May 2017


In This Issue
Update: Arundel Lodge Pillars; Save the Date - Hope Re-imagined Esperida
Highlight: Donor & Volunteer Appreciation Brunch; National Children's Mental Health Awareness
Did You Know...? Risky Business
Arundel Lodge FAQs
Community Happenings
Staff Corner: Laura Dreany-Pyles
How Can I Help?:

DonateNow

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Join Our Mailing List
Art and  
Special Events
Monthly Meetings and Groups
Open Eye Gallery
Committee Meeting
All are welcome. 
for dates  and questions 
or call (443) 433-5914.

NAMI 
Family Support Group
Thurs.,  June 8th
6:00 - 7:30 pm
At Arundel Lodge.

For more information, email NAMI Anne Arundel

Anne Arundel County Executive Office
Not My Child
Thurs.,  June 15th
6:30 pm
Maryland City at 
Russett Branch Library
3501 Russett Common, Laurel

Tues., June 20th
7:00 pm
Piney Orchard Homeowner's Association
2400 Stream Valley Drive,
Odenton

 Lodge Links 

Mental Health Links

NAMI Anne Arundel County 

 

On Our Own of Maryland 

 

SAMHSA 

 

Free Quitline to Stop Smoking


Ready to get involved? 
Update
 
Arundel Lodge Pillars

What's in a pillar? To the Ancient Greeks, the standing pillar was more than just a way to hold up the roof. Every section, from capital to base, was integral to the entire structure. That is how we feel about our volunteers. Without your support, we cannot stand!


Join Arundel Lodge Pillars, a network of volunteers who are  working to raise up Arundel Lodge within the community: help increase visibility, ensure sustainability, and foster community engagement.
  • Visibility Committee
    Lack of  awareness  is a major barrier to receiving needed treatment.  Through  outreach and advocacy, marketing, and public relations the Pillars aim to spread awareness about Arundel Lodge programs and services and provide educational opportunities for the community at large to learn more about mental health and how it applies to all of us. 
  • Sustainability Committee
    Through fundraising efforts, Arundel Lodge Pillars will raise awareness about the mental health and substance use issues our community faces and help raise the funds needed to ensure that as many community members as possible can benefit from Arundel Lodge programs and services for years to come.
  • Engagement Committee
    Fostering engagement is yet another way to eliminate stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders. The more familiarity that is cultivated between the community and Arundel Lodge, through volunteerism for example, the more we break down barriers and change perceptions.
What we need: 
  • volunteer liaisons: to help us engage and place volunteers in areas of interest and ensure that all experiences are gratifying and fruitful (15 hrs/week)
  • writers: to write press releases, op eds, and newsletter articles and blogs that shed a light on relevant issues and Arundel Lodge happenings (5 hrs/week)
  • computer savvy: to keep information on our website and social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) current. Knowledge of Wordpress a plus (5 hrs/week)
  • advocates: to represent Arundel Lodge at community events and orient community members to Arundel Lodge services (as events come up)
  • event coordinators: to help us coordinate fundraising events throughout the year that foster awareness and advance the mission (TBD hrs/week)

If you are interested in becoming an Arundel Lodge Pillar, please contact Tanya St. John.
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Announcing...Hope  Re-Imagined Esperída!

Announcing our 3rd annual fundraiser to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and make a difference for thousands in our community experiencing mental health and substance use disorders. This year's fund-a-need will benefit Veterans!

Plan to join us  September 30, 2017,  6:30 - 10:30 pm, for  Hope Re-Imagined: Esperída,  at St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis. Enjoy a cocktail hour, gourmet Greek dinner, dancing, entertainment, live and silent auctions. 

This year's Fund-A-Need will benefit Veterans!



Email  Development  to sponsor and benefit community members with mental health and substance use disorders or click below to see the available:

         

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Highlight

Donor & Volunteer Appreciation Brunch

A French cafe filled with music, flowers, and joy set the stage for Arundel Lodge's Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on Sunday, April 23rd. Mike Drummond, Executive Director, welcomed guests and expressed appreciation for everyone's support throughout the year. Board Member, Melinda Canon, and Arundel Lodge Peer Support Specialist, Bob Gambel, both clients of Arundel Lodge, gave heartfelt thanks to the donors and volunteers who make our mission possible. 

