Sharing your experience with others who have survived a foodborne disease can be one of the most beneficial connections and sources of information for anyone dealing with the aftermath.
Our Peer to Peer program is comprised of constituent-mentors who are available to offer compassionate insight based on their personal experiences. Most importantly, our mentors understand how emotional, overwhelming and chaotic your world has become and they are available to offer a listening ear. You do not need to struggle on your own.
Finding answers reduces stress. STOP’s constituent-mentors may provide insight as to the types of questions to ask medical professionals treating you or your loved one(s). Whether you are establishing a “new normal”, trying to manage physical pain or how to communicate with family and friends about your illness and possible long-term consequences, our constituent-mentors are willing and able to help you navigate your new reality.
Peer to Peer Mentoring connects an individual or a family member who is currently struggling to manage the persistent effects of foodborne illness to a mentor who has been similarly impacted and can share her/his unique perspective. Our mentors are not professionally trained and should not replace knowledgeable medical, legal, or mental health professionals; they are, however, individuals whose lives have been seriously impacted by foodborne pathogens and know that having an experienced friend or advocate in your corner can be a vital source of comfort and assurance.
Once connected to a constituent-mentor, the two of you determine the type of relationship you would like to create – one for emotional support, for gaining information and insight or two friends sharing their experiences together. We’re simply the matchmaker.
To inspire, encourage and be a valuable resource for anyone whose head is spinning because they’ve been dropped into the middle of a storm.
A common thread. Becoming a Peer Mentor has been amazing. Even though our stories were 15 years apart, and her son’s experience was far worse than my son’s, we shared a common thread.
I’m pretty sure that making a connection with another mom did as much for me as it did for her. I consider it a privilege to not only share my family’s story, but to inspire, encourage and be a valuable resource for anyone whose head is spinning because they’ve been dropped into the middle of a storm.
It started as two mothers sharing their stories, but because of our shared passions and outlook, we’ve become not only stronger voices for food safety but also friends. STOP has become more than just a resource for my family, they’ve become my family.
Stop Foodborne Illness came along at just the right time.
Though it seemed that everything was getting “back to normal” and I was healthy and ready to jump back into a full life, I still had some pretty strong fears about having this experience happen all over again.
Jillian was a Godsend!
After speaking with her for only five minutes I had no doubt that she totally understood where I was coming from. I knew that I was not alone, and that gave me strength.
As the voice of people affected by foodborne illness, we collaborate with partners in academia, the food industry, and government to prevent foodborne illness. We advocate for effective food safety policy and facilitate culture change to increase food safety.
Stop Foodborne Illness is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.
