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

2015 has been an exciting year at Friends in Action Clubhouse.

According to Clubhouse International Standards, our clubhouse should be open five days a week, including holidays. This is our first year of being open for the holiday’s and the response has been wonderful. We had so much fun planning and cooking for them. Party hats and all the decorations made the clubhouse look really festive for 30 members on New Year’s Day. 40 people came to enjoy a pot luck lunch on Memorial Day. You would not believe all the food we had. How can you resist BBQ brats and hot dogs on the July 4with 34 of your clubhouse family? This year was our second year for hosting Thanksgiving Dinner and again we had 23 members at the dinner. Christmas dinner was the best; we had ham, Kelly’s Homemade stuffing, and everything else that we could think of. That day 24 members arrived to join in on the fun.

Happy New Year's
From Friends in Action Clubhouse

Our Monday Evening December 7th

WOW! St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from Farmington came to the clubhouse and put on a concert with their hand bells. “Oh My God!!!” they were great. I mean the sound’s they made were just phenomenal. One of our staff members, Cindy plays in the hand bell choir. Everyone all really enjoyed the evening. After the concert everyone stuck around so that we could have some punch and goodies. So, why not come and enjoy some of our day and night activities. Our next event is December 21. We will be having a band from Southeast Mental Center. It’s going to be a blast.

Kenny O

Evening, Weekend and Holidays (EWH)

Evening, weekend and holidays is a time that we all look forward to. It's special time where you will hear: "At the Clubhouse" This statement means: That we are the "happening now crowd". We are "encouraged to join" in the EWH. It's where we come together to watch a movie, football game, or do whatever we enjoy. December 3rd we watched a Christmas movie called "Polar Express" and had some great food. Mike Hunt made some awesome chili and everyone else brought something. We had a great time eating supper and watching a movie. You can not ask for a better place. Like the saying goes "there is no place like home" and to me Friends in Action is home. It's better then Disney World.
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.

Busy day

The "Out Reach" team was busy today. One of our members is in the hospital so they stopped in to say "Hi". Then they dropped in on a couple of other members to check and see what they were up to.
While the "Out Reach" team was busy, a couple of the members headed out to buy some flowers for the flower shop. It looks like "Florals by Friends" is going to be busy!

 

Tonight is game night. There is a lot of cheering going on. Know one seems to care who is winning or losing.  Friends just relaxing and enjoying some social time. 

 

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.

7th Art Exhibit is now in the books

The Friends in Action 7th Art Exhibit is now on the books. It was a fun night filled with food, wine, and art. It was a time for meeting old friends and meeting new friends. The doors opened at 4pm with a crowd ready to check out the art.
We had a steady stream of art aficionados through the night. Most had trouble trying to decide which piece(s) they wanted. At 6pm our live auction started. Forty pieces of art were auctioned off. At times we had exciting bidding wars going on. By the end of the auction, we had raised close to $2,500.
During the evening, appetizers and wine were served. By the end of the evening, the exhibit had brought in almost $2,000. Another $360 was donated from the wine, rent-a-paddle, and raffle. We had over 300 pieces of artwork at the exhibit this year, over 1/3 sold that night.
We wish to thank all the artists that donated artwork. Your work is beautiful and very much appreciated. Without the support of our community, we could not have had an Art Exhibit of this quality.

This week at "Friends in Action"

With the weather outside so frightful, we managed to still be delightful with a week full of activities. Everyone is enjoying the new “work order day”. Attendance was low this week because of the extreme cold but we have a great group that pitched in and helped out.

Monday we did the shopping for both the kitchen and our “Snack Shack”. I know this does not sound like a lot of work but when you are checking supplies that you have on hand to see what you need and then try to buy just the right amount for 30 people, five days a week, shopping really does require many people to make the task light.

Wednesday we started late so that we could go and see the “Christmas in Lights”. From what I hear everyone seemed to enjoy it. Another thing we did Wednesday was so start working on the grocery shopping list for next week.

Thursday we held our weekly “House Meeting.” This is the time when staff and members come together to discuss action items, concerns or celebrations for the week. Listed below are some of the things we discussed:

Celebrations:
• (Gerry) 2 weeks without drugs
• (Curtis) 19th year anniversary for alcohol and drug free
• (Lisa) finally got to get out of the house
• (Larry) daughter will turn 6 on 12-13
• (Daniel) Dad visited and brought him a microwave.

New Business:
• No cans in mini-van: Recycling cans use ADA if possible
• Phones on silent during meeting times: House and cell phones
• Powell Hall Symphony (Cindy). Consensus is we will attend in March. Tickets are $1.00. Parking is $10.00. Symphony is 1 to 1 1/2 hour. Dress is nice clothes. Cindy will order tickets (12).
• Pay for Christmas luncheon from Snack Shack funds? (Donna) Consensus was to pay for luncheon out of snack shack account. Everyone to bring a $1.00 to help with tip.
• DMH Director’s Showcase (Donna) Need to make 12 packets for showcase-Dan.
• Anna’s office schedule on her door (Donna) Advise everyone that her schedule is on her door.

