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"Artists Without Limits"
Opening Reception Today!
Thurs., April 16
5 to 6:30 p.m.
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"The Washington Redskins Playing" by Leah Loebner
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The Arundel Center
44 Calvert Street,
Annapolis
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"The Power of Secrets: Sharing Truth Through Art"
One Day Only!
Thurs., May 7
1 to 5 p.m.
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Maryland Coalition for Mental Health Awareness Presents Frank Warren
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American Visionary Arts Museum
800 Key Highway,
Baltimore
(410) 244-1900
Contact
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Monthly Meetings and Groups
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Open Eye Gallery
Committee Meeting
Fri., May 1
11 a.m.
At Arundel Lodge.
Held on the first Friday of each month. All are welcome. Email Katerina Evans or call her at (443) 433-5961 with any questions.
NAMI Family Support Group
Thurs., May 14
7 to 8:30 p.m.
At Arundel Lodge.
For more information, email NAMI Anne Arundel.
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April Showers Bring May Flowers!
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Recovery Blossoms at Arundel Lodge
Wendy doesn't remember a time when she didn't hear voices. "I would laugh at my Momma and she would get mad and she'd hit me, whack!" Wendy said. "I'd tell her, 'Momma, it's not me. It's the voices laughing.'"
"My mother mentally and physically abused me. [Because of that,] I used to cut my arms up. I tried to kill myself. When I came to the Lodge I was a mess, but now I accept love and I know I'm wanted. I like to have a good time, laugh and joke with my friends. I like to go shopping. I try to get along with everyone now--before I didn't care."
Statistics show that people with psychiatric disabilities are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violent crime (Appleby, et al., 2001). Researchers at North Carolina State University and Duke University found that people with severe mental illnesses--schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or psychosis--are two and a half times more likely to be attacked, raped or mugged than the general population (Hiday, et al., 1999).
Wendy started at Arundel Lodge in our Bay Ridge Residential Program for individuals who needed intensive supervision and care. Today, Wendy is able to manage her symptoms successfully. With mental health treatment and compassionate, competent care, Wendy has progressed into our Fresh Start Program for individuals transitioning to independent living. Matt's mom gave him up when he was a baby. Because he was deaf, it was difficult to find a family willing to take him. "I was moved around to so many different places. I was [placed] with the wrong families." "My adoptive family was the first time I really experienced kindness. It was the first time that I realized that I didn't have to be abused anymore, that I could be loved and not have to hurt all the time." Matt lives with bipolar disorder, agoraphobia (an intense fear and anxiety of being in places where it is hard to escape, or where help might not be available), social anxiety (a discomfort or fear when a person is in a social interaction that involves a concern of being judged or evaluated by others), and androphobia (a fear of men). Matt came to Arundel Lodge because of his co-occurring mental illness and drug and alcohol addiction. He is in our Deaf Program and is now a leader in the Wellness and Recovery Action Plan Program, where he helps others in recovery. "I'm most proud that I've been clean and sober for more than five years," he said. In 2007, Melinda lost her daughter during a home invasion. Overwhelming grief consumed her. "I just kept crying. I couldn't get myself together," she said. Her psychologist referred her to Arundel Lodge, where she received therapy and participated in the Visual Arts Program. Her first paintings were dark and reflected her pain. As time went on and Melinda experienced recovery, her paintings became brighter, more jubilant. She was again able to celebrate life. |
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Photo by Joshua McKerrow, The Capital Gazette.
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Melinda had never painted before coming to Arundel Lodge and did not consider herself an artist, but through this powerful medium of self-expression, Melinda was able to reconnect with herself and find healing.
"I still miss my daughter, but it's better," she said. "I can talk about it."
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Sowing Seeds of Hope:
Join Us for The Great Give, May 5-6!
Arundel Lodge is once again participating in The Great Give, led by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County.
This 24-hour online fundraiser is a meaningful way for you to support access to mental health in Anne Arundel County and sow seeds of hope for so many in need. Our goal is to raise $30,000 for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders!
The more we raise together, the more people we can help.
Please share this newsletter with your friends and family by clicking the following link: and ask if they will make a contribution from
Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m.
to
Wednesday, May 6 at 6 p.m.
Mark your calendars now or click HERE to donate today on our website.
