Great Strides June 2018

Date: Friday, June 8, 2018 Time: 10:00-2:00

Place: Independence Center Menu will include BBQ chicken, hot dogs, potato salad, pasta salad, tuna mac salad and watermelon.

Games, prizes, crafts and a photo souvenir !

FREE!!!

Please RSVP at 203-756-5772.

Rain or Shine

“My art is an expression of my healing and recovery“ -Karen W.

Thank you for attending my pop up art show “Transitions.” Thank you for taking the time to really look and spend time with my art, it meant a lot to me.

My art is an expression of my healing and recovery, it helps me to transition from one phase in life to the next level. Life is a spiral and it depends on where I am on the spiral how well or stuck I am.

Thank you again and please know that you are now part of my life journey.

-Karen W.

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)

Last month in men’s group we discussed the importance and the benefits of having friends. Developing close friendships can have a powerful impact on your physical health. We talked about how lack of social connection can be damaging. We talked about how the IC offers a place to meet new people and form those bonds that turn into everlasting friendships. These bonds that are formed can improve your mood.

WHAM’s graduation took place on June 22nd, congratulations to the participants that successfully completed the course!

If you are interested in WHAM or have questions as to what WHAM is and when we will start its new course, call the IC and speak to Alisa (203) 756-5772.

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Spending time with positive people can elevate your mood and boost your outlook. Having an active social life can also boost your immune system and help reduce isolation which can be a contributing factor for depression. Just having someone there for you when times get tough or you being there for them adds self -worth and purpose to your life.

Friends are also there to share those unforgettable happy moments. These are the perfect reasons to go make a friend, even better many friends. If you’re interested in topics like this or want to join these discussions, look at our calendar and join us for a workshop!

“When I was little I couldn’t talk very well.

Drawing was a way of communication, I could use it to express myself. I was born in the United States but raised in Puerto Rico. I have been drawing forever.

Drawing is peaceful and helps motivate me. I mostly use pencils and markers. I like to dance too. I like the salsa and merengue, I enjoy Latino and American music. I have been a member of the Independence Center for about nine months and I work in the art studio when I come in. I meet other people in the art studio, we talk about each other’s art. I enjoy other people’s art because it helps me to get more ideas! I like Picasso’s work because it gives you wisdom.” –Luis R.

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

Accord to www.ptsd.va.gov June is the national month to help raise awareness of PTSD.

Join the IC as we educate and spread the word about PTSD and effective treatments during PTSD Awareness Month. Everyone makes a difference. The workshop on June 15th will cover many different aspects on how to help raise awareness: First, we will discover the facts, starting with PTSD Basics, key information about trauma, PTSD and treatment options. Secondly we will see how we can explore options and take the mystery out of PTSD treatment. We will discover ways we can help someone, or even help yourself. Do you think you might have PTSD or know someone at risk? Take action. Find out what to do if you think you might have PTSD and learn where to get help.

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

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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 1-800-273-8255 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline 1-888-999-5545 En Español 1-888-999-8332 Crisis 1-866-794-0021

This year’s legislative session has ended and here are a few updates: There were numerous bills passed regarding the state’s opioid crisis, including an act for opioid intervention courts in the state and most importantly, the Medcaid Savings Plan was funded 100% for this year.

This year, our members testified in front of the appropriations committee several times for issues such as preserving mental health funds and taking a look at the Whiting Forensic Hospital, to name a few.

For the rest of the year the Independence Center will focus on encouraging our members to register to vote for the Gubernatorial Election this year and gearing up for next year’s legislative session.

Thank you to all of the members who testified, wrote letters, made calls, and all of your hard work! Please continue to keep in contact with your legislators and write letters to the editor of your local newspapers. Your voice matters!

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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According to menshealth.org men’s health is anchored by a Congressional health education program, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country.

Recognition from the White House provides encouragement to men, boys, and their families around the globe. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This month gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. The response has been overwhelming with thousands of awareness activities in the USA and around the globe.

The IC holds men’s group every Wednesday. Come down and join the discussion!

