Tuesday, September 30, 2014

My Journey to Inedependence

Clubhouse has shown me that I can become that person I once was independent and sucessful and living on my own again in an apartment in the community of Farmington somewhere. I went from Residential Care Facility to this with their help and my community support workers Nicole Smith and April Skaggs and many other people in my life.
I had to work hard and go through many hoops the Residential Care Facility (RCF) and show the people around me that I could live on my own again. First step was there where I moved into the independent hall at the Residential Care Facility where I spent time showing people around me that I could set up meds and take care of myself and set up rides to my doctor appointments. The last step there was their Transitional Living (T.E) apartment where I moved into it in May and left on the 2nd of Sepetmber 2014. When I moved into the community of Farmington to the Friendship House Apartments.
Let me take you back where I decide to do all this was July of 2011. I took the first step of a becoming independent and sucessful person. I enter the Indenpendent Living program at clubhouse and by this I attend groups and did skills through work crews and homework to show the skills of living on your own. By November of 2011, I hit a bump in my road of becoming independent and sucessful person I was hospatilized for behaviors but I picked myself up by the boot straps and got right back on my journey of becoming indenpendent and a sucessful woman. And I finished the Indenpendent Living program in January of 2012 and I knew that was one of hoops done and out of the way for me to move out. The other, was one year out of the hosptail and no self- sabotaging behaviors for one year. I step up to this challage and got my one year out the hosptail in November but couldn’t get the one year without behaviors so I went to talk with my community support worker and they suggested that I give DBT a try. By Sepetmber of 2013 I started DBT and my world turned around. I got one year with no behaviors and two years of hosptail now. So, with the help of clubhouse and my Community Support workers and people around me I was encouraged to move forward. I am excited to say in April of 2014 there was a meeting where I was told I would be moving into a T.E apartment at the RCF, by May i took my first step into my apartment. I can actually say that I am excited for my future and to start working toward gaining my guardianship back.
Tina W

Thursday, September 25, 2014

NAMI Training

My name is Tina W. Myself and two other clubhouse members, Letitia D. and Lisa P, attended a weekend training in Jefferson City for the NAMI facilitator training. NAMI is National Alliance on Mental Illness. We arrived around 5pm Thursday and training started Friday at 9 am.

We learned to run a support group for people like myself with a mental diagnosis. We learned that the most important thing is to have compassion and understanding and let them know they are not alone. We learned about “AIDS Us” which stands for “affirm, inquire, direct, understand, support.” We learned that while dealing with group members’ emotions or situations, there are not always clear cut right or wrong answers.

All three days of the training was very informative and intense. The trainers were very patient, helpful and supportive. In our free time in the evening we were able to do some sightseeing and shopping. The hotel staff was courteous and very helpful. The three of us look forward to helping others in the monthly NAMI groups with our shared knowledge.

Please join us every Thursday evening from 7-8:30 PM at Mineral Area Hospital for the NAMI Peer to Peer Support Group.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Accreditation Prep


Friends In Action Clubhouse, accredited by Clubhouse International…. I like the sound of that. It has been a long road and is not quite over. This has been a time of change and we are all in it together. The accreditation audit for Friends in Action to become an accredited clubhouse will be January 12-15, 2015.

We have been working hard to comply with the clubhouse standards in recent months, but now it is crunch time. We have implemented the work ordered day, the evening weekend and holiday social program, the wellness center and numerous other improvements. We no long offer coping skills groups at the clubhouse, but they are offered at our auspice agency. There have been arrangements made so that members are able to have transportation from the clubhouse to the groups. Staff and members have gone over many clubhouse articles as well as the Clubhouse International standards, individually and as a group. The purpose of this is so that we can understand the reason for changes that must be made.

There are still several items on our to-do list as well. We currently have one Transitional Employment position, but are striving for one more. We continue to work on the member handbook, making updates to reflect the changes that we are making. The resource center is up and running for the members, but we would like to expand our educational opportunities. We would like to form a relationship with the local community college and perhaps the vocational training center. We have a good start on the outreach program, but it is a work in progress. The self study is underway as well as the Clubhouse Profile Questionnaire. These are vital to take an honest look at the things that we have accomplished and the areas that require attention.

There are many other things that we have done and are planning to do, but these are just a few that come to mind. We are working towards this accreditation, because we feel that it is in the best interest of Friends In Action. As an accredited clubhouse we will continue to be able to provide our members with many beneficial services and opportunities as well as new ones.


Mike H.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

We are Family

My name is Letitia and I am a very proud member of the Friends in Action Clubhouse. I look back on my life sometimes and I don’t know if I have ever had so many wonderful opportunities grow from one simple question. “How do I become part of that?” I asked this question of Kathryn Green at the first NAMI meeting, I attended back in August of 2013, when I met some of the clubhouse members that were in attendance.
Do you like to paint? Are you interested in touching up or learning computer skills? Are you willing to put in an apron and explore new recipes in the kitchen? Would you be more comfortable checking the vans to see if they need oil? How about planting some green tomatoes and then helping fry them up for lunch on a day when you feel like trying something new? There are so many things to do at F.I.A Clubhouse. It is a place where you are always needed, always welcome if you are good at something or even if you are not. If you are not, you will be encouraged to try. We have a floral department where you can help create beautiful floral arrangements. You can take part in the art classes and help with paint, sketching, etc. you can help the drivers take care of the vans. You can be part of Cooking with Friends catering service and help cook and deliver delicious meals to Life Center, Agency meetings, etc. no two days are exactly alike here at Clubhouse.
If you are a BJC client and are looking for place where you feel like you are a part of something and want to work on improving your social skills, then the Clubhouse is the place for you. We are one big FAMILY! Here at Clubhouse no job is too small to have meaning. No person is too independent to need a shoulder to lean on. No day is one where your absence will not be noticed. On top of all that, you can get the best cup of coffee in town for free!!!
By: Letitia D.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

2014 Real Choices Real Voices Conference

The 2014 Real Voices Real Choices conference was amazing! The attendance this year was over 900 people. It increases close to a hundred people every year.

There were so many great classes, that is was hard to decide which one to attend. Some of the classes were: Learning Social Skills, Dealing with Grief and Loss, and Healthy ways of eating and so very much more. Anyone who attends always brings back information to pass onto members and staff.

They also have some fun stuff going on. There was a talent show, pizza party and karoke, something on every night we were there.

You make new friends every year you go as well as seeing the friends you have made in previous years. It's delightful to catch up on things going on in someone else's life. It feel's like going to a reunion.

Every year they have lots of door prizes to give away. This years grand prize was a 40" Flat screen TV.

I encourage anyone who would like to attend to do so. You learn so much and is a "Wonderful Experience!".

Carol R