Hamilton Center, Inc. News Archives | Page 17 of 21

Hamilton Center Inc. Announces New Therapist for Greene County

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes therapist Katie Shake, MSW to the Greene County office located at Lonetree Rd. Linton, Indiana 47441.

Katie Shake received a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work with a minor in Psychology and went on to graduate with a Master of Social Work from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. In completing an internship in a middle and high school, she oversaw projects to create awareness around suicide and bullying. Shake has a serious passion and clinical interest in serving children and members of the rural community.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center Recognizes September as National Recovery Month

You are not alone. Recovery is possible.

That is the message that the staff and board of directors of Hamilton Center, Inc. want the community to understand. Now in its 29^th year of national recognition, Hamilton Center, Inc. looks to spread awareness of September as National Recovery Month. Its purpose is to highlight the achievements of individuals who have reclaimed their lives in the process of recovery from mental illness and/or addiction.

Recovering from addiction, suicidality, and other mental illnesses is a lifelong journey, filled with highs and lows. It is essential that recovery is understood to be ongoing, rather than a static destination or outcome. For many, recovery is a process of regaining something lost, like family, a job, or dignity, while for others, recovery can be simply learning how to recognize and identify the moments that a person needs support, and then learning to take the steps to get that help. “Recovery is fluid – it is not linear – and we should not expect an end, but rather a different shape,” said therapist Natasha Newcomb, LSW, MSW at Hamilton Center, Inc.

Hamilton Center continues to create, expand, and improve services for individuals struggling with addiction, mental illness, and other disorders. The organization reaffirms to those suffering that recovery is possible by identifying these illnesses as physiological and physical afflictions and promoting individualized treatment. Hamilton Center provides a full continuum of care with different levels of care to treat each person’s specific needs. Services include support for those suffering from serious mental illnesses, like depression and bi-polar disorder as well as acute needs such as helping people cope with loss or change in life. In addition, the organization recently developed a committee, the Zero Suicide Committee, address suicide prevention both internally in the organization and externally in the community. “One suicide in this community is too many,” said Melvin L. Burks, Hamilton Center’s CEO. “We will continue our outreach in the community to assist people with identifying risk of suicide in their friends, neighbors and family,” he said.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center Hosts International Overdose Awareness Day by Releasing 115 Butterflies

Terre Haute – Hamilton Center, Inc. will host an event to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day on Friday, August 31^st at Western Indiana Recovery Services (WIRS) located at 88 Wabash Court, Terre Haute, behind the Courthouse. With the help of community members and those affected by addiction, 115 butterflies will be released in recognition of the 115 people who overdose from opioids every day in our country.

Hamilton Center invites community members, and those affected by addiction, to join us as we recognize the significance of the day and celebrate the start of September as Recovery Month. We hope for your presence in creating an environment where those affected by addiction can come together to recognize they are not alone, and this disease does not discriminate.

The event begins at 5:00 PM; the butterfly release will begin at 5:15 PM.

After the conclusion of the butterfly release there will be refreshments inside and tours of the WIRS Building.

Hamilton Center Recognizes Outstanding Members of the Community

Hamilton Center, Inc. honored three outstanding community members Saturday, August 25th at 1:30 pm in Rose Park. These individuals offered their time to mentor and educate children and adolescents throughout the community for many years. Each recipient contributed significantly to offering students a better perspective on life. The awards were presented during a special ceremony at the community event “We Live”.

Those receiving recognition for the Outstanding Community Member Awards include:

Mr. Richard Lawson for his years of service to the community and in coaching.

Mr. John P. Newton for his service in County Council, Indiana State Alumni Association, and years of enthusiasm for community events.

Sister Dorothy Rasche for her outstanding service to low-income families and in education, as well as her involvement in countless food drives and pantries in our community.

Melvin L. Burks, CEO, Hamilton Center, presented the awards, and recipients received a token of appreciation for their service to community.

Hamilton Center, Inc. Announces New Director for Early Head Start

Hamilton Center, Inc. is pleased to announce Amanda Posey has accepted the position of Director of Early Head Start (EHS) located in the Child & Adolescent Services building at 500 8^th Ave. Terre Haute, IN 47804.

