Friday, July 28, 2017

Meet a New Member

Name:  Anna L.

Favorite Movie/TV: 102 Dalmatians – I can relate to how someone would act if their dogs got kidnapped.

Hobbies: Drawing, sewing, jewelry making, I can’t think of anything else at the moment.

Interesting fact about you: I found $10 while walking at a park.

Amount of time attending clubhouse: First day, but third visit to the Clubhouse.

First impression of clubhouse: It’s really cool and easy to make more best friends.

Favorite activity at the clubhouse: Drawing and doing flower work.

How the clubhouse is helping to change your life: Teach me skills I can use on a job and in real life.

Is there anything else you want to add: “Do unto others as you want them to do unto you.”


Thursday, July 27, 2017

Story of Me by Ashley Gorforth


Hello, my name is Ashley Goforth I am 20 years old and I have brown hair and brown eyes and I am disabled I have anxiety and nerve disorder.  I went to West County High School for ten years.  I went to special Olympics for ten years also. When I was in school and I was bullied my entire life and no one took up for me and people called me names, I don’t like to talk about it.  I did special Olympics for ten years and then I graduated West County High School on May 23, 2008. I’ve lived with my parents for ten years. Yes, it’s true I live with my parents because I am not able take care of myself and they take care of me. I love my parents very much and I have two brothers and two sisters . I also have nieces and nephews and I am proud to be their aunt. I love reading and texting also I watch movies. I like to clean house and go fishing, swimming, and I like to go shopping. I like to hang out with my friends and my family. I hope someday to go to college.  I worked at the Sheltered Workshop for two years, where I met a very good friend of mine. I like to stay home and relax. I had to quit working at the Sheltered Workshop because of my mental illness. I haven’t went back to work for a while and I got even worse. I have had trouble getting along with family and friends  which brought me Friends in Action Clubhouse. I met everyone and I liked everyone at Friends in Action Clubhouse. They helped me reach my goals and develop my skills. I have been here half a year and I love being here.  I have good days and bad days. Sometimes it’s hard for me to understand everyone and I get confused on lot of things. I hope one day that I can work on my people skills.


Wednesday, July 26, 2017

We would love for you to join the Friends in Action Clubhouse, talk to  a BJC staff member or call 573-760-8360 for more information. We will pick you up!


Saturday, July 22, 2017


Send us to the Clubhouse International Seminar. Take a 1 in 100 chance of winning $1,000 while helping us earn $1,000. Purchase tickets for $20 each at 657 Walton Dr. Farmington, MO.

Friday, July 21, 2017

New Clubhouse phone number
The new Clubhouse phone number is 573-760-8360. The number is active now so please start using it. The old phone number has been disconnected and no longer works.


Thursday, July 20, 2017

Amazing Flower Donations
Thanks to those whom donated flowers to the Clubhouse. They add a sense of elegance and freshness to the building. For those who do not know the Clubhouse has a floral department that members use to make beautiful decorations and center pieces for sale. Stop by and check out what they have been working on lately!


Wednesday, July 19, 2017

BJC Physicians Donate Gym Equipment


The Clubhouse would like to give a big thanks to the physicians at BJC for donating money and gym equipment to the new Clubhouse for physical health improvement. The equipment will be put to good use, and will help with the overall health of Clubhouse members. There is a plaque in the Clubhouse gym dedicated to the physicians so their legacy will be seen every time someone works out.


Monday, July 17, 2017

Employment Spotlight
We have several Transitional Employment (TE) placements available to help people get back in the work force. These temporary jobs last 6 months and are part time. Members can use these skills to get jobs outside of the Clubhouse. Recently Carol Rowe got a job as a Certified Peer Support Specialist at BJC in Farmington, Missouri. While her job isn’t a TE job, she has used skills learned from the Clubhouse to help her out in her current position. Here is an interview with Carol to shine some light on her responsibilities and how she is enjoying it. If you have any questions about open TE positions or want help getting a job outside of the clubhouse, don't hesitate to contact Anna or check the bulletin board.

Name: Carol Rowe
Job: Certified Peer Support Specialist
Time There: 1 Month
Schedule: Part time 2 days a week, about 10 hours total.
Duties:  “I use my lived experiences to help others to see there is hope for their recovery.” Help groups, work with IDDT, support individuals.
Favorite duty: Being able to help others.
What is our opinion about it so far? I feel my position is going to be a positive experience towards helping others while also helping myself at the same time.
How did Clubhouse help with your current job status? Helped me develop skills able to get and do the job.
Anything else: I’m proud to be a BJC employee!


