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OPERATION REINDEER 2008!

You can be Santa Claus’ helper for our 34th Annual Friendship Center Holiday Party by making a contribution to Operation Reindeer. Your donation helps pay for over 300 gifts, a traditional holiday meal with all the trimmings, table decorations, music and dancing to DJ extraordinaire John Harris. The party is open to any adult in our community who lives with mental illness. For many this party is the only holiday celebration they will have.

• A $25 donation will provide 5 holiday lunches.
• A $50 donation will provide 13 holiday gifts.

Donations can be sent to:
MHA Operation Reindeer,
2686 Spring Street,
Redwood City, CA 94063.

This year the party will be held on:
Friday, December 12,
11 am - 1:30 pm.

The Board, staff, volunteers and clients of MHA thank you for your support and we wish you the best for the 2008 Holiday Season.

Grant from the Bernard A. Newcomb Foundation for LEP

MHA was privileged to receive a grant from the Bernard A. Newcomb Foundation in 2007 for the Lifestyle Enrichment Program (LEP). The purpose of the program was to help mental health clients foster the formation of relationships, develop a sense of purpose and create a life well-lived. For the 18 month duration of the grant, MHA staff worked with our clients to best use the funds to reach these goals. There are far too many great things MHA was able to accomplish with this grant and too many clients benefitted to mention them all here. Here are a few highlights:

• 16 clients obtained gym memberships from local health clubs. Many of our clients use exercise as a means to relieve stress and depressive symptoms and others enjoyed the socialization opportunities a membership to a gym presents.
• Camp Jones Gulch was the destination for two camping trips. Clients and staff were able to interact in ways beyond the typical working relationship as well as enjoy the outdoors, engage in many activities including, canoeing, archery, nature hikes and a climbing tower, and get away from many of the stresses and difficulties of life.
• With the help of the MHA Occupational Therapist and OT graduate students, some clients participated in a Photo Voice project. Clients were given digital cameras and the opportunity to use photography as an outlet for expressing themselves. Those in the project met regularly and formed relationships they might otherwise not have made some of the results of this project are on display at Belmont Apartments.
• Some clients were able to benefit from classes with an Art Therapist who uses water colors and beginning art techniques to not only allow clients to express themselves artistically, but as a therapeutic tool.
• MHA has held Picnics in the Park during the warmer months, allowing clients to come out to one of the beautiful parks in the community, have a meal, socialize with others, and play volleyball, Frisbee or just enjoy the fresh air.
• MHA obtained movie tickets, café cards, and different public transportation passes for use throughout the year to get more isolated clients out in the community and give opportunities for an increase in socialization and enjoyment.
• Throughout the year, MHA clients and staff members took trips to the circus, Great America Amusement Park, The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, San Francisco Giants games, museums, the rodeo, various plays and musical performances, and organized different outings to bowling alleys and billiards halls.

We would like to give great thanks to the Bernard A. Newcomb Foundation for the generous grant which went a long way in improving the lives of our clients. We would also like to recognize and thank the staff, board members and volunteers who participated in LEP activities this year.

28TH ANNUAL CSL KITCHEN TOUR
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008!

The 28th Annual Community Service League Kitchen Tour, held on Friday, May 16, 2008, featured five beautiful homes in Hillsborough and San Mateo Park. Since 1976, CSL has raised more than $1 million dollars for the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County and YFES Suicide Prevention and Crisis Center. The staff at MHA would like to express our ongoing gratitude to CSL for all the work they do to support our organization!

CSL partners with local businesses and individuals to raise funds for these organizations. The Kitchen Tour attracts approximately 700 people each year. It is a one-day self-guided tour of kitchens, gardens and other living areas in five distinctive homes. All of the kitchens have been newly remodeled and feature both historic and contemporary designs. For information on future events with CSL, please call 650-483-6485 or visit them on the web. If you were unable to attend, but still want to help out MHA click here.

