protected] to learn more about this program.

AARBF’s Multimedia Resource Library includes tip sheets, videos, stories, and so much more. Video content within the library has been developed by the AARBF Community; including our staff, volunteers, burn survivors and community partners! Below are our featured videos for January!

Finances and Money
Russ has been a financial planner for 40 years and has some money tips to share.  You don’t have to start with a lot of money to be financially successful. Today is a good day to start your path to financial independence!

Nutrition
Kelsey is a registered dietitian nutritionist who will share with you some easy food swaps that you can make to help your body and improve your health.

Cross Fit at Home
Clark is an AARBF volunteer and Firefighter who will show you some cross fit exercises you can do from the comfort of home!