mission statement
Karen’s Day of Healing Fund was established in January 2012 by her family and friends to commemorate the life of Karen Joyce Latner. Karen was a beautiful person with many talents and strong spiritual connections. Above all, she was a healer who had a profound effect on everyone lucky enough to know her. Among her many gifts, she had the patience to listen, the energy to connect, the vision to see hidden meanings, the strength not to judge, the courage to be truthful and the power to heal. Karen died of lung cancer in 2011 at the age of 55.
Our mission is to continue Karen’s work by providing a healing experience to families in need. We do this through cooking, massage, music, yoga and other nourishment for the body and soul.
STrategic plan
Inspired by the life of Karen Latner, we employ the following approaches to achieve our mission and bring warmth and light to the families we work with:
— We Organize
Organize a diverse multicultural group of volunteers and other contributors who have unique talents and generous spirits.
— We Personalize the Experience
Select and gather information on family applicants to personalize the experience for maximum healing effect; eligible families are those dealing with physical or mental illness, loss, poverty, stress, or other difficult situations.
— We Visit You
Plan day or evening visits to homes of selected families or other suitable venue.
— We Provide Care
We spend time with families to relieve them of chores and distractions, and put them in a peaceful and loving environment. We treat them to a healthy gourmet meal, massage and body work, live musical performance, yoga and meditation and/or other spiritually enriching and nourishing experiences that reflect their needs and the unique talents of our volunteers and contributors.
— We Bring the Right People
Select qualified, empathetic and talented people to render these services in a creative and caring manner.
— We Enrich
Create a legacy of joyful, connective experiences that enrich the lives of both family recipients and our volunteers and contributors.
Founding
Karen’s Day of Healing Fund was founded by her brother, Irwin Latner, her sister-in-law, Alissa Latner, her sister, Gail Birnbaum, and her husband, Felix Kramer.