REBUILDING TOGETHER PENINSULA & TYCO ELECTRONICS RENOVATE VILLA TERRACE

On National Rebuilding Day, Saturday, April 26, Rebuilding Together Peninsula and volunteers from Tyco Electronics provided extensive renovations and upgrades to MHA's Villa Terrace Permanent Housing site in San Mateo. Rebuilding Together Peninsula (RTP) is a nonprofit organization that builds volunteer partnerships to rehabilitate homes and community facilities for low-income homeowners and neighbors - seniors, disabled, or families - so they can live independently in warmth and safety. For this project, Tyco Electronics led a team of volunteers in beautifying the backyard, replacing linoleum, painting the common areas, and doing other much-needed work on this almost 100 year-old house which is home to five residents. We are delighted to have been selected to receive this work. RTP and Tyco Electronics were extremely generous and did even more than we anticipated would be possible! To see photos of how great the building and yard now look see our photo gallery.

More volunteers are always welcome. If you would like to help out, please contact Bonnie Glass at (650) 368-3345 ext. 137 or by email at BonnieG@mhasmc.org.

Visit their website: RebuildingTogetherPeninsula.org

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
NATIONAL REBUILDING DAY
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
VILLA TERRACE
CONTACT BONNIE GLASS
(650) 368-3345 EXT. 137
BONNIEG@MHASMC.ORG

Helen Stewart Receives the 2007 People Who Care Award for Volunteers!

Helen Stewart, a volunteer for the Mental Health Association's Friendship Centers for more than 30 years, received the Volunteer Award at the 2007 People Who Care Awards Dinner on Friday, October 5, 2007. The People Who Care Awards, given by The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the Commission on Disabilities, recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating outstanding initiative and dedication to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities in San Mateo County.

Helen Stewart is a devoted volunteer, preparing morning snacks and hot lunches, playing games, and talking with Friendship Center members weekly. Helen shares her love of games with Friendship Center members and staff by bringing in new games and teaching people to play them. Helen has never missed a field trip and is always the first to arrive and last to leave at all Friendship Center parties and picnics.

Helen's hard work, warm smile, sense of humor, compassion and dedication make her an ideal recipient of this award. Helen was nominated for this honor by a number of individuals who attend the Friendship Center, which makes the award even more significant.

Lifestyle Enrichment Program: Clients Go Camping!

To view more photos of this event Click Here.

Thanks to a grant from the Bernard A. Newcomb Foundation, on September 21-23 four MHA staff members and 12 clients went camping at YMCA's Camp Jones Gulch in La Honda. The group enjoyed the Santa Cruz Mountains, archery, a climbing wall, canoeing, hiking, ping pong, and stories around a campfire that filled the weekend with fun and laughter. Carlyle from Redwood City said, "I got to meet new people. They were friendly, fun, and supportive." Ours was a diverse group with different levels of physical ability, but everyone was able to participate at their own level and at their own pace. "I never expected to have that much fun. I enjoyed every second I was there!" said Carmen from Belmont Apartments.

Staff members gathered up folks from all over the MHA community-Belmont, San Mateo, and Redwood City-and headed up the mountain, stopping at Alice's Restaurant in Woodside for a last dinner in civilization. The winding road took the group up to their cabins in Ohlone Village where they spent their first night.

After a good night's rest and a hearty breakfast, the group headed to the archery range for a quick tutelage on safety and some serious target practice. The activity hit its target even if a few arrows went astray.

From there they tackled the climbing wall. Jack from Belmont, Carlyle from Redwood City and MHA's case manager Deanna were able to make it all the way to the top and ring the victory bell while they were cheered on from the ground.

Next was a hike guided by the camp host who pointed out local flora and fauna, told the history of the camp and its former Native American inhabitants, and led them through a beautiful Redwood forest into an amazing Buckeye grove.

A group of brave souls hiked to the canoeing pond later in the afternoon for the final rigorous activity of the weekend. While several people looked on, Ligaya from Redwood City, and Raquel and Debé from Belmont joined Deanna, Shane, and Tina in canoes. Everyone stayed afloat, avoided the dangerous salamanders and water turtles, and had a great time doing it.

