Artwork by Program Participant, Carlos C.
“Art lets me escape from worries and drama.” Brittany R.
Monday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Wednesday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Friday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Food Bank is not available during parties and meetings.
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Art lets me escape from worries and drama. In the hospital I learned that art can ease my mind. Whenever I come to the IC I go into the art studio. I like to draw and paint and mix the two. Sometimes I listen to music while I draw, other times I like to talk with others. I meet new people in the art studio. I like to visit the Mattatuck Museum because it is so inspirational. I get new ideas at the museum for fashion and interior design. Hair and makeup are art forms and I love to draw them! I want to work on making a series of drawings of eyes and lips with makeup. It would be a portfolio of ideas.
Music was in the air at the IC as Mending Art participants played drums, guitars, and keyboards. They hit the bongos and shook the rain sticks. Some individuals sang while others danced. Music filled the building. We hope that you will take some time to pick up a new instrument, listen to a new song, try singing new lyrics or just dance along. Come join us for our next music adventure!
Participants in the IC Art Club spent a wonderful Friday afternoon visiting Mattatuck Museum. One of the IC Artists, Rich A., treated the group to a special tour where he shared a bit of history about some of the works in the museum’s collection. Rich spoke about the people in the portraits and their roles in Waterbury’s history. He also shared stories about the Hudson River School Artists and their impact on the arts. Art club meets on Fridays at 2PM. Stop by and discover your inner artist!
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For me painting en plein air always was very special. Under the moon's glow and sun's beam, I have got an invitation to express my feelings and thoughts. In every painting, I try to play an ode to the light. A few important events led me to paint outdoors. My father was a master of Industrial Landscape. Browsing through albums of his watercolors, from his works I learned core basics about geometric and aerial perspective. Then, I remember how the first time painting reflections on water was a pure miracle for me. I started study optics as a science, while geometry was one of my favorite subjects at school. And lastly, in my Art school, Plein Air Summer Practice was my obligatory course. It was a joy! Since then, Landscape became my favorite genre I work in. Luckily, I went to art school in Russia in 90s, when the Cold War was over but traditions of the Soviet Impressionism were still strong. Its positive, yet calm and lyrical, view of nature and man is still guiding me through my life and my art. I paint nature, since it is inexhaustible source of inspiration. I like to add to my landscape a hint of human presence. My goal is to fill my works with lyricism, which is rather a story, than just pure meditation. When I take the brush into my hand, a question rises: “Why I want to paint in the age of advanced photography?� Plein air gives me a chance to answer it.
For people who hear voices: www.facebook.com/ctheari ngvoicesnetwork 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/ 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 or call: 1-800-842-1510
Mending Art will host an art exhibit at the Five Points Annex Gallery in Torrington, on March 22nd. Please see Amy for further information.
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Infoline CT 211 VEYO 1-855-478-7350 Guiding Path Warmline: 1-860-482-1783 or 1-800-314-2680 5pm-10pm 7 days per week National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline 1-888-999-5545 En Español 1-888-999-8332
We have all heard the saying “life is what you make of it”, and we all have unresolved issues. The worse part of growing up is having to re-live the past. Most of us have those “should have, could have or would have” moments in which we wish we would have handled a situation differently. I’ve always had the optimistic view that the future is what we should be thinking about; our lives, those of our children, the state of the union and the welfare of our planet. So says Darryl H., a long-time participant of the IC. Darryl says he had a fairly normal upbringing; his mom was a teacher and his dad was in the clergy. He spent time in Maine and enjoyed visiting its’s historical landmarks. He has also traveled internationally, and feels these journeys have provided valuable learning experiences. Darryl can be seen riding his bicycle around town and walking when the weather does not permit riding. He writes, because as he puts it, “I want readers to know how it feels to be me” and its how he copes with different situations. He is currently compiling his stories into a journal that he hopes, through sharing, will help others. My mother always said, “knowledge is the way to go; school, church lessons and most importantly, life’s lessons.” Use your daily comings and goings to help yourself or others to have a better life. It’s not too late to enjoy life. The idea is to do it before it’s too late.
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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Last month in men’s group we discussed the New Year and the importance of planning. A good question was brought to mind; if we plan ahead how do we take one day at a time? Planning ahead just keeps you on an organized path. It will keep you aware of things you both need and want to do. It will help things from being too chaotic all at once. Planning is a helpful way to practice time management and a preventive measure to keep from stressing yourself out. Planning ahead can be used in many areas of your life. Some of these could be personal growth, appointments, meals, exercise and spending time with family, friends or even yourself. It is a good way to take charge of your life and show responsibility. The importance of planning is that it prepares you for that one day and allows you to take one day at a time. So, there is no better time than today to plan for tomorrow. Join Derrick’s discussions, at the IC, on Wednesdays at 1:30PM.
The IC Acts of Kindness group met and put together personal hygiene product bags for the IC Food Pantry. These bags include soaps, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant , just to name a few. Thank you to the group for taking the time to make these care packages!
It has been 50 years since Lyndon Johnson declared February American Heart Month. While we have steadily reduced the rate of heart disease since then, it still remains our number one killer. Through research, we learned that heart disease has clear risk factors (smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and inactivity). We also know that these risk factors are more common for people who live with mental illness. There are many factors that may be contributing to this including trauma, poverty, and inadequate integration of care.
If you live with a mental health condition, take the time this month—American Heart Month—to talk with your doctor about your risks of heart disease and what you can do to reduce them. If they apply to you, here are a few topics you should bring up at your next visit: Smoking Cessation -Smoking is a major killer of people who live with serious mental illness and the single greatest risk factor for heart and lung diseases. It isn’t easy for anyone to quit smoking, but research shows it is even harder for people with psychiatric conditions to quit. Many people aren’t asked by their caregivers about smoking so it may be something you want to initiate. There is new research which may help people adjust their approach to smoking cessation and a national support line, 800 QUIT NOW, if you want more information on smoking cessation.
