Community Resources

Dial 911 immediately if you or a loved one may be having a stroke.

Finding help after a stroke can be difficult. Below you can find information about community events, local support groups, and free or reduced-cost therapy, and other resources. If you have other information that you think we should know about, please email us at stridelab@wcupa.edu. We try to ensure that all information is correct and up to date before posting. We plan to add more information as we get it, so check back often!

 

For Survivors and Family Members

Community Events

Stay tuned for upcoming local events!

Books

How to Go from Stroke Victim to Stroke Victor by Bob Mandell

Access to Book

Utilizing little known innovative therapies, strategies, and a mind/body mentality the “Stroke Victor” pushed his recovery well beyond what was expected. Learn the tricks, techniques, devices, mental games, and philosophies that will help every stroke victim have a stronger recovery and ultimate healing.

 

Independent Living: Functioning With the Use of One Hand in a Two-Handed World by Patricia S. Burnett

Do It One-Handed: A Manual of Daily Living Skills for Stroke Rehabilitation by Susan Cohn

 

 

Other Media

An online course series on counseling skills is available through continuing education provider MedBridgeEducation.

A Guided Meditation to Help with Caregiver Stress by Belleruth Naparstek

Imagery to remind the caregiver – whether family member or professional provider – of their own strength, goodness, tenacity, and resourcefulness.  Also designed to provide relaxation and balance; sustain motivation; reduce isolation; acknowledge the difficulties without sugar-coating them; help release any accrued resentment; and restore hope for the future. Includes guided imagery and affirmations.

Playing time: 45 min.

Available from healthjourneys or Amazon.

Emotional Renewal for Caregivers: Looking After Yourself While Helping a Loved One by Lynn Joseph

This superb, 7-track, guided imagery CD targets caregiver stress in a wonderfully knowledgeable, compassionate, and comprehensive way. Segments include an Intro with Advice, and imagery segments for: Boosting Self-Love; Planning a Smooth Day; Healing Stressful Feelings; Connecting with Your Future Self; Sleeping Soundly; and much more.

Playing time: 72 min.

Available from Amazon.

Brain Friends Podcast

The Brain Friends podcast is a space for neuro nerds and stroke survivors to talk about all things aphasia, language recovery, and community. Hosted by Dr. D. Seles, a neuroscientist and speech-language pathologist, and Angie C., 2x stroke survivor and aphasia advocate.

Podcast Link

 

Support Groups

I need an aphasia support group

People with aphasia can sometimes feel left out at general stroke survivor groups. See below for information about dedicated aphasia support groups. Note that most in-person support groups meet in hospitals and rehab centers, so masks are typically required. Reach out to the contact person with any questions.

*We are currently searching for more aphasia support groups. Check back soon for more resources.

In Person Groups
(alphabetical by state, then town/city)

Online Groups

Delaware

University of Delaware’s Aphasia Support Group

  • Contact: Kristen Palmer
  • Meeting Location: UD STAR Campus, Room 113 (540 S. College Ave., Newark, DE 19713) or virtually via Zoom (Zoom ID: 979 7497 4630)
  • Meeting Days/Time: In-person 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month (subject to change) and virtually on Tuesday at 11:30 AM
  • Meeting Frequency: Weekly

Aphasia Book Club

  • Contact: Email meka.benson@christianacare.org for more details on joining this group.
  • Meeting Days/Time: Every Monday from 12:15-1:15 PM over a series of up to 10 weeks
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a week

Aphasia Education Group

  • Contact: Email jintintoli@christianacare.org for more details on joining this group.
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st Wednesday of every month at 12-1 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

New Jersey

Adler Aphasia Communication Groups

Pennsylvania

Jefferson Moss-Magee Aphasia Support Group at the Riverfront 

  • Contact: Sarah Lantz
  • Meeting Location: Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation – Riverfront Outpatient (1500 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19147)
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st Tuesday of every month at 1-2 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Reading Rehab Hospital Aphasia Group (Wyomissing)

  • Contact: Kathy
    • 484-628-2721
  • Meeting Location: Reading Rehab Hospital (2802 Paper Mill Rd, Wyomissing, PA 19610)
  • Meeting Days/Time: 2nd Tuesday of every month at 3 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

University of Delaware’s Language Lounge

  • Contact: Kristen Palmer
  • Meeting Location: Virtually via Zoom
    • (Zoom ID: 989 5932 8581)
  • Meeting Days/Time: Friday at 11:30 AM
  • Meeting Frequency: Weekly

Good Shepherd Penn Partners (GSPP) Aphasia Support Group

  • Contact: aphasia.group@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
    • 215-893-6431
  • Meeting Location: Virtually via Microsoft Teams
  • Meeting Days/Time: Last Wednesday of every month at 3 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Mid-Atlantic Aphasia Conference (MAAC) Aphasia Support Group 

I need a stroke support group

Many support groups meet both in person and online. Note that most in-person support groups meet in hospitals and rehab centers, so masks are typically required. Reach out to the contact person with any questions.

