WALK

As the weather finally starts to get warmer I have a big recommendation. WALK. Just take a walk to get outside and outside of your head...you can learn the best things from nature.

Can't get you off my mind

I am trying to take a couple of days off because I needed them. Even though I am away from the office I can't get the business and people of CVAB off my mind. I know I need to give it a rest but I think it says something about how strongly I am invested in the organization and all it stands for as a recovery and wellness community.

When it rains it pours

CVAB had to close early Tuesday. Why? Because CVAB is such a happening place there was water coming up through the drain to get in on the action. Well, I'm not sure why the water was coming in but when it did, we had to shut down for the operation for safety and to allow the cleanup to begin.

What's incredible is we closed at 1:45 PM and there had already been 75 people through the doors and we didn't even have a group yet....the only way in might have been through a floor drain.

A big THANKS to the Encore and Clark County staff who jumped in and cleaned it up.

A big THANKS to all of you for understanding and making CVAB the great place it is!

May Days

May offers us National Mental Health Month. It provides an opportunity to shine the public light of interest on mental health, wellness and recovery. There are many public activities happening this month and I hope you take the opportunity to participate in some of them.

Mental Health Month at the Center for Community Health
May 14, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Mental Health Month Celebration
The event will include mental health resources, a community art project, the announcement of the Visions of Recovery poster contest, and a very special presentation about the Suitcase Project from 3:00 to 5:00 pm

May 19, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Walking in Recovery
A new video produced by the Washington Mental Health Transformation Project will be shown followed by an interactive discussion about mental health.
RSVP's are required for this event.

May 28, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Mental Health Quiz Show
This event is always a ton of fun. No matter how much or how little you know about mental health facts, come play and have a good time!

CVAB Adds New Peer Staff!

CVAB has added three peers to our crew. Please stop by and welcome Sandi, Alan and Christopher. Each one brings a unique something to our diverse mix. We are glad that they chose to work with us and we know they will contribute a great deal to our community.

We did say goodbye to Lori who has decided to explore self-employment but we'll still see her around as a volunteer. We greatly appreciated what she contributed as a staff member and look forward to her business success and seeing her around as a volunteer.

This place continues to amaze me.....

A Leader Leaves Us....

It is important that we acknowledge our leaders, our heroes and those who have diligently worked to lay the groundwork for human rights. We lost one of our heroes on January 16, 2010 when Judi Chamberlin died at home in Massachusetts. Her book, On Our Own, is foundational in the mental health rights movement. It is important that we know what we have received from our leaders and pioneers so please take time to follow some of the links below to understand more of her valiant life and the legacy that she leaves us.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122706192

http://www.judi-chamberlin.virtualmemorials.com/

http://www.power2u.org/judi-chamberlin.html

http://www.madnessradio.net/judi-chamberlin-always-us

http://judi-lifeasahospicepatient.blogspot.com/

Where's that New Year Smell?

Is it just me or does it seem that 2010 has already lost its new year smell? I haven't even got used to writing the date correctly and the newness seems to be fading. I'm sure that something will break any minute to remind me that the year has just begun, but for the moment I'm dealing with New Year's remorse....