Early Head Start is a grant funded program that serves a capacity of 80 children ages 0-2. The program offers service plans that help children, across all demographics, develop socially, mechanically, and cognitively. EHS also offers services to parents seeking to develop parenting skills and knowledge.

Amanda graduated from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in May of 2009. She has interest in further specialization in early childhood services and is currently seeking a Certificate in Early Childhood Administration from Ivy Tech Community College in Terre Haute, IN. Amanda spent many years working with long time Hamilton Center Director of Infant & Toddler Services Anita Lascelles. Professionally, she has served at-risk children and their parents through Healthy Families, another Hamilton Center grant funded program, where she was able to implement service plans for families in need. For more information on the Early Head Start program, visit www.hciearlyheadstart.org.

Downtown 2018 Employee Kick-off held

July 27, 2018, Terre Haute, IN- Hamilton Center, Inc. hosted the 2018 Employee Kick-off on Friday July 27^th from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Indiana Theatre, located at 683 Ohio St., Terre Haute, IN 47807. The event, in its 7^th consecutive year, celebrated Hamilton Center staff and the start of a new year, all while showing support to local businesses.

Hamilton Center, Inc. staff were out in force to take over downtown Terre Haute and area restaurants by wearing bright orange shirts. Downtown looked like a “sea of orange”, said an observer. This year the theme for the Employee Kick-off was “Pieces of the Puzzle”, which grew from the idea that each department, and each individual that serve those departments, represent an integral “piece of the puzzle” that when put together create the organization and its ability to provide the highest quality healthcare. Hamilton Center’s 556 employees were invited to have breakfast in one of eight local downtown restaurants. After enjoying fellowship and a hearty breakfast a “sea of orange” converged on the Indiana Theatre in celebration of a new fiscal year. Mr. Melvin L. Burks, Hamilton Center’s CEO was the MC for the event; prizes were handed out to well-deserved staff. The annual Employee Kick-off is a simple way for the organization to show its appreciation to the Board and staff and acknowledge their hard work on behalf of the consumers served.

“Our staff puts their heart and soul into serving our communities and this event is just one way to show them how grateful I am and the organization is for that, said Melvin L. Burks, CEO.

Hamilton Center, Inc. Hires New Therapist for Rockville Office

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes therapist Sara Julian, MSW to the Parke County satellite office located at 215 N Jefferson St. in Rockville IN.

Sarah received her Bachelor of Science in Recreation, and Sport Management from Indiana State University (ISU). She later acquired a Master of Social Work degree from ISU in 2018 with a concentration in mental health and addictions. She spent time with the Boy Scouts of America working as the coordinator of the Wabash Valley After-School Program. Sarah also spent time at the ISU Student Counseling Center as a Clinical Intern and before that a Generalist Intern.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. Hires New Therapist for Bloomfield Office

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes therapist Heidi Abel, MSW to the Greene County satellite office located at 431 E. Main St. in Bloomfield, IN.

Heidi received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing with a specialization in Advertisement from Indiana State University (ISU) in 1999. After working for several years in the marketing sector she went back to school for a Master of Social Work degree from ISU in May of 2018 and soon after that sought to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Heidi spent time as a Psychiatric Nurse Technician at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN where she acquired significant experience in mental and behavioral health services.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Infinity House at Hamilton Center seeks Accreditation

The Infinity House, a Clubhouse program sponsored and supported by Hamilton Center Inc., will be seeking Clubhouse International Accreditation beginning in July of 2018. The program, located in Terre Haute IN, is a membership driven organization that exists to give adults with mental illnesses the opportunity to live meaningful and productive lives by helping each person integrate into their community including employment. Infinity House is peer driven; it is managed, facilitated and organized by members for members. It promotes socialization, engagement, and skills building which are areas that many individuals recovering from mental health issues lack in their lives.