Friday the weather has again turned frightful but we were still delightful. Mike held the “Wellness Group” and Cindy made the shopping list and went shopping for groceries for next week.

Keeping staff informed about Friends in Action new clubhouse model

On, November 26, 2013 Anna Portell and I attended the all staff meeting for BJC-BH Southeast site. Our purpose was to inform all staff members about the new clubhouse model that Friends in Action Clubhouse is moving towards. We talked about why the changes are happening and what some of the changes are. One of the changes we talked about was when a caseworker would come and visit a member at clubhouse, the member would be taken away from what they are doing. For instances if they are in the middle of helping make lunch the member would need to stop and ask someone else to finish the task.With our new Independent model we are there to help with all chores during a work order day. So caseworkers have been asked to visit members outside of clubhouse hours.
Article written by Sam

Friends in Action Clubhouse moving toward the “true” Clubhouse Model

Staff members, Anna Portell and Donna Gilliam, along with clubhouse member, Samantha completed a 3-week training at the Independence Center (IC) which is the first step toward accreditation through Clubhouse International. Friends in Action Clubhouse (FIA) was one of three clubhouses participating in the training. Karen Miller, Associate Director, joined us the third week of training, along with Directors and Board Members associated with Magnolia Clubhouse of Cleveland, Ohio and Crossroads Clubhouse in Tulsa, Oklahoma.


Samantha described her experience as, “we spent three weeks learning about the ‘ins and outs’ of what we need to be an accredited clubhouse and we learned how we can get help from other clubhouses.” Attending this training has been a five year goal for the SE site and we are so appreciative that the cost was approved in the 2013 budget!

The three week training consisted of engaging in the work ordered day at Independence Center, many hours of reading material related to the 36 Clubhouse Standards and discussion groups on that material, as well as tours of the IC housing and employment opportunities.

The International Standards for Clubhouse Programs define the Clubhouse Model of rehabilitation. The Standards serve as a “bill of rights” for members and a code of ethics for staff, board and administrators. The Standards insist that a Clubhouse is a place that offers respect and opportunity to its members.

FIA had been operating as the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program of BJC Behavioral Health, SE site using a “mixed bag” model. That is, half of the day was the work ordered day then the other half was structured groups/activities. According to Clubhouse Standards, the structured groups do not belong in the clubhouse setting (due to the clinical aspect) and the social/leisure activities should occur after the work ordered day-- evenings, weekends, and holidays.

As FIA moves closer to accreditation, eight action plans are in full force. The full work ordered day with members and staff building relationships as they run the clubhouse together is occurring, while the Evening/Weekend/Holiday (EWH) Program will begin on Thanksgiving Day as members and staff will celebrate together with a meal. Other action plans include developing an outreach program, changing the staff-member relationship from hierarchal to collegial, defining the space within the clubhouse to allow both members and staff to access all areas, developing a Transitional Employment Program (TEP), adding an education element, and developing the FIA Advisory Board.

Recently FIA members and staff spent the day at Harmony House, the clubhouse in Washington, MO affiliated with Crider Health Center. We participated in three of their meetings, enjoyed lunch with members and staff from their clubhouse and engaged in a ‘question-answer’ session. As part of the action plans, in addition to visiting the three Missouri accredited clubhouses, FIA members and staff have begun reading articles from the IC training and meeting for philosophical discussions to help everyone understand fully what is needed (and why it is needed) to change so the clubhouse is fulfilling the intent of all 36 standards. Members and staff from Independence Center will be guiding Friends in Action through the philosophical discussions and are available for assistance with all eight action plans.

FIA

Friends In Action Clubhouse is a member operated organization to aid in the growth and stabilization of those with chronic mental illness. It's a place you can come to and feel free to be yourself. Many of us hide our illness due to the negative stigma society has placed on us. At FIA we no longer have to hide. There are a variety of diagnosis and a variety of symptoms within the clubhouse; however we all have one thing in common, we have mental illness.
FIA is cared for and operated by the members their selves. We have work crews, mentors for each work crew and each member takes on some type of responsibility to keep it functioning. From cooking to taking out the trash, each job is equally important. It gives us a sense of pride and satisfaction of knowing we are still individuals and we can grow.
FIA has outside the clubhouse functions to decrease the negativity towards us. We want the world to know we are the same as any one else. We currently have a catering crew known as Cooking with Friends that caters to small events within our community. We cook anything from a hot pasta dish to a cold chicken salad sandwich. All the food is prepared by members of the clubhouse supervised by staff. We also have a floral dept. known as 'Florals by Friends" We make artificial arrangements ranging from a simple corsage to a large arrangement in a vase, All orders are custom made to customer specifications and are created yet again by the members. All funds raised go towards the purchase of a new facility because we're currently outgrowing our present one.
Friends In Action clubhouse is to many their "safe haven " We laugh together and cry together. We hold each other up. We are like a family, loving, kind and considerate of others emotions and feelings. We know how to make a frown turn upside down. We truly are the best thing that can occur for people with mental illness.