History Made and Milestones for the Caregiver Movement
As CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, I have had the privilege of being part of many incredible moments for our caregiver community. Yet, as I watched President Biden present Senator Dole with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 3, I knew I was witnessing something truly historic. Only a select few have received the Medal throughout history, and even fewer have been recognized for contributing to our nation and world in so many profound ways. We have been happily overwhelmed with beautiful notes, videos, and social media posts thanking Senator Dole for her service to the nation since President and Dr. Biden announced the impressive recipients. It was a wonderful moment to celebrate with our friends and supporters. I would like to thank our friends at TriWest, Humana, Jacqueline B. Mars, and the State of Qatar for their generous support and hosting a beautiful event celebrating Senator Dole for her remarkable service.
We will soon share an archive of videos, photos, and more to commemorate this occasion. If you would like to send a message to Senator Dole, you can still do so here. We will be collecting submissions until May 15.
Perhaps fittingly, the Foundation marked a milestone in the caregiver movement the same week that Senator Dole received the Medal. On April 28, the opening segment of 60 Minutes told the story of military caregiver kids, America’s hidden helpers. If you missed it, please watch today. Behind the scenes, our Foundation worked with 60 Minutes’ producers for more than a year to bring this piece together. Scott Pelley and the production team did a fantastic job telling this important story, and we have heard from countless families across the country since.
I am also grateful to Liz Rotenberry, Senior Manager of our Fellows Program, and her husband Chuck and son Kris, for having the courage to share their family’s caregiving journey as the story’s central focus.
Steve Schwab and Senator Dole at the White House Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony on May 3.
My heartfelt thanks also to the many other caregiver families who spoke with producers and opened up about their own challenges, ensuring the piece represented all hidden heroes and their children.
Since the Foundation’s beginning, Dole Caregiver Fellows like Liz have been vital to building connections among America’s caregivers and conveying to the nation the personal toll of the caregiver crisis. In the coming weeks, we will be introducing the next class of Fellows who will add to our network of peer advocates and help us generate transformational change in the way our country supports caregivers, their veterans, and their families. Stay tuned for our official announcement and read more below about the latest EDF news!
Our founder and Chair Emeritus, Senator Elizabeth Dole, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden on May 3rd at The White House alongside eighteen other recipients including former Vice President Al Gore, Olympic athlete Katie Ledecky, and Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh.
Upon receiving the Medal, President Biden described Senator Dole as a “trailblazer” and “inspiration” while noting her lifetime of service, from being the first woman in nearly every public service position she’s held to her work as a “fierce advocate” for military and veteran caregivers and their families. President Biden also remarked that the country owes her “a significant debt of gratitude” for her service to others and to our nation.
Senator Dole with former Vice President Al Gore at the White House Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony on May 3.
Senator Dole was joined at the ceremony by Elizabeth Dole Foundation CEO Steve Schwab and USAA President and CEO Wayne Peacock, who also serves as a Vice-Chair of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Board.
The Medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to our world, and Senator Dole’s lifetime of service and leadership demonstrates why she is most deserving of this honor. We are lucky to have such a valiant advocate and public servant leading our organization. If you would like to congratulate Senator Dole on this honor, please do so on our website.
The Rotenberry family, filming with 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley.
CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley spotlighted the work of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and interviewed Senator Dole, EDF CEO Steve Schwab, and Senior Manager of the Fellows Program Liz Rotenberry and her family to draw attention to the experiences of the millions of children living in the homes of injured veterans and their roles as caregivers.
This episode contains sensitive content, including conversations around suicide and images of combat. Dial of text 988 or chat online for free and confidential support 24/7 for people in distress, crisis resources, and more for you or a loved one.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance recently highlighted the stories of four Dole Fellows on its Healthy Homefront blog, which offers resources and the latest updates on healthcare-related programs for the military and veteran communities. Sharon Grassi (2018, Arizona), Brian Vines (2015, Texas), Ilihia Gionson (2021, Hawaii), and Linzi Andersen (2020, Idaho) share their struggles and successes as caregivers, important resources they’ve discovered, and what they’ve learned throughout their caregiving journey.
