Great Strides - January 2017

January, 2017 Volume 3, Issue 1

I.C. Artists Mending Art Show December 14, 2016 -January 9, 2017 Reception: January 5th 2017 1:30PM-3:30PM (Snow date Jan.6th) Northwestern CT Community College The Gallery at Founders Hall

inside this issue faces in recovery ……………….2 IC’s annual holiday party …..2 mental health reform act ….3 drum circle ……………………….4 artist of the month ……………5 acts of kindness ……………...5 smoking cessation .......... ...6 inspirational words .……….. 7 WHAM ……………………………….7 employment success ………..7 reNew award ceremony ..….8

artwork by Lea D. “Untitled” acrylic

faces in recovery - David S.

David S. has been a member of the IC since July of 2010. David continues to work on his recovery and was just hired to work for the salvation army this year!

David continues his path in recovery by staying sober and maintaining his mental and physical health. David is a proud uncle who enjoys spending time with his family. When asked how he feels about working and maintaining his health David simply replied that “it feels great! I love it!”

2

IC’s annual holiday party The IC would like to thank all of the members and staff who made our annual Holiday party a success! The IC was proud to serve a fantastic homemade meal to 100 people and through an anonymous donation, each participant received an umbrella as a gift. All of us here at the IC would like to wish you a safe and joyous Holiday season and a happy New Year!

advocacy: rally to celebrate passage of Mental Health Reform Act Some exciting news . . . President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law!

This legislation includes many of the proposals introduced by Connecticut’s own Senator Chris Murphy in his Mental Health Reform Act. The legislation is a huge win for mental health parity and includes $1 billion in Federal funding to tackle the IC members with Senator Chris Murphy opioid epidemic. MHC sees this as a new start – not the end – of mental health reform with much more to be done moving forward.

But, for now, we will celebrate and honor the work that has been done over the past two years, particularly in Connecticut!

Monday December 19th at 10am at the Lyceum (227 Lawrence St, Hartford, CT 06106), Luis, staff of MHC, members of the Independence Center and other advocates from across the state will joined Senator Murphy to celebrate the passage of this landmark legislation. Luis was asked to be a speaker at the event and he presented a piece of beautiful artwork from one of our IC artists, Jenny F., as a thank you gift and to commemorate all of the Senator’s hard work to make mental health and addiction a priority at the federal level.

support groups 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/ 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

Luis B. Perez, MHC President & CEO presenting the “Tree of Life” to Senator Chris Murphy

3

my drum circle adventure The Healing Power of Drums For centuries, drumming has been a central part of indigenous cultures worldwide.

Drumming has been commonplace at wedding ceremonies, births, deaths, harvests and rites of passage. It is used by peoples to connect to the Earth and to one another. In recent years, major articles describing the healing effects of this ancient practice have appeared in newspapers and magazines such as The New York Times, Yoga Journal, The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek.

Drumming is now being used successfully in programs to aid Alzheimer's patients, autistic children, and emotionally disturbed teens as well as by large corporations to help employees focus attention, reduce stress, and improve the spirit.

Drum Circle was held and hosted at Western CT Mental Health Network—Waterbury on Friday November 18th, 2016. The IC staff and members were invited to attend and learn the healing power of drumming.

4

- by Terrex C. I’m so sorry if I’m writing with excitement but drumming or any beat sends stress anger any negative feeling scurrying for the hills for me! I felt like the drum circle was a concert where fans were going crazy as we played different beats. Everyone was dancing to the music, happiness all around. When I played the drums I was like animal from the Muppets just going crazy (in a positive way of course!!) I was in my own world. After the concert was over, everyone enjoyed it. Frank and I felt like screaming “THANK YOU WATERBURY!” as we entered back to the IC, I highly encourage that you attend a drum circle and just play, it doesn’t have to be a drum, you can bang on a table chair, stomp your feet, clap your hands anything to make a sound! You will feel better and tell your friends, families, workmates, anybody and everybody to try it oh and it’s free thank you and good night!!!

artist of the month— Adriano Tavares Our first artist of the month for 2017 is Adriano Tavares!

“I like to draw to make things nice and I’m glad when people say they like my drawings! I get flattered!” says Adriano. E very week he attends the Mending Art group. He tells us that he began drawing two years ago at the Independence Center.

