Given your immense success as a finalist in the Designing for Better Health competition, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johson Foundation, it is a pleasure to see that you have entered the "Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing" competition as well!
Because each competition completes a separate evalulation process for the entries, and because we try not to give unfair advantage to entrants from past competitions, the Judges for the Rethinking Mental Health competition are only reviewing your entry form for this competition. Therefore, it would be great if you could please fill out the Impact, Sustainability, and Story sections of the entry form so that you can be seen and valued for all your amazing work!
The judges look forward to reading your entry when it is complete. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you for your attention to our draft summary. Our complete proposal will demonstrate how we intend to transfer this "best practice" to other clubhouses and recovery support groups. I have been meeting with decision-makers and staff of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in CT and MA. For example, this Wed (9/23) the Creative Strokes Network is doing a presentation for the NAMI MASS staff. Working collaboratively, we will develop a plan to engage participants/alumni of NAMI Connections recovery support programs in several cities and states to transform their lives with ongoing mutual support systems that begin at home. Be assured we have every intention of getting a winning proposal in to the judges on time! We believe that "Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing" calls for the Creative Strokes Network of peers in recovery/survivors to show others how they work their miracles from the inside-out!
You have identified and addressed an aspect of living with a psychiatric diagnosis that most people never even see. Your program addresses mulitple needs in one relatively simple activity.
Thank you for observing how our Room Makeover Awards innovatively address multiple needs in one relatively simple activity. It has been hard to capsulize in writing how well Creative Strokes leverages a few cans of paint and the energy of peers in a friend's home. Color can help give people a fresh new outlook; since they not only appreciate the change, but know they helped create it. It develops so much self-esteem and teamwork, improved quality of life, strengthened social networks and social skills. Room makeover awards teach basic skills and the value of community service. As seen in another entry, such community service can even contribute to earning counseling (see Volunteers in Psychotherapy). In addition to improving often run-down housing, it provides peers with volunteer on-the-job-training (VOJT) that can go on a resume. Ideally, I believe peers may eventually provide services to homeowners/organizations who can afford to pay (e.g., on a sliding scale) so they can give even more low income friends and neighbors who are homebound or coping with disabilities their very own "Room Makeover Awards."
A very good idea that I have seen develop over a few years. The concept addresses a way to help mental illness and while not a solution in itself, it has demonstrably worked on a small scale.
What is intriguing about the Creative Strokes Network is its scalability. By developing a set of best practices and working concepts, it can transfer this knowledge to anyone anywhere in the country and indeed the world.
I believe that more concretely adding HEAT to the Creative Strokes Network will make the idea even more saleable. Think about it: While enabling participants to help thier outlook on life through the room makeovers, the project, with HEAT, will help participants reduce heating and other bills and help them on the road to mental and financial independence.
I agree that the idea is scalable and will be even more saleable when we help folks conserve energy and winterize their homes. As you know, Christopher, we started creating neighborhood and community-based HEATs in Philly, helping seniors, the homebound and disabled winterize their homes, via the United Way and groups from the Community Advisory Council we formed with Philadelphia Gas Works. What a savings for the low income. Of course making homes energy-efficient will be a worthy community service as we create partnership with those who are willing to donate the supplies. We do plan to offer this kind of additional service over time but want to maintain and be known for our primary focus.
I think that this a wonderful and inspirational project. A new living enviornment lifts the spirit and when the people are actively engaged in creating their own environment--that is a bonus. I have seen the photos you have shared of people coming together to help each other with the process. There is such joy ans sense of accomplishment on their faces. I hope that this project can be shared with mental health communities across the countrfy. There is great need for it.
I agree with you wholeheartedly about how much the photos convey. I think that is why I believe so strongly in getting professional film-makers to capture how transformational the experience is for those who get control of their environment. I have seen some very sad mental health reality tv that has me burning out with dismay watching it. I want to feel uplifted by seeing people in recovery who are building networks of support among themselves and engendering greater respect with their larger community. So often we are just documenting a person in crisis with caregivers at their wits end. How about showing people in recovery happy to help their peers who are looking for and finding hope with THEM. Make it easier to believe in recovery when you see it is something you and buddies can do. I'd love to see a series on TV that captivates the minds and hearts of caregivers and children and community service workers everywhere to offer Room Makeover Awards to those with mental health and other disabilities in their own neighborhoods. Creative Strokes... using the minds and hearts and will of America for its highest good. (shall I sing now?) LOL Lois
We celebrate your continued successes with your Creative Strokes Network program and being recognized in the Top Ten programs that are making a difference in peoples' lives. I can see in the photos that the celebrations that you plan after each event bring a new sense of well being and meaning to the participants. They rightfully are proud of their own renewed spaces and also in being a partner in helping someone else with their project. Your new focus of sharing this participatory process with other groups is right on target. Shared successes breed more successes. A number of years ago, our family worked with village development programs in India and Indonesia. After one village's well had been dug or their preschool was up and running, the village leaders were sent to neighboring villages to help begin similar programs. Thank you for your vision and care that have made this all possible. Best wishes in this new phase. Lynda and John
Your experience in India and Indonesia is inspiring for promoting the transfer of successful efforts. I respect your active involvement in the Institute of Cultural Affairs, with more than 40 years of experience promoting long-term sustainable social change. I believe teaching others its Technology of Participation (ToP) processes will help other Creative Strokes peers and sponsors work together effectively. Thank you for your vote of confidence that we are on the right track.
