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December 2009
Pat's Point of View: WE'RE ALIVE AND WELL!
Times are hard for nonprofits. Now, when their services are needed more than ever, they’re finding it increasingly difficult to provide them, as both public and private revenue streams are diminishing. At MHA however, we’re not letting the grim economic climate overwhelm us; in fact, we’re not only being creative to ensure the continuation of our ongoing programs but are developing new ones as well.
As you’ll see in this newsletter, we’re very proud of our most recent addition: 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Operating in Walkersville and Thurmont middle schools, we’re working with kids at a crucial age in their development to shore up their academic skills, help them to develop their burgeoning social skills and promote sound emotional health. Fortunately, we have been awarded a generous grant from the Maryland State Department of Education to support our work with these young people.
MHA is committed to extending our outreach to minority populations in Frederick. Currently this takes the form of “Sanas Relaciones” or “Healthy Relationships”, a course consisting of seven, two-hour classes developed in Guatemala to support and encourage Latina women. We have just finished training six bright, energetic and eager Latina women to be facilitators of this course, which will be offered in Spanish. Shortly we will be embarking on recruiting agencies and individuals for the classes. Since this project does not yet receive funding, our staff has been extending themselves to ensure that MHA reaches this generally disadvantaged and marginalized population. We are also offering our ParentPower parenting class in Spanish through the generosity of the Women’s Giving Circle.
On a third front, our Frederick County Hotline/2-1-1 has partnered with the Frederick County Health Department as well as the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to assist in responding to H1N1-related telephone calls. As a result, we have been logging our highest daily call volumes in the history of the Hotline!
In short, although our budget has been reduced and we’ve had to cut way back on our expenses, we remain dedicated to our community and the people we serve, be they children who have suffered abuse, parents seeking child care so they can go out and earn a living, Hispanic women who are lonely and depressed, youngsters who are navigating their way through adolescence, or the elderly who are isolated and who brighten up when they get our daily call.
Together, we’ll make it through these difficult times.
Surviving the Holidays
By: Dr. Dana G. Cable
Grief refers to the particular reactions (psychological, behavioral, social, and physical) we experience as the result of the death of a loved one. Our significant reactions to a death may last for years, and some reactions will continue to emerge the rest of our lives.
Nowhere is the difficulty of grief seen more than in our attempts to deal with the holidays. Many grievers would like to skip from mid November to January 2 and avoid all the festivities of this time of year. Holidays are particularly difficult for grievers because they represent times when everyone seems happier than usual and people are planning family reunions and the sharing of love. But for the griever, it is often a time of loneliness and painful memories.
We cannot make the holidays disappear. We might avoid them for one year, but sooner or later we have to re-engage. Often there are other children and family members for whom the holidays are important. We can’t take away their joy, despite our own feelings. What we can do is find ways to make our grief less painful. Many guidelines could be offered. Perhaps most important would be the following:
- Plan ahead. Knowing what you are going to do and how you will do it can help.
- Give yourself permission to express your emotions.
- Recognize that the holidays will be different than in the past.
- Make changes in your routine. Start some new traditions. Putting the tree in a spot that has no memories from the past can actually help.
- Accept a few invitations, but don’t overdo it.
- Make a donation in the name of your loved one.
- Simplify the holidays. Have your holiday dinner brought in by others. Shop on-line, by catalogue, or ask someone else to do it for you.
- Avoid additional stress. This may be the year to skip sending cards.
- If you live near enough, decorate the grave site. It may make it easier to accept decorating your own home.
- Don’t be afraid to say no if you think people are expecting too much from you.
- Let other people know how difficult this is for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Don’t be afraid to say the name of your loved one.
- Don’t be afraid to have fun!
- Remember your loved one in the family traditions. Perhaps hang a stocking for them and everyone can put in a note expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to handle the holidays. Nothing can take away your grief, but you can do things that make it easier to cope.
Dr. Dana Cable has been Professor of Psychology and Thanatology at Hood College since 1972. He also maintains a private clinical practice, specializing in grief therapy. You can reach Dr. Cable at 301-694-8882.
MHA Featured Program:
21st Century Community Learning Centers
MHA has been awarded a three year grant in the amount of $1,065,000 by the Maryland State Department of Education. These funds are distributed through the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant Program. The afterschool programs began operating at Walkersville and Thurmont Middle School on October 5th, 2009.