Martha Blaxall was the winner of the 50/50 raffle and generously donated her half back to Arundel Lodge. And Chef Cooper cooked up omelettes and Belgian waffles to order.

Brian and Susan Kyhos

Martha Blaxall and Arundel Lodge Executive Director, Mike Drummond
Janet West, Beverly Marcus, Jody Lacey
Janna Ashton and Karen Osborne
Arundel Lodge Peer Support Specialist, Bob Gambel

Arundel Lodge Board Member, Melinda Cannon


Dennis and Odile Keuper

Chef Cooper and Janet West

Michael and Anne Marvin, Glen and Maureen Nemecek

A special shout out to volunteer staff members, Mary Mae Franco and Leigh Ragan who helped with photography and music, and to Bob Gambel who played guitar for our guests. 

We hope this event will continue to grow as it is a beautiful reminder for all of us that we are a community, working together to heal and serve.
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Many in Attendance at National Children's Mental Health Awareness Event

Arundel Lodge partnered with Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency to host a free National Children's Mental Health Awareness Event on May 4. The live, interactive webcast featured Olympic stars Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt.


Thank you to all the local organizations who filled our halls with resource tables: Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency Crisis Response System; NAMI; Oasis; Blue Ribbon Project; Anne Arundel County Library; Center for Children; Parks & Recreation; Health Department's Adolescent & Family Services, Youth Services Bureau/Rediscovering Me/Restoration Development; Maryland Coalition of Families; Board of Childcare; Catholic Charities; Annapolis Pediatrics; Allen-Ayuk Behavioral Health; and Anne Arundel County Public Schools.










Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency and Arundel Lodge staff  came together to nurture guests with a large spread of treats, subs and Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches.
__________________________

Volunteers Glowed as They Pampered Arundel Lodge Clients!

Volunteers glowed with delight as they pampered Arundel Lodge clients during our third annual Toiletry Toolkit and Spa Day in April. Generous donations of toiletries and costume jewelry were collected by NAMI, South River High School National Honor Society, Temple Beth Shalom, and Tri-County Blacks in Government. S tudents from the South River High School National Honor Society volunteered their time to help clients put together their toiletry toolkit. And  NAMI participants, Fred and Donna Delp, Mike Vasilik, Annette Ludlam and Amy Morris had fun doling out fashion advice to attentive clients. 

Donna Delp and Annette Ludlam

South River National Honor Society Student and Arundel Lodge Day Program Staff, Mark Rollamas 

Fran Kushner

Anna Greenberg

Paul Schatzberg
Jodi and Sarah Meisenberg 

Mike Vasilik and Fred Delp

Amy Morris and Roz Dove

For the second year in a row, volunteers from Temple Beth Shalom in Arnold, participated in the event, continuing their tradition of providing mitzvot, acts of human kindness, for the larger community of Anne Arundel County. As part of the temple's Mitzvah Week, congregants, Dee Stelzer, Anna Greenberg, Paul Schatzberg, and Fran Kushner, provided hand massages and manicures. Debbie McKerrow and Jodi and Sarah Meisenberg assisted clients with jewelry selection. 

Fran Kushner, also with the Social Action Committee promised, "We'll be back again in 2018!" 

Thank you to the many donors and volunteers who made this event possible!

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Did You Know...?

About Risky Business

"Sometimes people - especially young people - engage in potentially risky behaviors to manage, avoid, or cover up symptoms of a mental health problem. It is often hard to distinguish these behaviors from 'normal growing up,' and, as a result, the people who care about people engaging in these struggles sometimes under-react, and other times over-react," explains Mental Health America President and CEO Paul Gionfiddo.

'May is Mental Health Month'  was started 68 years ago by Mental Health America to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health. 

Some of the key messages of this year's campaign theme Risky Business  include... Read More

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Arundel Lodge FAQs
 
Arundel Lodge receives many recurring questions from community members wanting to know more about what we do, those we serve, and the programs and services we offer. We are pleased to provide the community with answers in this section, "Arundel Lodge FAQs."  

If you have questions, email them to I Have a Question and we will do our best to address them. You might even see your question answered in our newsletter!
 

 
Q: If I do not qualify for Medical Assistance, what are my options for accessing Arundel Lodge services? 