Join us for Happy Hour on Tuesday, May 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at
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Volunteers Lay Fertile Ground of Compassion
Arundel Lodge volunteers have logged hundreds of hours so far this year. Through their activities and meaningful interactions with those we serve, they have lain a fertile ground of compassion and enriched lives. They've shown immeasurable kindness, provided a listening ear, patient instruction, gentle guidance, and the gift of friendship. Our volunteers have lent a helping hand and even applied quite a bit of elbow grease where and when it's been needed most.
On that note, we want to highlight a group who came to us from Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park. This group took on one of our toughest volunteer jobs yet, and they've tackled it with fervor and grace.
The Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church group (some members shown here) has been helping to
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| | Dale Moeller, Bonnie Habicht, Harold Laque |
restore and refresh one of the Residential Program houses that six seniors call home. They've taken down decades-old wallpaper, prepped walls for painting, washed curtains, replaced sinks, donated and changed out counter tops, and so much more. It's truly a spring cleaning that will leave residents feeling loved and cared for.
The Residential Program faces a gap of more than $250,000 for home maintenance and repairs that our reimbursements for direct services from Medical Assistance do not cover. It is only with the help of volunteers and donors that more than 100 people can continue to have a safe, stable, and appropriate roof over the heads.
Thank you to Mark Albergo, Computer Specialist, who has been helping to update the computers in our computer lab. No small feat!
As always, we are infinitely grateful to our volunteers in the art program (Dinah Little, Dinny White, Jody Lacey, May Frances, Ellen Thayer, Brian Kyhos, Barbara Cantor, Melinda Cannon, Margaret O'Brien, and Elizabeth Ramirez) who work with our persons served and on our committees. The Visual Arts Program is stronger because of you!
Thank you to all of our interns who chose Arundel Lodge as a worthy place to give back and learn about behavioral health.
Tutors like Kris Bennett, who help those we serve soar and reach new heights, are an invaluable resource.
Our Board members serve as constant beacons toward bright futures. We value your wisdom, dedication, and the keen interest you take in furthering our mission and bettering our organization.
To all of the volunteers, including staff members, who have participated in our special events, your gifts of time, talent and treasure have made a world of difference to those we serve and have made Arundel Lodge a better place to be. Thank you!
For a list of volunteer opportunities, click here or contact Volunteer Coordinator Cindy Garmoe.
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Creative Arrangements: Honoring Friends Who Have Passed On
Spring is a time for celebrating the miracle and beauty the life cycle.
We recently asked Mary Campbell, our Clinical Care Coordinator at Arundel Lodge, "What happens when a person we serve in our Residential Program dies?"
If the person has family, we assist the family in any way we can. If the person has no family, we make arrangements with Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory in Laurel, who has been incredible about providing services for whatever money the individual had saved.
We celebrate the person's life with a memorial ceremony, we write a eulogy, we play the music we know they liked; basically we celebrate their life as we would one of our family members, because to us, they are family.
What are some of the commemorations that have stood out for you?
When "Bob" died, he had been with the Senior Residential Program for 14 years. The staff loved "Bob". We'd take turns taking him home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although he had not seen his family in years, we knew he had seven siblings, but we couldn't locate any of them. We tried the Internet, yellow pages, everything. He was originally from West Virginia and had wanted to return.
Back then, Arundel Lodge used to take residents on camping trips to the Shenandoah Valley. Those were "Bob's" favorite. He loved those trips, so when he died, I took his ashes and spread them in the Shenandoah Valley at Harper's Ferry where the Shenandoah, Susquehanna, and Potomac Rivers all meet. I think he would have liked that.
"Bella" was a happy person and always looked for any excuse to have a party. We celebrated her memorial service at Arundel Lodge with cake, ice cream and balloons. It's how she lived her life.
The songs we played for her included "Dancing Queen" (by Abba), and "Old Time Rock & Roll" (by Bob Seger). Her sister and brother-in-law even performed a ballroom dancing routine to "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" (by Aretha Franklin) in our cafeteria. Her music was unique.
"Lucian" had been in the MICA (Mentally Ill Chemically Addicted) Residential Program, then the Senior Residential Program. He had gone into the hospital for surgery and ended up on life support for about three weeks. His family came to see him and made the decision to take him off of life support.
"Lucian" and I had had a connection. We both loved the Rolling Stones. He played their music [on the guitar] phenomenally and even made me a [cassette] tape, so we had a Rolling Stones-themed service for him. I found a Rolling Stones tie online for him to wear.