The primary goal of CCLC is to enhance each student’s opportunity to be successful academically, socially, and emotionally. Furthermore, the programs will support families who live in rural areas by improving access to mental health services, such as Family Systems Navigation, Strengthening Families classes, Counseling Services, and Youth Education Outreach which provides information on topics such as bullying, prevention, and Internet safety. A number of partnering organizations, including Frederick County Public Schools, Hood College, The UMD Cooperative Extension Office 4H Program, TeamLink, and the Frederick County Health Department provide support in meeting the goals at these programs. By providing food, transportation, academic support and exciting activities, all at no cost to families, MHA removes most of the barriers that might prevent a student from participating.
The program offers many different areas of interest for students to explore that they otherwise may not have had the chance to. Russ Hylton, the CCLC Project Manager, exclaims, “We have had a fantastic start! There was a large initial turnout of interested students and our numbers continue to grow steadily. I am also very pleased with the many enrichment clubs we have developed such as drama, cooking, 4H, digital photography, debate, science, crafts, community service work, and many sports clubs. I have been involved with 21st CCLC programs for approximately seven years, and I have seen it make a huge difference in the lives of many students. I am very excited to have the opportunity to play a role in creating these two programs, and I hope to see our programs expand to more schools in the future.”
For more information or to participate in the 21st CCLC program, contact Russ Hylton at rhylton@fcmha.org or 301-663-0011 ext. 154.
Volunteer Spotlight: Barbara Brittain
Child Care Choices (CCC) was originally formed in April 1987 as a consortium of individuals and organizations with the common goal of coordinating child care services in Frederick County. Barbara Brittain was among those first committee members to believe in the mission of CCC and assisted in the opening of CCC 1998.
Barbara was the executive director of Families Plus in Frederick before her retirement this year. In this position, she worked closely with CCC to provide free training to potential and existing child care providers in the area. Barbara has also volunteered on the Annual Child Care Choices Children’s Festival Advisory Board for many years.
With a college background in Early Childhood Education from Hood College, Barbara has always had a passion for children and has loved working with CCC because she appreciates “seeing things get done.” She values the tools CCC supplies to childcare providers and parents to be successful in offering appropriate childcare for children.
When Barbara is not working with CCC, she can be found enjoying gardening, reading, walking, and attending horse shows and museums.
We have been overjoyed to have Barbara as a part of our team and are grateful for the dedication that she has shown since the very beginning of CCC. Thank you!
What's New at MHA:
- The Operation Santa Claus holiday gift drive deadline is Friday, December 11th. MHA is committed to collecting gifts for 200 children, adolescents, and adults, all of whom are patients at The Jefferson School, Child/Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program at Brook Lane, Stone Bridge Transitional Care Home at Brook Lane, Way Station’s Family Preservation Unit, Thomas B. Finan Center, or the FMH’s Psychiatric In-Patient Unit. To donate gifts or for more information, please contact Cheryl Evans at 301-663-0011 ext. 137 or at cevans@fcmha.org. All gifts should be unwrapped and delivered to MHA’s office at 263 W. Patrick Street, M-F, 8:30am – 4:30pm by December 11, 2009.
- Thank you to Dr. Henry Laughlin, a retired psychiatrist, and his wife Page Laughlin, for their financial support to the Laughlin Continuing Education Fund, which provides scholarship funds to MHA staff seeking to further their education in mental health and related fields. Pat Hanberry, CEO of MHA, utilized this fund to attend the Leadership Academy on Addressing Disparities in Mental Health Care hosted by the federal Center for Mental Health Services and the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development/National Technical Assistance Center.
- MHA hosted its 24th Annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, November 6th, at Frederick Community College. This year Robert A. Mays, Jr., Ph.D., MSW (Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired), Deputy Director to the Associate Director for Special Populations at the National Institutes of Health, spoke on a topic that has and will affect many individuals: the mental health issues soldiers face when returning home from war. Thanks to Dr. Mays for making this event a huge success! The information provided was eye-opening and sobering. We also extend our gratitude to Comcast for being this year’s Legislative Breakfast sponsor.
- MHA’s 12th Annual Catoctin Affair is to be held April 9th from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Holiday Inn FSK on Route 85. Guests at the black-tie event will enjoy an elegant evening of exclusivegourmet cuisine and desserts from local caterers, excellent wines, music, dancing, and fantastic live and silent auctions. All proceeds from the Catoctin Affair will benefit MHA, who served more than 41,000 people in 2009.
