Artwork by IC Member, Diana S.
“Creativity is just something inside of me. It feels good and I feel like I am accomplishing something.“ Robin B.
Monday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM
Artist of the Month, Robin B., is new to the Mending Art Program, but has enjoyed working on creative projects since she was ten years old. She has always enjoyed sewing, crocheting and knitting. “I have made a lot of things, even little bears and rabbits!”, she shares. Robin is enjoying the time she has now to work on her art at the IC. She is currently practicing her drawing and creating little rooms out of assembling found objects. “I always wanted to make doll houses. It fascinates me to make little things. I even make little crochet pieces. When I am working on the rooms I think about how I am going to put it all together. It does come together after a while; I just have to think about it. Creativity is just something inside of me. It feels good and I feel like I am accomplishing something. I plan to make a living room scene when I am finished with the room I’m working on now,” says Robin. “I love the studio! It helps me to relax and opens my mind to things other than my problems. Art Club is good because it helps me get new ideas and meet new people. I have learned that I can do more than I thought I could.”
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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Congratulations to all of the IC Artists who received a certificate for their work this past year in Mending Art. Over 400 certificates were awarded for achievements individuals made while working on their own, unique, artistic process. Individuals received certificates for exhibiting their art in the community, leading Mending Art workshops in the community, participating in Art Club, visiting the Mattatuck Museum, holding their first Pop-Up Solo Art Show and so much more. We are proud of all the work you are doing and are looking forward to helping you further your artistic pursuits this coming year. Keep creating! Mending Art meets every Wednesday at 10AM.
IC Artist, Jennifer F., helped lead a Mending Art workshop at MHC’s Robinson House, as part of her goal to share art with others in the community. Keep your eyes out for the awesome artwork that is being created by the artists at Robinson House!
Mending Art’s, Guest Artist, Erica Matulis, is a recent graduate of Paier College where she majored in photography. Her photography is an expression of her emotions. Erica’s artwork often deals with social, mental, and emotional issues. Socially her photography is dealing with body issues, mentally it is dealing with depression, and emotionally it is dealing with the loss of her loved ones.
For people who hear voices: www.facebook.com/ctheari ngvoicesnetwork or http://www.hearingvoicesus a.org/
In addition to her work with photography, Erica also enjoys working on Cosplay. “Cosplay is playing with costumes. You can pick your favorite character and you get to be them,” she says. Erica spent a year planning and creating her first Cosplay piece, Big Daddy. She also created the character’s little sister. As she created these pieces, she learned about sewing and how to work with different materials to get the results she wanted. Erica believes that you don’t need a lot of money to be creative. “You can take a $3.00 string of glass beads and still have the illusion of a pearl necklace. It’s about thinking creatively,” she says. Erica loves to share how she creates pieces with others, she believes that it is important to share so that we can all learn from each other rather than keeping secrets.
OCD support group http://psychiatry.yale.edu/o cd/patients/support.aspx
During the day Erica gets to work as a newborn baby photographer. “I love photographing newborns because I am capturing the beginning of a new life and a new family,” she shares. To see more of Erica’s art work you can visit her website at MatulisPhotography.WixSite.com/photo.
Alternatives to Suicide Support Group 399 Franklin Avenue Hartford Wednesdays 4-5pm http://toivocenter.org/
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
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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 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
One of Bridget’s goals is to be independent. She strives to learn to do things for herself and not rely on others. Bridget says by attending the workshops the IC offers, she has learned about changing behaviors that will make it easier for her to socialize and be out in the community. She also enjoys coming to the IC to be with friends. Bridget states, “You have to be comfortable within yourself to make others comfortable with you.” She believes that you have to look within and try not to be judgmental of others, even though she feels she herself has sometimes been unfairly judged. One of Bridget’s favorite activities at the IC is Mending Art and she says she likes it when Amy challenges her to do more and reach beyond her comfort zone. Her next goal is to learn some computer skills, and since she used to cook, she would like to participate in the culinary unit as well. Bridget has made tremendous progress in her recovery and we wish her continued success.
During last month’s workshop we talked about taking action. Most of us have ideas, thoughts or some kind of vision of how we would like things to be. We make plans for what we would like to do. Without taking action nothing will ever be accomplished. The first step towards anything in life is taking action. It is up to you to find the motivation and inspiration to get what you want out of life. It does not have to be a giant leap with immediate results expected; you can start off small and every little step will bring you closer to the bigger picture. It is like putting a puzzle together, you have to start with one piece and keep adding to it, until it all comes together. That one piece starts and finishes a vision. So, when are you going to take action and lay down that first piece in your life’s puzzle and complete all the things that you want? Derrick’s group meets every Thursday at 10AM.
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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Members of the IC welcomed Robin DiStiso, of the Robin’s Nest Meditation Center. Robin’s mission is to provide the highest standard of community support that will further promote the health and social development of those living with the challenges of mental illness and to reduce stress levels with the incorporation of meditation.
Easy Corned Beef Dinner Social workers touch the lives of millions of people each day, helping them overcome life’s hurdles so they can live to their full potential. The #MeToo movement has bypassed many girls and young women in migrant communities across the United States. Many are unlikely or unable to report they are being sexually or physically abused due to cultural barriers or because they fear they will be arrested or deported. But Indiana social worker Kimber Nicoletti-Martinez reached out to uplift and empower these girls and young women who are invisible to most of society. “There are social forces and systems at work in our country that not only permit but promote a subjugation of the bodies of women and children, especially women and children of color,” Nicoletti-Martinez said. “Preventing child sexual abuse is our highest calling and priority. We cannot end child sexual abuse without dismantling this systemic oppression.” Nicoletti-Martinez, 2018 National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Social Worker of the Year, is just one example of the heroic work the nation’s 680,000 social workers do each day to elevate others.
