June 2013 Newsletter

Published on January 2017 | Categories: Documents | Downloads: 35 | Comments: 0 | Views: 302
of 7
Download PDF   Embed   Report

Comments

Content

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR JUNE 2013
VOLUME 41 , ISSUE 5

NEWS FROM THE CLUB PRESIDENT JULIANNE
Hello fellow club members,
I hope every one is getting into the warm weather. I’m really enjoying being out doors with my flowers and vegetable garden. We have so much going on in June. We have the Isabella retreat as well as many other things. Wow I’m really pooped out from May is Mental Health. The month was packed with things to do. We had games day with Will., a movie day sponsored by the Housing Department. Then we had the Day of Hope luncheon. We had Jim C come back and join us like old times. Then there was the poetry contest, the art show at both Shoreline and here. We had a cook out at Shoreline and the luncheon at the armory to close up the celebration. I never thought we could do so much. I want to thank all the staff who put so much into making all these things happen. It means so much to all the consumers at both locations. I encourage you all to come and get involved in all the fun.

FROM OUR VICE PRESIDENT DONNA K.
I hope everyone had fun at the day of hope. May was a very busy month with all the activities. Have a good June and enjoy the warm weather.

FROM THE DESK OF THE CLUB SECRETARY BY SYLVIA H.
Yahoo, summer is here ! I love the beginning of June. May was a great month. To celebrate May is Mental Health we had a movie day sponsored by the housing department it was a perfect day for a movie (rainy). We saw the movie Silver linings. Thanks housing dept. for a great choice. We also had a number of other things going on too. We picked the people going to Isabella Freeman. Kudos's to the lucky one’s picked. We also had the art show, the luncheon at the Armory (which went really well). The "Day of Hope” poetry contest. This year topic was “inspiration” and all the poems were very moving. So the busy month of May is behind us now and we can look forward to planning for the summer. Hopefully you’ll all come in and join the fun. Oh yeah, I almost forgot I want to thank the Branford for hosting the picnic last month. It was a good time shared by all. Have a great summer and I hope to you all soon.

Page 2

Happy birthday to those club members born in the month of June. Tony K. John L Tanya N. June R. Brenda T.

“Some people make the world more special just by being in it”. Robert S.
A WORLD ABOUT THE MASTERS TABLE
Come join us for the Masters Table at Christ’s church in Ansonia June 30th from 4-5:30pm. All are welcome and donations are gladly welcome.

LAUNDRY AND GROCERY GROUPS IN JUNE
The schedule for the laundry and grocery groups for the month of June is as follows: Grocery : Laundry : Derby, Seymour ,Oxford Derby ,Seymour, Oxford June 4th, 18th June 11th Shelton , Ansonia Shelton, Ansonia June 5th ,19th June 12th

ME WORKGROUP? By Karen Kopec
The Pre-Voc Group will start its new cycle on Wednesday, May 29th, from 11 -12pm. The cycle runs for a few months, depending on various factors. Please tell interested clients to meet me in the clinic reception area at 435 East Main St. The group is limited to 8 clients/week. No referrals necessary. Thank you!

Recovery and AA Meeting will be taking a time off for the summer. These groups will be reintroduced into the schedule in the fall. The club will be open till 5 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks to John Dykman who ran them after Jim Cronin left the agency. John you did a great job and we thank you. All who attended thank you as well. Phyllis