A:  Arundel Lodge's Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinics, which include:
  • the adult Outpatient Mental Health Clinic 
  • Marcus Youth and Family Center (mental health treatment for children 4 - 17 years of age)
  • First Step Recovery Center (substance use treatment) 
accept Medical Assistance, but do not require it. Clients can pay through: 
  • some private insurance carriers 
  • out-of-pocket 
For individuals who meet the eligibility criteria according to Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines, sliding scale may also be an option. Please bring  Photo ID and p roof of household income.

Services which fall under our Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program do require that clients obtain Medical Assistance or pay out-of-pocket in order to participate. These would include:
  • Day Program
  • Supportive Living
  • Peer Support Services
  • Residential Program
Arundel Lodge  provides assistance in applying for or reinstating Medical Assistance benefits.

For additional questions please email Kathleen Kennedy or call 443-433-5900.

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Community Happenings
 
"Not My Child" 

Substance use, particularly opioids, is a growing epidemic in Anne Arundel County and no one is immune. Yet, many parents have difficulty accepting the reality that it could affect their own children. 

To increase awareness and foster prevention, County Executive Steve Schuh launched the "Not My Child" program, in collaboration with multiple county agencies, non-profits, and community members. The title serves as a warning to parents to not fall victim to denial. It could be anybody's child.

"Not My Child" is focused on creating awareness around the misuse of prescription opioids and the escalation of heroin use in our communities by children and adults. "At just about every high school presentation that I have done, at least one child, sometimes more, has come up to me and asked if I could help their parent with a drug problem," said Crisis Response Director for Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, Jennifer Corbin, at presentation of "Not My Child" held at Annapolis High School.

"Not My Child" is the open, honest conversation that we need to be having about how to recognize an opioid addiction within our own families and within our communities. It's an opportunity to get to know the local resources available to help and learn how to access them.

We encourage community members to attend at least one presentation of "Not My Child." To find out when and where your local presentation will be held, contact  Nancy Schrum, Office of Constituent Services, 410-222-1527.

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Staff Corner
 
Laura Dreany-Pyles 
 
Our staff highlight this month is Arundel Lodge's Deaf Program Therapist, Laura Dreany-Pyles. Laura has been with us since November 2015. For the previous twelve years, she was an addictions counselor with Deaf Addiction Services at Maryland, University of Maryland, Baltimore. She has been in the field of social work and addictions for 23 years. Laura is deaf and fluent in American Sign Language. She also speaks well, and says that confuses people.

Laura is married and very proud of her college-age boys, Jeff and Daniel. In her spare time, Laura loves to garden and do crafts. She also enjoys teaching the up and coming generation of deaf social workers at Gallaudet University.  
 
Laura states, "I like the variety of clients I serve at Arundel Lodge, each day is different! I work with children and adults. I see clients here at the Clinic and also through tele-therapy to clients on the Eastern Shore. This allows us to fill the 'gap' in accessible services to the deaf population."

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How Can I Help?

Volunteer Opportunities


Interested in volunteering at Arundel Lodge? There is a spot just for you! Our current volunteer opportunities include:
  • Serve on a Committee or on our Board - help guide Arundel Lodge as we fulfill our mission.
  • Computer Lab Volunteer - help the individuals we serve learn basic computer skills, such as setting up an email account, how to use Microsoft Word, or resume building. Volunteers are needed for afternoon hours, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Monday - Thursday.
  • Arundel Lodge Pillars - join a group of people who want to bring attention to the issues surrounding mental health and substance use disorders and raise up Arundel Lodge so we can continue to grow and serve our community.
  • Tutoring Volunteer - help persons served who would like to take the GED test prepare and improve math, science and writing skills, or simply learn how to read.
  • Painting Project Volunteer - there are several painting projects that need to be done, at our main campus 2600 Solomons Island Road and at many of our Residential Program homes.  Also, if you're an artist and would like to paint a mural, we want to know!
Have another idea you want to share? Contact Cindy Garmoe, volunteer coordinator at 443-433-5906. Our volunteers are an integral part of what happens here, and we would love to include YOU!

Be a part of the Arundel Lodge volunteer team! 

Contact  Cindy Garmoe or call 
(443) 433-5906  


To make a financial donation, please click on the button below:

DonateNow


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