Dream Weaver - Fall/Winter 2019

A Publication of Easterseals Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse

Dream Weaver Volume 28 Number 4

Founded 1991

Fall/Winter 2019

National NAMI Walk 2019

By Rick H.

1222 Catalpa Drive Royal Oak, MI 48067 Phone: (248) 544-2034 Fax: (248) 544-2152

Inside this issue: Cover……………….….NAMI Walk 2019 Page 2…………….………Out and About Page 3………….More Out and About Page 4…Fun With Other Clubhouses Page 5………………….…On the Journey Page 6 …………Employment Updates Page 7….…Advocacy & Appreciation Page 8………Halloween 2019 Collage Thank you to the Clubhouse Members, Staff and who contributed to this edition of Dream Weaver: Rick H. Casey J. Nancy H. Nora B. Bridgette L. Rita P. Joe B. Kim T. Antonio D.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held a walk on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan on September 28, 2019. The walk was held to raise donations for advocacy for persons with mental illness. Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse stepped up by being an active participant in the 5k walk as well as raising $250 to contribute to NAMI. Several members and a staff person including Akisi, Bridgette, David, Lloyd, Rick, and Antonio attended and achieved walking the entire 5k distance. The weather had cooperated with mild temperatures, but with an exception of a light misting of rain.

Wayne State University dancers started off the event which revved up all participants. There was a big tent with several vendors including some snack tables. Several media outlets were in attendance such as Fox 2 Television and 95.5 Radio. Plenty of drones could be seen flying around.

Refreshments were provided at the end of the walk. Italian and turkey wraps from Mr. Pita were available as well as pasta salad, chips, delicious brownies, and muffins. There was an extra little guest who joined us — Mr. Wasp decided he wanted a little bite to eat as well. It definitely didn’t tickle; ouch!

At the end, all had a great time and we are looking forward to the next NAMI Walk. See you there!

OUT AND ABOUT Detroit Institute of Arts Trip

By Casey J. and Nancy H.

On September 27th, a bus load of DUC members and staff were treated to a trip to the DIA in Detroit. The DIA provided a chartered bus to transport us to the DIA from Dreams and back again. We had a very knowledgeable tour guide who walked us through the galleries to view some very interesting but abstract pieces of art. We all had the opportunity to share what we saw in in the artwork, then she let us in on what she felt the artist’s original intentions had been.

After our interpretive tour we came together in the Community Room to exercise our own creative talents by crafting greeting cards from various supplies that we could choose from. What I liked the most was how they make scrap paper for the art projects. After previous art classes are through, there is left-over paint they don’t want to waste. The tables are covered with paper that comes off a bolt and the old paint is brushed on the paper and, when it dries, it is cut into pieces. These pieces were used for our project which was making homemade cards. Some of the pieces had such interesting designs and color blends. Other types of scrap paper came from actual pictures of the art displayed in the rooms we visited. I discovered one such scrap piece in our tray and used it for the front of a card I made. There was also a variety of ink stamps and markers to use on the cards.

It was fun to work together as we crafted our own abstract art for the cards while listening to jazz music. Thank you, DIA, for such a very special opportunity!

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OUT AND ABOUT & HAVING FUN Fun Time in Frankenmuth

By Bridgette L.

Five members of Dreams Unlimited and I, along with staff member Emily, went to Frankenmuth on Saturday, October 19th. We had a lot of fun that day, eating at Zehnder’s Restaurant and doing a little shopping around Frankenmuth. Joyce was so kind to give us $5.00 each towards our meals.

One member, Tracy K., says that going to Frankenmuth was a great experience. We had loads of fun. The weather was absolutely beautiful and there were lots of horse carriages and fall flowers everywhere. Tracy says that she’s so glad she went with the Clubhouse and will remember this outing for a long time.

From my experience I had a blast in Frankenmuth. I would love to go in back in 2020 in the springtime and shop some more. I also want to go back to Bronner’s Christmas Store to buy some ornaments and wreaths for 2020.

WHOOO Are You?!

We aren’t the only ones “out and about!” Just about the time we switched back from Daylight Saving Time, our favorite owl, Screech, returned to his (or hers) custom-built home in our very own backyard.

