Welcome to the new CIP website! Take a look and see how we can help you.
Videos from CIP team members, volunteers & supporters
Please watch, download & share!
We’re so grateful for your interest in the work we do. Please watch the videos below to hear from a wide variety of people—all of whom are somehow impacted by the need for in-home care in the Upper Peninsula and beyond.
You are welcome to download these videos and use them in your own trainings, meetings, or advocacy efforts. You can also contact us about partnership!
Voices of caregivers & the cared for
Caregiving is an act that changes people’s lives, whether they do it for a short time or as a long-term career. Hear from some of the caregivers we’ve had the privilege of knowing over the years and then learn about becoming a caregiver!
CIP Scholarship Awardee Makayla
Congratulations to Makayla Selzer! Makayla explains how the CIP is making a difference in creating a career path for caregivers like herself.
Dorothy's Journey
Voices of Caregivers – Teddy
Teddy explains how caregiving started as a “to-do list item” for his med school application…but then it became so much more.
Voices of Caregivers – Rachel
Rachel Mitchell talks about her experience being an in-home caregiver during her time at nursing school, saying there is nothing she would rather be doing.
Voices of Caregivers – Haley
Haley Pline discusses her time as in-home caregiver during her junior year of college, where she learned first-hand the importance of personal relationships in medical care.
Voices of Caregivers – Penny
In her welcome speech for the CIP’s Caregiving Academy, Penny Canada discusses her experience getting in-home care for a child with muscular dystrophy—starting at age 7 all the way through college. Today Drew is 25 years old.
Voices of Caregivers – Shea
Shea McParlane discusses the responsibility and the gift of being able to care for another person. Shea worked in in-home care while pursuing her education as a physician’s assistant in labor and delivery.
Voices of Caregivers – Tracy
Tracy discusses her 18 years of experience in caregiving, including the shortcomings of group homes.
Voices of Caregivers – Kara
Kara Vernon talks about her friendship with Dorothy and how she was at first reluctant to be a caregiver—but ended up feeling that it was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
Voices of Caregivers – Shenae
Shenae Kreps talks about her passion for caregiving and the problems that many group homes have with staffing shortages.
Videos about the CIP mission & team
Meet Eric Paad, founder of the Caregiver Incentive Project!
Founder and President Eric Paad introduces the CIP and explains what we’re working so hard to do: to improve the lives of the cared for by supporting caregivers.
Caregiver Incentive Project – Believe In Your Abilities
CIP Spokesperson, Dorothy Paad, talks about her professional and educational accomplishments she’s achieved with the support of caregivers.
Receiving Care When Your Parents Are Gone
Dorothy talks about how having caregivers means that her family can be reassured that she will continue receiving quality care when they aren’t around.
Living vs. Existing: Do You Know the Difference?
The CIP spokesperson Dorothy talks about the difference between living and existing—and how caregiving is what makes the difference.
Voices of the Cared for – Jocelyn, Dorothy & Molly
Three women explain why caregivers are so important and what quality caregiving allows them to do.
Kaylee Explains How the Caregiving Industry Is Broken
Out of her own firsthand experience being hired by a local caregiving agency in Marquette (and the many problems!), Kaylee began her work as an advocate for industry-wide improvements. Kaylee is a CIP board member.
Dorothy's Experience with Moving Mountains Adaptive Program
Dorothy talks about the life-changing experience of skiing for the very first time. After successfully skiing down black diamond slopes, Dorothy realized she could anything.
There Is a Critical Shortage of In-Home Caregivers
The shortage of caregivers will eventually impact you directly. Please consider donating to the CIP to help stop the problem now.
Meet Dorothy Paad – NMU Theatre & Dance
Dorothy Paad, CIP spokesperson, talks about her time at Northern Michigan University—ranging from ballet to theatre to voice.
NMU Dance Instructor Jill Shares Her Experience
NMU dance instructor Jill talks about teaching Dorothy ballet and how rewarding it was for everyone in the class.
Our Client Spotlight: The Caregiver Incentive Project
In this episode of Invent NMU’s “Our Client Spotlight”, Eric Paad, Founder and President of The Caregiver Incentive Project, talks about why he started the Caregiver Incentive Project, and how Invent NMU helped him in the process of starting the non-profit.
Tips & training for caregiving & nonprofits
10 Things That Make a Good Caregiver
Based on her experience as the mother and caregiver of a son with muscular dystrophy, Penny Canada shares her top 10 caregiving traits.
Eric on Tomorrow's Talent Series
The Michigan Tech Center for Educational Outreach interviewed Eric about what it’s like to run a nonprofit like the CIP.
Eric Takes Us Through a Day in the Life of a Nonprofit Leader
Eric discusses what motivated him to found the CIP and is joined by professionals who explain the nonprofit fundraising process.