Creative Strokes Room Makeover Awards
"Creative Strokes Room Makeover Awards" will expand the network of peers with mental health challenges who help each other transform their lives—beginning at home, by de-cluttering, cleaning and painting rooms. Support groups (e.g. minorities, veterans, et al) earning them will learn how to buddy up and refresh their homes.
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Lois
Last Name
Saboe
Website URL
Country
United States
Section 2: About Your Organization
Organization Name
Education & Community Resource Associates
Organization Website
Organization Phone
610-277-5647
Organization Address
2001 Coles Blvd. E. Norriton, PA 19401-1911
Organization Country
United States
Is your organization a
Not registered
Your idea
Name Your Project
Creative Strokes Room Makeover Awards
Country your work focuses on
United States
Describe Your Idea
"Creative Strokes Room Makeover Awards" will expand the network of peers with mental health challenges who help each other transform their lives—beginning at home, by de-cluttering, cleaning and painting rooms. Support groups (e.g. minorities, veterans, et al) earning them will learn how to buddy up and refresh their homes.
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
People with serious mental health challenges often move in and out of programs, feeling isolated, and unsuccessful at connecting socially. They need nudges to develop life skills to clean, de-clutter and maintain living spaces that evoke personal pride and self-worth.
When those with disabilities live independently, they are on their own to create a healthy “home.” Providers are well aware of the dismal living environments their clients on a fixed income feel resigned to accept. Staff who wish the home environment itself would facilitate healing, often go through denial or burn-out, seeing it as part of the problem.
The Creative Strokes Network is a choice alternative to such widespread resignation. In Bridgeport, CT, peer support specialists and others with mental health challenges use donated paint to help each other get a fresh start. They take pride in being role models for community service and home improvement. Their planning meeting theme was “unlocking the potential to create new lives together.”
Our members now plan to offer a “Creative Strokes Room Makeover Award” to other peer groups (e.g., recovery support groups, clubhouses, etc.) to promote the transfer of this model. Network members will help the winning team learn to paint a favorite meeting space during a “Community Room Makeover” and launch monthly HEATS (Home Energy Action Teams) to improve their homes, one room at a time. Videos, e-newsletters and celebrations will continue, within and across communities. Eventually, clubhouses may include such peer support and volunteer OJT as part of a work-ordered day.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Each small deposit of success is a driver to outcomes. Peer support specialists learn, change, and HOLD NEW HOPE for others; their peers notice and become SELF-MOTIVATED. Similarly, with each HEAT (See http://saboe.shutterfly.com/HEAT), peers learn to prep and PAINT a room, and COACH others. With the pride and gratification of helping others and oneself, SELF-ESTEEM increases. (See attached videos) For example, Katie, a mom who had been coping with homelessness for 20 years, schizophrenia, and now breast cancer, sensed that she was beginning to gain control of her life and home. Katie explained that the theme on our Creative Strokes T-shirts: “TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES…BEGINNING AT HOME” described exactly what she was experiencing. In fact, she said she felt GROUNDED and HOPEFUL ABOUT HER RECOVERY FOR THE FIRST TIME. After being our first HEAT in April 2008, her Personal Recovery Coach was LIVING EVIDENCE for Katie that it was possible to shape one’s quality of life. She had recovered from the trauma of years of homelessness and thought disorders herself. She understood how dingy boarding rooms the “color of cardboard” kept you stuck in a negative cycle of “homelessness.” SUCH ROLE MODELS and the DRAMATIC VISUAL IMPACT of a clean, de-cluttered room with fresh paint and favorite colors that you help create and celebrate with friends and family, provide TANGIBLE TURNING POINTS. Participants hear and answer their own WAKE UP CALLS.
Problem
The Creative Strokes Network focuses on the fact that many people struggling with mental health challenges may be transient, in and out of hospitals and residential care programs. Many are homeless or lived in shelters during critically difficult episodes. Those with a job may keep their mental health status "in the closet" for fear of losing it. Yet these individuals need a place to feel safe and peaceful. Low income housing often stays in disrepair with unresponsive landlords who are likely to live elsewhere. Mood/thought disorders, poor life/social skills, and other complications add to the challenge of creating and maintaining a healthy home environment. A true "home" is something that is longed for, with a numb or painful loneliness borne of isolation, rejection and sense of hopelessness. Yet, opportunities to really improve one’s situations seem impossible. They don’t meet with peers who are turning their lives around… “self-stigma busters.”
Actions
We help each person in recovery create a “sanctuary” in their home and mutual support network; building a healthy community from the inside-out. These individuals become role models to others who couldn’t even imagine their living space or quality of life feel more secure or improved. They reach out to their friends and acquaintances, identify needs, and invite participation. HEAT Leaders (residents) agree to be photographed to document progress and share their perspectives on video to update the website and e-newsletters. A few weeks after the room makeover, HEAT Leaders invite team members back to their home for a “thank you” gathering to celebrate progress. Members and partners participate regularly in picnics, Show & Tell outreach, and awards ceremonies. The HEAT Task Force meets monthly to plan next steps. We are also writing proposals and network-building to develop funding and sponsorship opportunities.