At first, we started spotting Screech after most members and staff had departed for the day, first in the evening around 4:50 pm, then around 4:30 pm. Suddenly, we started seeing “our” owl at lunch time when all could quietly observe this rarely spotted bird of prey! Best of all, Screech has been poking his or her head out far enough so that we see its face turn as we move closer and the “ear feathers” rustle in the cold breeze. “Whooo” knows, maybe we can expect owlets next spring!

Ringing in 2020!

Dreams Unlimited ushered in 2020 in style.

Throughout the day on the last day of 2019, nineteen members and one staff, Nancy H., came together to celebrate the new year and the new decade. We did a little work in the morning, rang in 2020 at noon with party hats and noisemakers, had a nice brunch and then we watched “Home Alone” together.

New Year Revelers: (back row) Keonte, Casey, Shayne, Nathan, Karen and Akisi; (kneeling) Bridgette and David

Just a few members decided to make their way to Dreams on New Years Day, but those that did quietly enjoyed each others’ company. We wish everyone reading this a healthy and happy New Year, full of hope and promise.

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FUN WITH OTHER CLUBHOUSES Labor Day Picnic

By Bridgette L. and Nora B.

Four members of the Clubhouse, along with Nancy Heinz, went to a Labor Day Picnic with “Our House” and “Gathering Place” Clubhouses on Monday, September 2nd. Gary S., Rick H., Marquise A., Nora B. and Bridgette L. met at Dreams and traveled to the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area for a gorgeous day to be outside with our Clubhouse friends. We had a lot fun including playing BINGO, eating a lot of food including BBQ boneless chicken, hot dogs, chips, cookies, brownies, and two delicious pasta salads that Nancy’s daughter Carol made for the occasion.

Bridgette received a $3.00 “tip” for being the BINGO caller for several rounds of cash only BINGO. This is a very popular game as each Clubhouse donates dollar bills for prizes and everyone is a guaranteed winner!

L to R: Rick H., Nora B. and Marquise A.

We love going to activities like this because, not only do we get to be with each other, it also makes us feel happy to go. It was so good to be out of the house and to have some fun on Labor Day, having an awesome time with our Dreams Unlimited family, as well as being invited to be with our “Our House” and “Gathering Place” friends. We made new friendships and rekindled old ones, too. Everyone said that Bridgette was a great BINGO caller. Hopefully we can all do it again next year!

“B” stands for Bridgette!

“A Place of Our Own Clubhouse” (APOO) from Detroit spent a day at Dreams, getting to know our members and staff. They also participated in the work-ordered day and shared how their Clubhouse operates. It was great to see how APOO has grown as, many years ago, Dreams Unlimited helped train the original staff and a few members. We are always willing to share with and learn from other Clubhouses. After 4

ON THE JOURNEY How the Clubhouse Has Helped Me

By Kim T.

When I was in my thirties, I had to learn how to be independent as that is when I lost a family member. Now I have learned a lot about life and how to achieve goals in the future, like getting my first job. The Clubhouse has helped me make progress towards that goal by giving me an opportunity to meet new friends and gain job skills. The Clubhouse is a good place to interact and communicate with new people and transition into independence.

I would like to increase my independence by taking the bus and learning how to manage my money better. I have achieved more independence by walking to the Clubhouse every day, which really helps me a lot (3.5 miles each way!)

By learning different ways to achieve my independence, I experience more things and learn better ways to achieve my goals. By coming to the Clubhouse every day, I have gained a lot of new skills such as improving my math and how to be better at typing.

By getting a job, I will gain even more independence and experience in managing my money and improving my math skills. Most of all, I will learn how to take care of myself.

Cheers!

Thanks to the generosity of Lee and Jim Uhlig, four Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse and one staff were guests at the “Easterseals Michigan 2019 Cheers Gala” in Rochester Hills on Friday, December 6th.

L to R: Jessie, Antonio, Lee, Rick, Casey, Shayne and Jim

Lee is a long-time member of the Easterseals Michigan Board of Directors while both Lee and Jim are members of Dreams Unlimited’s Advisory Board. In addition, Lee and Jim faithfully volunteer at Dreams by tutoring members, helping out at events and being compassionate

listeners to all.

Thanks to the many volunteers who organized and hosted this event, a great time was had by all. While our representatives didn’t “win” any of the Silent Auction items that were up for bid, we know that they had fun just being there. As always, many thanks to the Uhligs for their unwavering support and belief of Dreams!

