Entries from Advocates' Art Exhibit, held each year in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. | |
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Upcoming Events
Click the links below for complete event details.
We are thrilled to invite you to a presentation with Robert Whitaker, award winning journalist and author of Mad In America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, And The Enduring Mistreatment Of The Mentally Ill, on December 8th from 2-4 p.m. He will discuss his work and recent developments around contemporary mental health.
The Autism Alliance of MetroWest, a program of Advocates, invites you to a Family Information Session about the Massachusetts Home Modification Loan Program on Wednesday, December 14th, 7 p.m. at the Morse Institute Library in Natick. Presented by SMOC. |
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Share one of your favorite pastimes with individuals in need.
Games for Good - Advocates 2011
Holiday Gift Drive
Do you remember a game or puzzle you enjoyed with friends, loved ones or even just yourself? What is your favorite game to play on game night? This year, we are collecting NEW games for adults and families we serve who otherwise would not receive a gift this holiday season.
We are accepting donations of NEW games including:
* Video Games
* Computer Games
* Outdoor Games
* Puzzles
* Crossword/Word Puzzle
Books
Why Games? Games play a crucial role in our social and emotional lives by bringing people together. Game playing can be a simple but effective way to help individuals practice skills, connect with peers and lift their spirits. For many, these moments shared through games are milestones on their journeys to recovery and everyday wellness.
Donate online NOW or visit www.AdvocatesInc.org for a list of drop-off locations!
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This month we give thanks. While celebrating Thanksgiving, we at Advocates feel grateful for our many supporters who go above and beyond to provide opportunities for the people we support.
Connecting individuals with opportunities
Thank you Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Thank you to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. for providing quality of life grants to individuals served by Advocates. The Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Fund provides grants for recreational activities, enrichment opportunities, education and anything else that will enhance the quality of life of individuals served by Advocates.
Advocates Day Habilitation program in Ashland used their recent Gallagher award to host an exotic animal presentation in October. The activity allowed the 100 attendees to closely observe and feel each animal. Because of their disabilities, many individuals in the program do not have the opportunity to view animals up close and in person at a zoo.
"Without the funding from the Gallagher Fund, it would not have been possible for us to afford such an extensive and interactive opportunity. Everyone enjoyed Animal Adventures, and the experience was remarkable," says Crystal Rice, manager for Advocates Day Habilitation.
Other Advocates programs and individuals are using the funds for:
- Franklin Park Zoo/Stone Zoo passes
- Trips to museums, local concerts and the YMCA
- Arts and crafts supplies for Art Group
- A safe car seat for a newborn
- College courses
- Ceramics classes
- A backyard makeover
- Recreational outings and birthday celebrations
The Gallagher Fund will offer two opportunities annually for Advocates programs to apply for grants of up to $500. The next grant cycle will open on February 1, 2012. |
Providing compassionate community justice
Thank you Town of Watertown
Thank you to the Town of Watertown for awarding Advocates a $7500 grant through the Watertown Community Enrichment Fund to support our new jail diversion partnership with the Watertown Police.
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From left to right: Michael J. Driscoll, town manager, Casey Doherty, LMHC, assistant director for Advocates Psychiatric Emergency Services, Melissa Riley, clinical staff responder for Advocates Watertown Jail Diversion Program, Ken Bates, vice president for Advocates Behavioral Health and Day Supports, Mark S. Sideris, town council president, John A. Donohue, town councilor-at-large, and Sargent David Sampson. |
"We are so pleased that the Watertown Police Department continues to operate and support the Jail Diversion Program. Hundreds of Watertown residents will benefit from improved psychiatric crisis intervention annually," says Ken Bates, vice president for Advocates Behavioral Health and Day Supports.
Like our Jail Diversion Programs in Marlborough and Framingham, our relationship with the Watertown Police will prevent citizens with mental illness from entering the criminal justice system when they can be more appropriately served with human services. The jail diversion model has a track record of making more effective use of limited police department resources and increasing collaboration among community-based treatment and social services providers and the Watertown Police Department.
"Wonderfully creative and effective community solutions can evolve in such collaborations and people with mental illness can get the treatment and support they need in the community," says Ken. |
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Helping families of children with autism
Thank you staff from the
Office of the State Auditor
Thank you to the staff from the Office of the State Auditor for organizing an arts and crafts drive to benefit the Autism Alliance of MetroWest, a program of Advocates. The generous donation of supplies will be put to great use in our SibShop, a support group for young siblings of children with autism.
"Life can be very difficult for these siblings, who often take a back seat to their brothers and sisters with autism. That is why the department's recent donation of art supplies is so appreciated. It sends the message that these kids matter," says Nannette Ohman, executive director for the Autism Alliance of MetroWest.
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Thank you to our valued supporters for your generous contributions
Thank you to the following vendor-partners for generously supporting our programs and improving the lives of the individuals we serve in our community.
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 Weng Corporation Clean All Over
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Thank you to the following Holiday Gift Drive donors for helping us provide holiday gifts for the people we serve who would otherwise go without this holiday season.
 
 
 
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A special thank you to Melanie Taylor
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Advocates' mission is to help people achieve their hopes and dreams within the fabric of their communities. We partner with people with disabilities, elders, and those with other challenges to overcome personal obstacles and societal barriers so that they can obtain and keep homes, engage in work and other meaningful activities, and sustain satisfying relationships. We work to inspire communities to create opportunities for contribution and participation by all.
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