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Message from Roberta J. Cook, President/CEO
 It is time to put the cold harsh winter behind us and look forward to spring, finally! BHcare is hosting a number of wonderful events this spring and I sincerely hope you'll be able to enjoy them. Coming up first, in just a few days, is our Bowl-to-Benefit. B2B offers supporters of all ages the opportunity to raise much needed funds for our domestic violence services. Each year more than 1200 people join us to "bowl a strike against domestic violence", and I hope you will be one of them. We still have space in the morning sessions, so sign up today!
You're invited to join us in April for a Community Open House at our new adminsitrative office in North Haven. Stop by, take a tour, learn what is on the horizon for BHcare and our clients, and help us toast our new space.
May is Mental Health Month and our sites will be buzzing with activity. Here are a few highlights for the month, but be sure to keep an eye out for invitations and announcements as May draws closer. OPTIONS, our Shoreline Social Club invites you to join them on May 2 at the Blackstone Library in Branford for their Annual Art Show. Our clients are amazingly talented and I encourage you to come see for yourself. We have painters, sculpters, crafters and more! On May 14 you're invited to join us for our annual Employment Salute at Molto Bene in Ansonia. The Employment Salute honors local employers who work with our Employment Program as well as clients who've demonstrated excellence in employment. On May 15, put on your "shoreline chic" and join us at the Owenego Beach and Tennis Club for an evening of casual fun, food, and a cupcake war. All of you who join us will have the opportunity to vote for your favorite cupcake display, and sample some amazing confectionary creations from local bakeries including Sugar, Marjolaine Pastry Shop, JCakes, and Pastry Fusion.
I'm so glad we finally get to thaw out a bit, I look forward to seeing you all this spring. Sincerely,  Roberta J. Cook President/CEO |
Volunteer Spotlight
Gloria Hollo 
Gloria has been a volunteer with BHcare's Bowl-2-Benefit (B2B) event since its inception in 1988.
B2B is one of the largest events of its kind in the state, uniting over 1,200 concerned citizens, businesses, schools, organizations and community leaders in the fight against domestic violence. Now in its 26th year, the event raises more than $90,000 to support victims of domestic violence.
Read more here.
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National Volunteer Week - April 6 -13
National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It's about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.
BHcare relies on volunteers to support its Clothing Bank, My Sister's Place (MSP), Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC) programming, The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS), fundraising events and campaigns, and its overall management and success. More than 250 volunteers donate over 60,000 hours each year to the organization.
Our volunteers are committed to our mission and help us make a difference in the lives of the individuals, families and communities we serve.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities at BHcare.org.
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Staff Spotlight
 Kerry Haynes Shoreline Social Rehab Supervisor
Kerry has been with BHcare since 1998 when she began as an intern at the Shoreline social program, OPTIONS (Opportunities Provided Through Interests, Outreach, Networking and Support), that serves our mental health and substance abuse clients. At the end of her internship, she applied for an open position and has been there ever since. Today she supervises the OPTIONS team which provides social opportunities for clients including skill building and recreational activities.
Read more here.
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April is Alcohol Awareness Month
"Help for Today. Hope For Tomorrow"
Alcohol Awareness Month was founded by and has been sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) since 1987 to increase public awareness and understanding aimed at reducing the stigma associated with alcoholism. That stigma too often prevents individuals and families from seeking help.
Alcohol Awareness Month raises awareness while encouraging people to make healthy and safe choices when it comes to the use of alcohol.
- More than 18 million individuals or 8.5% of Americans suffer from alcohol-use disorders.
- The economic cost of alcoholism and alcohol abuse has recently been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be $223.5 billion.
- 75% of domestic abuse is committed while one or both members are intoxicated and family members utilize health care twice as much as families without alcohol problems.
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You're Invited
Bowl-2-Benefit
March 8, 2014
9:00 am, 11:30 am, 2:00 pm,
4:30 pm, & 7:00 pm
(Spaces still available for 9:00, 11:30 & 2:00,
4:30 & 7:00 are sold out)
AMF Lanes
Milford, CT
Administrative Office Open House
Join us for a tour and toast our
new offices in North Haven.
April 2, 2014
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
127 Washington Ave., 3rd Floor West
North Haven, CT
Employment Salute
May 14, 2014
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Molto Bene
557 Wakelee Ave.
Ansonia, CT
Shoreline Benefit
May 15, 2014
5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Owenego Beach & Tennis Club
40 Linden Ave.
Branford, CT
May is Mental Health Month
Community Block Party
May 29, 2014
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
BHcare Grounds
Ansonia, CT
To learn more and to register,
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May 15, 2014
5:30 to 9:30 pm
Owenego Beach & Tennis Club Branford, CT
$50 per person
Mark your calendar and plan to join us for BHcare's new Shoreline event.
The casual summer evening will feature music, a silent auction, friendly cupcake war between local bakeries, and grilling on the deck.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their "Shoreline Chic" attire to this fun-filled Shoreline soiree, Tommy Bahama for the men, summer stylish for women.
We are currently seeking sponsors and donors for the event. Sponsorships range from $500 to $2,500.
Sponsored by: 
For more information or to sponsor the event, contact Debbie Soulsby at (203)736-2601, x1321 or
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Connecticut Legislators Receive
Mental Health First Aid Training
Representative Terri Wood and Former Senator, now Mayor of New Haven, Toni Harp coordinated a free Mental Health First Aid training for Connecticut legislators and their staff members on two consecutive Fridays, January 24 and 31 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Legislative Office Building. This free training was funded by DMHAS and DCF.
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour interactive course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the United States and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. Those who take the course to certify as Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. Learn more at vsaac.org.
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We Moved!
The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC) and the Development Department have relocated their offices to 435 East Main Street, Ansonia.
Development and program donations* will now be accepted at the 435 East Main Street location. To drop off donations, please go to the VSAAC and Development Visitor Entrance in the front of the building and ring the buzzer.
* Please note that this does not include used items or donations to My Sister's Place (MSP). Donations to MSP can be dropped off at 380 Main Street, Ansonia, CT.If you have any questions, please contact the Development Department at 203-736-2601.
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How I'm Helping
Walnut Hill Community Church
Easter Run/Walk
April 12, 2014
8:00 am
Derby Greenway
Derby, CT
All proceeds benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services. Learn more at www.easterrunwalk.com* * *
Branford Road Race 5 Mile Race  June 15, 2014 10:15 am
Branford Green
Branford, CT
All proceeds benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services. Learn more at www.branfordroadrace.net.
If you'd like to learn more about how you can help, visit our website at www.bhcare.org or call (203) 736-2601 x1327.
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