Great Strides - Feb 2017

Join us at the IC as we celebrate Black History Month! On February 17 th, we will have a free, soul food, outreach lunch. We will also have workshops and activities throughout the day! Learn about famous inventors, authors, poets, etc.! Members of the IC are invited to come down and enjoy the day with us!

“It helps my selfesteem to work, it makes me feel good that I can help my son and granddaughter.”

- Terry

The IC would like to congratulate Terry Carney for her success at reaching her 10 year anniversary at TJ Maxx/Marshalls! She started her journey doing maintenance at the TJ Maxx in Southington. Terry proved to be a dedicated worker and was given the opportunity to transfer to the Marshalls in Watertown as a processor.

Terry attributes her success to “knowing that I need money to pay my bills and knowing that working helps my mental health – it helps me to be occupied so my illness does not show up”. Terry also states that “it helps my self-esteem to work, it makes me feel good that I can help my son and granddaughter”.

Terry is an inspiration to all – keep up the good work!

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

Mindfulness has the potential to become a transformative social phenomenon. Here’s why:

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Anyone can do it. Mindfulness practice cultivates universal human qualities and does not require anyone to change their beliefs. Everyone can benefit and it’s easy to learn.

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Mindfulness Workshops

It’s a way of living. Mindfulness is more than just a practice. It brings awareness and caring into everything we do—and it cuts down needless stress. Even a little makes our lives better.

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Each Monday in February

It’s evidence-based. We don’t have to take mindfulness on faith. Both science and experience demonstrate its positive benefits for our health, happiness, work, and relationships.

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It sparks innovation. As we deal with our world’s increasing complexity and uncertainty, mindfulness can lead us to effective, resilient, low-cost responses to seemingly intransigent problems.

11:30 a.m.

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Come join us as we relax the mind, body and soul. Come and release some of your stress for a few minutes and reboot your inner energy. If you have some experience in doing Mindfulness please feel free to share your techniques with the group. Mindfulness workshops will be held Mondays in February at 11:30.

Women’s Group: Bringing women together to raise the sense of self is not a new concept. In the seventies, conscious raising groups helped us learn that our fears and feelings were not unique and shameful. our fears and feelings were universal. Groups gave strength to women and helped change a generation's idea of what being a woman meant. The goals of the group are twofold: to help women deal with any traumatic process or change in life, and to help rebuild the damage to selfesteem. Bringing women together creates a family of choice, a place where they can be comforted without fear of criticism, a place to exchange ideas and practice solutions regarding various issues. It is a place where women can laugh and cry together. It is a safe place. It is a place where shattered selfesteem can be healed and growth can take place. Women’s group will meet once per week for one hour. During this time we can discuss issues women may need to address or any topics of interest. Women can come to the group with their own ideas to share. Groups will include makeovers, poetry and current events. See Alisa with your ideas or questions. Groups will begin in March.

For people who hear voices: www.facebook.com/cthearin gvoicesnetwork or http://www.hearingvoicesus a.org/ Alternatives to Suicide Support Group 399 Franklin Avenue Hartford Wednesdays 4-5pm http://toivocenter.org/ OCD support group http://psychiatry.yale.edu/o cd/patients/support.aspx Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.aa.org/

Men’s Group: We help men grow, because we believe the world needs grown up, mature, and powerful men. Our goal is finding common ground with other men to offer growth and accountability.

A men’s group is place to learn:  Conflict resolution  Communication skills  Relationship development skills  How to make and meet big goals  How to overcome the past  Brotherhood and camaraderie  How to tell the truth with compassion  How to create and maintain strong groups  How to manage your emotions

Men’s group will meet once per week for one hour.

Narcotics Anonymous http://www.na.org/ Overeaters Anonymous https://oa.org/ Gamblers Anonymous http://www.gamblersanony mous.org/ga/ For additional information on Support Groups in Connecticut, visit http://www.mhconn.org/ed ucation/information%20and %20referral/ or call: 1-800-842-1510, ext. 10

See Derrick with your ideas or questions.

Groups will begin in March.

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“Mary Ann is a great source of inspiration to others and we hope she has many more years of success!�

We would like to congratulate Mary Ann for five years of sobriety and 8 months of abstinence from nicotine!

She said it feels like yesterday that she became tired of facing the consequences of active addiction. Not knowing what situations awaited, the potential of getting robbed, and numerous other dangerous scenarios are the reality of life while using drugs or alcohol.

With the help of local agencies, including the Independence Center, Mary Ann now has gained the trust of her daughter and she has a wonderful relationship with her grandchildren, as well. Mary Ann is a great source of inspiration to others and we hope she has many more years of success!

The new legislative session has started!

Come down to the IC to either learn how to write your testimonies or update them. Staff here are available to help you learn or advance your advocacy skills for yourself, your peers and the clubhouse!

If you are interested in any legislative advocacy there will be a KTP meeting on February 15th.

See Debbie to sign up or learn more.

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Koreen has been working with the theme of togetherness, unity and peace in his art. He likes to use glitter because it makes the work stand out. Koreen also likes to draw cartoon characters. His favorite artists are cartoonists like Walt Disney.

A future goal of his is to create his own cartoon character. Koreen is working on originality! Art is an activity he likes doing to show his creativity and boost his self esteem. Koreen says, “Art is positive and helps keep you motivated!”

