Urge Congress to pass landmark legislation that provides federal grant funding for nonprofits supporting the mental health, nourishment, transportation, and wellness of unpaid caregivers across America.
In honor of Dream Ioni Shepherd — whose life and legacy transformed how we see care.
My daughter, Dream Ioni Shepherd, lived with severe medical challenges, yet her presence transformed everyone who met her. Caring for her was a journey rooted in profound love and unwavering commitment. Like so many caregivers, I spent years in hospitals, navigating complex medical decisions and life-altering responsibilities to ensure she had every chance to heal and thrive. Throughout that time, I often experienced how few systems exist to support the caregivers who are holding everything together.
Dream’s legacy now guides my work to advocate for caregivers across this country so they are recognized, supported, and sustained in the roles they carry with such love. In her honor, we created the Ossining Community Garden of Dreams Legacy Center (OCGDLC), a space dedicated to land-based healing, wellness, and restoration for caregivers, families, and communities navigating trauma and loss.
"Across the United States, caregivers make extraordinary sacrifices. Many step away from careers, strain their finances, and neglect their own physical and emotional health while caring for someone they love. Despite their essential role in our healthcare system, they often receive little meaningful support.."
The introduction of Dream’s Caregiver Health and Wellness Act offers an important step forward. This legislation proposes a federal grant program that would support nonprofit organizations providing caregivers with essential resources such as mental health services, meals, transportation assistance, and wellness programs. These supports can help caregivers continue their responsibilities without feeling isolated or overwhelmed.
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 53 million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one. Many experience high levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and financial strain as they try to sustain the people who depend on them.
Dream’s Caregiver Health and Wellness Act recognizes a simple truth: caregivers deserve care too. By investing in programs that support their well-being, we strengthen families, communities, and our healthcare system as a whole.
We call on Congress to pass Dream’s Caregiver Health and Wellness Act. By signing this petition, you are helping ensure caregivers across the country are supported, valued, and no longer asked to carry these responsibilities alone. Your voice can help bring meaningful change to millions of families.
Your voice can bring meaningful change to millions of families. Here are four ways to make an impact today.
Show Congress that caregivers across America need and deserve support. Every signature strengthens the call for H.R. 7911.
Spread the word to your network. National awareness is essential to build the momentum needed to pass this legislation.
Reach out to your members of Congress directly and urge them to support H.R. 7911 and the caregivers it will serve.
Your donation directly supports Dream’s Garden programs that restore and sustain caregivers through community-based healing.
Every signature, share, and dollar moves us closer to federal support for the 53 million caregivers who hold this country together.
Use these images to share the advocacy campaign on social media and help raise national awareness for Dream’s Caregiver Health and Wellness Act.
Please note: Donations made on Change.org support promotion on that platform and do not go directly to Dream’s Garden (OCGDLC). To support Dream’s Garden directly, please use the Donate Now button above.
If you prefer to give by mail, please make checks payable to:
Ossining Community Garden of Dreams Legacy Center (OCGDLC)
50 Spring Valley Road
Ossining, NY 10562
Your support helps sustain our land-based healing work and community programs
Ossining Community Garden of Dreams Legacy Center (OCGDLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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