November through January 2014 VIEWPOINT Viewpoint Newsteam The Viewpoint newsteam is comprised of participants from the SMI program and staff from the Recovery Center. Group members participate in photography, poetry writing, interviews and writing articles for the Viewpoint Mountain Health and Welllness company online newsletter. The group has gone on outings to Goldfield Ghost Town, Mountain Health & Wellness facility in Oracle and Canyon Lake to take photos and write articles for this edition of the newsletter. The poetry group does writing exercises and submit their finished work to the newsletter. THe newsteam is learning writing skills, visual and design skills, communication skills and socialzation skills. Painted Red Rose of the Heart A poem by Kevin Hynes Family and friends make the heart grow like a painted red rose with hope and help you follow your dreams and pave the way for recovery Peer Success Stories Rochelle McGowan is a peer support specialist with Mountain Health & Wellness. She’s been with the company for one and a half years. Peer support staff make a direct connection between participants and their recovery team by sharing their own personal experience in recovery from substance abuse or mental illness. Rochelle celebrated 6 years of sobriety in November of 2014. Viewpoint staff asked Rochelle about her experiences before and after getting sober. Rochelle said that while drinking and using drugs her family members stopped talking to her and she was close to losing her children. She lost her home and the people she associated with weren’t her real friends. They were stealing from her and taking advantage of her. She felt like she was going to die. She decided to get sober. She developed a support system of 12-step group, therapist and IOP at Mountain Health & Wellness. She developed coping skills and had the support of her friends, support groups, social media, her daughters and her dogs. She began living with her daughters again. Today Rochelle has a car, a nice home and a job. She says that her biggest achievements are getting and staying clean and sober and that her daughters are both getting an education after high school. “I’m grateful that I’m not where I was. I’m grateful to be alive.” This year Kendra Teigen, peer support specialist for Mountain Health & Wellness, won Cenpatico’s 2014 GSA2 Peer Support Star of the Year award. Kendra has worked at our Yuma outpatient office since June 17, 2014 and has been a peer support specialist for 2 years. Kendra said that her favorite part of the job is “Helping and meeting new people.” Her duties as a peer ambassador and application counselor for HealthE Arizona include phone calls, home visits and facilitating groups. This writer asked Kendra how her personal experience helps her in her job. Kendra answered “Having family members who have struggled with substance abuse and mental illness have given me experience to help guide me.” Kendra said that she is thankful to work for Mountain Health & Wellness and that everyone has been very helpful in answering questions and giving guidance. Oracle Greenhouse By John Trail & Ralph Cunningham On Friday 11/14/2014 the newsletter group, comprised of staff and participants traveled from Apache Junction to the town of Oracle to take photos and to interview Rick Smith (BHT) from the Oracle Mountain Health & Wellness office on their newly completed greenhouse. Rick was instrumental in the construction of the greenhouse and in developing their community garden program. Construction began on the greenhouse on Sept 20, 2014 and was completed November 1, 2014. The Greenhouse was funded by a grant from Cenpatico for $15,000. It was allotted for the greenhouse and a play area in Oracle and also an upcoming greenhouse in Kearney. Participants and staff had weekend Bar-B-Q’s while working to construct the greenhouse. There was a kid’s team and an adult’s team that took turns working on the greenhouse. Harvested produce will go to participants and people that the participants feel are in need in the community. This gives participants a chance to give back to the community. Participants with experience with planting and caring for the community garden will be encouraged to give presentations to others who are interested in learning about horticulture. This will build the gardener’s selfesteem and confidence. Plans for next year include pumpkins and a harvest festival. Recovery Center Garden Participants living in the Mountain Health & Wellness supported living apartments adjacent to the Recovery Center are working on maintaining a small community garden. The garden grows tomatoes, peppers, sage, basil, sweet mint and rosemary. Participants are able to harvest their produce and herbs to sell at the Farmer’s Market. Exercise Program Recently Mountain Health & Wellness has re-introduced its exercise program at the gym room at the Recovery Center for participants who are Title 19 and Cenpatico clients. Currently facilitating the program is peer support staff Marnie Ritch and Ken Sweeney. Writer interviewed staff, who had the following to say about the benefits of nutrition and exercise as a healthy lifestyle; “You have to eat right and you have to exercise to create a healthy body and a healthy mind, fostering good mental health.” Writer asked what the staff’s motivation is for facilitating this program. Their response was “I love to help people in their recovery so they can live a more fulfilling life. I’ve had personal trainers and taken Yoga in my past so I want to pass my knowledge on to others.” (Marnie and Ken will receive training from a member of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation.) The gym offers weight training, yoga and nutritional education and is open 1-3 pm Mon-Fri. Participants need a note from their doctor clearing them to exercise. Brisa by Kristal Cardenas All together the leaves Branch out the Cold morning air, the morning Dew, like Brisa watches over Eagerly combing up For the winter ice. The Gust of Heaven leaves behind an Imaginary line. The line separates the Just from the living Knitting up and weaving Leaving past time Memories, a Never ending Optimist… Palms Quiver Rights Stretch To Un leaven bodies VIbrance Wonders Xilerating Your soul leaving only Zealous to figure the right way Photograph by John Trail Sun Songs by John Frazier The palo verde Sings in the desolate wind A verse of sun songs Photograph by John Trail Photograph by John Trail
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