VOCAL CO-OP Firewalkers

VOCAL
CO-OP

Consumer
Owned
&
Operated
Programs

VOCAL
CO-OP

A collective
of peer-run
mental health
programs in Virginia

Our Sponsors

Made possible thanks to
support from Virginia DMHMRSAS

VOCAL CO-OP NEWS

January, 2008

Dear Friends of VOCAL,

VOCAL is seeking seven people in Virginia who will share their stories in interviews for a new project: Firewalkers: Seven Stories of Seven People Transformed by Mental Illness.

This project will be a "living anthology" including a book of interviews, photo series, and outreach events where people can share their stories.

Our goal is to create a book that is different from the books that are already out there. We hope to reach out across our state with a message of a different way of viewing mental illness, and create a deeper understanding of what it means, and what is possible.

We are seeking people who have lived deeply through the experience of mental illness, and through this experience have learned things they never expected to learn and become people they never expected to be. People who have faced madness, fire, creativity, the dark night of the soul, and the rich world beneath the surface, and now have a story to tell. For some of us, the experience of living through and living with mental illness has changed us, enlightened us, enriched us. These are the stories we want to hear. And want to tell.

If this is you, or if this is someone you know, we want to hear from you. You do not need to be a great writer, or a writer at all - just a person with a voice, and a story to tell.

We can offer you a stipend for your time and experience, a chance to share your story in an interview for a book, and the opportunity to travel and speak out about the truth of your experience. Most importantly, we invite you to join us and embark on this journey to heal and create wholeness in people's minds and hearts.

If this describes you, we would love to hear from you. If you know someone else who you think would be a good match, please share this message with them, and encourage them to get involved. You can learn more about the firewalkers project and how to get involved at:

Firewalkers: Stories from the Crucible
Read some thoughts from the Firewalk Peer Editorial Team

How to Become a Firewalker
Learn how you can become involved in this project. Please respond by February 22, 2008.

Learn More About Firewalkers
Learn more about the firewalkers project.

Best wishes,

From the Firewalkers Peer Editorial Team: Bev Ball, Ann Benner, Debra Knighton, Yolande Long Hairfield, Ken Moore, Cassandra Nudel, Brian Parrish, Cynthia Power, and Mitzi Ware.

New News

Conference Scholarships

The following conferences have full scholarships for consumers available. Deadline: February 15, 2008. For scholarship applications and more information, contact: Jackee Williams, AFYA, Inc. 8101 Sandy Spring Road, Suite 301, Laurel, MD 20707, Phone: (301) 957-3040, Ext. 263. jwilliams@afyainc.com. (If you have had any difficulty reaching them by phone, someone wrote us to suggest trying email). Upcoming conferences:

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare May 1-3, 2008, Boston, MA http://www.thenationalcouncil.org

The International Conference on Self-Determination May 27-29, 2008 Detroit, MI http://www.self-determination.com

National Association of Rural Mental Health August 6-9, 2008 Burlington, VT http://www.narmh.org/

National Association of Peer Specialists August 20-22, 2008, Philadelphia, PA http://naops.org/

2008 SAMHSA/CMS Invitational Conference on Medicaid and Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Treatment September 23-24, 2008 Baltimore, MD

2008 NAMI Convention. Orlando, FL June 13-16.

Recovery Facilitator Training

Here is a great opportunity to learn to lead mental health recovery groups. I do not know the details - I believe that it is free, and may be open only to consumers in Northern Virginia.

WRAP is a self-management and recovery system developed by a group of people who had mental health difficulties and who were struggling to incorporate wellness tools and strategies into their lives. Funded by a grant from the Regional Recovery Work Group, The Copeland Center will be providing WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator Training. Fairfax, Virginia 22030. Monday - Friday, 3/3/08 - 3/7/08.

For more information or an application, contact: Sharon C. Ekleberry, Mental Health Services, Ekleberry@fairfaxcounty.gov, 703-968-4027. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: FEBRUARY 11, 2008

Northern Virginia Programs

Updates on consumer-run programs in Northern Virginia. Thank you to Bill Yolton for providing these updates:

Fairfax County
On Our Own of Fairfax County
Number of Consumers: 30-45 per day
On Our Own Of Fairfax County, Inc. (OOOFxCo) is a consumer-operated drop-in center located in the south county area of Fairfax County. Working together, we strive to provide a welcoming, safe and recovery-oriented center that is member driven that meets the culturally diverse needs of our community in a variety of ways. The Center is open Thursdays from 3-7, and Saturdays and Sundays 1-7. 703-531-6398, 8794-S Sacramento Drive, Alexandria Va 22309 (on Rt. 1 at Sacrament Drive)
CO-OP Point Person: Bill Yolton, lwyolton@prodigy.net

Fairfax County
Agape Reservoir
Meets every Friday except at holidays. 6 p.m. for supper and activities. M.H. consumers specially welcome. Location: Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church. 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, in south Fairfax county.
Contact: Bill or Diane at 703-360-3657

Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association
NVMHCA is an advocacy and support organization of people who are the current and former recipients of mental health services and supports. We are advocates for education and empowerment in the pursuit of recovery, for the availability of adequate and appropriate services and supports for people in need of them, and for the protection of our civil rights. Our goals are to empower people to enjoy satisfying and productive lives in the community of their choice. Meets the first Sunday of the month postponed at holidays. Newcomers and inactive members are always welcomed! Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, off Route 1 in Alexandria, VA, (in south Fairfax County. 703-360-1992

Northern Virginia
Regional Recovery Work Group
A collaboration of consumers with providers to educate for recovery, develop consumer run programs, and give support to them. The RRWG meets the second Monday at 1 p.m. at 10201 Fairfax Blvd.(Lee Highway) Suite 204 in Fairfax, VA. Consumers who are interested in the project are invited to sit in. The project is funded by DMHMRSAS through the area CSBs. 703-876-0390 Staff director: Russell Pierce, consumer group supporter: Beverly McCullom.

Changing the Conversation About Mental Health on College Campuses

A speaking event by Alison Malmon, the executive director of Active Minds, a group that promotes mental health support and advocacy on college campuses. Sponsored by DBSA-Northern Virginia is sponsoring, with George Mason University's Office of Disability Services. George Mason University, Student Union I, Rooms ABC, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. February 27, 2008. 7PM-9PM. For more information on this event write bipolarhope@dbsanova.org or call (703) 803-6442

Peer-run Program News

Peer Program Directory

Peer-run programs are designed, led and governed by people who have been diagnosed with mental illness. To find out more, or to contact the programs in this newsletter, visit our Directory of Peer-Run Programs in Virginia.