“Art is positive and helps keep you motivated!”

If you enjoy doing kind favors for your friends we need your help write out sympathy, get well, and thinking of you cards. We will also have a discussion about acts of kindness in the community.

Brittany R.

02-01

Lizette C.

02-01

Sheena M.

02-01

Matthew R.

02-01

Kay R.

02-03

Michael F.

02-03

Pamela I.

02-04

Daniel G.

02-06

Madelyn M.

02-06

Edwin T.

02-07

Jennifer F.

02-10

Daniel M.

02-11

John B.

02-12

Rachel C.

02-15

Carol G.

02-16

John B.

02-18

Sheri K.

02-21

Ben P.

02-22

Quincy W.

02-22

Cynthia W.

02-22

Dawn T. 0

2-24

Steven C.

02-25

Christina P.

02-27

John P.

02-28

Join us for a birthday bash on the 22nd at 3:00 p.m.!

This group will meet February 10th at 10:00am See Alisa for more information.

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The Mending Arts Program at the Independence Center in Waterbury, CT presented its first public gallery exhibit, “Mending Arts” at “The Gallery,” at NWCC in Winsted. The group exhibit opened December 14, 2016 and was available to the public until January 9, 2017.

“Mending Arts” was a rich and varied exhibit of approximately fifty works of art created by members of the Independence Center.

Works presented included acrylic paintings, black and white and colored pencils drawings, a graphic novel, masks and sculpture. Pieces ranged in size from 4”x4” to approximately 24”x36”.

“Originality and freedom of expression were the hallmarks of the show.”

“Mending Arts also encourages members to express themselves through music, writing and illustration.”

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Originality and freedom of expression were the hallmarks of the show. The gallery was joyfully bright with strong colors and shapes on the canvases. Some artists integrated poetry and personal statements on the canvas, while others presented complex arrangements of multiple images. Along the paintings, some were represented art while others were abstract.

Walking among the works of art, the viewer was invited to experience visual representations of the thoughts, feeling, hopes and dreams of the artists.

Faces, homes and hearts were well represented, as well as other aspects of daily life: cars, groups of people, and animals. The works demonstrated that the artists understood concepts of color, form and perspective.

Both the artists and the public would benefit from The Mending Arts program having further opportunities for museum and gallery exhibits.

Art is expression, yes, but it is also communication, and functions as dialog between artist and viewer. When artist have opportunities to show their work in gallery settings, this provide acknowledgement of art as a valued form of personal expression.

The Independence Center is a support program offered by Mental Health Connecticut, to assist individuals with recovery from mental health diagnoses.

The Mending Arts Program includes a studio with a broad range of art supplies.

In addition to offering a physical space and support for creating visual art, Mending Arts also encourages members to express themselves through music, writing and illustration.

Each year, nearly 44 million American adults, 18.5% of the adult population, (Continued on page 7)

(Continued from page 6)

are diagnosed with a mental illness. More than 20% of youth ages 13-18 experience mental illness, and among children ages 8-15, 13% receive a mental illness diagnosis. In addition to traditional approaches of talk therapy and medication, it is well documented that the expressive arts are valid successful paths to wholeness and wellness.

Infoline CT 211 Logisticare 1-888-248-9895 Guiding Path Warmline: 1-860-482-1783 or 1-800-314-2680 5pm-10pm 7 days per week

Come and get involved in the new Young Adults Fitness Group. Take charge of your health in the IC, the community and at home. The groups will range from a variety of activities at the IC and outside of the center. Fitness is not just muscles and strength, it is a way to relieve stress. It can be a way of life that will always stay with you and your body and mind will appreciate it .Come see what the fun is all about.

Chances make champions, so be a champion of your health.

At the Independence Center  Thursday, February 2nd at 10-11 am &

Wednesday, February 22nd 2-3 pm  Jackie Joy is an Animal Assisted Therapy Dog  Come learn what being a therapy dog is all

about!  Jackie Joy’s mission is to spread the message

of hope and recovery to everyone she meets.  Jackie Joy’s trainer is Lyne Stokes, MS. Ed,

who is the Coordinator of Wellness and Recovery at Mental Health Connecticut

Come join us every Tuesday in February at 11:00, for our jewelry making group! You will learn the skills and techniques to make a beautiful, hand crafted piece of jewelry that you can take home with you!

National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8522 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline 1-888-999-5545 En Español 1-888-999-8332 Crisis 1-866-794-0021 Dentists in Waterbury Who take Husky Health Staywell Health Center 203-597-9044 South Main Street 203-756-8021 Phoenix Avenue Community Health Center 203-574-4000 Columbia Dental 1-866-645-0111 Statewide # for Opioid (Opiate) Dependence 1-800-563-4086 You will be linked with walk-in assessment centers

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Disclaimer: Articles which show “submitted by” are not written by an IC member.

They are articles that our members came across, were inspired by, and brought in to the Center to inspire and encourage other members.

Often the authors of these articles are unknown. The opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Independence Center’s members, the staff, or the Editor.

IC members at the Legislative Office Building - Hartford, CT

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

Independence Center 21 Church Street Waterbury, CT 0672 Phone: 203-756-5772 Fax: 203-756-9744