3lb. corned beef brisket
with spice packet 10 Small white or red
potatoes 5 Carrots-peeled and
cut into 3-inch pieces 1 Head of cabbage
WHY THE THEME MATTERS— Social workers are trained to examine and address life’s problems in a holistic way. They elevate and empower people, giving them the ability to solve problems, cope with personal roadblocks and get the resources they need to succeed. Social workers also bring together individuals with other people, their communities, local and state government and agencies to address wider problems in our society, including lack of affordable housing, hunger and equal rights for all. You can find social workers literally everywhere – including in schools and colleges, hospitals, veteran centers, mental health facilities, local and federal government, the corporate world and in agencies that help children find new families through adoption and protect children from abuse and neglect. During Social Work Month 2019, NASW will launch the “Elevate Social Work” Campaign that will educate the public about the contributions social workers have made to our society and why the profession is so vital to our nation.
THEME & RATIONALE FOR SOCIAL WORK MONTH — Social workers go through years of education to learn and hone their professional skills so they can help others reach their full potential. Many social workers also take continuing education courses each year to make sure their skills remain cutting edge. There is a rising need for social workers in the United States to help us cope with societal problems, including caring for our aging population. The BLS predicts there will be more than 100,000 more social workers in the United States in just seven more years. During Social Work Month NASW will give social workers and their allies tools to elevate the public image of the profession and explore ways to boost compensation for one of our nation’s fastest growing professions. NASW
1. Place corned beef in large pot and cover with cold water. Add the spice packet. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until tender. 2. Add whole potatoes and carrots, and cook until the vegetables are almost tender, 20-30 minutes. Add cabbage and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes. 3. Place vegetables in a bowl and cover. Add as much cooking liquid from the cooking pot as you want, to moisten. Slice meat across the grain. Serve.
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“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.” Oprah Winfrey
National Women's History Month can trace its roots back to March 8, 1857, when women from New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions. International Women's Day was first observed in 1909, but it wasn't until 1981 that Congress established National Women's History Week to be commemorated the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. Emphasizing the increasing value of having women in leadership positions can help you increase cultural competence among your employees. It's important to note how women's roles have evolved, how flexible work arrangements allow more women to combine family and professional responsibilities, and how many glass ceilings still have not been shattered. The impact of women’s history might seem abstract to some, and less pressing than the immediate struggles of working women today. But to ignore the vital role that women’s dreams and accomplishments play in our own lives would be a great mistake. We draw strength and inspiration from those who came before us, and those remarkable women working among us today. They are part of our story, and a truly balanced and inclusive history recognizes how important women have always been in American society. Join Debbie, on March 18th, at 10AM, to talk about some of the women who changed history.
Join us every Monday, at 11AM, for Derrick’s Positivity Program. Learn to think, act and be positive!
Don’t forget to leap ahead on March 10th when daylight savings time begins. Turn your clocks ahead one hour.
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It is estimated that about 17.5 million Americans over the age of 18 (or about 8% of the adult population) had a serious mental health disorder in the past year. Of these, about 4 million people also struggled with co-occurring drug or alcohol dependency,
A series of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Awareness workshops will be starting on March 26th, at 10 am. The workshops will provide information about opioid dependence, the opioid crisis, how it effects families and the importance of early intervention. In addition to the workshops, there will also be opportunities to participate in at least one community education event that focuses on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Awareness. Please see Jessica, at the IC, if you want more information about the workshops.
The Independence center has a new member; the Let Go Box. It is located in the small dining room on top of the mantel. The purpose of the Let Go Box in to write down whatever you have on your mind and drop it in the box. It could be something you have been carrying with you for a while and want to release it. It could be something you would like to see happen in your life or something that you want. When you write what is on your mind down and dropping it in the box you are putting it out in the open. You are setting it free from you and allowing it to leave. If it was a burden, then it is no longer yours to carry. If it is something that you want by setting it free from your thoughts, you are allowing it to come into existence. No one else reads what you put in the box. Only you know what you wrote. The papers are shredded and tossed out.
Crisis Text Line Text From anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
Every texter is connected with a Crisis Counselor, a real-life, human being trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem solving. All of Crisis Text Line’s Crisis Counselors are volunteers, donating their time to helping people in crisis. How it works… 1. Text HELLO to 741741 from anywhere in the USA. 2. The Crisis Counselor listens without judgement. 3. After 2 automated responses, you’ll connect with a live, trained volunteer. 4. The goal of the conversation is to help you find calm, which may me sharing resources or sometime, just listening. 5. It usually takes less than 5 minutes to connect you with a Crisis Counselor. 6. Conversations usually end when you and the Counselor feel that you are in a “safe place”.
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Join us for Birthday Bash on 27th at 3PM.
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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.
Join us for a Mending Art Exhibit Reception Friday, March 22nd, 2019, From 6-8:30 PM Five Points Annex Gallery 17 Water Street Torrington, CT 06790 Exhibit is free and open to the public March 14th-23rd. For additional viewing times please contact Art Director, Amy Smith, at 203-756-5772 ext. 15 or ASmith@mhconn.org