News you can use
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental Health America has toolkits available to download in English and Spanish. The toolkit includes outreach ideas, social media examples, resources, fact sheets, and more. Be sure to download the toolkit for personal use and pass it along to others who may find it useful.
Last month, we shared that our partners at the USAA Educational Foundation had developed an exciting project in collaboration with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. We are excited to share that the Caregiver Financial Journey is now live! On the site, you’ll find resources for your financial journey, including a financial health assessment, worksheets, videos, and more. This content was developed for caregivers by caregivers. Thank you to our Director of Support Programs and 2017 Dole Caregiver Alumna, Shawn Moore, for leading this project, and to Dole Caregiver Fellows Shawn Lopez (2023, Maryland) and Sharon Grassi (2018, Arizona) for participating in the video modules.
A shout out to Shawn Lopez, Caira Benson, and Melissa Comeau who serve in their individual capacities on the Federal Advisory Committee for Veterans’ Families, Caregivers, and Survivors. Pictured here on May 1, Shawn, Caira, and Melissa shared their knowledge and recommendations to improve the overall experiences of caregivers within the VA. We are so proud of our Dole Fellows!
The next meeting will be on June 3, and caregivers will have the chance to submit written comments or read a statement at the event. Keep an eye on our social channels for the registration link!
Staff Spotlight: Marianne Delatorre
When Marianne joined the Foundation in 2021 as coordinator of the Hidden Heroes Caregiver Community (HHCC), she understood firsthand the power of peer-based communities to uplift and support caregivers. Since age 11, Marianne herself has cared for her mother, a U.S. Navy veteran. Managing the online caregiver community of approximately 3,000 caregivers, Marianne works hard to share the types of overlooked resources that she knows caregivers rely on. She also makes sure the HHCC remains a place where caregivers feel safe sharing their experiences, asking for help, supporting each other and, yes, sometimes venting.
In 2023, Marianne was promoted to Community Engagement Manager and now also oversees Hidden Heroes Cities & Counties, a program she actually helped bring to San Diego before joining EDF.
Now, she takes the lessons she has learned about building communities for caregivers and encourages cities and towns across America to adopt that same supportive spirit for their local hidden heroes. Marianne credits much of her work to her partnership with the Dole Caregiver Fellows on the ground, serving as leaders in their communities. She is their behind-the-scenes support for such collaborations as Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Hidden Heroes Appreciation nights with the Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs, the I am a Caregiver Campaign launch in El Paso, and the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Idaho campaign to sign all 44 counties as Hidden Heroes counties (so far, they have signed 35 counties and counting!).
Tell us about your life before becoming a caregiver.
Just before becoming a caregiver, I had become a new mom. Our first child was just an infant when Micah was injured, so I was in that time of life when I was totally consumed by the joy and 24-hour responsibilities of caring for a baby.
How do you help care for Micah?
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation describes caregiving as a journey that evolves over time. That has certainly been my experience. The earliest years were largely devoted to supporting Micah through surgeries and inpatient recovery. When we retired from the military, we decided to move back home to Idaho, where we had to learn how to navigate life without the support system of the Army. Today, we largely have our routine down, though I’m still a caregiver around-the-clock, providing emotional support and occasional wound care, while taking the lead on the household and kids.
What are your current challenges as Micah’s caregiver?
After Micah moved out of the hospital and medically retired, we wanted to continue having children. However, Micah’s injuries required fertility treatments that the VA did not cover. In 2019, my husband and I began lobbying the Idaho State Representatives to update VA policies to allow injured veterans to receive the care they needed to fulfill their dreams of starting or growing their families. The recent expansions of benefits still unfortunately do not include my husband’s injury. We took the lobbying to the highest level statewide and received positive feedback, but at this time a change will need to be made nationally. We are not currently lobbying at the national level but are still hopeful for change.
