The Clubhouse Haverhill Clubhouse Connection · 2017. 2. 15. · Spend some time out in nature, relax by taking a walk outside or sitting in the sun; sit next to a tree or pond and

February 2015

Haverhill Clubhouse

The Clubhouse

Connection February Birthdays

Maureen M. 2/1

Linda H. 2/3

Kenny S. 2/3

Shawn M. 2/5

Patrick T. 2/5

Ellen H. 2/8

Taylor D. 2/8

Brian R. 2/14

Deb M. 2/15

John S. 2/17

James M. 2/18

Faith H. 2/19

George G. 2/19

Dan D. 2/26

Aydan R. 2/27

Our MVP

This year, Teryl Watson has been an exem-

plary team player, and we bestow the Most Valu-

able Player award to her. She does a fabulous job

running our busy Kitchen and Café areas. She is a

team player on all units as well; Terry would drop

anything to help a fellow staff or Clubhouse

member.

Despite some of our harder days at the club,

she is always smiling and is very positive to mem-

bers and staff. She really has a genuine heart and

spirit that she puts forth to our members.

-Kerry C.

Gena S. Recovery Story

Page 2 The Clubhouse Connection

“What is mental illness… To me it is not what I would of

ever thought I have now achieved. From a very long road

and life at early childhood of darkness and so much more.

Within having a mental illness. Doctors hospitals, media-

tions many years later; so many years later after being

considered hopeless, there is some how new medications

and a breakthrough. Then you learn what semi-recovery

and supports are as well as goals and growth dreams and

forgiveness, caring and sharing, loving and laughing, learn-

ing and achieving.”

Education We would like to congratulate

Erin C. and Olivia B. for starting school

this semester at NECC. Erin is majoring

in psychology, and Olivia in counseling. If

you see them congratulate them!

Page 3 February 2015

20 STRATEGIES for COPING and STRESS RELIEF

Get enough sleep. If possible, try to go to bed and get up at the same time. Remember that alcohol and caf-

feine contribute to sleep problems.

Take a brief media fast – turn off the phone, the TV, and the computer once in a while.

Practice radical acceptance of yourself and others – all humans are imperfect – practice forgiving not only

others, but yourself.

To the greatest possible degree, don’t lie and don’t do what you hate.

Reduce your caffeine and sugar intake. Eat meals or snacks regularly throughout the day – hunger and low

blood sugar can increase stress and negative emotions.

Procrastination is stressful. Whatever you need to do today, consider doing it now.

Breathe. When stressed, most people take short, shallow breaths – this reinforces anxiety. Do the opposite

and take some long, deep breaths whenever you remember during the day.

Increase your pleasure and fun. Every day, do something you really enjoy. Make an effort to see the humor

in situations and people…laughter is a great stress reliever.

Spend some time out in nature, relax by taking a walk outside or sitting in the sun; sit next to a tree or pond

and look at the sky or the water.

Find some reason to get out of bed in the morning… find something that you love, or something that gives

your life meaning and purpose, and then do it. Every once in a while, review what you have accomplished

and celebrate.

Be careful about using alcohol or drugs to self-medicate: Sometimes what starts our as the solution for

upsetting feelings, later on becomes a problem in itself. Self-harm and cutting or piercing can become

problematic in the same way.

Talk to yourself the way that you would talk to a good friend…with compassion, acceptance and non-

judgment. Identify your strengths and remind yourself that you have them when things are bad.

Get moving: Research has proven that exercise is a better anti-depressant than medications for mild to mod-

erate depression.

Write your thoughts and feelings down (in a journal, or on paper to be thrown away) – writing can help you

clarify things and can give you a renewed perspective.

Talk it out. Discussing your problems with a friend or another trusted person can help clear your mind of

confusion so you can concentrate on problem solving. But don’t expect your friends to solve your problems

– own responsibility for solving them yourself.

Focus on understanding, listening to, or doing something kind for somebody else.

Don’t try to control events or other people. Many circumstances in life are beyond your control, particu-

larly the behavior of others. Instead focus on taking right actions and making choices that have integrity

for you.

Ask yourself “Is this my problem?” If it isn’t, leave it alone. If it is, can you resolve it now? Once the

problem is settled, leave it alone. Don’t agonize over the decision, and try to accept situations you cannot

change.

Turn to spirituality for solace: attend a service, pray, talk to God, or ask for help or grace. Consider taking

time to meditate, relax, or practice mindfulness.

Life is persistent in teaching you lessons: Life is like graduate school for the soul; it will keep presenting

you with the same stressful problems, until you finally get the concept and learn what you need to learn.

So when problems show up repeatedly, don’ take it personally, just know that there’s more for you to

learn.


