2016 1st Quarter Newsletter

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January – February – March 2016
Quarterly Newsletter
Vol. 3, Issue 1
The mission of
Aspire is to offer
affordable,
accessible, and
quality mental
health, addictive
disease and
developmental
disability
services by
skilled
professionals
who are
sensitive to the
needs of
individuals and
families served.
Administrative
Office
P.O Box 1988
Albany, GA 31702
PHONE:
(229) 430-4005
Aspire Participant’s Artwork Wins 2nd Place in
GACSB’s Educational Exchange Logo Contest
The
Georgia
Association for
Community
Service
Boards
(GACSB) hosted an Educational
Exchange logo contest in 2015. The
theme was “Journey Towards
Excellence” and of the dozens of
entries they received from many
participants from across the state,
three were chosen. Our very own,
Holly Hodges, who is a participant
with the Behavioral Health program
was chosen as the 2nd place
winner!
As the 2nd place winner, Holly
received a $50 Visa gift card and
her logo will be showcased on the
GACSB website. Congratulations, Holly, on this wonderful
accomplishment!
The 1st place and 3rd place winners are also pictured below.
Congratulations to them as well!
FAX:
(229) 430-4047
E-MAIL:
info@albanycsb.org
We’re on the Web!
www.aspirebhdd.org
and on Facebook
at
www.facebook.com/
aspirebhdd
1st Place Winner:
Sheila Whidby, Oconee CSB
3rd Place Winner:
Monteletha Dixon, New Horizons BH
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First Baptist Church of Blakely
Donates Van to CEMS
Recently, First Baptist Church of Blakely,
donated their church van to Friends of Early
Miller Training Center. Friends of Early Miller
is an non-profit organization that supports
Aspire's Calhoun Early Miller Services. The
van was donated to CEM Services by
Friends of Early for transporting staff and
individuals to community outings and special
events. Many thanks to Friends of Early
Miller and First Baptist Church!!
Pictured above from L to R: David Allen, Friends of Early Miller Board, Owen
Thompson, First Baptist Church Trustee, Juan Williams, CEM, Farron Weaver,
CEM, Rebel Helms, CEM Center Director, and
Caroline Chandler, Social Services Coordinator
The Junior League of Albany
Provides Needed Items to Aspire
The Junior League of Albany donated an
assortment of over 100 items to Aspire BH & DD
Services to be used in our various locations.
Many thanks to the Junior League for including
us in their community outreach project!!
Shown is Dr. Keisha Callins making the delivery.
Blakely Rotary Club Hosted Pizza
Party & Offered New Coats to CEMS
Participants
The Blakely Rotary Club had a Pizza Party and Coat
Warming at Aspire’s Calhoun Early Miller Day Services.
They decorated the dining room with table cloths and
poinsettia’s and began with singing Rudolph the Red Nose
Reindeer followed by a pizza party including drinks and
cupcakes for all. To top it off each individual was presented
with a new coat for Christmas. Smiles were found all over
the room.
Cheers to The Blakely Rotary Club and the difference they
made in our lives.
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On October 5th, youth participants and all staff wore customized
blue t-shirts with the theme: “Bullying Stops Here/SPEAK OUT”.
The shirts were worn in honor of National “Blue Shirt Day”
representing bullying prevention.
Department of Juvenile Justice also came out and spoke to the
youth on this date and youth participants actively engaged in
presented topics such as: Cyber, Physical, Social, and Verbal
Bullying. Throughout the month, clubhouse staff facilitated skills
groups, along with peer leaders based on bully awareness and
prevention.
October 6th consisted of a Bully Prevention puppet show carried
out by NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK puppeteer, Lorie Summers.
Youth participants also participated in interactive-role-playing
exercises and simulated scenes with the puppets involving
“bullies and victims”.
For Red Ribbon Week, youth designed poster boards, hung up
red ribbons inside and outside the unit, and utilized red cups to
spell: “DRUG –FREE” on clubhouse fence.
Dougherty County Drug Force came out and did a presentation
on October 23rd. Presenters educated the youth participants and
their families on the names and different types of drugs. Negative
outcomes were discussed utilizing recent current events of
famous professional athletes (i.e., former NBA star-Lamar Odom)
and singers (i.e. Whitney Houston). Drug dealing was also
discussed. Drug Force staff also brought a highly trained K-9 to
illustrate how the dog can find drugs/bombs in the smallest of
places.
October 30th was the clubhouse Annual Halloween
“Boo Bash”. Youth participants and their families
came out and enjoyed carnival-like festivities at the
site. Simulated haunted house, cotton candy,
popcorn, face painting, and bounce houses were
some of the many activities participants engaged
in. Youth participants and some parents dressed in
Halloween costumes on this date.