Second-Generation Antipsychotics -Many second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) can add to cardiac risk. They may cause a person to lose the feeling of fullness, therefore causing them to eat more and gain weight. We know now that SGAs may have effects on metabolism that contribute to obesity. Yet to this day, many people don’t know this possible side effect. It is important to check your numbers (weight, blood pressure, diabetes risk and cholesterol) before and when taking these meds. Not all meds have the same side effects, so be sure to understand which one may be best for you. Healthy Life Style— Access to cardiac care once a person has a heart problem is another challenge that people living with mental illnesses face. Unfortunately, this problem may worsen as changes continue to be made to the insurance landscape. NAMI is dedicated to protecting access to Medicaid and will advocate for better screening and integration. As a nation, our overall approach to heart disease risk has improved steadily. Yet, people with mental illness are often left behind this progress. We need to do better in terms of prevention, quality of care, access to treatment and creating a culture of health promotion in the field. There is no quality of life without quantity of life. NAMI The Independence Center provides participants with opportunities to practice healthy lifestyles through morning motion, nutritious meal preparation and wellness workshops. Join us every Friday, in February, at 11AM, for our Heart Healthy Series.
INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg Pinch of ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 stick unsalted butter, room temp 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 2 large eggs 1/4 cup molasses 1/4 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats 1 1/4 cups golden raisins 1 1/4 cups dried cranberries 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts DIRECTIONS Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk 1st 7 dry ingredients together in medium bowl. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Add the molasses, yogurt, ginger and lemon zest and beat until smooth. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture to make a sticky batter (do not overmix). Fold in the oats and half of the raisins, cranberries and walnuts. Mix the remaining dried fruit and nuts in a small bowl and set aside. Drop by heaping tablespoonful's onto the prepared baking sheets. Top each with some of the reserved dried-fruit-and-nut mixture and chill for 30 minutes. Bake the cookies in pre-heated 375 oven until dark golden but still soft, 10 to 12 minutes; cool on a rack. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
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Each year beginning on February 1, an entire month of events are planned nationwide honoring the history and contributions of African Americans.
Join us on February 14th, for our free, Valentine’s Day Pancake Breakfast. Thank you to our Acts of Kindness group for making such lovely Valentine decorations for our special celebration!
The theme for African American History Month in 2019 is "Black Migrations" which follows the continuous movement of blacks from the American South to the industrialized North and beyond. Beginning in the 20th century south, African American migration included relocation from farms to cities, and from the South to the Northeast and Midwest. The period quickly gave rise to a growing number of black industrial leaders and black entrepreneurs. Along with the emergence of new music genres like ragtime, blues, and jazz, the Harlem Renaissance in New York signaled a blossoming of the visual and literary arts. In Europe, following the two world wars, African American performers and musicians also emigrated to Paris and other European capitols where American jazz became an instant hit. Today, an influx of black immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa, when compared with other immigrant groups, are more likely to be U.S. citizens or to be proficient English speakers. Meanwhile, African American millennials have reversed the historic trend in recent years with an uptick in black populations in Atlanta, Houston and other southern communities, bringing the North-South migration full circle. Black History Month first originated as part of an initiative by writer and educator Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who launched Negro History Week in 1926. Woodson proclaimed that Negro History Week should always occur in the second week of February — between the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Since 1976, every American president has proclaimed February as Black History Month. Today, other countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom also devote an entire month to celebrating black history.
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On February 27th, the IC will celebrate African American Culture with a free, outreach lunch, a “Keep the Dream” workshop and mending art!
The beginning of the year can be an opportunity for affirmations and hope. A new year lies ahead, full of possibilities. Program participants met recently to declare their positive affirmations for 2019. Here are some of their thoughts:
I believe I can change and grow. Bridget O. I create a life of joy. Karen W. I can keep stress under control. Laurie J. I will shower everyday, wash clothes, vacuum room, take out the trash. Terrex C. I will lose weight and keep on trying. Michael G. Hope, love. David R. I am strong, healthy and powerful. David G.
Go to a warm place. Judith W. I will join the YMCA, be kind to everyone and continue going to the IC. Deb J. I can find a job. Christina P.
Matthew Angelina Lizette Brittany Michael Pamela Doris Daniel Madelyn Edwin Jennifer Marlene Daniel Carol John Steve Cynthia Steven Christina Regina John
R H C R F I H G M T F H M G B S W C P S P
01 01 01 01 03 04 04 06 06 07 10 11 11 16 18 19 22 25 27 28 28
Join us for a birthday bash on the 27th at 3:00 p.m.!
in memoriam EARN + United Way of CT, have partnered to help you save! EARN Starter is a free, online savings tool that rewards you for putting money into a saving’s account each month. For every $20 you save, you'll get $10 in cash rewards. In just six months, you will have at least $180 dollars saved from your own contribution and earned rewards. Whether you're saving to go back to school, a big purchase or just something new, EARN will help you get there. Pick a savings goal and keep your eyes on the prize! If you would like assistance setting up an EARN Starter account, please stop by the IC Computer Room and speak with Derrick any Tuesday during the month of February between 11AM and noon.
Tony Tk. Honored Veteran and IC Member. 7
Saint Patrick’S Day 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.
Artwork by IC Program Participant Koreen S.
Join us on Friday, March 15th,when the IC will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a traditional corned beef and cabbage luncheon, Irish music, a wee bit of Irish lore and Amy’s famous Irish Raisin Bread!