*We are currently searching for more stroke support groups. Check back soon for more resources.

In Person Groups
(alphabetical by state, then town/city)

 Online Groups (alphabetical by group name)

Delaware

Stroke and Brain Injury Support and Education Group

  • Contact: Email jsantini@christianacare.org for more details on joining this group
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st Friday of every month at 12-1 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Maryland

Stroke Support Group of Cecil County (Elkton)

  • Contact: Sarah Rueda
  • Meeting Location: Christiana Care Union Hospital (106 Bow St. Elkton, Maryland 21921)
  • Meeting Days/Time: 2nd Wednesday of every month at 10:30-11:30 AM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

New Jersey

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation Stroke Support Group (Marlton campus)

  • Contact: Elizabeth Louie
  • Meeting Location: 92 Brick Rd, Marlton, NJ 08053 (2nd Fl. Patient Dining Room)
    • Also available via Zoom
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st Wednesday of every month at 6:15-7:30 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation Stroke Support Group (Saddle Brook campus)

  • Contact: Anne Marie Chesterman
  • Meeting Location: 300 Market St, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at 11 AM
  • Meeting Frequency: Twice a month

South Jersey Stroke Support Group (Vineland)

  • Contact: Nikole Spatola
  • Meeting Location: 1237 W. Sherman Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360 or join virtually via Zoom
  • Meeting Days/Time: 2nd Tuesday of every month at 1:30 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation Stroke Support Group (West Orange campus)

  • Contact: Anne Marie Chesterman
  • Meeting Location: 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052
  • Meeting Days/Time: 3rd Monday of every month at 4:15 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Poems in Speech

Young Empowerment Stroke Support (YESS) Group

  • Contact: Melissa Meyers
  • Meeting Location: Virtually via Microsoft Teams
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st Tuesday of the month from 12-1 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Pennsylvania

St. Luke’s University Health Network Stroke Support Group-ATLAS (Adapting to Life After Stroke)

  • Contact: Krista Leonarczyk
  • Meeting Location: St. Luke's Anderson Campus - Medical Office Building Conference Room B (1700 Luke's Blvd, Easton, PA 18045) or join virtually via Microsoft Teams
  • Meeting Days/Time: 3rd Tuesday of every other month at 4-5:30 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once every other month (February, April, June, August, October, December)

Good Shepherd Penn Partners (GSPP) Stroke Support Group (Philadelphia)

  • Contact: Tyler Roach
  • Meeting Location: 3rd Floor Recreation Room at Penn Medicine Rehabilitation, an inpatient rehabilitation unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (1800 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146)
    • Contact for virtual options
  • Meeting Days/Time: Last Tuesday of every month from 3-4 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Stroke Support Group for Patients and Families

  • Contact: Vilma Mazziol
  • Meeting Location: 1513 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
  • Meeting Days/Time: 3rd Wednesday of every month at 3-4 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Reading Rehab Hospital Stroke Group (Wyomissing)

  • Contact: Kathy
    • 484-628-2721
  • Meeting Location: Reading Rehab Hospital (2802 Paper Mill Rd, Wyomissing, PA 19610)
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st Wednesday of every month at 3 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month 

 

I need a culturally and linguistically diverse support group

Black American Aphasia Conversation Group 

Korean Aphasia Community - 한인 실어증 커뮤니티 

  • Contact: Dr. Jiyeon Lee, PhD, CCC-SLP or Sally Min, MS, CCC-SLP 
  • Meeting Location: Virtually via Zoom
  • Meeting Days/Time: 2nd Tuesday of every month
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

I need a caregiver support group

Caregivers are always welcome at stroke and aphasia support groups, but sometimes caregivers need a space all to themselves. See below for information about dedicated caregiver support groups. Note that most in-person support groups meet in hospitals and rehab centers, so masks are typically required. Reach out to the contact person with any questions.

*We are currently searching for more caregiver support groups. Check back soon for more resources.