Once again, Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse hosted a Thanksgiving feast for members who wanted to be with their Clubhouse Family. Many thanks to DUC staff Joyce and Antonio and the twelve members who came together to celebrate this special day.

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EMPLOYMENT UPDATES Day One

By Rick H.

Rick Hooper reporting to you from Easterseals in Southfield, MI for my first day of work. I’m actually onsite after a fantastic week of holiday meals and spending time with my Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse family. Official start date was November 25, 2019. There were several online training modules to complete, so I completed those at the Clubhouse during the holiday week.

Nancy Heinz was here training me on the position the first and second days, Emily Burnett the third. Of course, there were a few items to get adjusted to, also known as a learning curve. This Peer Support Transitional Employment position is a good fit for me at this time. I am meeting new people and am already familiar with several others.

This has been a great day and I look forward to completing this placement and passing on the baton in six plus months from now.

Here’s Cody!

We are very pleased to announce that Cody has started his very first job as of November 2019! Cody, pictured on the right, is now working the Transitional Employment position at Detroit Taco Co., “DTC”, in Royal Oak. Antonio Dimovski, one of the DTC Placement Managers, said that Cody started on one of the busiest days he could remember, but Cody stuck with it, saying, “I am not a quitter!”

Cody has set goals for what he plans to do with his earnings and seems very happy to be in the workforce for the first time. Way to go, Cody!

Checkmate!

Ernie B., one of our newer members, has returned to work in a job he is passionate about — teaching elementary students how to play chess.

Thanks to Ernie’s perseverance and the dedication of Easterseals’ Individual Placement Support, Ernie recently concluded weekly sessions at a school in Birmingham and is looking forward to his next group of young chess enthusiasts. Great Work, Ernie!

Promotions!

We are very proud to announce that two of our members have been promoted to Supported Employment positions after successfully completing Transitional Employment.

Margaret P., on the right, is now regularly working at DTC Royal Oak. Tom T., on the left, has transitioned to a supported placement at DTC Troy.

Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse is thrilled that our relationship with Detroit Taco Co. has reached a point where three of our members were able to take on regular employment, including Bridgette L., on the right, who has worked at the Royal Oak location since July 2016.

Bridgette started in Transitional Employment at that time and was promoted to Supported Employment in May of 2017. Congratulations to all; keep up the great work!

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ADVOCACY AND APPRECIATION Clubhouse Michigan Coalition Meeting 2019

By Rita P.

The Clubhouse Michigan meeting was held on November 13th at Access Hope Clubhouse located in Dearborn. The attendees were staff and Clubhouse members from all over the state, representing our own Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse, Genesis House, Our House, House of Dreams, Circle of Friends and Hope Clubhouse and other Clubhouses who joined in by conference calling.

Announcements were made by those Clubhouses obtaining Clubhouse International accreditation including House of Dreams, Northern Lights as well as Crossroads Monroe.

We had a great speaker, Kevin Fisher, above, who is on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). He spoke about how important it is to be an advocate for the mentally ill. It is very important to let our voice be heard when speaking with our legislators in Michigan’s Congress in Lansing.

Kevin urged us to write letters and send them to Lansing to let them know how important it is to continue funding mental health programs. Kevin also made an offer to come to Dreams Unlimited to teach us how to speak with a legislator from Congress. We look forward to his visit!

Joe is happy to be back!

Brent Wirth, CEO of Easterseals Michigan, third from left, presented the Royal Oak Police Dep’t. with a Community Impact Award in appreciation of their support of Joe and his mother Pamela when their home was destroyed by fire last summer.

Unlimited Gratitude

By Joe B.

Hello Dreamers! It’s great to be back home at the Clubhouse where I know I truly belong. I just want you all to know I finally feel like I have a family. And that family is you. You have all done a great thing in helping me so much through this wondrous transition in my life. Give yourself a round of applause. You definitely deserve it.

You have no idea how much your compassion has restored my faith in humanity and more importantly the Lord. I would also like for you to know that I am aware you all also have similar struggles everyday of your lives. Just know you will always have a friend in me and a friend indeed. Thank you so much.

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HALLOWEEN PARTY 2019

B O 0 !

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