Your Wellness Partner Since 1957 | |
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IN THIS ISSUE
A Message From Our CEO
MHA Spotlight: EPIC Award Nominees
Prevention Services: Support Groups
LOSS Team: Butterfly World Remembrance Event
Adult Services: Solo Exhibits
Parent & Family: Getting Involved
Children's Services: Sunshine Club Scholarship
HEAL Team: Community Events
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As the first quarter of the year 2024 comes to a close, it has been a very busy time for the organization. In the last newsletter, I spoke about the building renovations and staff moves. We did sign a new 2-year lease with our current landlord to stay put for at least into July 2026 with the option to sign another 2-year lease. We remain committed to finding space further east where most of our service delivery occurs. We have retained the services of a professional commercial real estate firm to assist us with our efforts.
For the past few weeks of the month of March we faced the inevitable review of contracts with our funders. We have been audited/monitored by virtually every one of our funders from one day reviews to three-day reviews. We await the final outcomes of these reviews over the next several weeks, however the preliminary reports are very positive. On top of all those monitorings we had CARF conduct their tri-annual survey on March 18/19 and again the results were positive. I know the stress level for all staff has been particularly high for these events and I am proud that the character of our staff shone through bright as we demonstrated our efforts to our funders. We were happy to showcase how their funding has resulted in quality services to the people we serve. I also want to thank our funders for making the experience pleasant and fruitful as we continue our partnerships with you.
I know all our programs have been busy in the community getting services out to the people we serve. We’ve welcomed new staff and said goodbye to others. It has indeed been a very active quarter.
In that light, I would like to welcome our newest additions to the team:
Reewantae Huggins-Challenger
Kari Keagle
Aaliya Hankerson
Daniel Romero
We look forward to our next big event, EPIC 2024 which will occur on May 22, 2024, at the Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale this year. We had to change venues due to the Signature Grand being closed for all of May 2024. We have great lineup of EPIC Award winners this year and look forward to another successful event.
As a reminder, the Bell Keepers program continues as we seek new membership of this very important fundraising component of MHA/FISP. Becoming a Bell Keeper is a fantastic way to contribute to the community and be recognized for your efforts. We weclome your donation and support.
Paul Jaquith, LCSW, CAP
CEO/President
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The Bell Keepers Circle is a group of highly dedicated and generous partners providing a cornerstone of support for MHASEFL and its mission. Allow us to show our appreciation for all that you give and have given to the community. Bell Keeper’s receive numerous opportunities to engage with other supporters and display their impact on local mental health. In honor of your gift, we would like to sincerely thank and recognize: | | |
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Melody Vanoy
Suzanne Yoculan
Michelle Sanders
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MHASEFL would like to announce our PREVENTION, EDUCATION, and REFERRAL programming. As part of our mission, MHASEFL is devoted to creating awareness of and preventing difficult outcomes for people experiencing mental health situations. Our primary prevention program features our long-established Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Groups. These support groups are open to those who have lost a loved one to suicide and require prior registration.
MHASEFL is an active member of the community outreach programs, education campaigns, and partnerships. We value information and referral, linking individuals to programs throughout the county and beyond through our publication and maintenance of BrowardConnections.org. We look forward to continuing and expanding our prevention efforts within this new department.
We would also like to congratulate Mayra Del Toro on her new role as Prevention Programs Manager. Myra came to us from Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention where she continued as FISP manager during our merger. Many of you will recognize Myra as the first voice you hear when you call MHA or the first face you see when you enter our offices. She has been a great comfort to families seeking help in a crisis, and we are happy to have her in this position to continue her great work in the community.
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To download support group flyer, right click to save as an image. | |
Butterfly World Remembrance Event | | |
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Despite the rain, the LOSS Team hosted the 2nd Annual Butterfly World Remembrance Event on Saturday, March 23. A community of suicide loss survivors met to remember their loved ones and support each other's grief. The sound of rain provided a soothing and reflective mood for the powerful ceremony held under a pavilion nestled in the trees of Tradewinds Park. Poems were read highlighting 7 healing themes of the suicide loss experience: | |
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Transformation, Remembrance, Gratitude, Grace, Love, Peace, and Hope. Survivors displayed photos and objects of their loved ones, while sharing stories and memories. The event was inspired by a quote from psychologist Shannee Stephakoff, PhD "Yet for healing to occur, it is necessary for the suicide bereaved to move from a state of formless anguish to one in which the pain can be symbolized or represented in words or non-verbal media". This event allowed survivors to bring form to their anguish through words/poetry, readings, letter and journal writing, metaphor/symbolism, cherished objects, ritual/ceremony, and involvement with nature, animals, materials, and the spiritual world. Survivors were gifted a butterfly pupa to take home to hatch as a symbol of transformation and hope. The next time you see a butterfly around town, it just might be one recently hatched by a suicide loss survivor and released to honor the memory of their loved one.