Saturday, July 15, 2017

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

July is Drug Addiction Awareness Month



Drug addiction does not happen to everyone and it does not always happen intentionally. A person who craves a drug and continues to use it despite the negative effects is addicted. Most people with addictions need help quitting.
What are the symptoms of drug addiction?
· Spending money you do not have on the drug
· Unable to quit
· Stealing to get the drug
· Feeling like you need the drug
· Problems in school or at work
· Changes in behavior
What are the risk factors of drug addiction?
· Family history of drug addiction
· Men are twice as likely as women to have a drug addiction
· Psychological problems – ADHD, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, etc
· Peer pressure, especially in teenagers
· Type of drug – some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, or more addictive than others
What are the treatment options for drug addiction?
· Treatment programs – in an individual or group setting, these are educational and therapeutic seminars on getting sober and staying sober
· Counseling – in an individual or group setting, counseling helps you cope with your addiction and overcome it, and may also include life counseling to identify any reasons why a person is addicted and how to improve his or her life
· Self-help groups: Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are two examples; these emphasize that constant treatment is necessary to quit the drug
· Detoxification: helps you to quit the drug quickly; reducing the dosage of the drug or administering other chemicals that produce similar effects to the drug with less extreme side effects
What are the withdrawal symptoms of…?
· Depressants (Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Lunesta): restlessness, sleep problems, anxiety, hallucinations, seizures, increased blood pressure and heart rate, delirium
· Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, Ritalin, Adderall) : depression, fatigue, anxiety, suicide attempts, paranoia
· Opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine, Oxycontin, Vicodin): fatigue, anxiety, runny nose, restlessness, depression, increased blood pressure and breathing, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea

Contact your doctor or someone you trust if you need more information or help.


Tuesday, July 11, 2017


Pool Party today at Park Hills Swimming Pool with Bekah & Tonya from 4:30-7:30

Monday, July 10, 2017

Community Needs & Giveaways
With a  baby on the way and having appointments every week, its hard (and expensive) to be able to buy stuff for the baby. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. It doesn't have to be much at all. If you want to help, the baby is going to be a boy. Kind words are also appreciated. Call 573-432-2056. -Brooklyn


Saturday, July 8, 2017

We still have 2017/2018 wall calendars for sale. They feature art by Clubhouse members. They make great gifts so get yours before they are all gone!

Friday, July 7, 2017

St. Francis County Mental Health Board Meeting

St. Francis County Mental Health Board Meeting
In the Farmington Courthouse — Held on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:00PM

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Seeds of Wisdom Ladies Conference  Sept 28th

Seeds of Wisdom  Ladies Conference will be held on September 28 at the Centene Center in Farmington, Mo . The vans will leave at 8:30am and return at 2:00pm.  The theme of this year will be ‘Wellness’ and how to achieve it. If you are interested in attending the conference Tonya will be announcing more information about the event in August.




Tuesday, July 4, 2017

4th of July BBQ at Clubhouse from 10am-2pm
-----------------------------------------------------------
History of the Fourth of July
 Variously known the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. The tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.





Monday, July 3, 2017

Birthdays





July Birthdays


Chris W.      7/3
Michael D. 7/5
Dan G.        7/6
Tina J.          7/6
Brian T.       7/7
Tracy F.        7/8
Nancy M.    7/8
Dennis B.     7/9
Matt B.        7/14
Michael M.  7/20
 Bryan J.         7/21
Travis R.        7/21
Terry M.       7/23
William E.    7/23
Shannon R.  7/23
James B.      7/24
Oz S.             7/24
Josh B.          7/26
Mindy P.       7/27
Vince S.        7/27

Friday, June 30, 2017

Community Needs
Brent needs tools & a toolbox please call 573-315-6293


Thursday, June 29, 2017

Thursday, June 15, 2017


Name: Kelly S.
Favorite tv show: Hogan’s Heroes because I love them I try to collect all of the seasons.
Hobbies: Going canoeing at Huzzah Valley Resort.
Interesting fact about you: I like to surprise my cousin Amanda she is awesome and I check on her every week.
Amount of time attending clubhouse: Second full day at the Clubhouse.
First impression of clubhouse: I liked the idea of how they will help me search for a job, I am now interested in one.
Favorite activity at the clubhouse: I am looking forward to staying here until I get to meet everyone and new members.
How the clubhouse is helping to change your life:
I want the Clubhouse to help me throughout the day.
Is there anything else you want to add:
God has changed my life and I went to a new church in Leadwood its called Methodist Baptist.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

2017 Potosi Procovery Fish Fry
Members of the Potosi Procovery group enjoyed a relaxing day of fishing and food at their annual fish fry.  The activities took place at 90 year old member Lester’s house. There were tons of food and even more fun. For anyone who doesn’t know exactly what procovery is, the group is based on "The Power of Procovery" by Kathleen Crowley. Procovery is about seeing and building the potential in ourselves; about building each other up and helping each other grow. It is about hope, support, approaching things in a positive manner, problem solving and learning other people's views and cultures in a safe and confidential environment. Most important, Procovery is about living the best life you can in the moment. Procovery is held at some BJC Behavioral Health locations twice monthly.  We are always happy to have new members so ask your favorite BJC worker for more details!