How has being a Dole Caregiver Fellow changed your caregiver experience?
Early in my caregiving, I went through a dark time when we had no family or friends in the area to offer their support. Now, as a Fellow, I know that I have a community of caregivers locally and virtually that I can lean on. I don’t feel so alone in this caregiving journey, and I truly appreciate the knowledge and friendship gained from others going through similar experiences. As a Fellow, I’ve also had the chance to be that sense of connection for caregivers in Idaho who may have been feeling that same isolation and hopelessness.
What advice do you give to other caregivers?
As caregivers, we need to find a way to keep a piece of ourselves. Caregiving changes our life in every way imaginable. It can be a thankless job that grinds you down over time. Caregivers carry such a huge mental load, and it’s helpful to find other people who get what you are going through. I also advocate for mental health and counseling for caregivers. Don’t be afraid to reach out and take care of you.
Save the Date!
May 10 – DAR Idaho Annual Conference & Hidden Heroes Luncheon
On Friday, May 10, the Idaho State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will honor Idaho’s hidden heroes during their annual conference. This year, though the leadership of 2020 Idaho Dole Caregiver Fellow, Linzi Andersen, Idaho DAR chapters have been working with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities & Counties program to educate county and city governments about the challenges and struggles of military caregivers.
Crisis Response Plan is a 5-hour synchronous training that teaches participants how to support veterans and civilians with suicide risk. You will leave equipped with skills to provide immediate support to those in crisis.
Our C3 Financial Wellness for Women Caregivers has a new date! Please join us on Thursday, May 16 for this informative webinar. Data show us that approximately 60% of military and veteran caregivers are women and often manage household finances. Join the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Prudential Pathways for an empowering webinar geared toward building self-assurance and taking charge in financial planning and oversight. Leading experts will share guidance on how to identify top money concerns, protect your greatest assets, and develop a money mindset.
Join Dr. Katie Comtois, University of Washington, and Dr. David Rozek, UT Health San Antonio, esteemed experts in suicide prevention, for a valuable conversation on practical guidance on implementing Caring Contacts in your organization.
Impact in Action: Hope Fund for Critical Financial Assistance
Since April 2022, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hope Fund for Critical Financial Assistance has granted emergency funds to 430 military and veteran families.
The Hope Fund, which began in the spring of 2022 with funding provided by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, exists to assist and support military and veteran caregiver families when they experience times of hardship. As a stop-gap measure to solve acute financial need brought about by the stressors and demands of caregiving, the Hope Fund has been integral in getting vulnerable families to a place of financial safety from which they can build.
After homelessness prevention – which is the top concern for families who have sought support through the Hope Fund – areas of acute need include emergency home repairs, utility payments, unexpected medical costs, and essential vehicle maintenance or avoidance of repossession.
In 2024, one of the grants given through the Hope Fund was to cover a $3,885.00 dental procedure bill, and the relief felt by the caregiver recipient was unparalleled.
“This is a huge burden lifted off our shoulders and we are so grateful. I was not expecting to get approved and especially didn’t think we would hear this fast.” – JG
As the first line of defense to get these families in a safer financial position, the Hope Fund ensures that veteran caregivers and their families participate in other Elizabeth Dole Foundation Financial Wellness programming. Our second line of defense is free financial workshops and tools – crafted or curated by and for veteran caregivers – that are made available to every caregiver who seeks support through the Hope Fund.
Finally, our financial assistance work includes our efforts at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to champion caregiver employment programs that support caregivers who wish to return to work.
“This life-changing work has been made possible by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation,” said Steve Schwab. “It is an honor to continue the legacies of Bob and Dolores Hope by supporting the families who are most vulnerable in our community while honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s wounded service members, their caregivers, and their families. This is truly what it means to care for those who have borne the battle for our nation.”
Let’s Connect
Tell us about a great resource to highlight or a caregiver challenge in need of a solution.
