Discoveries 5k Together!

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Submitted by Susie Guerra
Administrator of Discoveries

The Discoveries team is involved in many community events throughout the year. A few ago, TLC of Downey, an agency that refers clients to us, was having their annual 5k walk/run, so I suggested we join in (thinking all the staff would laugh). To my surprise, the Discoveries team all signed up, made a banner, and designed a t-shirt! Staff even trained for it, so now we have staff jogging time frequently, and they want to do more 5k’s. One staff member registered for her first 1/2 marathon in October!

Discoveries Open House Success!

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By Susie Guerra, administrator at Discoveries

The Discoveries team brought  families together one night to meet each other and start making some connections and provide support. The team provided a yummy pizza and pasta dinner (and of course, dessert!) and showed the families an inspirational video of three Discoveries-CAPPS staff with lived experience.

This was a huge hit! The families appreciated the staff sharing their stories, and felt comfortable opening up about their own struggles and continuing journey.

We separated the parents after the video so they can continue to share and open up to each other and we had the clients paint or draw a picture of their journey. One client’s picture of mountains and a waterfall was so moving–she explained living with her mental illness is like when she hikes with her mom. She has to struggle up the hills, but once she gets there, it will be pretty.

We then brought everyone back together and gave a certificate to one of our clients that has perfect attendance for his weekly family therapy sessions. This client, ironically, was not going to attend the open house as he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be around others yet, however he showed up! When he received this certificate, his aunt and him were so excited because he had never received an award before.

Due to the feedback on our evaluations we are hoping to now start monthly support groups for our parents as well as our enrolled youth.

SOAR Spirit Week!

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Last month, we had another spirit week here at SOAR complete with a Telecare purple day to commemorate the 50th anniversary. Our spirit leaders, Bisa Peoples and Sheila McClay, also treated us each day with themed food! There is one thing we love to do up here in Sacramento and that is EAT! They kept us fueled up and ready to support our members in a upbeat and positive way. We always encourage our members to participate in the themes each day and this time we had a few join in on the fun. Every member of the SOAR team is a super hero every day but one day this week they dressed up to show their true colors. Thanks again to Sheila and Bisa for their culinary and planning support for yet another successful and fun spirit week!

Submitted by Kezzia Bullen, Clinical Director at SOAR

Residents Spruce Up the Suites with Thankfulness

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The ‘Suites’ put up a Thankful Tree during the month of November 2014. Residents were encouraged to reflect on what they are most thankful for and then to write their thoughts on leaves. Themes of love, family, and shelter were intertwined throughout the tree.

Cordilleras is very happy that the residents took time to decorate the tree with their “thankful” leaves! All of us at the Suites hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Clark County E&T: Thankful Tree

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Team Telecare at Clark County E&T took on the November activity of finding a way to express thankfulness.

Rehab Art Therapist, Tracy Battaglia-Martin, facilitated the assembly of a Thankful Tree for clients to recognize their individual unique strengths that were realized in recovery.

Clients participated by writing on fall-colored leaves with insights such as:

  • “I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be alive.”
  • “I’m thankful for my life and my health.”
  • “I’m thankful for everyone who has spent time with me at Telecare.”

A very artistic staff member drew the employee tree (pictured here, right) that was covered in leaves on which the staff shared their thankfulness. The tree was then displayed in the main lobby at Clark County E&T.The client tree (pictured above, left) represents the on-going commitment of Telecare to increase the chance that an individual will have a healthy future.

Staff were thankful for many things this year. For instance, their jobs, co-workers, families, pets, freedoms, and health!