Voices A Consumer Council Newsletter ShelterCare shelters and supports families and individuals, providing each an opportunity to live the fullest life possible in an environment that fosters well-being and success. To my ShelterCare angels, I want you all to know how much I appreciate all the things you have done for me. I have a Life again, a Home. I’m safe and warm and away from the dangers of life... I can’t even explain how you have changed my life and got me out of hell. And you all do make me feel special and happy: things I haven’t had in a long time. While I want to give special thanks to Patricia for going on and beyond, making sure I have every- thing I need; I love you girl. And Nick, Laura, Elizabeth, Bridget, Dan, and everyone else. You are all the most Special People I’ve ever known. Love you all and God Bless you. You all have extra points at the Pearly Gates. You definitely safe lives. Love you all, Diana Schuhmacher ~ painting by Lauren Ofriel
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Voices · Thanks, Lucy, for your time and sharing your story! Contributor's note: Lucy was chosen as our first ShelterCare Employee of the Month because of her involvement with the
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Voices A Consumer Council Newsletter
ShelterCare shelters and supports families and individuals, providing
each an opportunity to live the fullest life possible in an environment
that fosters well-being and success.
To my ShelterCare angels,
I want you all to know how much I appreciate all the things you
have done for me. I have a Life again, a Home. I’m safe and warm
and away from the dangers of life... I can’t even explain how you
have changed my life and got me out of hell. And you all do make
me feel special and happy: things I haven’t had in a long time.
While I want to give special thanks to Patricia for going on and
beyond, making sure I have every-
thing I need; I love you girl. And Nick,
Laura, Elizabeth, Bridget, Dan, and
everyone else. You are all the most
Special People I’ve ever known. Love
you all and God Bless you. You all
have extra points at the Pearly Gates.
You definitely safe lives.
Love you all,
Diana Schuhmacher ~ painting by Lauren Ofriel
Employee Extraordinaire
Lucy Vinis, Development Director
About six years ago Lucy interviewed me as a
part of her job. Now a consumer gets to inter-
view the leader of the Development team!
VOICES: What exactly does your position entail?
LUCY: Making connections between Shelter-
Care's work and the public, and developing the
public’s understanding and support for our work.
VOICES: How long have you worked here?
LUCY: Almost six years.
VOICES: Why did you choose to work with our
population?
LUCY: There is no history of mental illness in my family, although I experienced ex-
treme sadness, with the loss of my husband. I've worked for non-profits all of my profes-
sional life.
VOICES: Why ShelterCare?
LUCY: I value ShelterCare’s mission.
VOICES: Tell us a little bit about your background.
(Continued on page 3)
LUCY: My father was a journalist. When I was fifteen, he took our family on an exten-
sive vacation to the Middle East, traveling to several Arabic speaking countries. While
in Lebanon, I decided then and there that I would do my best to go to the American Uni-
versity of Beirut, against all odds. I studied at the American University as a Junior, and
earned my B.A. in Religion, a year later. My other degrees include an M.A. in Arabic
and an M.S. in Entomology, specializing in agricultural insect pests. I've worked for non
-profits in development, advocacy, and public speaking. For seventeen years I worked
with the environmental group EarthShare of Oregon. I've known Erin Bonner, current
Chief Operations Officer at ShelterCare, for twenty years; our friendship led to my find-
ing out about ShelterCare. My skills, my being in the right place at the right time, and
the approval of those, on the panel that hired me, got me into my present job. I truly love
working here.
VOICES: What about any immediate family?
LUCY: I have two sons, ages twenty six and twenty three. One lives in Eugene and the
other one in NewYork.
VOICES: What do you enjoy doing, recreation wise?
LUCY: Hiking and camping. I also like reading and movies.
VOICES: Leave us with a laugh, Lucy: what's the funniest thing you've seen while
working here?
LUCY: That would have to be the sight of Brad (of Development) hauling five thousand
pumpkins for the Jack O' Lanterns on Broadway Festival.
VOICES: I can about imagine; that sounds seriously amusing. Thanks, Lucy, for your
time and sharing your story!
Contributor's note: Lucy was chosen as our first ShelterCare Employee of the Month because of
her involvement with the Council, which led to the formation of "VOICES." And on a personal
note; she's quite a teacher, and chose not to edit either of my speeches given beside the two
city's Mayors.
