E xe cutive Direc tor Fro m th e D es k of the

N O V . 2 0 1 9 | V O L . 2

From the Desk of the ExecutiveDirector - 1 Client Story and Holiday Giving - 2 Donor Recognition and upcomingevents- 3 Donor Recognition - 4

WHAT'S INSIDE THISISSUE?From the Desk of the

Executive DirectorWritten By: Julie Ann Avin

November brings our last newsletter of the year. That means it’s my last chance to share with and thank you for allthe ways in which you’ve helped MIRCI to assist in the recovery journeys for individuals experiencing or at risk ofmental illness and homelessness. Rather than share outcomes and statistics – which I can certainly do – I’ve askedsome of the folks assisted through our youth and adult services to help me share our thanks with you. In the wordsof those we are so honored to serve……. “MIRCI is a beautiful program. It helps homeless people recover from addiction. It helped me overcome the fear ofmental illness.” Luke M “It’s really neat how MIRCI provides things – not just housing. I got my pocketbook, my sweater and gloves fromthe clothing closet here; and MIRCI provides Thanksgiving dinner. I like the case managers, and you can tell theyenjoy their work. My psychiatrist is the best! She’s sweet, understanding, and doesn’t criticize or judge.” Katie B “I feel like the MIRCI program has helped raise me. I started at 22, and I’m now 34.” Marcus B “Thank you for the clothes closet; I’ve gotten a coat, shoes and pocketbook. The doctors are wonderful. I’m stable onmedication and doing much better. The case managers and groups help me.” Jeanette R. “MIRCI helped me get my disability income and insurance, and to get a home. The Friendship Center is good. I’velearned a lot in the groups with others in the center.” Wendell O “The Youth Drop-in Center is a great place, a great resource. It helps people recovering from illnesses.” Chris F. On behalf of Luke, Katie, Marcus, Jeanette, Wendell, Chris and the other 1200 plus individuals you make it possiblefor MIRCI to help recover from mental illness and homelessness, THANK YOU!!! On behalf of me, thank you for helping make it possible for MIRCI to employee the very best behavioral healthcareclinicians in the midlands. Just this morning, we’ve had our Nurse Manager, Leslie Alderman, and our ResidentialAdministrator, Tiffany Collins assisting with end of life placement for one of our group home residents; our Directorof Homeless Outreach and Benefits, Dianne Miller-Fields is facilitating an emergency admission for one of thecommunity’s most vulnerable individuals with mental illness and experiencing street homelessness; and MatthewWilliams and Jon Shrack from our Youth Services have been working hands-on with several youth on the skillsneeded to maintain stable housing in the community. Thank you for making MIRCI’s mission possible. We wish you the happiest of holidays, and all good things in 2020!

A better tomorrowBy Mac Caldwell

“Today was rough.  Maybe tomorrow would bebetter,” Tim thought to himself.  Tim had fled atumultuous relationship with his family whohad been forcing him to sleep on their porch formore than a year.  He had finally had enoughand decided that things must be better on thestreets than at home.  Tim had been unable tofind a bed in a local shelter and resorted to whathe knew best: sleeping on a local business’sfront porch.  He had heard about the drop-in center from twoother youth he met on the streets.  He made hisway to Gregg Street, looking forward to a hotmeal and help finding his own place. The doors opened and Tim entered. MIRCI had celebrated the Youth Home ribboncutting a week earlier and everyone eagerlyanticipated the home’s opening.  Applicationswere being processed and Tim appeared to be anideal candidate. Tim committed himself to finding employmentand applied for a job selling knick-knacks at theState Fair.  The fair left town on October 21, andTim was once again on the hunt for gainfulemployment.  We were struck by Tim’sdedication to improving his situation andinvited him to move into the Youth Home onOctober 22.  A week later, he had a full-timeapprenticeship with a local plumber.  Nine months later, Tim remains steadfast in hiscommitment to changing his life.  He still worksfor the plumber.  He’s opened a savings accountand makes regular deposits.  He has surroundedhimself with positive people and has evenreconnected with his family.  “Today was good,but tomorrow will definitely be better!”

1 0 0 % O F Y O U R M O N E Y H E L P S

B R I N G S S T A B I L I T Y A N D S A F E T Y T O

I N D I V I D U A L S F O R M E R L Y H O M E L E S S

A N D R E C O V E R I N G F R O M M E N T A L

I L L N E S S

A gift of $12.50 a month can set up an apartment with household items.A gift of $25 a month pays for a person's medication.A gift of $42 a month provides unlimited transportation for a client.A gift of $50 a month provides groceries for a client moving into housing.A gift of $67 a month provides services to a homeless youth accessing MIRCI's Drop-in centerA gift of $209 a month can furnish an apartment for a formerly homelessindividual.