- MHA recently trained six enthusiastic Latina women to facilitate the Relaciones Sanas (Healthy Relationships) course. Relaciones Sanas, a seven-session course offered in Spanish, is designed to provide support to, and improve the self-esteem of, Latina women. If you are interested in bringing this course to your facility, please contact Pat Hanberry at 240-215-0415 or phanberry@fcmha.org.
- The Frederick County Hotline, a program of MHA, participated in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Baker Park on November 7th along with over 350 other walkers. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in their efforts to educate the community on how to prevent and save lives from suicide. Over $26,000 was raised from the Frederick walk alone.
August 2009
11th Annual Catoctin Affair Grosses $135,000
The Mental Health Association of Frederick County (MHA) was thrilled with the success of our 11th Annual Catoctin Affair which grossed $135,000 for many of MHA's programs such as: Counseling Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Frederick County Hotline, Kids on the Block Puppet Troupe, Mental Health First Aid, ParentPower, and Supervised Visitation/Monitored Transfer.
Held on April 17, 2009 in the FSK Holiday Inn Ballroom, the black-tie benefit hosted over 400 guests and featured an amazing assortment of live and silent auction items that were donated by local businesses and individuals throughout Frederick County. Guests had a great time bidding on and purchasing items ranging from exotic vacations to handmade jewelry and spa services.
Delectable cuisine was on offer from Canapé's Catering, Dutch's Daughter, Gourmet by Paula, Renaissance Chef, Venues, Inc., Romano's Macaroni Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Acacia Fusion Bistro. Thank you to all who attended and supported MHA - we look forward to seeing you again next year!
To view photos of the Catoctin Affair and lean more about the event, click here.
2009 Catoctin Affair Sponsors, Patrons, Friends, Silent and Live Auction Donors, and MHA Board Members
Gold Sponsors: ($5,000 -$10,000)
Comcast
Miller Family Foundation
Silver Sponsors: ($2,000 - $4,999)
Ausherman Family Foundation, Inc.
BB&T Frederick Underwriters
Ben Lewis Plumbing/
Sunshine Management Corp.
Cardiovascular Specialists of Frederick
Corporate Occupational Health Solutions
D&D Drilling, Inc.
Find IT Frederick
Frederick Business Properties
Frederick Memorial Healthcare Systems
MacRo, Ltd.,/
McPherson & Associates, Inc.
Morgan Keller, Inc.
"My Bank" First United Bank and Trust
PNC Bank
Provident Bank
Daryl & Paula Routzahn
SAIC Frederick
Phil & Ellen Sewell
Smart Company Magazine
Supreme Seafood Company
Sylvana Institute for Medical Aesthetics
Bronze Sponsors: ($1,000 - $1,999)
BB&T Bank
Bechtel Corporation
The Berkheimer Group at Smith Barney
Chuck Wade Sod Farm
Frederick County Bank
Great Southern Enterprises
Sam’s Club
The Jefferson School/
Sheppard Pratt Health System
Three Old Souls: Graphic + Web Design
Patron Sponsors: ($500 - $999)
Boyle and Biggs, PA
Educational Lyrics, LLC
Joe Flattery
Frederick Mutual Insurance
Nancy and Randy Garrett
The Light Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Linton
Linton Shafer, Warfield and Garrett, P.A.
McLean, Koehler, Sparks and Hammond
Reliable Recycling
R.W. Warner, Inc.
Sandy Spring Bank
Severn, O'Connor and Kresslein
Dr. Sivakumar
Dr. Michael Warner
Rand & Pam Weinberg
David & Melanie Williamson
Professional Patrons:
Legal Professionals:
Peter Fitzpatrick, Esq.
Haugh & Winters, LLP
Thomas E. Lynch III
Scott Morrison, P.A.
John "Jack" Quinn
Shoemaker, Horman, & Clapp, P.A.
