When a person is diagnosed with mental illness they often lose important parts of their life. They frequently lose their jobs, relationships with people close to them often disintegrate, and they may seem to lose their role in society. They, in a sense, sometimes become nothing more than their mental illness. In St. Joseph County, Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services attempts to serve individuals with mental illness through the Circle of Friends Clubhouse. The Clubhouse is operated out of a Sturgis location but it serves CMH clients from all over the county.
The programs offered at Circle of Friends Clubhouse mirror those at hundreds of other Clubhouses in the United States and in other countries. The objective is to provide the clients or members, as they are called at Clubhouse, with opportunities to improve their social skills, receive transitional vocational training and, most of all, be empowered to be a full partner in their treatment. At Clubhouse, staff and members work side-by-side as colleagues to manage all aspects of the program. This provides the members an opportunity to contribute in significant and meaningful ways. Each member receives the message that they are wanted, needed, and that they will be held to certain expectations.
The Circle of Friends Clubhouse is currently looking for volunteers to serve on their Advisory Committee. Committee members are expected to be ambassadors for the Clubhouse program, sharing the vision and helping to connect the program with community partners that can enhance the services currently offered. Committee members will also be asked to help with future fundraisers. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month, in Sturgis, from 11:45 am to 1 pm. Lunch, which is prepared by the members, is provided. An orientation is scheduled for new Advisory Committee members prior to their first meeting. For more information about being on the Clubhouse Advisory Committee, contact Stacy Lindihan at 269-467-1000 ext. 348.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store is planning a spring spruce-up and they are looking for volunteers to help with some interior painting. They would prefer to have volunteers who have some painting experience because of the height of the walls and having to work around the existing fixtures. Because the store is open during business hours, the painting needs to be done after 6 pm during the week or after 3 pm on Saturdays. Interested volunteers should contact Pam Duskin, store manager, at 269-651-3805.
Now that spring has finally arrived and we’ve hopefully seen the last of snow and ice for a while, there are a number of dogs at the Animal Control Shelter who would very much appreciate having volunteers to take them for walks. Loralee Knepper is a volunteer who manages this project. She is looking for individuals who have some experience with dogs and who have the ability to maintain control over the more headstrong dogs. Ideally, the volunteer would commit to one four-hour time period per week during which they will walk several dogs for up to 15 minutes at a time. Background checks will be done on all prospective volunteers and an orientation will be provided prior to starting the assignment. You may contact Loralee at 269-496-7249.
Other programs in St. Joseph County that are looking for volunteers and would like to be included in this weekly column are encouraged to register with United Way. Contact Margaret Shultz, Volunteer Services Specialist, at 269-467-9099 or at volunteer.sjcuw@gmail.com.