The program is based on a “Work Ordered Day” which begins with a 9:00 am meeting designed to share information about responsibilities and goals of the Infinity House for that day. Members volunteer for responsibilities within the Clubhouse in order for everyone to meet those goals. Daily responsibilities include clerical, food services, maintenance, bookkeeping, tours, housekeeping, gardening, yard work, and assisting in planning special activities and projects. The Work Ordered Day mirrors a typical business day; all responsibilities are completed daily with encouragements and assistance from a few staff on site.

The Clubhouse model is an evidence-based practice that creates a peer driven environment for the members. The only qualifications for being a member is being 18 years or older and having a history of mental health issues. There are no fees and a membership never expires. It is for life.

Achieving accreditation will demonstrate the organization’s ability to meet national standards set forth by Clubhouse International. Inclusion, regular activities and access to housing are some of the key functions of a Clubhouse and what make it valuable to its members’ lives. The accreditation process sets standards of effectiveness and usefulness that must be met on behalf of its members to ensure quality service. Clubhouse International identifies mental illnesses as a leading cause of disability and that one in four people around the world suffer from mental disorders, more than cancer, diabetes or heart disease. The organization also identifies isolation as a major cause of the progression of mental illnesses. Isolation occurs often when individuals feel they don’t fit in with society or are too afraid to face rejection and the many social stigmas of mental illness. Individuals will stop connecting with friends, stay inside more frequently, and seek a safe controlled environment. Furthermore, Isolation leads to loneliness and many other negative thoughts which are not in any way healthy for humans to experience for long uninterrupted periods of time ultimately leading to more severe mental illnesses.

The original Clubhouse was founded in New York in the 1940s and is still operational today. It was founded by two men who had recently been released form a mental health facility. Upon release they found themselves with no financial means, no social or family support, and no access to mental health care. The two men established Fountain House which grew into what we know today as Clubhouse International. Established from this effort are the evidence base models that are the foundation to the program today which are based in the philosophy that individuals can recover from mental illnesses and lead social, employed, and active lives by experiencing the right therapeutic environment.

The Infinity House is a part of Clubhouse International and a growing function in serving the mentally ill population. The Infinity House promotes inclusion, engagement, and community with the purpose of creating a sense of belonging for each member. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm with lunch served at noon every day.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

http://www.tribstar.com/features/valley_life/infinity-house-at-hamilton-center-seeks-accreditation/article_acc298cb-4bee-56dc-9a4a-32a6ce83aa38.html

Hamilton Center’s Own receives WTHI Make a Difference Award

The Hamilton Center is proud to announce Rusty Goodwin, Director of Community Services, has received the Make a Difference Award presented by WTHI-TV 10 for his work at the Infinity House located at 1438 S 13^th St. in Terre Haute, IN.

The Infinity House is member of Clubhouse International. Clubhouse International has 320 locations around the world and they offer people living with mental illness opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education, and access to medical and psychiatric services in a single caring and safe environment. There individuals can recover and fully participate as valued and respected members of society.

Rusty is a passionate, humble, and dedicated member of the Hamilton Center family and his work at the Infinity House holds incredible value to its members. This is represented in the fact that house members nominated him for this award that he so unsuspectingly accepted. Their testimonials are a portrayal of the commitment, compassion, and inclusion Rusty projects every day. Finally, the environment and democratic processes that Rusty promotes at the house are unique, genuine, and therapeutic for all involved. Every function of the house, from taking out the trash to managing the finances, is carried out by the members on a daily basis. There is a morning meeting every day where all house members collaborate to vote on actions, events, and menu items. This inclusive and sincere environment promotes positive relationships among members which in turn creates community and a sense of belonging for each individual. For these reasons Rusty has, without question, made a difference.

Rusty we thank you for your commitment and service to others in representing Hamilton Center, Inc.

Feel free to stop by the Infinity house during operating hours. LUNCH!

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses. The Infinity House is a part of Clubhouse International and a growing function of Hamilton Center services. The Infinity House promotes inclusion, engagement, and community with the purpose of creating a sense of belonging for each member.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

https://www.wthitv.com/content/news/make-a-difference-rusty-goodwin-486869311.html