Give monthly over a year and become part of The House, a group ofpeople invested in changing the lives of our community's most

vulnerable population for the better.

Y O U R G I F T S T R U L Y M A K E AB I G D I F F E R E N C E I N T H E

L I V E S O F T H O S E W ES E R V E . P L E A S E C O N S I D E R

D O N A T I N G A G I F T T H I SH O L I D A Y S E A S O N .

SHOPPING LIST : * New Dishes

 * New Single Bedding * New Towels

 * Cleaning Supplies* Toilet Paper

 * Deodorant and Soaps * Tooth Paste

 * Women’s Toiletries * Adult Socks

 * Gloves and Scarves * Non – Perishable Food items

 * Financial Contribution

You can give online at www.mirci.org

All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for supporting MIRCI!

Tax Benefit of Giving to a 501 (c) 3 Organization Under IRC Section 170, individuals giving to a 501(c)3 organization that is a public charity (e.g.Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.) may deduct contributions representing up to 50% of the donor's adjusted gross income (AGI) if the

individual itemizes on his tax returns. Corporations may deduct all contributions to 501(c) 3 organizations up to an amount normally equal to10% of their taxable income.

Clothing Items, Household Items and Personal Hygiene Items may alsobe donated to the Rosewood location or the Youth Drop-in Center. Fora list of items please visit our website at www.mirci.org (Especially in

need of L, XL, and XXL)

Upcoming Event

Tickets available at mirci.org

Upcoming Event!

Mildred and Charles Avin

Elizabeth Choate

LaTrish Garvin

In Honor of Julie Ann Avin

In Honor of Luther Williams

In Honor of MIRCI's CoCHousing Program

Mary Jane Benston

Regina Breeden

Barbara Frank

In Memory of CliftonLeBlanc

In Memory of EdGreenleaf and Kathy

Handel

In Memory of Dena Bank

Thank You!

Paula Giugliano

Bob Hargreaves

In Memory of AndyGiugliano

In Memory of HelenDale Garvin Roof

Anita and VernonLee BowenIn

Memory of ChadLindsey

Geoffrey Williams

In Memory of Ada S.Williams

and Jerry Ann McElwee

1408 Gregg St.Columbia SC, 29201

@mircisc

Central Carolina CommunityFoundation Cheerful Giver

Di Prato's DelicatessenEllen Bagby

Walter BaileyBlue Cross Blue Shield of SC

FoundationJackie Breland

Bridget Brown and C.D.Rhodes

Caleb BryantFrank Clark

Tiffany CollinsAudrey McCall Coogler

Beth CrawfordBill Davis

Clark and Nathan DawsonElevation Church - ColumbiaSally and George Dendrinos

Raiessa deWeinJohn Egan

Nathalie  EisonTerry Floyd

Barbara FrankKelly Gilbert

Good Unlimited TrustStephanie GoddardAmanda  Goins

MERVE on Taylor dba HotelTrundle

Tom MinorJennie and John Morris

Becky MorrisonElizabeth Norris

Natalie  O'BradovichMr. and Mrs. Greg Pearce

Reginald PhelpsBarbara Rackes

Dr. Kristen Remke ClaryAlice Richards

Rowin Partners, LLCKathleen  RyanAaliyah Sabree

Janssen Pharmaceuticals,Inc.

Jenny F. ScottKeenan & Suggs - Hub

InternationalMarco's Pizza

Mary and Dr. James ScullyAndrew SelkingCara Senterfeit

Bradley ShellSamantha Skeeter

Brian Smith

Thomas Gross and SusanHamilton

Bob  HargreavesDr. Numa C. Hero III

Bonnie HolsteinAlice Hurley

Mary Zealy JenkinsJocelyn JenningsPatrica Junqueira

Jane and Robert KeyJessica  Kinard

May KirbyMary Knox

Leah and Daniel  LakePamela Lawrence

Frances C LeeJolene Martin

Delores Macey, PhDJesica Mackey

Rosemary and the HonorableBill Malinowski

Sue and Jerry MartererChris Maw

Carol McCallDebbie McDaniel Kennerly

McLendonEdie and Steve McFaddin

Bill SpiveyJohn Stock

Charmelle StaplesBarbara and John Steele

Dr. John Steele IIKerry Stubbs

John Taylor, Ph.DRichard Tidwall

Mary TuckerDr. Nori and Will WarrenWells Fargo Foundation

Richard WiddifieldJoel Wier

Stacy WilliamsUnitarian Universalist

ChurchZeta Phi Beta Inc.