* Dual

Page 3

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

THANKS FOR ALL YOU DID FOR US!
On May 31, 2013, Gail Green Singleton will be retiring from BHcare after over 14 years of dedicated service. Gail was first hired as the Rehabilitation Services Director, then became the Recovery Services Director and at the time of the merger was appointed Director of Recovery Services. First and foremost Gail is known as the “go-to person” when developing recovery oriented interventions with the people we serve. Over the past 14 years, Gail has earned the respect of people in recovery, her staff, her peers, her superiors and our funding sources. Always known for her creativity, some of her accomplishments include the “Time Dollar” program that was popular at the Club for some time as well as Compeer, The Peer/Family Advisory Council, the Pink Ladies, and the Soup Group. The annual retreats for club members, first to Gould Farm, then Isabella Freedman, were also facilitated by her. Gail was instrumental in starting our Peer Engagement program and the new Supportive Housing program and developing an excellent collaboration with Home Inc. Her most significant contribution was setting the standard as to how people we serve should be treated. No matter what the circumstances, Gail always treated those we serve with dignity, respect and kindness. This was a reflection of her genuine belief that everyone can make a better life for themselves no matter what obstacles may be in the way. She assisted people in gaining more confidence, taking chances and opening new doors, always thinking “outside the box.” Gail is more than an advocate for the people we serve, she helped in giving people the skills to advocate for themselves and be proud of the outcomes. Gail will be missed, but we wish her all the best - lots of travel and time with family and friends.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT ALL THESE YEARS!
Marilyn, on behalf of the members and staff of the Valley Social Club we would like to thank you for all your support and leadership over the past 31 years. We appreciated how you went to Hartford and talked to the big wigs to keep our club safe from those who did not value social clubs. We thank you for all the special enlightened lunches you spoke at. We thank you for supporting us in getting the many items and renovations. Helping us in our recovery and allowing us to attend the big meetings like the Annual Meetings. We always felt welcomed there like we belonged. The members felt protected under your leadership because they knew you came from a rehabilitation background. So for all you have done for so many we hope retirement treats you well and you remember to come back and see us sometime. Please don’t forget us! Thanks for all you did! The members of the Valley Social Club.

Page 4

2013 MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH POERTY CONTEST SUBMISSIONS.
As is the tradition here at BHcare a poetry contest was held to help celebrate May is Mental Health Month. This year our theme was “Inspiration”. Here are this years submissions. Congratulations to the winners as well as all the folks that submitted poems.

FIRST PLACE

Day of Hope Contest
Inspiration

By Julie P.

Beginning My Journey to Hope
As I wonder what really inspires me, I am faced with the quandary, what doesn’t inspire me? The life I have lived has been one huge learning experience from the very start of my existence. Inspiration? Hope? I have had many difficult times, but to be honest, my faith hasn’t left me alone. I could say that in one word my hope is in God. Yet that is such an understatement! One would expect a person who professes faith to be inspired by God. However, for me, that is just the base of something bigger, much more profound. I am inspired by everything that is God-made, God-given. So, every single person, place, and thing is an opportunity to see hope, to be inspired. What human being’s story is not an inspiration to someone else? Being alive and continuing to live is an amazing adventure all in itself! We can now experience life as any of the billions of people on Earth do. There are thingscreations, ideas, inventions and nature- how wonderful to see life through another’s eyes! Personally, I have been many places in this world, and now find myself here in Ansonia. I believe everything happens for some reason, or at least something can be reamed from all situations. Knowing this, I am very grateful for being led to The Valley. How many kind, loving helpful people and organizations are available here! One for certain is BH Care facility. How did I come to find this? Through the incredible Peer Engagement program and the determination of these kind people as they pursue “lost” patients! I know I gave my worker a run for her money! Nancy started with me by gently introducing herself; over, and over and over! She had been in a similar situation herself, which kept her from giving up on me-even though I was still a name with no face. Yes, I was in deep isolation- I can honestly say I perfected this self-defeating habit. She made phone calls leaving messages, and stuck her cute little notes on and under my front door. Then THE letter came in the mail. I hadn’t received a card since I could remember, and to top it off it was what I like to call a “brave card”- you know the ones, they have pretty fronts and then when you open them- It’s blank!!! She filled that blank space with a concise, caring letter that encouraged me to believe that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t the only hermit of my kind. So when she called again I listened to the message and bravely I approached the knock at the door. What I must have looked like! (This is where her utterly pure kindness comes in- as far as I know, there is no “before” picture out there!) I agreed to throw something decent on and was lured out of my “depression cave” with the promise of good coffee. I will forever be grateful to Nancy and her patience she had with me while cracking me out of my shell!

SECOND PLACE

Day of Hope Contest
Inspiration
Liberation
Why do I get up in the morning? Why do we exist? Where am I, what am I, and what’s going on? I look in the mirror and I see confusion What matters, truly? Anything? When I’m down, I can only see my suffering This is how I know that it’s important to stay up Breathe deep, spine erect, shoulders back, head up When we end our suffering When we wake up When our eyes look above the horizon Triumph dawns The human spirit bursts forth upon the page As the book of our life proceeds with alacrity Operating at full capacity Availing every opportunity Fueled up and ready to go I can’t wait to create All in the name of liberation And inspiration A mind fully inspired leads us to a life well lived But how to inspire? Why, just breathe; it is the only essential thing Inspire literally means “to breathe” Hold on to your dreams Your day will arrive

By Brian F.