The MHC Independence Center Mending Art program is a corporate partner at the Artist Circle level with Mattatuck Museum. This wonderful partnership allows the IC Artists the opportunity to visit the many exhibits the museum has to offer. Join us for our next museum visit on Friday, June 22nd at 2PM. Please sign up in advance with Mending Art Coordinator, Amy Smith.

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

IC Artists visit to Sol Lewitt’s exhibit, “BY HAND”, at Mattatuck Museum

Crisis 1-866-794-0021 Dentists in Waterbury Who take Husky Health

How can National Safety Month make a difference? We can all use this month to raise awareness about important safety issues like:  Medication safety and prescription painkiller abuse  Driving, biking, and

working safely  First aid and emergency

preparedness  Preventing slips, trips, and

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

falls Everyone can get involved in reducing the risk of injuries.

Join us on June 18th at 10 am where we can share information about steps people can take to protect themselves and others.

Statewide # for Opioid (Opiate) Dependence 1-800-563-4086 You will be linked with walk-in assessment centers

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What is Alzheimer’s?

Join us on June 4th at 10am, as we discuss Alzheimer’s disease. June is the national awareness month for Alzheimer’s. In our workshop, we will learn that Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. We will go over the basics, symptoms, changes in the brain, plaques & tangles and the research behind it. We encourage members and staff to wear purple that day.

In June, “Acts of Kindness “ we will explore and learn more about ourselves. Are you a giver or a taker? When you give does it mean buying things? Are there other ways to give? A good relationship should not be one sided. There should be a balance. We will ask ourselves questions; how does it feel? What does it mean? Come to the group to look deeper into yourself and learn about others as well.

What is Make Music Waterbury?

Make Music Waterbury is a part of the international Make Music Day movement which brings free, community-wide, outdoor musical celebrations to hundreds of cities worldwide! Every year, the celebration is held on June 21, the summer solstice, in more than 800 communities around the world.

Make Music Waterbury will feature musicians of all abilities and music from any genre. Sidewalks, parks, front porches, and public spaces throughout the city will become stages for local musicians to perform and for all to enjoy. Everyone is invited to participate in this international day of music by performing, providing an outdoor space, appreciating, or volunteering. It’s all for the love of music!

NOTE: For this event, the venues will be limited to Waterbury (with a focus in the downtown area), but musicians are welcome to come from anywhere.

Join us for a birthday bash on the 27th at 3:00 p.m.!

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Any musicians out there that would like to participate visit the website http://www.makemusicday.org/waterbury/ and contact the necessary event coordinator.

Join us at the IC to make music!

Let the sun, sand, rocks and waves inspire your next art piece!

Join the IC Artists on an outing to Hammonasset Beach State park to create art on the beach. Sing songs, play music, build sculptures out of sand, dance in the water, take photographs, write poetry, and sketch the seagulls! After our visit to the beach we will go for a bite to eat at Lenny and Joe’s, make sure to bring your lunch money. Please sign up in advance with Mending Art Coordinator, Amy Smith.

Go with the flow Roar with excitement Let your cares fall away Create your own music

“Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends.

Someplace where we can be free.”-Starhawk A great BIG THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Celebration of Hope last month! This year’s theme was the Circle of Hope. Our annual Hope art piece by the IC Artists is on display in the conference room. Stop by and take a look.

Immerse yourself in nature Stay active Make a splash

Mike G. played piano during the celebration

Everyone had a great day!

Robin L. read her book ‘Lucy and Ben’

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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.

March and April Celebrations: Choices Work Services is happy to announce in the month of March, 3 participants had interviews, 1 participant started a new job, and 3 participants achieved their goals and graduated from the program! In the month of April, Choices had 3 participants with interviews and 2 participants started a new job!

Congratulations!!

Upcoming events Choices and LLSE program participants will be celebrating a year of hard work and achievement at the Celebration of Work and School Breakfast on June 20th! If you’re interested in celebrating with our participants RSVP to the front desk staff at the Independence Center or Choices Work Services 203-757-5431.

Have you been trying to find employment?

Need assistance with a resume, interview prep and more? Choices can help! Contact an Independence Center staff member, your clinician, or Choices at 203-757-5431.