About Us
Established on June 14, 2006, COME was founded to champion the needs and challenges faced by older adults and their families, who are pivotal in their daily lives. Recognizing the vital role of family members as primary responders to home crises, COME aimed to uphold the dignity and quality of life of older adults within their communities.
In collaboration with AARP Peachtree Chapter 4997, led by President Josephine Collins, COME embarked on a mission to raise awareness about the demands of family caregivers. The inaugural caregiver recognition event occurred at Co-op City's Dreiser Loop Community Center, honoring Jacqueline Cherry's caregiving devotion to her father. Since then, COME has celebrated over three hundred family caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month.
Through partnerships with community organizations, churches, and healthcare providers, COME advocated for policy changes and facilitated health fairs, caregiver consultations, and expert panel discussions. This multifaceted approach fostered greater recognition of the pivotal role and impact of family caregivers across communities, healthcare systems, and the nation.
Over time, COME evolved into Caregivers Outreach Mentorship Empowerment, Inc., becoming a cornerstone organization supporting family caregivers. It provided crucial assistance in navigating healthcare systems, addressing caregiver burnout, and promoting self-care practices.
In response to emerging needs, COME launched initiatives like the Youth Caregivers Initiative (YCI) SHARKS Program in 2015, aimed at supporting youth caregivers in the Bronx, NY. Subsequently, the Summer Youth Intergenerational Technology Program was established in 2016, offering seniors personalized technology training.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted COME to innovate its outreach efforts, shifting its annual caregiver recognition program to virtual platforms and providing financial support to honorees facing economic challenges.
Despite setbacks such as event cancellations, including the inaugural Youth Caregivers Symposium, COME persevered. Initiatives like the "Let's Talk" caregivers support Zoom sessions initiated in 2021 and monthly publications in the Co-op City Times in 2022 further strengthened its community impact.
COME's advocacy reached new heights with presentations at prominent conferences such as the NYSABPRL Conference, highlighting the challenges faced by family caregivers, particularly in communities of color.
Looking ahead, COME remains committed to advocating for, supporting, and honoring caregivers of all ages, recognizing their unwavering dedication, commitment, and sacrifices. After all, caregivers too need caring.
Founder
"Caregiver's Need Caring Too...."
Diane Cooper RN,M.Ed,GNP,AGCM
Caregiver's Outreach Mentorship Empowerment, Inc. (COME) is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that was founded in 2006 by Ms. Diane Cooper, a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with over 30 years of experience in community health. She founded this organization as a direct result of her own experiences as a family caregiver to her father, Mr. Leon David Simmons. At times, the turmoil that she experienced was a result of the conflict between her role as a professional caregiver vs her role as a family caregiver. Prior promises and commitments that she had made to him were broken for the benefit of his safety, protection, and quality of life. For the first time, she felt she could empathize with what family caregivers were experiencing.
From her role as a family caregiver, Ms. Cooper realized that there was a need for caregiver education and support in local communities. So, she decided to take part in the solution to provide family caregivers with accessible information, resources, and support services. To provide caregivers with hope as they undertake the daily challenges of caring for a loved one. Most of all, through her organization, COME, she endeavors to promote the importance of self-care while caring for others because caregivers need care, too. Recognition and appreciation of the role of family caregivers is the ultimate goal to let caregivers know that they are not alone. Although no longer a caregiver to her father, Ms. Cooper cared for her husband, John Cooper, for over 15 years. She continues to keep abreast of issues and concerns of family caregivers. As well as educate legislators, public officials, and the general public about the implications of public policy and legislative proposals for the quality of life of family caregivers and their loved ones.