Elizabeth Stup
Joseph & Jan Welty
Lucien Winegar
Medical & Dental Professionals:
Dr. & Mrs. Edward Andochick
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Ashwal
Dr. & Mrs. Konrad & Willa Bakker
Dr. & Mrs. Ronald & Penelope Best
Dr. & Mrs. Steven Brand
Dr. Edwin Chen
Dr. & Mrs. Mark Chilton
Dr. Mark Coyne
Dr. Andrew Donelson
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Fisher
Dr. Diane Ford
Dr. David & Nancy Frazier
Dr. Mishel & Allen Gilson
Dr. & Mrs. James & Carole Grissom
Dr. & Mrs. Waldo & Donna Harshberger
Dr. & Mrs. Everett & Patricia Hart
Dr. William & Heather Haynos
Dr. & Mrs. Sean & Nancy Hunt
Dr. & Mrs. David Johnson
Dr. & Mrs. Tom & Maureen Lapsa
Drs. Amy & Yeung Lee
Dr. Elizabeth Liotta
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Mayernik
Dr. & Mrs. Paul McNeill
Dr. & Mrs. John & Debbie Molesworth
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Morris
Dr. Swami Nathan,
Dr. Aimee Park
Dr. & Mrs. Austin & Joanne Pearre Jr.
Dr. Gerald Reed
Dr. George & Carolyn Smith
Dr. Edward & Robin Thompson
Dr. Jerry & Renae Winnan
Dr. & Mrs. Ravi & Sajani Yalmanchili
Mental Health Professionals:
Blue Ridge Behavioral Health Services
M. Ann Adams LCSW-C
Alice Berlin LCSW-C
Dr. Dana Cable Ph.D
Rev. Janice Daffern LCSW-C & Michael
Bunitsky
Jo Ann Fritz LCSW-C
Tim Gibian Psy.D & Kerri Hesley
Dr. Sharon Kuebbing, Ph.D
Barbara Lohman-Flynn LCSW-C
Eva Lucht LCPC
Linda Moran LCSW-C
Robert Schuman LSCW-C
Sue Shaffer LCSW-C
Lynda Sowbel LCSW-C
MHA Board of Directors Table Sponsors:
Nancy & Dr. Casper Cline
Jean Joyce & Dr. John Garre
Chris & Lucia Kline
Patty & Jeff Hurwitz
Kathy & Larry McGee
C. Wayne Smith
Friends of the Catoctin Affair:
Bill Armstrong
Gregory & Sherry Burgee
Marion Carmack
Neil & Kathy Fay
Mark & Donna Gaver
Bernard & Denise Gouin
Delegate Sue Hecht
Robert Hooper
Tom & Karen Keller
Howard & Donna Klein
Lindquist Insurance Associates
John & Mary Mc Shea III
Karen Miller -
Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital
Jean Petersen
Leo Rocca
Allen & Gherrie Routzahn
Kathy Schultz – State Farm Insurance
David & Jasmine Sneed
Dennis Wallace
Jeffrey & Marguerite Wilson
Thomas & Wilhelmina Winkler
Woodsboro Bank
Gift of Hope Donors:
Acacia/
Fountain Rock Management Group
Ann & Rick Adams
BB&T Frederick
Underwriters
Jim Blagaich
Michael Blue
Patricia Sylvester & Greg Brown
Howard & Harriet Buxbaum
Stacie Caswell
Susan Chase
Dr. & Mrs. DiFabio
James & Helen Dixon
Sarah Dolan
Kevin & Crista Driscoll
Ms. Nancy Jo Eller
Fort Detrick
Jack & Mary Ann Fritz
Rich & Susan Glover
"My Bank" First United Bank and Trust
Danny & Patricia O'Connor
Jack & Bunny O'Dell
Dr. & Mrs. Greg & Debbie Powell
Daryl & Paula Routzahn
Craig & Jeannie Russell
C. Wayne Smith
Mary Jane Tabler
Kline, Scott, Visco
Nelson & Celia Zahler
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Silent and Live Auction Donors:
A Touch of Class Limousines
A Touch of Wellness
Adventure Park USA
Alicia L
Amy's Salon
Angles Framing
Antique Imports
Antrim 1844
Aspire
Ballroom Dance of Frederick
Barley and Hops
Barry Edland, D.D.S.
Brick Ridge Restaurant
Bryce Resort
Canapés Catering
Carriage House Inn
Catoctin Wildlife and Zoo
Center for Integrative Health Care
Central Michel Richard
Chris and Lucia Kline
Chuck E Cheese
Classic Limousine
Clustered Spires Golf Course
Colonel Judy Robinson
Comus Inn
Cornerstone Catering
Costco
Cracker Barrel
Creative Expressions by Angela
Crystal Lume Medical Spa
Custom Imprints
Cutting Edge
D. Hunt & Joan Hendrickson
Dancing Bear Toys
David & Jeanette Noffsinger
Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center
Doctor Details Auto Salon
Dorcus Construction
Dr. Robert & Lynette Kaufmann
Drs. Manuel Casiano &
Carmen Hernandez
Elaine Junker
Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Spa
Elk Run Vineyards
Etiquette
Evangeline
Experience Massage Therapy
Firestone’s Restaurant
Fitness First
Flowers by Jim
Frederick Fudge and Ice Cream
Frederick Interiors
Frederick Sport and Spine
Frederick Wine House
Fredericktowne Auto Spa
Frederick Florist
Gayle’s Custom Creations
Gerald Johnson
Gladchuck Brothers
Golf Etc.