The day ended with a campfire, camping stories and games, and the campfire tradition of making s'mores in all their gooey goodness. The only bad part was that the trip had to end on Sunday. But everyone enjoyed themselves, got recharged, made new friends, and many did things they had never done before. "Let's do it again soon," said Debé. "The counselors were great; they really let their hair down."

Thank you Bernard A. Newcomb Foundation!!

MHA Client Receives Recognition

On October 9, 2007, Alycia Williams was one of the first two recipients of the HOPE Leadership Awards during the HOPE (House Our People Effectively) Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza in Foster City.

Duane Bay, Director of the Department of Housing for the County of San Mateo, presented Alycia with her award, recognizing her heroic efforts to overcome many hardships in her life and noting that her efforts were an inspiration to others.

Alycia struggled with chronic, major depression as well as post traumatic stress for much of her life. Before beginning her program of recovery, Alycia was homeless and in and out of shelters. In 2006 she moved into the Mental Health Association Spring Street Shelter and began receiving services from the Association staff who helped her transition into independent living in one of the agency's own buildings through a Shelter Plus Care voucher from the Housing Authority.

Alycia is currently attending City College of San Francisco and has a goal of being certified by the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators program to work with women. She plans to continue school and to pursue a degree in psychology.

Recently Alycia started working for the Way-Pass program through City College, supporting women coming out of the Criminal Justice system by connecting them with resources. Alycia is working on giving back what she feels was so freely given to her. In 2007, Alycia marked one full year clean and sober. Although Alycia feels she is still at the beginning of her journey to give back, it is clear that she has a very bright future.

Supporter Profile: Teresa Walker

It was thirty years ago this June that one of my sons had his first psychiatric break, right after he had graduated from high school. That event changed my life and that of our family. For a few years we didn't think he or our family would survive this catastrophe. He was in and out of every psychiatric ward in the County, like a revolving door. Then our medical insurance dropped him from coverage because "they didn't cover psychiatric illnesses." After that we went to the County Mental Health Department. But that wasn't much better. Every program MH ran had rules and regulations that the patient had to follow. If they broke the rules (because they were too mentally ill) they were out. So Steve was kicked out of every program he went into. Besides, he didn't want to have any part of the County Mental Health System.

I had to quit my job to become a full time advocate and case manager for my son. I tried to learn everything I could about psychiatric illnesses and their treatment. Most of what I learned didn't make much sense. I found and joined the San Mateo NAMI (then known as Parents of Adult Schizophrenics or PAS). At the PAS meetings, I would hear very disheartening and appalling stories from parents whose family member had not received the treatment they needed. One day, I noticed in the local paper a list of jobs that the Volunteer Bureau had for people who wanted to volunteer to help out in the community. One of the listing was for volunteers for the Mental Health Association's Friendship Centers. I went to the Volunteer Bureau office to be interviewed by a young man on their staff. After reviewing my resume, he said something to the effect that he didn't think I would want to work with "those people". It would be too depressing. He offered to set me up in a teen social program. I told him no, that I wanted to volunteer with MHA (I didn't tell him that my son was one of "those people").

After that I had an appointment with the Director of the Friendship Center. Her name was Melissa Platte. She was a young woman who had just graduated from college with a master's degree. She told me that MHA had started the daily Friendship Centers, meeting in local churches, because many of their clients lived in board and care homes. They were expected to leave the homes in the morning and not return until late afternoon. They had no place to go. They were very ill and the medicine they took had bad side effects. For the first time I met someone who showed compassion and understanding of people with mental illness. Even better, when I started working at the Friendship Center in Belmont, I met more people who treated the members with respect and "friendship". Ever since then I have been a fan and supporter of the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County.

Evelyn Stanton and Melissa, over the years, have always been supporters and providers for the most seriously mentally ill people in the community. Over all, I believe that services for people with serious mental illnesses are much better now than they were when my son first became ill. And the MHA has been in the forefront of providing them. They started the Spring Street Shelter and numerous living facilities because they saw a need. Most importantly, they listen to the clients and their families and learn from them. They have truly been friends of people with serious mental illness.