Caregivers Café: UIW Unveils Ministry Dedicated to Supporting Caregivers

Through the combined support of UIW Mission and Ministry and Behavioral Health Services, the University is launching a new ministry that will provide support and resources to campus members who have taken on the role of long-term caregivers to their loved ones.

Close to two years ago, it was brought to the attention of Bishop Trevor Alexander, University Protestant Chaplain, that there were at least 20 UIW employees who served as caregivers for a family member. This realization inspired the development of a ministry that would prayerfully help these individuals feel supported in a position that is often a complicated journey. 

Now, with the help of Captain Brehan Kirkpatrick, U.S. Army Chaplain assigned to UIW Mission and Ministry through a partnership between the University and the JBSA Army Chaplains Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, the foundation for this ministry has been laid. Kirkpatrick is undergoing CPE certification, an Association for Clinical Pastoral Education accredited pastoral care training program. Part of her training includes completing hours of clinical practice, which she is fulfilling by serving UIW’s students and community members.

Army Chaplain Corps. at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, the foundation for this ministry has been laid. Kirkpatrick is undergoing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) certification, an accredited pastoral care training program. Part of her training includes completing hours of clinical practice, which she is fulfilling by serving UIW’s students and community members.

“When Bishop Alexander pitched the idea for this ministry, the wheels in my mind automatically started turning,” recalled Kirkpatrick. “I considered how I'd seen it done more in the medical setting. I suggested having a lunchtime hour where we would bring doctors and nurses together to talk about the stressors of being a caregiver and what that really looked like in their personal lives. I suggested that we call it Caregivers Cafe.”

Having had the experience of being a caregiver herself, this project is one that hits home for Kirkpatrick. Whether it’s caring for those in need or mourning the loss of people cared for, she recognizes the complexities of being a caregiver and how it comes in many forms. She hopes that by building an empathic community through Caregivers Café, caregivers will feel less alone and more seen.

As she works to complete her CPE certification, Kirkpatrick will be with UIW for a year before a new group of chaplains will come in to serve UIW and continue Caregivers Café. Kirkpatrick shared that she hopes that through combined efforts, the ministry will not only be able to share resources offered on campus, but resources found beyond UIW as well.

“I envision this ministry going very deep,” shared Alexander. “Once the group becomes comfortable, the stories will come out of there and needs will be highlighted. Chaplain Kirkpatrick will begin the ministry for whoever comes after her so it can go further.”

Stay tuned for updates on the official start of Caregivers Café.

For my information about Caregivers Café, please contact Bishop Trevor Alexander at alexande@uiwtx.edu or Captain Brehan Kirkpatrick at bkirkpat@uiwtx.edu.

For more information on UIW’s partnership with the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps., click here.