Caring Coworkers Fund
Caring Coworkers Fund
We all need help sometimes. The Caring Coworkers Fund is here to assist you and your Methodist co-workers in times of urgent financial need. Once every three years, qualifying employees are eligible for up to $1,000 in assistance.
The Caring Coworkers Fund can relieve financial stresses by paying:
- Rents and mortgages
- Utility and cellphone bills
- Auto repairs
- Daycare costs
- Other unexpected expenses
The Caring Coworkers Fund is funded by Methodist employees for Methodist employees. Methodist Hospital Foundation runs the program.
How do I get assistance through the Caring Coworkers Fund?
Contact a Caring Coworkers Representative to start the process. Reps are designated for each affiliate, but you can contact any of the people listed below.
Methodist Hospital
Chaplain Jerilyn “J” Buresh
Spiritual Care Office
402-354-4016
Chaplain Eunju Jeong
Spiritual Care Office
402-354-4016
Chaplain Melissa Strong
Spiritual Care Office
402-354-4016
Chaplain Mike Thomas
Spiritual Care Office
402-354-4016
Chaplain Crystall Williams
Spiritual Care Office
402-354-4016
Chaplain Tom Williamson
Spiritual Care Office
402-354-4016
Methodist Women's Hospital
Chaplain Dorothy Lawson
Spiritual Care Office
402-354-4016
Nebraska Methodist College
Julie Raether
MHF NP Dodge Bldg.
402-354-7256
Nebraska Methodist Health System
Amy Monzingo
Best Care EAP
9239 West Center Rd.
402-354-8000
Kelli Petersen
Human Resources
825 S. 169th St.
402-354-2210
Physicians Clinics - NE / Methodist Physician’s Clinic Women’s Center
Valerie Brooks
Affiliate: Physicians Clinics - NE
Medical Office Bldg.
192nd & West Dodge Rd.
402-815-1735
Abigail Kutler
Affiliate: Methodist Physician’s Clinic Women’s Center
Medical Office Bldg.
192nd & West Dodge Rd.
402-815-1813
Shared Service Systems
Donna Wellwood
1725 S. 20th St.
402-354-8316
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides if an employee receives Caring Coworkers assistance?
Employees will discuss their needs with a Caring Coworkers Representative. If a request for assistance is approved, the rep will work with Methodist Hospital Foundation on the employee’s behalf.
Are all employees eligible for assistance through the Caring Coworkers Fund?
Employees who have worked for Methodist Health System for at least six months are eligible for assistance. Employees working for Methodist Health System less than six months will be directed to Best Care EAP for professional guidance.
What kind of assistance is available?
The Caring Coworkers Fund provides assistance up to $1,000. Employees will not receive cash. Bills or invoices are submitted to the Caring Coworkers Fund Representative who forwards them to Methodist Hospital Foundation. The Foundation makes payment on the employee’s behalf.
Can an employee be helped more than one time?
Employees are eligible to seek assistance once every three years. Employees can contact Best Care EAP for professional guidance at any time.
Can employees offer contributions to benefit the Caring Coworkers Fund?
Yes! Gifts from employees make the Caring Coworkers Fund possible. Methodist Hospital Foundation is proud to accept your contributions at any time. During Caring Campaign, our annual employee giving campaign, you can support the Caring Coworkers Fund through ongoing payroll deductions, a one-time payroll deduction or cash. Paid time off (PTO) hours can also be converted into a donation. See below for the PTO conversion information. One hundred percent of your gift will benefit the Caring Coworkers Fund.
How does a gift of paid time off (PTO) work?
Donating PTO has proven to be a very popular way for employees to make a gift. PTO hours are converted to cash and taxes are subtracted – at approximately 38 percent by IRS rule. The balance benefits the Caring Coworkers Fund.
Please note: PTO hours are NOT transferable directly between employees. By IRS rule, you may not donate any “banked” PTO hours.
What is a Caring Coworkers Special Funded Effort?
A Caring Coworkers Special Funded Effort (SFE) is an opportunity for employees in a certain department/affiliate to rally around a specific co-worker-in-need. To begin the process, the employee-in-need will visit with a Caring Coworkers Representative. If the rep believes an SFE would be helpful, he or she will coordinate with the employee’s supervisor and begin the gift collection process. Individual gift amounts and the names of donors are kept confidential. Again, no cash will be disbursed. Methodist Hospital Foundation will pay bills on the employee’s behalf. The employee-in-need is encouraged to use all of the dollars generated on their behalf within one year of initiating the SFE.
Why did we change the name from Family Crisis Connection?
Your gifts during Caring Campaign make this assistance possible – up to $1,000 for employees facing urgent, unexpected expenses. The new name is a tribute to your support. It’s about all of us pitching in to take care of each other – because we all need help sometimes.