Results
Initial response to the opportunity to de-clutter, clean and “paint” a room was disbelief, and an intense need for SOMEONE TO "HOLD THE HOPE" for those unable to do so themselves. Those who could PROVED TO BE PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS in the mental health community. Network partners came together for the first time to address their shared concerns for the poor living conditions of program participants. The MHAC-Bridgeport director said: “These solutions were absolutely within our purview and expertise, so it was EXCITING TO SEE THAT WE COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON A CHALLENGE WE HAD FOUND OVERWHELMING INDIVIDUALLY TO THIS POINT.” Others can follow suit. Therefore, the answer to "How many people will your project serve annually?" is based on successfully leveraging peer/organizational network-building and mass media over time. Imagine hundreds of local, free Shutterfly websites (See ours: http://saboe.shutterfly.com), including hotlinks, Skype, and face-to-face networking at conferences.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Our success requires funding, credibility and visibility. By 2013, we believe we can sustain the Creative Strokes Network in Bridgeport, CT and transfer it to communities within CT and into PA and MA with the collaboration of NAMI, clubhouses, consumer councils, and other mental health and housing programs. We also believe we can demonstrate how to integrate it into the typical work-ordered day of a psychosocial clubhouse. During 2010, NAMI of CT, our nonprofit sponsor, will help us reach out through their networks, consumer councils, and the more than 20 clubhouses in CT to select one or two communities to pilot the “Creative Strokes Room Makeover Award.” With this Award, peer groups will earn the training and technical assistance (T&TA) they need to launch and implement the model with ongoing peer support. Processes will be well documented by 2011 and continuously improved through 2013 to promote the transfer of best practices and lessons learned. We need funding for: Network management in Bridgeport, CT; day-to-day operations, (e.g., outreach, transportation, refreshments, etc.); transfer awards for T&TA; and the R&D/expertise needed to gain backing by 2013 for a high quality national mass media campaign that would build awareness, education, and commitment by the public. We also need credibility, visibility and engaging peer spokespersons to demonstrate TRANSFORMING LIVES… BEGINNING AT HOME with real life examples on TV. Role reversals: People are not outcast, but included. Not takers, but givers. Not what’s wrong with him/her, but what has he/she survived? Not rewards of “extremes,” but of simple treasures. We will challenge peer groups, schools, families, neighborhoods, and communities to form HEATs, showcase them, and AWARD support. Shall we learn from each other about recovery at a time when so many are under stress… about building community from the inside-out? Shall we wake the sleeping giant?
What would prevent your project from being a success?
TIME, MONEY, and committed BACKERS are needed for the project to be the success it can be. Some people want to see immediate and dramatic transformations. Being there for each other over time matters; not just to paint a room and disappear. It takes TIME to cultivate these “out-and-about buddy brigades” and the peers themselves will be the evidence of how well Creative Strokes works. It also takes some MONEY to train peers to de-clutter, clean and paint rooms as well as to meet, print materials, and perform outreach. Transportation, refreshments, a workstation and phones could be blessings instead of obstacles. Management, training and consulting services have been provided pro bono and involve monthly trips from PA to CT since April 2008. Income is needed to keep going. Finally, it takes BACKERS (funders/sponsors/partners) who value cost-effectiveness and the return on investment for PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS and THOSE FOR WHOM THEY HOLD THE HOPE OF RECOVERY. This could be a phenomenal community recovery model that never gets brought to fruition because it was misunderstood and devalued (just painting rooms). Yet an insightful and pragmatic executive/management team who seeks input from their consumers will see how it does fit one’s mission and strategic plan, and will want to see them energized. The standards of “success” could be so high (mobilize the country/get NAMI and clubhouses to integrate it into their routine operations) that to some they will seem unrealistic, to other advocates... a worthy challenge.
How many people will your project serve annually?
1001‐10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1‐5 years
In what country?
United States
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of CT
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
No
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Our partners include the Mental Health Association (MHA) of CT, NAMI of CT, SW CT Regional Mental Health Board, Regional Network of Programs, SW CT Community Mental Health Services (SWCMHS), Bridge House, and Home Depot in Bridgeport, CT. Our initial nonprofit sponsor, MHA of CT, helped us win a CT MH Transformation mini-grant. Their support, the participation of the peer support specialists from the consumer council and the clubhouse, and the in-kind donations from Home Depot have proven most critical over time. To transfer the Creative Strokes Network model to other peer groups and communities, NAMI of CT has taken the lead as our nonprofit sponsor.