Adriano draws anything from cityscapes, landscapes, cars, animals, people, and snowmen! He pays very close attention to the details of his drawings. Adriano has created and will be displaying an image of a plane flying over the Golden Gate Bridge. Adriano loves planes and traveling to Portugal.

acts of kindness The Independence Center has been developing it’s “Acts of Kindness” program. We believe that we all have the power to make changes in our world and our lives. Since it is the beginning of the new year, we would like to challenge you to work on making a difference, one small act at a time. Each month we will offer a new challenge to you. Together we can spread joy to others and feel good while doing it – are you ready? This month we challenge you to do one (or all) of the following – once in the month, once in the week, once in the day – whatever you can. Let’s do this!  Hold the door open for the person behind you.  Let someone with only a few items cut you in line at the grocery store.  Check in with someone who looks lonely.

happy birthday!

Miguel B.

1-01

Matt P.

1-02

Tanya M.

1-04

Kurt S.

1-05

Harry S.

1-06

Mark P

1-06

Kevin L

1-07

Judith R.

1-08

William S.

1-08

Ana H.

1-09

Lourine McD.

1-12

Andrew C.

1-12

John K.

1-12

Darryl S.

1-12

Robin L.

1-15

Caroline F.

1-15

Bruce S.

1-16

Karen S.

1-16

Stephen M.

1-16

Rodney D.

1-19

Charles P.

1-19

Jason P.

1-20

Joe L.

1-20

Henry R.

1-20

Angela A.

1-22

Kritin T.

1-22

Chris B.

1-24

Debra D.

1-25

Ellen W.

1-25

Bill R.

1-26

Annette B.

1-27

Rich C.

1-27

Dan R.

1-27

Join us for a birthday bash on the 25th at 3:00 p.m.!

5

important phone numbers 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 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

6

smoking cessation coming to the IC Many people who smoke have a difficult time quitting.

Here at the IC we will be offering a smoking cessation group. In the past the group helped many members quit and many stay smoke free!! If your wondering why you should quit here are some reasons to think about: 

Quit for Your Health



Millions of Americans experience health problems caused by smoking. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and diminishes overall health. It causes heart disease, stroke, lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, osteoporosis, and cataracts.



Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

Cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke cause an estimated average of 438,000 premature deaths each year in the United States. Of these premature deaths:



For those especially vulnerable to the health effects of smoking, the reasons to quit escalate.



Quitting decreases the chances of other drug use.



For those with diabetes, heart disease, COPD, asthma, or cardiovascular disease, quitting reduces hospital stays, limits complications, and helps the effectiveness of certain medications.



For pregnant women and new mothers, quitting protects your baby’s health.



For hospitalized patients, quitting promotes healing.



For heart attack patients, quitting reduces the risk of a second heart attack.



For lung, head and neck cancer patients, quitting reduces chances of a second cancer.



For parents, quitting protects children from illnesses caused by secondhand smoke and reduces the likelihood they will start smoking

http://www.tobaccofreemaine.org/quit_tobacco/

Want to find out more?

Look for the smoking cessations group in the IC’s January calendar and join!

inspiration and hope Inspiration and Hope can come from every where. During a group at the IC we were talking about how important it is to keep a positive mind on days when things seem rough. One of our members Mike P said when he has days when things is on his mind he thinks about the art work of member Diana S and it helps put him in a good place. He also said that he thinks about how far member Koreen S has come since he knew him. The accomplishments of others helps take away from what is on his mind. How many of us ever think that when we are helping ourselves in the process we are helping others around us? It could be music, art, dancing, writing or simply a good attitude.

What you put into something generates out.

WHAM

writer’s corner Escape Far into a forest, deep down in a valley, below the canopy of bluegreen needles, flashing silver under a cool jeweled moon, lies a pristine pond.

January is for WHAM! Whole Health Action Management Make a goal and achieve it through peer to peer support. This is an eight week support group with three weeks preparation to learn healthy habits and identify unhealthy habits. We will create individual action plans to change or break the unhealthy habits. We will explore our strengths, likes, interests and possible ways to create a new and improved healthy lifestyle. Meeting will be at Russell Place 969 West Main St. contact Alisa at the Independence Center for any questions!

employment success

Surface like glass, wisps of fog hang, suspended.

Under the surface, A wondrous worldOf fish and fat frogs, And huge turtles and eels, Swimming below the lilies, Looking for meals.

A peaceful existence, in a world all their own lives carry on never to be knownto the world outside -Walter T

Lucas H., David S. and Doug N. (pictured left to right) spent the Holiday season working as bell-ringers for the Salvation Army. A great way to earn extra money while helping out a great cause.

7

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 won 1st place in the ReNEW Challenge

Staff & members accepting 1st place plaque at award ceremony

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

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