Stakeholders and representatives from other
agencies that came out and supported the
clubhouse this month: Buffalo Wild Wings, NECCO,
American Work, Inc., DJJ, Americus-Sumter YDC,
and Merry Acres Middle School.
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m
Continued….
Nov 21st: Youth participated
in a 5k run/walk event at
Darton College. The cause
was for the agency NECCO &
encouragement of adoption
awareness in the community.
Nov 10th: ASPIRE CLUBHOUSE staff participated in
the ANNUAL HOMELESS coalition held at the Albany
Civic Center. Staff handed hygiene products,
brochures, and educated participants and other
stakeholders about mental health resources available
within this entire agency.
Nov 11th: youth
handed
out
goody bags to
the Veterans at
downtown event
opening on the
new bridge.
Transitional Age
Youth participants
visited Morehouse
and Spellman
University in Atlanta
on Nov. 23rd.
Nov 19th: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner program held
for Early Co C&A youth & families at the Blakely site.
Nov 20th: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner held at Merry
Acres for Dougherty Co youth & families.
Earning
Master’s
Degree
Ashley Houston,
Primus
10 Years of Service
Benita Barber, ACT
(receiving her award from
Hetal Patel, Clinical Director)
20 Years of Service
Melinda Barbree,
Administrative Services
Albany State
University
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PSRG/Peer Support Program Celebrates Thanksgiving
On Thursday, November 19th, the PSRG and Peer Support groups
held its Thanksgiving luncheon at BJ’s Country Buffett. The luncheon
was a huge success and was enjoyed by all who attended.
“We all had an enjoyable time on yesterday. We were very happy and
proud of all of our consumers who helped made the program a
success. Thanks to BJ Fletcher for allowing the group to utilize her
restaurant for a magnificent program and dinner”, says Leonita Arnold,
Staff presented certificates of appreciation to the participants for their
service, contribution and phenomenal participation in the PSRG/Peer
Support Programs.
I woke up one night and was tired of the dope. I
came to Albany and entered Salvation Army; the
next day I met Mrs. Phillips of the agency. She
talked to me and introduced me to Aspire and
mention she would help me to get a place to stay.
Later, I met Mrs. Brock and I realized I was equal
to everyone else. I met two of my closest friends:
Oslander & King; and from that point I started
looking up and feeling good about myself. Even
though I was born in Tifton, GA I was re-born in
Albany, GA. By coming to the Peer Support
Program, it provides me with a place to come
every day, learn new things, be with my friends
and most of all stay out of trouble. Thanks to
Aspire!!!
-Calvin Stevenson
“Before I started coming to the
PSR program, I used to be very
angry with a bad attitude. I was
in trouble all of the time. I
thought that I wasn’t going to
make it. But, I stayed in there
and I see clearer and better
now. Through the years I have
been up here in PSR, I can say
that I am doing good.”
-Morris Wright
“Today we give thanks for all that is good, with
family and friends. If the only prayer said in life
is ‘Thank You’, that is enough. Thank You.”
-Marisha Anderson
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is for us to be thankful to be alive.
We could all be dead and gone,
so we need to thank God for us being still alive
here on planet earth.
So, give thanks this Thanksgiving and give back to
the community.
-Curtis Gibson
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Law Enforcement Luncheon Held in Dougherty County
Aspire BHDDs hosted its annual Law Enforcement Luncheon on Wednesday,
December 16, 2015. Law enforcement personnel were on site from several agencies
including Baker, Dougherty, Lee, Terrell, and Worth Counties.
Food was catered by Bread of Heaven.
To All staff members who were
hired in
October, November or
December
We’re Glad You’re Here
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Aspire Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Services
Contact List
Dougherty County Outpatient Services:
601 11th Avenue
Albany, GA 31701
(229) 430-4140 – Main Number
ACT Program
(Assertive Community Treatment)
(229) 430-2721
Medical Services
(229) 430-4140
BHCC
(Behavioral Health Crisis Center)
(229) 430-6015
Child & Adolescent Services
(Clubhouse)
(229) 430-5100
PSR-G / PEER
(Psychosocial Rehab/Peer Support)
(229) 430-6608
ITR Program
(Intensive Treatment Residential)
(229) 430-4140
Early County Outpatient
(229) 724-2050
CST Program
(Community Support Team)
(229) 758-3758
Developmental Disability Services
(229) 723-4325
Primus
Dougherty County
(229) 430-4138
Calhoun/Early/Miller
Early County
(229) 723-4325
Terrell/Lee
Terrell County
(229) 995-4587
GA Crisis and Access 24 HR Hotline
1-800-715-4225
P.O. Box 1988
Albany, GA 31702