Suffering is but a memory to the fully inspired man The shackles of monotony, suffering, and forlorn hopes break And our spirit soars Give me my canvas, paints, and brush; my easel is ready It’s time to paint; it’s time to thrive

THIRD PLACE

Day of Hope Contest
Inspiration

By Aubrey L.

          My “Inspiration” began when I decide to do
something to combat the major depression was experiencing every cold season. Especially during the winter months I was referred to the Valley Social club when my treatment for mental illness at BHcare started in August 1996. But I only went there occasionally. The Social Club was situation in the basement of the east main street building. To me going into that basement was like going into a dungeon so the motivation to go there often was nonexistent. After the Social Club was moved to it’s present location I became a paid member, but still did not come here often. Major depression forced me to make changes in life that worked out to my benefit. The desire to end my seasonal depression inspired me to make this change. Since I started attending the club in February 2011 my depression periods have been milder and less sever than they were. Before obsessive compulsive systems are under control. I am now making plans to return to school and finish my college education which was interrupted due to my illness. My life therefore has significantly improved. All this would not have happened if I had not started frequently attending the social club. I am thankful to the staff workers of BHcare. for planning and conducting activities that has significantly changed my life for the better.

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB CALENDAR FOR JUNE 2013
Sun Mon NUMBERS
Social Club 735-9106 BHcare 736-2601 Clinic 736-2601 Ex. 380

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri
Computer lab 10am Free lunch 12-12:30 Wii Fun 1-3 Emotions Anon 5pm

Sat

NUMBERS
Phyllis 305-7895 Jacques 430-1466 Mike 732-7089

NUMBERS
Hill Health 503-3570 Valley Transit 735-6408 Taxi—735-8294

$= Must bring
cash

*= Must sign up
Breakfast 8:30-10 **Tom Parsons 10-3pm Leave at 9am Return by 4pm Free at CVH

CLUB CLOSED

1 8

CLUB CLOSED

2 9

Lunch 12-12:30 Lets Talk 1-2pm Over Eaters Anon 3pm

3

4

Breakfast 8:30-10am Marilyn’s Visit 12:15pm Isabella Meeting 11am Bingo 2-4pm Sober Social 5-7

5

-10 Exercise 11-12 Art Class 12-12:30 Lunch Exec meet 12:15-12:30 5-7 Sober Social

69

7

Computer lab 10-11am Free Lunch 12-1 Emotions A.4-5

CLUB CLOSED

CLUB CLOSED

Isabella Retreat 10am Over Eaters Anon 3pm Location is the clinic

10 17 24

Lunch 12-12:30

11

Breakfast 8:30-10 Bingo 2-4pm Peer Family 6-8 RSVP to Nancy Dirgo

12 19 26

Breakfast 8:30-10

13 20 27

Games Day 1-3 Come play some fun games!

9-10 Exercise 11-12 Art Class 12-12:30 Lunch 5-7pmSober Social

14Computer lab 15Club Brunch
10– 11am Free Lunch 12-1 Emotions A.4-5 Must Sign up to Attend! ** Free! 10-12

CLUB CLOSED

16 23 30

Lunch 12-12:30

Lets Talk 1-2pm Over Eaters Anon 3pm

18 25

Breakfast 8:30-10

Breakfast 8:30-10

Bingo 2-4pm Sober Social 5-7pm

Wii Fun 1-3

9-10 Exercise 11-12 Art Class 12-12:30 Lunch 5-7 Sober Social

21Computer lab
10-11am Free Lunch 12-1 Emotions A.4-5

CLUB CLOSED

22 29

Lunch 12-12:30

Breakfast 8:30-10

Breakfast 8:30-10

CLUB CLOSED

Lets Talk 1-2pm Over Eater’s Anon 3pm

Bingo 2-4pm Sober Social 5-7pm

Pool Tournament with New Haven 11-2**

9-10 Exercise 11-12 Art Class 12-12:30 Lunch 5-7 Sober Social

28Computer lab
10-11am Free Lunch 12-1 Emotions A.4-5

CLUB CLOSED

CLUB CLOSED

No AA or Dual Recovery Groups til Fall on Tues/Thurs.

Sponsor Documents

Or use your account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Forgot your password?

Or register your new account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link to create a new password.

Back to log-in

Close