In the same way that the Broken Window theory (Kelling and Wilson) has an impact on stabilizing neighborhoods, Creative Strokes is provides individual stability and builds hope for the community.
Creative Strokes is the right program at the right time. With the economy so fragile and govenment budgets so tight, we need programs that are cost-effective to implement, contribute to peoples' self-sufficiency, and bring to urban and suburban environments the American ethos of people working together as a community in very practical ways (e.g. barn building) to help each other out.
The STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY proves most significant when getting through hard times. I have spoken to so many older Americans who talk about getting through the Depression with the love of family and neighbors who act like extended family. Ironically, a person whose family was wealthy before the crash described how terribly little helpfulness (strength of community) there was from prior friends who still hired "servants" to survive.
They say "The journey to Walk One Thousand Miles, starts by taking the first step". How true this is for us at the Creative Strokes Network, However, Think of it as the catalyst for change or the ripple in a pond from a pebble, unchecked the ripple will continue outward from the center. Then the second step(another pebble and another ripple).
What does this have to do with The Create Strokes Network? Our Home Energy Action Teams, with myself as acting HEAT Manager, began by painting one room and then another and another...,while Mentoring and Teaching other PEERs. This gave purpose and meaning to those who needed it most, our PEERS. By doing this with our peers we now felt like we have something to contribute to the community. Why not be that next pebble or encourage that first step?
Comentarios
Hi Lois,
Given your immense success as a finalist in the Designing for Better Health competition, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johson Foundation, it is a pleasure to see that you have entered the "Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing" competition as well!
Because each competition completes a separate evalulation process for the entries, and because we try not to give unfair advantage to entrants from past competitions, the Judges for the Rethinking Mental Health competition are only reviewing your entry form for this competition. Therefore, it would be great if you could please fill out the Impact, Sustainability, and Story sections of the entry form so that you can be seen and valued for all your amazing work!
The judges look forward to reading your entry when it is complete. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Amelia Forrest Kaye
Ashoka's Changemakers
Amelia,
Thank you for your attention to our draft summary. Our complete proposal will demonstrate how we intend to transfer this "best practice" to other clubhouses and recovery support groups. I have been meeting with decision-makers and staff of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in CT and MA. For example, this Wed (9/23) the Creative Strokes Network is doing a presentation for the NAMI MASS staff. Working collaboratively, we will develop a plan to engage participants/alumni of NAMI Connections recovery support programs in several cities and states to transform their lives with ongoing mutual support systems that begin at home. Be assured we have every intention of getting a winning proposal in to the judges on time! We believe that "Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing" calls for the Creative Strokes Network of peers in recovery/survivors to show others how they work their miracles from the inside-out!
All my best,
Lois Saboe, MSW
You have identified and addressed an aspect of living with a psychiatric diagnosis that most people never even see. Your program addresses mulitple needs in one relatively simple activity.
Congratulations!
Kate
Thank you for observing how our Room Makeover Awards innovatively address multiple needs in one relatively simple activity. It has been hard to capsulize in writing how well Creative Strokes leverages a few cans of paint and the energy of peers in a friend's home. Color can help give people a fresh new outlook; since they not only appreciate the change, but know they helped create it. It develops so much self-esteem and teamwork, improved quality of life, strengthened social networks and social skills. Room makeover awards teach basic skills and the value of community service. As seen in another entry, such community service can even contribute to earning counseling (see Volunteers in Psychotherapy). In addition to improving often run-down housing, it provides peers with volunteer on-the-job-training (VOJT) that can go on a resume. Ideally, I believe peers may eventually provide services to homeowners/organizations who can afford to pay (e.g., on a sliding scale) so they can give even more low income friends and neighbors who are homebound or coping with disabilities their very own "Room Makeover Awards."
A very good idea that I have seen develop over a few years. The concept addresses a way to help mental illness and while not a solution in itself, it has demonstrably worked on a small scale.
