 
The Women's Treatment Center
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breaking the cycle of addiction
mending the bonds between women and their children!
November 2010 - Issue 5
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TWTC pays 3% processing fee per donation to Just Give; please consider adding 3% to your gift.
THANK YOU to everyone who responded so quickly to our recent e-mail alert, helping TWTC take advantage of JustGive's offer of a $10 match to contributions to TWTC.
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Greetings!,
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 It's that time of year again: the season of giving thanks - a perfect time to acknowledge those who embody the spirit of service at TWTC. I feel privileged to have a team of very dedicated employees, interns, and volunteers whose devotion, enthusiasm, creativity and, financial support have helped TWTC sustain its tradition of innovation in the field of substance abuse treatment for women for the last 20 years. In this time of economic difficulty, which sees an increasing number of families requiring substance abuse treatment, it is this team of committed people that encourages me to look forward to an even better future for TWTC and for the communities it serves. This past fiscal year TWTC served 1126 women and close to 400 children from across Illinois - it wouldn't have been possible without their help. Today I would like every single member of my TWTC family to know that I truly appreciate you and your inspiring commitment. THANK YOU many times! 
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Jewell Oates, Ph.D
Executive Director
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Thanking Big
| TWTC to increase services to homeless, mentally ill, women on parole
Homelessness, mental illness and a prison sentence complicate the lives of many women struggling to get or stay sober from drug and alcohol addiction. Now, thanks to two recently awarded federal grants, The Women's Treatment Center will be able to enhance the services we offer these women.
Both grants are funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. One will increase TWTC's residential treatment services for homeless single women with a mental disorder, allowing us to serve 450 women over a five-year period. It will also enable us to hire staff to link these women to community-based recovery supports, including safe and affordable housing, once they leave residential treatment. The project promises to increase treatment stays, reduce HIV/AIDS risk behaviors, reduce criminal involvement, improve self-sufficiency, and improve family and social relationships.
The other, a three-year grant, will serve 150 women with substance abuse histories who are within four months of release from two downstate prisons and who will be returning to Chicago/Cook County. The grant will increase the availability of residential and outpatient treatment and recovery support services for these women. Case Managers will assist in the transition from prison to treatment and recovery support services, focusing on housing, employment and family issues. Peer Support Specialists, themselves ex-offenders and in substance abuse recovery, will provide outreach, engagement and support groups to project participants. The project anticipates outcomes similar to those of the first grant.
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| Community Impact |
Improving outcomes for families impacted by substance abuse: TWTC staff shares their expertise with community professionals Professionals in the field of substance abuse benefited recently when two of TWTC's highly-regarded staff shared their expertise at the annual Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association conference September 17. Carolyn Champion, Outpatient Program Supervisor, and Renee Lee, Recovery Home Program Manager at TWTC, presented on "Improving Outcomes for Families." They highlighted the importance of appropriately utilizing the American Society of Addiction Medicine ( ASAM) placement criteria, an Evidence-Based Practice to foster favorable outcomes in the substance abuse continuum of care. Ms. Champion particularly emphasized that substance abuse treatment providers should work together as a team to reduce the risk of a client's placement into an inappropriate level of care that leads to unfavorable results. Ms. Champion also discussed the benefits of Stephanie Covington's treatment program for women recovering from chemical dependency and psychological trauma, " Helping Women Recover," that is being used at TWTC to help the patients manage certain emotional barriers that may trigger future relapse.
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| Inside Look |
"Where would I be today if I did not have a counselor who told me I COULD DO IT?"
 "Until 1988 when I got into treatment, all I knew was how to use and get drugs. Today I have much respect for my addiction counselors who helped me see my strengths to become what I am now - a productive member of the society. I have my own recovery home and a full time job, I own properties, and above all - I'm a dependable grandmother. My counselors changed my life."
This much inspiring story belongs to Pamela Frazier, a senior counselor on one of TWTC's residential treatment units, who initiated the National Addiction Counselors' Day in 2001 out of her belief that addiction counselors should be recognized nationally because of their important role in the journey of recovery of people with substance abuse disorders. Since then, it has become an annual tradition at TWTC to honor its counselors for their commitment to changing the lives of the families we serve. This year's Counselors' Day, celebrated on September 29, included pampering all of TWTC's 25 counselors with deep gratitude, spa treatment presents, food, entertainment, and some valuable quality time to relax with their colleagues.
"Women come to TWTC with very low self esteem, no jobs and multiple issues along with substance abuse. It is very challenging to help them become sober and independent ... but it is also very rewarding to see them sober, finding jobs, with some even working at TWTC. It makes it worth coming back to this job every day," said one of the counselors. Yes, it is worth it - seeing women empowered, improving the lives of families and communities. Once again - for all that you counselors do - we THANK YOU!
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Engaging families in healthy fun time together: Annual Harvest Festival celebrated at TWTC
 The basement hallway at TWTC lit up with cheer, laughter and family fun on the evening of October 21 when the Parenting department launched the Annual Harvest Festival. The Festival was a part of the weekly Mother & Child Interaction activities designed to engage, educate and strengthen families during their time together. The Festival was designed to provide a positive family-friendly fall celebration without anything that would scare or have a negative impact on children already traumatized by the effects of substance abuse in the family. Over 60 children & over 45 families from all programs enjoyed their time together. Older kids made ginger bread Halloween houses and masks out of paper plates at a station set in the beautifully decorated hallway. Dinner included healthy options such as fresh vegetables and juices to encourage clients and families to develop healthier eating habits. Regular parent-child interaction activities and the unique structure of TWTC's Parenting Program - geared toward minimizing the risk of child abuse and neglect - distinguish TWTC from other substance abuse treatment providers in Illinois. Everything, including the design and goals of the daily routine, supports a compassionate therapeutic environment for women and their children. The Parenting team works together to provide an accurate knowledge base to pregnant women and mothers regarding child development and appropriate child-rearing practices, and to help mothers practice positive parenting, thereby promoting healthy mother-child relationships. For more information, contact Lisa Parks-Johnson.
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Your feedback is important to us. Please send us your suggestions, questions and comments related to our work at newsletter@womenstreatmentcenter.org or call 312.850.0050 at any time.
We look forward to hearing from you! |
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