Grange Hall Antiques
Great Stuff by Paul
Harrigan’s Green Life
Harry & Dee George
Harry Richardson
Helen Dixon
Hillary Banachowski
Hinode
Historical Society of Frederick County
Holistic Health
Holly Hills Country Club
Home Essentials
In-Fit Studio
Isabelle Glass
Jane Byron
Janet Garrett
Jay & Helen Dixon
JB Interiors
Jeff & Patty Hurwitz
Jerry & Renae Winnan
Jim & Amy Clapp
Jim & Yvonne Reinsch
Jim &Carol Grissom
Jim &Sharon Lillard
Joe Flattery
Joe & Jan Welty
John Connors
Jos A. Bank
Ken & Stephanie Jordan
LaScola Studios
Liberty Mountain Resort
Linda Carmack
Linda Romano
Lynn Silberman
Macaroni Grill
Maggie Moos
Mama Lucia
Marc Lessens
Marcia Hall
Maryland National Golf Club
MB Flowers
McGuire Fine Arts
Michael Bunitsky &
Rev. Janice Daffern LCSW-C
Mike & Meta Nash
Monocacy Crossing
Mt. Airy Liquors
Musket Ridge Golf Club
NBC Universal
Needles and Pins
New York New York
Old Farm Liquors
Palettie and Stone Manor Country Club
Panera Bread
Paola Vista
Pat Brand
Petals and Pots
Peter &Lauren Kremer
Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy
PNC Bank
Quinn's Attic
Ready to Serve! Personal Chef Service
Renaissance Salon and Spa
Richard & Sue Basford
Ron Young
Rossella and Giacomo Godone
Sally Castleman
SCORE! Educational Centers
Shenandoah River Outfitters
Signature Salon
Six Flags America
SJF Interiors
Skate Frederick
Sol Yoga
Stadler Nursery
Stanley Salon
Stay Hungry Productions
Steve & Pat Brand
Strand Salon and Spa
Tal & Patty Hart
Talbots
Tarara Winery
Thanksgiving Farms
The Cleaning Authority
The Cosmetic and Skin Surgery Center
The Country Inn
The Grapevine
The Lube Center
The Muse
The Organized Bride
The Rebecca Pearl Gallery
The Sports Plex
The Sylvana Institute for Medical
Aesthetics, LLC
The Temple, A Paul Mitchell
Partner School
The Trail House
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Thomas Scott Salon and Spa
ThorpeWood
TLC Alterations
To the Nines
Tuscarora Racket Club
UDesign by HK
Weinberg Center for the Arts
Whiskey Creek Golf Club
Wolf’s Furniture
Ye Old Spirit Shoppe
Yemi
Yoga at Hom
The Yoga Advantage
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What's New at MHA!
- You can now make online gifts to MHA, saving you time and postage! Simply click on the Make a Gift button on our www.fcmha.org homepage. It is the easiest way to support MHA’s programs and services!
- Thank you to Nancy Cline, MHA board president and Catoctin Affair event co-chair, and Nancy Mackintosh, MHA board member and Catoctin Affair co-chair, for their five years of service to the annual Catoctin Affair. Without your hard work and dedication this event would not be nearly as successful as it is today, and for that we are genuinely grateful.
- Counseling Services (CS), a program of the Mental Health Association of Frederick County, received a $1,500 grant from The Community Foundation of Frederick County for a video camera and a laptop for use in training our graduate student interns.
- MHA’s Prevention Programs received a $3,400 grant from the Women’s Giving Circle to provide parenting classes for Latino mothers.
- The Survivors of Suicide support group has found a new location to hold its meetings. Kimberly Kuhn, LCSW-C, from Horizon Counseling Services, LLC, has generously offered her space for the group to meet. The group provides information and support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide. For more information please call 301-663-0011.