He left a few belongings, including two guitars. They hang on my office wall and I think of him every day. "Lucian" was a devout Catholic and attended St. Mary's Church. That's where we had his Mass.
"Miss B" was a Masters-level educator who began experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia in her forties. That's why she came to Arundel Lodge. When she passed away, her ex-husband flew in from Washington State for her services. Her long-time companion here at the Lodge, who is still a resident, was supposed to deliver the 23rd Psalm, but was so overwhelmed, he couldn't speak.
Toward the end, "Joe" was septic and we knew he was dying. Doctors wanted to send him to a nursing home for his final days, but we couldn't let that happen. Arundel Lodge was his home.
Staff signed up for two-hour shifts, without pay, to be with him so he could die in his bed, in peace, with dignity. Hospice nurses came to help us. His family was grateful.
Before "Joe" died, he gave me his lunch bag with a broken watch, his lottery numbers, his wallet with a picture of my kids, a few pens and some papers. I still have it, just as he left it. I can't throw it out.
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Mary Campbell, Arundel Lodge Clinical Care Coordinator
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"Geo" got a military-themed funeral. He wasn't ever in the military, but his brother was a Colonel in the United States Army and "Geo" had always wanted to follow in his brother's footsteps. He wasn't able to, of course, because of his illness.
"Geo" had a good friend who had once arranged to take him up in a plane that was hangared at Andrews Air Force Base. That was a great day for him. For his service, we had learned how to fold the American flag and played taps.
Staff has even paid out of pocket just so that individuals could have a decent funeral. Death doesn't have to be a bad thing. Some people are sick for a long time and death is a release from that. But these people deserve dignity and peace, and we can be a part of that process.
Note: Names have been changed to protect privacy.
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Nurturing Talent: Two Must-See Art Shows!
Artists Without Limits Opens Today!
See artwork by 11 Open Eye Gallery artist at The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues' 2015 Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit.
Lois Agee, Marisa Bolan, Lee Hanson, Liz Hooper, Colin Lacey, Leah Loebner, Margaret O'Brien, Sheryl Perez, Solomon Queen, Heidi Richardson, and Tameka Tongue!
The opening reception will be Thursday, April 16, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Arundel Center.
The Power of Secrets: Sharing Truth Through Art
The Maryland Coalition for Mental Health Awareness will host a FREE annual event and art show at the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore, May 7 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Founder of Post Secret Frank Warren will be honored for his work in helping to reducing stigma surrounding mental illness. He will be signing copies of his latest book and discussing wellness and the arts. Arundel Lodge artists will be participating in this event. Join us!
See sidebar under "Art and Special Events" for more details about events or contact our Art Program and Open Eye Gallery Director, Katerina Evans.
The Art Program needs volunteers next Thursday (4/23) and Friday (4/24) to make 400 paper flowers for the AVAM show. Please contact Lindsey Butler if you are interested in helping.
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Setting Down New Roots
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| | Lindsay Roberts, Arundel Lodge Employment Specialist, Supported Employment Program |
As an Employment Specialist, Lindsay Roberts helps find jobs for many of the 70 participants in our Supported Employment Program. She goes out into the community and forms relationships with local businesses then pairs up her clients with those businesses.
"I love seeing a perfect match!" she said with a big smile. "I love seeing my clients grow throughout the process. Having a job is a huge gain for their mental health."
Lindsay helps individuals prepare for competitive employment by working out an individualized plan that meets their needs. Once an individual finds a position, she can be there on the job to help with training and facilitate initial interactions with the new employer. "Businesses are our clients too," Lindsay said. Lindsay added that she's always available for additional support for the employee or the employer.
Businesses in the community are receptive to the program and they help in so many different ways. "Some will call me when they need an employee and others volunteer to do mock interviews to help build clients' skill sets."
In May, Lindsay will be leaving Arundel Lodge to set down new roots in Einsiedlerhof, Germany with her soon-to-be-husband Joey, a Major in the United States Airforce.
We asked Lindsay what she will miss most about Arundel Lodge. She said, "I don't think I've ever worked with a better group of staff. The atmosphere--it's not often you wake up excited to go to work. I wish I could take the Lodge with me."
Coworkers and clients alike are sad to see her go and will miss Lindsay's enthusiasm for her work. We wish her well and hope to see her upon her return from Germany.
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