This is a shout out to all BJC BH caseworker and case managers. There are a lot of mental health clients that needs your help and our help! What I mean is simple. “The Friends in Action Clubhouse” that I have been a member of since October 2015 is a place that has turned my life around. With the help of the other members and staff, they have helped me through some rough and trying times. The members and staff are the most awesome people I have ever met. What I’m saying is that if you have a client that you would like to come to the Clubhouse. Please bring them! Unit team member Mike conducts a “Lunch and Learn” on the 1st Wednesday and 3rd Thursday of each month. Believe me he loves to talk about the Clubhouse!!! If you can’t talk your client into coming and you believe they could benefit from it, just call unit team member Tonya and she will have the mobile outreach contact them.

Please, let us help you; help them. Their life may depend on it!
Kenny O

First Thanksgiving at Friends in Action Clubhouse

My first Thanksgiving was the best one that I have had in a very long time. Since my wife passed away my life has changed and I have hit rock bottom. Since I joined the clubhouse my life has once again changed, but this time it was for the best! I was stuck going know where; my life was in complete turmoil! But positive stuff has happened to me. I’ve met some great people at Clubhouse and some have even welcomed me even into their homes. People treat me as if I was their long lost brother. When I am asked if I spent the day with my family I can say “yes I did”!
Kenny O.

Catching up with art department.

It’s getting that time of year again, we getting our creative juices flowing. New cards designed for the art line of cards that we sell for our clubhouse. I know several of our artists have been working on.
Our floral shop needed some more flower arrangements to put on display at our BJC office to sell also. On Monday Mrs., Karen Miller came over and taught a group of people about making beautiful flower arrangements. Mrs. Miller can do wonder things with flowers and a piece of ribbon. Everyone enjoyed themselves every worked on their own piece and they really turned out good, and some were taken to the office to be put on display in hopes that they will sell.
Even though our art show is not till April 8th we need to start working now. More supplies are being ordered old paintings are taken out our frames and the canvases are being reused. Mike W. Has been working to get some painted and helping others work on paintings for the art shows.
Besides our own art show we need pictures for the “The Creative Show” in Jefferson City. We always enter art work there every year. Some people have got really nice prizes from money or chosen to be on the traveling wall that is set up in different areas around the state. They are on display at the Farmington MO. Library.
We also enter some art work at St Louis University. We usually go up to the reception and the display of our art can be different types of art like poetry, sculpture. Music and sewing or whatever, you can enter it all. We usually enter several art pieces.
The past few arts exhibits we have attempted to do something and if we have done an art auction that has worked out well. This year we are going to try work on using better frames to frame our art.
Good days on the way as we get closer to showing off our BJC talented artist. We all enjoy sharing of the joy of creating a beautiful piece to share with others. We often put a little of our soul in what we create.
Betty W. 11/13/2015

What Clubhouse is to ME

When I first joined the Clubhouse, I was scared and depressed. But, right from the start the members and staff made me feel welcomed like I belonged there, and I do. The Clubhouse is home away from home. Whether living independently or in an RCF, everyone is treated equal. If you are suffering from depression or any knid of mental illness and are a client of BJC-BH, you cannot go wrong with becoming a member of Friends in Action. At the Clubhouse you matter in this wicked world. Really, try it out!
1. It’s a place where you can go and enjoy the company of people who will not judge you. These people will not talk about you behind your back. This is a place where you are not just a mental illness, you’re family.
2. Friends in Action Clubhouse is a member driven Clubhouse and a place where you can learn how to cope with your illness as a family, a family that will not abandon you when you need them the most. They are the most awesome people who will not let you down!
3. At the Clubhouse you learn skills that will help you in the real world. You learn how to cook, comparison shop (pick out the best price of things that you need), and to live independently. For the most part you can enjoy your life the way you’re meant to and the way you truly want to.
-Kenny O

My First Park Hills Chamber Meeting

Cindy and I got to attend the November 17th Park Hills Chamber meeting. When we arrived at Mineral Area North Campus, we signed in and received out ticket for lunch and the door prize. Next we headed to the buffet table and got our lunch. We ate lunch after we found our seats.
After lunch we had the business meeting. We talked about the Tushies and Toes ending on at the next Chamber meeting and to sign up if you want to be part of the Business Spotlight.
Our guest speaker was Chris Westrich from Parkland Health Center. It was really interesting hearing about all of the changes at the area hospitals. The Business Spotlight was Missouri Baptist University.
During the Investor Announcements, Cindy talked about our 2016 calendars and invited people to purchase one. One lady bought one from us.
The next meeting will be the holiday party at Elizabeth Hall on December 15th.

