Friday, January 31, 2014

1-31-14

This week at clubhouse was a busy week. We had a catering event Monday night for the Advisory Board for clubhouse. We went to St. Louis on Tuesday for are new van and Boweflex. But the van was broke down and so we couldn’t bring back the Boweflex either. But we brought back some of the Boweflex to clubhouse. Wednesday we had our Indentpent Living graduation and we had 6 members gradute. Thursday and Friday were not as busy as the beinning of the week.

Clubhouse has helped in my journey of getting out on my own in March 2014. The staff here has given me guidance and strenght a long the way of this journey. The clubhouse was the first place that I felt that I belonged in a long time. I have people here that understand me and what I’m going through and they are like family to me. I’m graduate of their Independent Living program from 2012 and this has shown me that I can do it and make it. Clubhouse has showed me things that I never dreamed of like doing my artwork again and being a public speaker for mental illness.
Tina W.

1-24-14

The Friends In Action Clubhouse is a wonderful place to be part of. The compassionate, thoughtful staff and members work together to find fun and interesting things to do. On Thursday, January 23rd, a group of members and staff went to the Family Fun Center in Farmington, It was to enjoy an evening out and also celebrate January birthdays. We enjoyed bowling, good conversation, and enjoyed birthday cake made by members Jack and Laurie. I was truly a great evening.

Letitia D.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Art Art Art



Art is on the calander this month, Creative showcase has to get all fixed up and get mailed off this week. Painting, drawing pastels all racing to get everything done. Paper work and more paperwork to do. Two sheets for one show to fill out and another for the next show. For those who paint the fun has just started. New people want to do some thing too. They need some help and encouragement, and then it all comes together for them and they have a painting they did. They are always surprised at what they have done.
We are going to have a new part of our own show at the factory. Its a new artist growing and learning section so that new painters can show off their art work too,
The bad thing about the art shows is getting all the pictures framed, brown paper gluded to the backs, and then the wire on the back so they can be hung. So new painter and our all regular artist get your paint brushes clean and dig the right size canavas you have been wanting to paint. Our art show is just around the corner. See you at the art table yall.

Betty W

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Fundraising and Donations

Fundraising and Donations

Friends in Action Clubhouse
206 Crane Street
Park Hills, MO 63601
573-431-9620

The wellness center is well on its way to adding options for improving our health. We were fortunate enough to have a Bowflex machine donated to the clubhouse from the Central site. Thank you, Debbie Mackie!!!!!! We are also working on applying for a grant to get additional equipment that will benefit members.

The Mental Health Awareness Walk committee met for the first time yesterday. The walk will be May 10, 2014 at Engler Park in Farmington. The committee is ironing out the details and securing sponsors. We are optimistic that we will reach our goal of $3000. The money that is raised will be donated to the local NAMI affiliate. NAMI’s goal is to raise awareness and reduce the stigma related to mental illness. If anyone would like to assist with the walk you can contact Dawn Mathes at the clubhouse (431-9620). Donations can also be mailed directly to the clubhouse (206 Crane St., Park Hills, MO 63601). We hope to see you all there.

The clubhouse has been buzzing with talk of the art show as well. It will be here before we know it. The annual Friends in Action art show will once again be held at The Factory, ‘A’ St., in Farmington on April 12, 2014. This week we have begun working on matting and framing members’ art work. The members have been working on new artwork to enter in the show. The money raised from the art show will be added to our Project Clubhouse fund. Donations can also be mailed directly to the clubhouse.

Friends in Action is in need of a new digital camera. Unfortunately, ours mysteriously vanished a while back. We were hoping that it would mysteriously reappear, but there was no such luck. So, if any Friends of the Clubhouse out there have a digital camera that you no longer need, please contact me at the clubhouse.

Thank you all in advance for your support. Until next time, I hope all is well and remember that YOU have a friend!

Mike

Friday, January 3, 2014

1-3-2014

What a great week at clubhouse.

· The clubhouse officially became smoke FREE on January first. Everyone has to go out to the alley if they want to smoke these days. We are calling it 100 steps to wellness. It is about 50 steps to the alley and 50 steps back to the building. We would like to improve our wellness at the clubhouse.

· We started off the week sending 2013 off with the annual New Year’s Eve party on Monday evening. Everyone joined together to play games and dance the night away. A taco salad (we love our taco salad) was severed for dinner that evening before we put on the music and danced the night away. Of course the evening ended with a New Year’s Eve toast with sparkling cider.

· New Year’s Eve Day Curtis designed us a time capsule that we plan on opening at next year’s party. It was fun to see the items that were placed in the box. Someone placed the end of their belt in the box. He had lost enough weight that he did not need that end anymore. He wanted to make sure that he did not need it next year. Then Anna pulled up our 2013 Clubhouse goals. We took a look at 2013 and what we achieved and started a new list for 2014.

· We got a little snow and ice on Wednesday night, so clubhouse started a late on Thursday. Cindy went out and picked up a few members that lived locally. Then we spent the day taking down Christmas decorations and cleaning up the clubhouse. Anna and a couple of members spent several hours counting money and working on the cash spreadsheet, so that we could go to the bank.

· Friday came and we had a small group. I think the cold kept some people at home. It was in the single digits when I got the clubhouse, burrrr.

· Wellness was a blast this afternoon Mike headed downstairs to our new Wellness Center and worked with the dumbbells, jump ropes and did some stretching exercises

· Mike explained to everyone here today about the Mental Health Rally that well be held at the state capital in February. We are hoping to have the opportunity to talk to our legislators while we are there. Chris, a clubhouse member, has volunteered to speak at the rally. We are hoping to have a representative from NAMI come to the clubhouse later this month and teach us how to tell our stories and orchestrate a successful dialogue with elected officials.

Well I guess that is about all for now, so, until next time I hope all is well and remember that you have a friend.


Mike