In Person Groups
(alphabetical by state, then town/city)

 Online Groups

New Jersey

Adler Aphasia Center (Maywood, NJ)

  • Contact: Karen Castka
  • Meeting Location: Adler Aphasia Center (60 W. Hunter Ave., Maywood, NJ 07607)
  • Meeting Days/Time: Two Fridays each month at 10AM-12 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Twice a month

Adler Aphasia Center (Toms River, NJ)

  • Contact: Brianna Rein
  • Meeting Location: St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church (1674 Old Freehold Road, Toms River 08755)
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st and 3rd Friday of each month at 9:30-11:30AM and 12-2 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Twice a month

 

 

Stroke Caregiver Problem Solving Group 

  • Contact: Mary Steskal
  • Meeting Location: Virtually via Microsoft Teams
  • Meeting Days/Time: 2nd Tuesday of every month
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

Pennsylvania

Good Shepherd Penn Partners (GSPP) Caregiver Support Group

  • Contact: Jessica Plowman or Jihye Kim
    • 215-893-6425
  • Meeting Location: 4th Floor Multipurpose room at Penn Medicine Rehabilitation, an inpatient rehabilitation unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (1800 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146)
  • Meeting Days/Time: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 3-4 PM (hybrid)
  • Meeting Frequency: Twice a month

Reading Rehab Caregiver Support Group

  • Contact: Nicole Hartman
  • Meeting Location: Reading Rehab Hospital (2802 Paper Mill Rd, Wyomissing, PA 19610)
  • Meeting Days/Time: Every 4th Wednesday of the month at 4-5 PM
  • Meeting Frequency: Once a month

 

Free or Reduced Cost Clinical Services

Adler Aphasia Center Full-Service Programs

  • What: 15-week programs that focus on using language while doing naturalistic and social activities. Members must be able to travel to and from their Center 2 days per week.
  • When: There are 3 semesters every year
  • Where: Maywood, NJ; Toms River, NJ; and West Orange, NJ
  • Contact: Visit the Adler Aphasia Center website for more details.

Arcadia University Pro Bono Clinic 

  • What: Student run physical therapy pro bono clinic. 
  • Who they treat: Acute and chronic medical conditions that overall affect your movement. Generally this is seen in patients with overuse injuries; shoulder, neck, lower back, or knee pain; balance difficulties; neurological conditions such as Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Traumatic Brain Injuries or Spinal Cord Injuries; and more. No referral required.
  • Where:  741 Limekiln Pike, Glenside, Pa. 19038.
  • When: The Clinic is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m.
  • To Schedule: please email probonopt@arcadia.edu or call 215-517-2455.

Chester Community Clinic (Widener University)

  • What: Free physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological services for the community.
  • Where: 1720 Melrose Ave., Chester, PA 19013
  • Contact: View the clinic website, call 610-499-4585, or email ChesterCommunityPT@gmail.com for more information.

North Broad Physical Therapy Center (Temple University)

  • What: A free physical therapy clinic in North Philadelphia. New patients must have a referral from a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, podiatrist, or dentist.
  • Where: Jones Hall, 3rd Floor, 1316 W. Ontario Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
  • Contact: Call 215-707-8877, or email NBPTC@temple.edu for more information.

Vaux Community Health Center (Temple University)

  • What: A free clinic in Philadelphia that offers physical therapy and a Type 2 diabetes program.
  • Where: 2300 W. Master Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121
  • Contact: Call 215-204-3084 for more information.

Books

Stronger After Stroke: Your Roadmap to Recovery by Peter G. Levine

Don’t Leave Me This Way: Or When I Get Back on My Feet You’ll Be Sorry by Julia Fox Garrison

Lessons Learned: Stroke Recovery from a Caregiver’s Prospective by Berenice  Kleiman

After a Stroke: A Support Book for Patients, Caregivers, Families and Friends  (The Family Health Series) by Geoffrey Md Donnan, Carol Burton

Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence by Gail Sheehy

To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience,  A Doctor’s Advice on Finding Hope, Help  and Health by Cheryl E. Woodson

Caregiver and Survivor Magazines

  • Stroke Smart Magazine
    • “Stroke Smart” was a magazine published by the National Stroke Association (now part of the American Stroke Association). Archived articles are available addressing topics for both stroke survivors and stroke
  • Stroke Connection Magazine
    • “Stroke Connection” is a FREE quarterly magazine published by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. Contains articles for both stroke survivors and stroke caregivers.
  • Today's Caregiver Magazine
    • This bi-monthly magazine addressing the needs and concerns of caregivers, and is dedicated to those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, cancer, AIDS, and other threatening diseases.
      Subscribe online.

For Professionals

Clinician Resources