-Kevin-
(Continued from page 2)
In My Heart
Doesn’t it hurt
Its like diving in the dirt
You look clean but you wonder if you missed a spot
Isn’t it hard saying goodbye to a friend
I look at what I'm holding and it’s a promise I forgot
Won’t forget this one, without friends there is no specialty
How do I come up to say what you mean to me
I already miss you even though you haven’t gone
That’s because there is a little thread of life between us now
That thread travels on and on from dark until dawn
Everything is stardust and I’m like a raindrop in your gentle storm
Brrrr losing something that kept me warm
Somehow I know we will meet again
There is a special place for those I could call friend
You may think "did he really know me from our few talks"
Well I remember, maybe right after the first storm
Something's missing, so I take some walks
I want to keep it simple, I want it to be kind
I want you to know you have touched my heart and
mind
A warm prayer on a cold night comes right from me
What I hope is I don’t use my illness to build a wall
You see when that feeling appears it will still be Fall
Autumn I been up all night painting leaves
The lady of my heart believes
I have to know that, so when you feel a gentle touch
Think of me I wish I could promise more but I promise that much
I feel we feel because it’s what creates that spark
So please it never is goodbye, it's just you being missed by Mark
~ by Mark Wallenbrock
“Art means a freedom of
creative expression...
Creativity is unlimited. It’s a
release of my expression. I
know a lot of people use it to
escape…I live in it and ex-
press myself.” ~ Robin Waltz
by Robin Waltz
Consumer Council Corner
Upcoming Year Presents New Challenges & Opportunities
Cynthia Price is a ShelterCare consumer and survivor of two brain surgeries for a pituitary tumor. She grew
up in Stockton, CA, and has lived in Seattle and Portland. After moving to Eugene to enroll in the agency’s
Uhlhorn Program nearly a decade ago, she has been an active council member, previously holding positions
as secretary and treasurer. She was recently elected to her second term as council president for the 2015-16
fiscal year.
As I start my second term with gratitude for the opportunity, I look forward with excitement to the
challenges ahead. If the theme for my first year was “communication,” the theme for the upcoming
term would be... “more communication.”
My goal continues to be one of establishing open lines between ShelterCare consumers; between
consumers and ShelterCare staff; and between consumers and the community at large. Authentic
communication means understanding, and understanding often translates to positive action.
Internally, the council hopes to help organize and host a party for ShelterCare’s Uhlhorn Program
this summer for all ShelterCare consumers. The program — which houses and supports adults with
acquired brain injuries — is celebrating its 25th year, and we want to show our appreciation. As a
longtime Uhlhorn resident, the program has changed my life and I’m so grateful for its support!
Regarding community involvement, I’d also like to establish regular volunteer outings for consumers
with groups such as Habitat for Humanity (as we have done in the past). At some point, we would
also like to engage Mayor Kitty Piercy in conversation with consumers and ShelterCare staff, per-
haps in an informal Q & A session. In my estimation, this type of outreach is critical.
In addition to communication and outreach, I hope to establish a
“Pet Resource Center” for individuals who are homeless or indi-
gent and have pets. As someone who has a rescue cat, I know how
important pets can be for people in recovery. They are more than
just pets: they are friends, family and warmth on a winter night.
While this goal is only in the conceptual stage, my hope would be
to establish a place where consumers can go to get vaccinations,
medications and food for their furry loved ones.
Finally, we are working actively to find volunteers — perhaps
college students or retired professionals — who can help consum-
ers with transportation.
So much to do, but so much to look forward to in the coming year.
~ Cynthia Price, Consumer Council President
Getting to Know...
Number one in a series of articles about the expansion of ShelterCare's clinical services,
since the opening of the new Center for Programs & Service.
"Getting to Know" would like to introduce: Patricia, our new Community Health Worker,
Ingredients: 5 to 6 medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed
Fresh hot green chiles, to taste
(roughly 2 serranos or 1 jalapeno), stemmed
5 or 6 sprigs fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Scant 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
Salt
Directions: Whether you choose the verdant, slushy, herby freshness of the all-raw tomatillo salsa or the oil-colored, voluptuous, sweet-sour richness of the roasted version, tomatillos are about brightening tang. The buzz of the fresh hot green chile adds thrill, all of which adds up to a condiment most of us simply don't want to live without. For the All-Raw version: Roughly chop the tomatillos and the chiles. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatillos, chiles, cilantro and 1/4 cup water. Process to a coarse puree, then scrape into a serving dish. Rinse the onion under cold water, then shake to remove excess moisture. Stir into the salsa and season with salt, usually a generous 1/4 teaspoon. For the Roasted version: Preheat a broiler. Roast the tomatillos and chiles on a baking sheet 4 inches below a very hot broiler until darkly roasted, even blackened in spots, about 5 minutes. Flip them over and roast the other side, 4 to 5 minutes more will give you splotchy-black and blistered tomatillos and chiles. In a blend-er or food processor, combine the tomatillos and chiles, including all the delicious juice that has run onto the baking sheet. Add the cilantro and 1/4 cup water, blend to a coarse puree, and scrape into a serving dish. Rinse the onion under cold water, then shake to remove the excess moisture. Stir into the salsa and season with salt, usually a generous 1/4 teaspoon. Recipe courtesy Rick Bayless. From Mexico: One plate at a Time; Scribner, 2000. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/salsa-verde-green-tomatillo-salsa-recipe.html?oc=linkback