By Bea Y.
Friends in Action Clubhouse

My NAMI Weekend

Well, we left here after lunch on Friday. There were 7 of us. We had four men and three women. We went on a trip from Park Hills to Lake of the Ozarks. When we arrived we thought we were without a room, but the name was spelled wrong. We had the best place, it was a condo instread of a hotel room. We had brand new furniture and a fire place and everything. It was beautiful. Thanks to Clubhouse for the wonderful room. We were too excited to sleep that first night. We were in a two bedroom, two bathroom, condo and it was just beautiful. I liked everything. I sure enjoyed the Ice Cream Social that our room hosted our last night.
Now let’s see, then we went to the NAMI annual meeting and listening to the DBT presentation. Some of the speakers were a little bit long winded. Everything was good. I like DBT, I graduated once and now am taking it again. We each had the opportunity to take notes throughout the conference.
I learned about the VA this weekend and I learned the different stages of the military. I learned about NAMI HomeFront this weekend. There is training in January, if the weather permits us, we would like to take this training and further assist the veterans in this area. I believe that we are all ready for the next meetings to come along. There is more to respect, faith, and prayer… LOVE is the most important. We are not machines we are humans.

Beatrice Young

What has Clubhouse done for you?

My name is Kenny and I am a member of the Friends in Action Clubhouse. I have been a member since October 28, 2015. I have not been depressed, as much, since joining the Clubhouse. I have met some interesting people and made some new friends and I have been able to help in the Clubhouse work ordered day. I have been asked everyday why I come to Clubhouse. I say “because it helps with my depression, but I really feel like I am a part of something. I belong somewhere. I have not felt this way in a couple of years. The Clubhouse is my sanctuary, a place that I can go to where, for a few hours a day, I don’t worry about or stress about my past few months or years. That is why I come to Clubhouse.
Before I became a member of the Clubhouse, I lived a life of constant stress. I worried about the smallest things. I stressed about where I was going to get the help that I needed to get back to where I needed to, in order to become the person that I know I am. The staff is “awesomatic,” which means automatically awesome. The members are the friendliest group of people. They have all treated me like family. This is my home away from home. The Clubhouse has also given me a sense of being. It has showed me that I do belong on this Earth and that there is a reason for living. I am here, as a man, I have a purpose. I do matter in life. My case worker is a God-sent, without her and my daughter I would not be here. They have saved my life. My case worker referred me to Clubhouse.
Thank you, all of you, with my life. Above all, thank you for your lasting friendship and love. Will I come back? YES, I WILL!

My T.E experience at Park Hills River mart:

From Jasmine:
My experience has been really excited and life changing. At first I was nervous and my anxiety was bad. I thought I was going to mess up and screw everything up,but that wasn't the case. I now know great work skills and how to talk to others well, instead of being scared of saying the wrong stuff. My boss and fellow coworkers are so incredible. They don't treat me differently and don't look down on me because of my illness. I am so appreciative of having this position and am looking forward to my future with River Mart.

We had a happy 4th of July

We hope you had a happy 4th of July. Friends in Action was full of chatter on the 4th. This year we grilled hamburgers and everyone brought something for a potluck. Talk about food!!! We had 2 - 8' tables covered with food. Everything from bake beans to Earthquake cake.

Ring for United Way

             

     We love that feeling of giving back to the community at the Friends in Action clubhouse, so we went to Country Mart in Park Hills and rang the bell for the United Way on Friday, December 20, 2013.  It was a great experience!  Everyone was kind, caring, and friendly.  It warmed my heart to feel like I was a part of helping those in need.  We have been so blessed.  It felt great!  I know all of us here at F.I.A. enjoyed the great weather.  Despite the forecast for rain the sun came out for a while.  This is a wonderful time of year to help spread joy and happiness!   

 By Letitia D

5th Annual Trivia Night was a $2106 Success for Project Clubhouse

Thirteen teams participated in our 5th annual Trivia fundraiser Saturday evening, November 9th and helped raise money for our building fund. To date, all five trivia nights has raised a total of $9166.50.


We want to thank the North, South, and SE sites, Clubhouse, Kim Gladstone, and Jean Riley for their contributions toward the raffle. We sold $490 worth of raffle tickets and gave away 8 prizes!

Clubhouse members were able to form a team from the generous $100 contribution from BJC BH Leadership. We received three other $100 donations and a $20 donation from various individuals in addition to the money from the participants.

The Project Clubhouse Committee is the fundraising committee to raise funds to relocate the clubhouse to a larger facility so we can serve more BJC BH clients. The committee received a lot of feedback from Saturday’s participants so we are already making plans for our 6th Annual Trivia Night.

Come and get it

Join us for the Friends in Action ALL YOU CAN EAT Pancake and Sausage Fundraiser Breakfast on October 12th from 700-1030. Adults are $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Kids (age 4-13) are $4 and kids under three are free. Any questions or to purchase advance tickets call Michael Hunt 431-9620. Friends in Action clubhouse is a membership program for individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness and/or severe emotional disturbance. The Clubhouse is designed to help members become more productive citizens within the communities they live through communication, social, spiritual, intellectual, mental and physical skills. The proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for the members to attend conferences that will enhance their knowledge of mental illness and treatment.