Mission
We are dedicated to providing an alternative,
non-medical approach to wellness and recovery. We offer a
non-judgmental, non-critical, safe, supportive and educational environment
for individuals struggling and recovering with a variety of mental health issues. Staff
and members share leadership and decision making.
This agency is a place where people practice
relational skills, patience, respect and tolerance for diversity. Members learn to see
themselves as citizens of the greater community.
Intentional Peer
Support
We use Intentional
Peer Support (IPS), developed by Shery Mead, MSW, to help members grow in
relation to each other by practicing four tasks: connection, worldview,
mutuality and moving towards. We expect members to espouse values and
demonstrate competencies. Staff incorporates IPS under different names
into weekly groups.
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
We
rely on the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), developed by Mary Ellen
Copeland, PhD, to help members create a toolbox to monitor and cope with
symptoms, habits and behavior patterns that get in the way of their
recovery. We encourage members to create a daily-maintenance plan;
identify early-warning signs; develop a crisis plan; establish a healthy
lifestyle; set up a support system; learn to advocate for themselves;
increase self-esteem and relieve tension and stress. Staff conducts weekly
WRAP groups.
Monthly Education
Everyone has eight needs: affective, cognitive, creative, physical,
spiritual, social, work/service and individual. (Source: Activities
Coordinator Training Course, Maine, 2005). We touch on all those needs
during the course of a month (see attachments B and C).
Each month, we invite
guest-speakers into our agency to present information (e.g., trauma &
recovery). We encourage members to turn self-defeating thoughts into
positive affirmations and conduct role plays to get members to look at
situations and handle them differently. Several times a month, a board
member presents programs (e.g., cooking and nutrition). Staff leads
outings (e.g., Salvation Army) several times a month. Each week, staff
leads a walk to a downtown destination (e.g., Rochester Public Library).
These activities get members into the community. Each week, we offer arts
activities (e.g., music group). Each day, we offer stretching and strength
training.
Daily Education
Sign up for our monthly newsletter and calendar.
Each calendar contains a selection of programs, such as...
- Challenging perceived self-limitations;
- Developing different roles and levels of
leadership;
- Moving toward goals;
Sharing decision-making;
Developing beliefs that enhance growth;
Speaking words of affirmation;
Risking new behaviors in order to recover and
grow;
Creating a wellness recovery action plan;
Advocating for yourself;
Focusing on outcomes;
Honoring each other's truth;
Eating in versus eating out; and
Creating art as a way to recover.
Newsletter Requests for Submission
Please make your submission by mid-month for
inclusion in the next issue:
- Article or essay
- Book review or movie review
- Quote
- Recipe
- Poem
Wish List
- Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Projector
- Large Dry-Erase Boards (3)
- Display Easels (3)
- Paper for the Easels
- Laptop Computer
- Musical Instruments
- Eight-Passenger Van
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