Monday, June 12, 2017

We still have 2017/2018 wall calendars for sale. They feature art by Clubhouse members. They make great gifts so get yours before they are all gone!


Friday, June 9, 2017

Letitia the Success Story


Congratulations to Letitia D. whom will be celebrating her one year anniversary working at East Missouri Action Agency. Letitia has been a Clubhouse member for over 3 years. Letitia found position with the help of Friends in Action Clubhouse so she could dip her feet into the waters of the job market. She loved it and East Missouri did too. In fact, they enjoyed having Letitia so much that she has been there a year. Everyone at the Clubhouse wants to say we are so very proud of you to Letitia and thanks to East Missouri for giving her a chance to prove herself. We are here to help members and this is just one of several success stories in the book of Friends in Action. If you need any assistance don’t hesitate to contact us at the Clubhouse, we are here to help our members! Below is one of many e-mails we have gotten about Letitia to praise her hard work and kindness followed by a short interview explaining some details of her job and how it has impacted her life. If you see Letitia in person don't forget to tell her congratulations!

“ I was not sure who to email, but I just wanted to let you know I was at EMAA yesterday and your Clubhouse member is doing an awesome job. I’m not for sure what her name is but she was professional, proactive in helping the workers, personable, and in good spirits the whole time. I know being the front and center of that agency cannot be an easy task! I just wanted to see that she is getting recognized if someone hasn’t already said something! Keep up the amazing work everyone! Have a Great Day!” -Brooke

What are some of your job duties? Help people sign in, answer & make phone calls, answering questions in person, and generally being helpful.

What are the best things about your job? It has to be the people. I enjoy a nice group of co-workers, including a very kind and considerate boss, and everyone is easy to get along with. I absolutely love the fact that the people coming in rely on me to guide them on what they need to do and the steps to take. In the past I use to have doubts that I didn't have a real purpose in life and now I feel like the place depends on me to do my job so that it runs efficiently.

You help a lot of people at your job, but what have you learned from your experience? First of all I have really grown as a person. I now know what needs to be done and can do it. It was a great learning experience. I have started to master my communication skills, punctuality, and my learning of responsibility has grown through the roof.

What would you say to other people thinking of doing the same as you? I would say go for it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. A lot of people may think they don’t have the skills to get a job they enjoy, but Friends in Action will teach you everything you need to know. If you decide you want to try a job, they will help you apply for it. Heck they will even come to work with you at first so you don't have to be nervous!

Is there anything else you would like to add? I would like to thank Friends in Action Clubhouse for helping me develop the skills I needed to acquire and maintain my position that I adore. I knew I  needed to make a change in my life, but was unsure just how to do it. They guided me through the steps and my accomplishments prove that their system works! I encourage anyone that wants to make a positive change in their life to check out the Friends in Action Clubhouse in Farmington, MO!







Wednesday, May 31, 2017

June Birthdays

 Kayla P.    6/6
Dashia R.   6/8
Brooklyn Y. 6/9
Judy T.     6/11
George B.   6/11
Ricky G.    6/11
Sean S.     6/14
Edna S.     6/14
Ron H.      6/16
Jerad S.    6/16
Bea Y.      6/16
 Warren C.   6/21
Shane C.    6/22
Dorathea S. 6/22
Bernita H.  6/25
Triston Mc. 6/25
Mike N.     6/26
Richard M.  6/27
David R.    6/28
Jeremy C.   6/28
John H.     6/29
Andrea C.   6/30

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

OPEN HOUSE

The grand opening day was a success. We enjoyed the staff speeches, they were all great. We also enjoyed all of our visitors from Independent Center and Eastern New York Clubhouse. We had Dan Rothery, behavioral health president, and Barbi Berong, behavioral health vice president with us to celebrate along with our very own Supervisor Anna Portell and Site Director Karen Miller. We enjoyed the food and all of the different departments. We thank Steak n Shake, Qdoba, and Cici’s Pizza for providing such great food and drinks. Jack Mc was the 1st member to ride in on his bike. We had a ribbon cutting at 2pm. Members  -Lindell, Peggy, Ed, and our newest staff Bekah were able to hold the scissors for the cutting. The daily journal and BJC Today photographers were here taking pictures of the event. We look forward to seeing those printed. The day was perfect and we are excited to have our work ordered day in our new beautiful building.

Bea Young

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Art show auction live streaming


We will be streaming our art show live auction on our Friends in Action Facebook page from 6-8pm. You can bid & buy from the convenience of your your house with a glass of wine. Afterwards just stop on by the Farmingon Library to pay and pickup your purchases. Don't forget all proceeds go to charity. 


Friday, March 24, 2017

Jewelry Available at Art Show April 21st

Jewelry Available at Art Show April 21st

April 21st Farmington Library from 5-8PM

Necklaces — Bracelets
Earrings — Key chains

Made by Clubhouse members!

Custom jewelry available.

Smiles Free. Hugs available upon request!

Help us with our new building so we can help give back to the community!