What is intriguing about the Creative Strokes Network is its scalability. By developing a set of best practices and working concepts, it can transfer this knowledge to anyone anywhere in the country and indeed the world.
I believe that more concretely adding HEAT to the Creative Strokes Network will make the idea even more saleable. Think about it: While enabling participants to help thier outlook on life through the room makeovers, the project, with HEAT, will help participants reduce heating and other bills and help them on the road to mental and financial independence.
Great work, Lois!
I agree that the idea is scalable and will be even more saleable when we help folks conserve energy and winterize their homes. As you know, Christopher, we started creating neighborhood and community-based HEATs in Philly, helping seniors, the homebound and disabled winterize their homes, via the United Way and groups from the Community Advisory Council we formed with Philadelphia Gas Works. What a savings for the low income. Of course making homes energy-efficient will be a worthy community service as we create partnership with those who are willing to donate the supplies. We do plan to offer this kind of additional service over time but want to maintain and be known for our primary focus.
Hi Lois,
I think that this a wonderful and inspirational project. A new living enviornment lifts the spirit and when the people are actively engaged in creating their own environment--that is a bonus. I have seen the photos you have shared of people coming together to help each other with the process. There is such joy ans sense of accomplishment on their faces. I hope that this project can be shared with mental health communities across the countrfy. There is great need for it.
Virginia Hirsch
I agree with you wholeheartedly about how much the photos convey. I think that is why I believe so strongly in getting professional film-makers to capture how transformational the experience is for those who get control of their environment. I have seen some very sad mental health reality tv that has me burning out with dismay watching it. I want to feel uplifted by seeing people in recovery who are building networks of support among themselves and engendering greater respect with their larger community. So often we are just documenting a person in crisis with caregivers at their wits end. How about showing people in recovery happy to help their peers who are looking for and finding hope with THEM. Make it easier to believe in recovery when you see it is something you and buddies can do. I'd love to see a series on TV that captivates the minds and hearts of caregivers and children and community service workers everywhere to offer Room Makeover Awards to those with mental health and other disabilities in their own neighborhoods. Creative Strokes... using the minds and hearts and will of America for its highest good. (shall I sing now?) LOL Lois
We celebrate your continued successes with your Creative Strokes Network program and being recognized in the Top Ten programs that are making a difference in peoples' lives. I can see in the photos that the celebrations that you plan after each event bring a new sense of well being and meaning to the participants. They rightfully are proud of their own renewed spaces and also in being a partner in helping someone else with their project. Your new focus of sharing this participatory process with other groups is right on target. Shared successes breed more successes. A number of years ago, our family worked with village development programs in India and Indonesia. After one village's well had been dug or their preschool was up and running, the village leaders were sent to neighboring villages to help begin similar programs. Thank you for your vision and care that have made this all possible. Best wishes in this new phase. Lynda and John
Your experience in India and Indonesia is inspiring for promoting the transfer of successful efforts. I respect your active involvement in the Institute of Cultural Affairs, with more than 40 years of experience promoting long-term sustainable social change. I believe teaching others its Technology of Participation (ToP) processes will help other Creative Strokes peers and sponsors work together effectively. Thank you for your vote of confidence that we are on the right track.
In the same way that the Broken Window theory (Kelling and Wilson) has an impact on stabilizing neighborhoods, Creative Strokes is provides individual stability and builds hope for the community.
Creative Strokes is the right program at the right time. With the economy so fragile and govenment budgets so tight, we need programs that are cost-effective to implement, contribute to peoples' self-sufficiency, and bring to urban and suburban environments the American ethos of people working together as a community in very practical ways (e.g. barn building) to help each other out.
The STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY proves most significant when getting through hard times. I have spoken to so many older Americans who talk about getting through the Depression with the love of family and neighbors who act like extended family. Ironically, a person whose family was wealthy before the crash described how terribly little helpfulness (strength of community) there was from prior friends who still hired "servants" to survive.
They say "The journey to Walk One Thousand Miles, starts by taking the first step". How true this is for us at the Creative Strokes Network, However, Think of it as the catalyst for change or the ripple in a pond from a pebble, unchecked the ripple will continue outward from the center. Then the second step(another pebble and another ripple).
What does this have to do with The Create Strokes Network? Our Home Energy Action Teams, with myself as acting HEAT Manager, began by painting one room and then another and another...,while Mentoring and Teaching other PEERs. This gave purpose and meaning to those who needed it most, our PEERS. By doing this with our peers we now felt like we have something to contribute to the community. Why not be that next pebble or encourage that first step?
Enviar un comentario nuevo