NAMI offers support, education and advocacy as the nation’s leading grassroots family and consumer organization. As we achieve success beyond CT, NAMI’s credibility and visibility can help Creative Strokes earn the committed backing and expertise needed to launch an effective mass media campaign.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
(I) To OBTAIN FUNDING for: (a) the management and operations of the Creative Strokes Network in Bridgeport, CT, (b) the transfer of the model through a campaign in which peer groups in other communities apply for “Creative Strokes Room Makeover Awards,” implement a “Community Room Makeover”, and launch monthly HEATs with ongoing support, and (c) the R&D (e.g., http://www.yale.edu/PRCH/) and media (e.g., http://www.lunchboxcity.com/nonprofit.html) expertise needed to document and share results, best practices and lessons learned in a multi-media, “user-friendly” manner. (II) To COLLABORATE AT THE GRASSROOTS with those sharing our commitment to leverage the potential of peer support specialists and those in recovery. For example: (a) assist clubhouse decision-makers in determining how Creative Strokes can become integral to the work-ordered day so peers actively support each other in recovering their mental health as they overcome housing and other challenges, (b) encourage trainers of peer support specialists to incorporate an experiential learning component that helps peers organize Creative Strokes Networks of alumni as successful role models doing a wide range of community services, and (c) inspire peer-to-peer and recovery support groups to include community service accomplishments in their routine discussions. (III) To CREATE A NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD and NETWORK STEERING COMMITTEE. (a) To launch a successful national public awareness campaign, the Advisory Board would be composed of executive decision-makers from sponsoring organizations (e.g., RWJK, NAMI, paint company, et al), and those with community mental health, community organizing, and media campaign expertise (e.g., Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH), Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA-USA), Lunchbox, et al). (b) To facilitate organizational and community development, the Network Steering Committee of peers and sponsors representing each site will be trained to use the ICA-USA Participatory Strategic Planning (PSP) process so communities can work independently while sharing meaningful action plans and peer support.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Years ago, on MLK Day I taught Spanish-speaking youth how to paint a huge school foyer in DC. A girl ran up to my car to thank me profusely because: “¡AHORA PUEDO PINTAR MI DORMITORIO!” How exciting that she believed: “NOW I CAN PAINT MY BEDROOM!” I envisioned mobilizing such peer groups in inner city communities with the few supplies and coaching needed to transform their world from the inside-out. I could connect this joyful energy with neighborhoods becoming healthy "extended families" caring for themselves, the homebound, homeless, et al. The question was where and how to start. I started close to home.
As my brother, Jim, struggled with mental illness I saw his home deteriorate until people stopped visiting…increasing his despondency and loneliness. I helped him paint his rooms and he began to do more himself and with others. Jim says: “YOU HAD A DIFFERENT VISION OF WHERE YOU WANTED TO SEE ME. YOU HELD THE HOPE FOR ME.”
My cousin, Joe, a Vietnam Veteran with mental health and substance abuse challenges, welcomed my offer to help him paint his bedroom. He says: “I USED TO JUST SIT THERE WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE. I TRY TO TELL PEOPLE: ‛YOU’D BE SURPRISED WHAT A COAT OF PAINT ON A DINGY ROOM WILL DO FOR YOUR OUTLOOK.’”
When Jim became a peer support specialist, we began to implement this vision with his friends, forming the Creative Strokes Network in Bridgeport CT.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Lois Saboe, MSW is a facilitator and national network-building specialist, with a backround in direct services, (e.g., having worked in a state institution, homeless shelter, group home, halfway house, and prison release program). Her masters is in community social work and her post masters work was in organizational and community systems. She has hands-on and academic training in community intervention, psychology and behavioral education. She spent more than 20 years in DC promoting the transfer of "best practices" nationally and is an independent consultant. Please see profile on Ashoka Changemakers and feel free to request her resume for more information. She has launched successful initiatives at both the local and national level. She is passionate about filling overlooked GAPS in the service system that address a true ROOT CAUSE of counterproductive or destructive situations. She is persistent about 1)conveying the value of prevention and self-help and 2) leveraging what works efficiently and replicably to bring it to scale.
Jim Saboe is an exemplary META Certified Peer Support Specialist, HEAT Manager, and peer "co-founder" of the CSN initiative. He has promoted mental health recovery for years as a strong advocate of the SW CT Consumer Council.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
 | 186 weeks ago Sarah Mintz updated this Competition Entry. |
| 186 weeks ago Jim Saboe said: 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 ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 187 weeks ago Lois Saboe said: Your experience in India and Indonesia is inspiring for promoting the transfer of successful efforts. I respect your active involvement ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 187 weeks ago Lois Saboe said: The STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY proves most significant when getting through hard times. I have spoken to so many older Americans who talk ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 187 weeks ago Margaret Anderson said: Creative Strokes is the right program at the right time. With the economy so fragile and govenment budgets so tight, ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 187 weeks ago Bernie Saboe said: In the same way that the Broken Window theory (Kelling and Wilson) has an impact on stabilizing neighborhoods, Creative Strokes is ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 187 weeks ago Lynda Cock said: We celebrate your continued successes with your Creative Strokes Network program and being recognized in the Top Ten programs that ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 187 weeks ago Lois Saboe updated this Competition Entry. |
| 187 weeks ago Lois Saboe updated this Competition Entry. |
| 187 weeks ago Lois Saboe updated this Competition Entry. |