Bowling With the

Point After Club

“For me this was my first outing with

the Clubhouse. I got a cool pair of

bowling shoes. It was fun to have a

friendly competition with peers. My

team put Journey on to make it more

fun, everyone encouraged each other

when they were bowling,. Little Jenn

and I tried different bowling techniques

and we all had a blast. I would encour-

age other members to attend more

outings.”

-Stephanie M.


Employment

Member Story: “My name is Gregg Nihan. I have

been attending this particular club for a year here,

looking for a job. I am thankful to have one now,

thanks to Basillio and the club. I make a day’s pay and

feel good about it, makes me happy to work and I

get a sense of pride about it. Thank you Haverhill

Clubhouse very much. I needed a job and they got

me one.”

-Gregg Nihan, Liberty Tax

The Clubhouse would also like to con-

gratulate Isaiah L., Gregg N., for getting jobs as

entertainers at Liberty Tax in Bradford. Stop

by when in the area and wave to them.

Deborah M. started back at CVS in Plais-

tow this month. You can see her stocking

shelves. Congratulations to all!


Food Pantry

The Clubhouse food pantry

is now up and running! Sup-

plies will be distributed at

these times during the week:

Wednesdays 10:00 AM

Fridays 10:00 AM

The New Floors


Music Group

We have redone the floors of the Clubhouse! This is a great improvement,

and we would appreciate if everyone could pitch in to take better care of our

building. This means always wiping our feet upon entering, especially with the

snow, salt and slush outside, avoid damaging behavior (dragging furniture, for

example), and helping to sweep and mop at the end of each day! Let’s keep

our shared space looking good!

A big thank you to Vinfen Facilities, Billy B and Lee for their hard work on

putting us back together!

Fridays the music group meets at 1:00

PM in the music room upstairs. Mem-

bers include Katie, George, John, Erin,

Taylor, Kerry and anyone else who

wants to join to learn more about mu-

sic theory, rhythm and performing!

Through our Legacy Fund, we were

fortunate to be able to purchase a

Guitar, Keyboard, two wireless micro-

phones, several symbols, various per-

cussion instruments and a conga drum

to enhance our program. A big thank

you to our intern Mary Olga who ar-

ranged our purchases through Tewks-

bury Music.


February Activities 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

Pet Rocks

4 5

Westgate

Plaza

Shopping

6 7

IHOP Salem

Shops

8 9 10

Closes @ 5pm

11

Bowling

3:15pm

12

V-Day

Celebration

2:30-5

13

PAC

Valentines Day

Dance

14

Romance

Movies and

games

15 16 17

Barnes and

Nobles Salem

18 19

Plaistow Shops

20 21

Movies and

Shopping @

the Loop

22 23 24

Open Mic

Coffee House

25 26

Mystery Ride

27 28

Brunch with

PAC

Young Adult Corner 18-29yrs old


Once a month the Haverhill Clubhouse host a movie night for

young adults. It is a chance to meet new people, have a yummy meal, and

watch a movie.

The young adults have a meeting every Thursday at 1pm to plan ac-

tivities to do in the community. We would love to have new members

join us. See Lisa with any questions.

MOP

This month the MOP team was busy. We

went to Anna Jacques, Holy Family and

Tewksbury State Hospitals. Our regular

MOP crew Katei L. Tom W. and Russ J. did

a fantastic job, and we welcomed Diane P

to the team. It was so great to listen to

Diane speak to the patients. Kudos to all

of them!

Phone: (978) 521-6957

Fax: (978) 521-7028

Email:

[email protected]

Haverhill Clubhouse

100 Locust Street

Haverhill, MA, 018306957

Clubhouse

Mission Statement

The Haverhill Club-house

offers respect, hope, and

unlimited opportunity for

membership to access

friendship, housing, educa-

tion and employment in

their community.

Vinfen Mission Statement

Vinfen transforms lives by build-

ing the capacity of individuals,

families, organizations and com-

munities to learn, thrive and

achieve their goals.

Our services promote the recov-

ery, resiliency, habilitation and

self-determination of the people

we serve.

As a human services leader, we

strive to be the provider, em-

ployer and partner of choice. Valentine’s Day Search!

This is the season for love! And no, not

just romantic love and singles mingles...I’m

talking about self-love! See how many

hearts you can find in this month’s newslet-

ter; these are our Valentines gifts to you!

Wishing you health, love and community,

something you can always find at the Club-

house!

Sincerely, The Clubhouse Connection

Answer: there are approximately 47 hearts in the newsletter this month!

The Clubhouse Haverhill Clubhouse Connection · 2017. 2. 15. · Spend some time out in nature, relax by taking a walk outside or sitting in the sun; sit next to a tree or pond and

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