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**If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.
Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
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Survivors of Suicide Loss: Save the Date | |
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Saturday Morning, May 11th, 2024 SoulCollage
Remembrance Workshop
hosted by the LOSS Team
Pamela Glassman Education Center @MHASEFL
7149 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Lauderhill, FL 33313
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The art of Skip Gauvreau
Raising Flowers
April 12th, 2024 @12pm
this exhibit will be on display through May 10th, 2024
The art of Dave Lyttle
Lyttle Liftoff
May 17th, 2024 @12pm
this exhibit will be on display through June 7th, 2024
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Please save the dates and join us in the Peter Cocuzza Gallery to celebrate our 9Muses' artists, Skip Gauvreau and Dave Lyttle, during their solo exhibit openings.
Engage in community, conversation with the artist, and a light lunch.
We look forward to seeing you there!
To download the Invite, right click to save as an image.
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Get Involved with Parent & Family | |
To download program flyers, right click to save as an image. | |
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MHA’s Parenting and Family Services Department currently serves over 100 actively engaged families. Our Parenting program offers parent education and supervised visits to families navigating the court system as they work toward regaining custody of their children. This initiative is supported by funding from Child Net. Upon completing the court-mandated classes, many children are successfully reunified with their parents.
Collaborating with the Broward Sheriff's Department, we provide anger management services to probationers, funded through the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. This allows us to offer these vital services free of charge to those in need. Additionally, our Family Voices program, funded by Broward County Health and Human Services, currently supports 28 families with children who have special needs. Our family advocates assist in developing or updating Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) with schools to ensure children receive tailored attention for academic success. Family Voices also facilitates access to physical therapy, occupational therapy, ABA services, and counseling through our community connections. As an extension of our services, we host webinars covering topics relevant to parents of special needs children.
Our PEPS department also hosts a Fatherhood Class at the Fellowship Recovery Community. We hope to introduce a similar program for mothers in the near future.
Please keep up with our efforts on our new Instagram! You can find us at @pepsmha
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Sunshine Club Scholarship | |
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We are thrilled to announce the availability of three Anthony Alacca Scholarships this year, exclusively for graduating senior members. It’s a privilege to extend this opportunity in his honor. As our clubs continue to flourish, we hope to broaden our reach for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. If you’re interested in sponsoring a club or know someone in the schools who might be, please contact me for further details. Training sessions for Sponsors will be arranged for late Summer.
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Teen Trauma Support Groups | |
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We continue to conduct weekly online sessions for youth involved with the Division of Juvenile Justice. The group is facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker with experience working with at-risk youth. Enrollment is available exclusively through the JPO’s at the juvenile justice system in Broward County.
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To download support group flyer, right click to save as an image. | |
To download, right click to save as an image. | |
Make a profound impact on a child’s life by becoming a volunteer. We eagerly anticipate our return to elementary schools this Fall. If you are interested in volunteering to provide one-on-one listening support to children, please contact us for forthcoming details. Stay tuned for more updates. | |
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Our monthly group took on a whole health prospective with March's special session on tips and techniques for fitness. CAD (Consistency, Accountability, and Discipline) Fitness Instructor Nathalie Filossaint lead the HEAL group in education on how to start and maintain a fitness regimen. This led to a discussion on how CAD principles are applicable to other areas of wellbeing. It was a wonderful reminder that no matter our struggles, we can be healthy and whole.
HEAL with Hope serves families with children in the Pompano and Deerfield Beach area who have experienced trauma. One of the many ways our Team's CMHWs continue to increase client access to mental health services and to improve their general well-being are monthly HEAL Groups that occur on the last Monday of every month. Monthly groups are open to past and current HEAL families. Please contact MHASEFL for more information.
Healing is not an overnight process! So, let’s begin!
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CELEBRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
The City of Deerfield Beach in partnership with the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel presents a special event for teens called Ignite. This event is Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The goal is to encourage help-seeking and celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month this May through an evening of fun!
This free event is limited to 50 teens. Register online now at www.dfb.city/registration
- Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
- Time: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel,100 Fairway Dr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
- This year the event will be at the South end of the hotel at the Hibiscus Ballroom and the Coral Room
- The first 10 teens to arrive will receive an extra door prize ticket
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Any questions, please contact by phone: 954-480-4433
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Walk-In My Shoes
5k Run/Walk
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This is an Agent of Change-themed run for Individuals of all ages! This event aims to bring awareness to children's mental health and reduce the stigma of asking for help while providing resources for youth, their families, and support systems.
• Saturday, May 18th, 2024
• 7:00 AM EST - 1:00 PM EST.
• Quiet Waters Park, 401 Powerline Road
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Corporate Shelter.
Please register no later than May 10th.
Enter for a chance to win a free Giveaway.
For more information, please call 1 (888) 533-6247 or Email walk@changemefoundation.com
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