Wellness Brunch

On Saturday, April 13,2024, We had an exciting Wellness Brunch At B -More Clubhouse! During the Brunch we did chair exercises, we ate breakfast, and we did a lovely walk around the neighborhood. We had 13 people show up for the Wellness Brunch. Maressa and Kristofer cooked us an outstanding breakfast of Tomato and cheese pie with blueberry muffins. Eric Schroeder had a good time. While doing the chair exercises he said “This is so good! I can do this at home.” He also added “I did not know you can do this on Youtube! It ‘s free! We can do this at home, All you need is a chair!” Kristofer “feels” Brunch was a “ bonding experience.” Everyone had a good experience at the Wellness Brunch and we hope we have another one real soon.

B'More Clubhouse is Celebrating 15 Years!

April is a very exciting month for B’More Clubhouse, and not just because it’s springtime! April is also when we celebrate B’More Clubhouse’s anniversary. This year we will be celebrating the 15 year mark, so we have to start the year off with a bang! Our anniversary is in mid April and we will be hosting our 15 year anniversary party on May 31st. The celebration will be carnival themed. We will have a dunk tank, a high-striker machine, face painting, and many other fun carnival games! We will have iconic carnival foods like funnel cakes and corndogs. The Clubhouse will be hosting planning meetings for the celebration every Friday at 2pm until the party. We are even making a custom t-shirt for the occasion. We also need photos for a slideshow for tabling events that will premiere at the 15th anniversary cookout. Send in your Clubhouse work photos to members@bmoreclubhouse.org The slideshow will have 6 sections: one for each work unit, one for Young Adults, and one for misc. Clubhouse work outside the building.

Program Feature: Menu Planning

Creative Social Event Review

For the Creative Corner month we went around to get ideas and feedback from each member about our creative workshops to see their ideas for new creative workshops and their views and feedback on the workshops we have already hosted. We had very positive feedback on our survey about our creative workshops.

New member Eric really enjoyed the Tie-Dye workshop and said “I liked mixing all the colors and trying new designs!” Eric also suggested that another workshop could be learning to make clothing items. 

Katie shared with us that she has really enjoyed social events and rates them a 10 out of 10, and she thinks poetry would be another creative workshop in the future. Longtime member 

Raymond Nichols shared that the workshops have been pretty good. They are able to keep people’s minds off of bad things and it gets them involved in activities. Raymond suggested doing a workshop that is Arts and Crafts based where we would use metals like tin to create art work. 

Lastly, Ben Arrowood said that he really enjoyed the Tie-Dye workshop because he liked learning how to do it without making a mess with the colors and still got to be creative.

American Psychiatric Group Transitional Employment Placement

 

                                    Joshua Meek (Left) and Walker Marsh (Right)

    Joshua Meek began a new chapter in his employment journey last month. On February 7th, Josh started working at American Psychiatric Group (APG), as a part of the Transitional Employment (TE) program. Since starting the job he says, “I’m happy and have more confidence in myself… I feel awesome!” Now that he’s working, he’s “better at staying on task, and it also helps [him] stay motivated.”

    Walker Marsh also started a new chapter as he stepped up to be the new Site Manager at APG. When we asked Walker about his new role, he said, “It’s really cool seeing how skills in the Clubhouse translate to real job skills out in the community.” As with any new role, there are new challenges. About those, Walker said, “I’m still learning how to fit it all in the busy schedule,” and he’s discovering, “new ways of motivating and encouraging members, and building a stronger relationship with Josh.”

Person Spotlight: Words of Wisdom

    

     For This month’s person spotlight we decided to change things up a little bit. This month will focus on some words of wisdom from three different Clubhouse colleagues.

1.What advice would you give someone who is looking for a job but struggles with that due to mental illness?

Raymond’s response: Even if your mind tells you to give up, You need to fight through.

Ceci’s response: Don’t give up! And ask for help.

Morgan’s response: Start small to build momentum.

2.In what ways do the different tasks of clubhouse prepare you for job readiness.

Raymond’s response: Mainly to be in meetings helps you prepare. Just showing up can show you’re ready to work. It helps you to build up confidence. Coming to job hour can also help.

Ceci’s response: It gives you a bunch of different skills. Which you can add to a resume. It teaches you to work with other people.

Morgan’s response: Clubhouse work is good for discovering your natural talent.

3.What advise would you give to your younger self?

Raymond’s response: There’s more opportunities out there for you than you think. Once you get working you will feel better, especially about yourself . It always feels better to do something than doing nothing.

Ceci’s response: Keep on trucking! Just kidding... If people ask me , “are you okay?” I usually say. “one day I will be.”

Morgan’s response: Don’t be so hard on yourself.

4.In what ways does stress tie in with making you more or less prepared for a job?

Raymond’s response: If you’re stressed you can’t focus , You’re jittery and jumpy. Can’t concentrate. It’s not impossible to work under stress but you have to work to get beyond that stress or anxiety.

Ceci’s response: Stress makes me double check things so that would make me feel more prepared for work.

Morgan’s response: Sense of urgency, but less . I’m not really myself when I’m stressed.

Raymond's 2024 in Review

 

I went to three Ravens games that year, it was 2001. They played against the Chargers in the AFC championships and if you win, you’re in the Super Bowl. Now my life is different, now my wife is gone and my friend Jim but I have gotten stronger over time. I have gotten older and wiser. I can even remember the Baltimore Colts. Then I remember the Orioles of yesteryears. When I was younger I was very into it but I'm not into it like before. 

This year is an election year to make a difference, but I'm not into politics, I put my energy into church and family. Unfortunately this has not been a great year so far. I am hoping for no more snow this season, there’s already been too much. It is also hard finding someone now and it is tough not having a partner. But I know in Spring it gets better and March 20th is Saint Patrick's day which I am looking forward to. 

Soon Football is over and baseball begins! I am hoping to design a new tee shirt in late march for our 15th anniversary in April. Through my life I have learned who you put first counts and my grandkids are my Top priority.