VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2012

www.BHcare.org VOLUME 33.ISSUE 5

WORDS FROM THE VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB PRESIDENT JULIANNE

Hello V.S.C. members. I hope that everyone is enjoying the first days of spring. All my flowers have bloomed and I see that all of the Valley is covered with flowers too. The NAMI walk is coming on the 19th and I hope to see lots of members going. Its a lot of fun and good exercise. Ive been doing the walking group at the club every week so the NAMI Walk should be easy, I plan on leading the pack. We also have the art show coming too. Please check your calendars because now that the warmer weather is heart we will be doing even more things at the club.

FROM THE VICE PREISIDENT CAROL B.

Greetings to all my friends at the club. I hope all are well. I have to say I had a great Easter and I hope you did too. Last month we went to the Regional Mental Health Counsel in Middletown. A speaker came and talked about disability on the job. We also got to sit with other members of local clubs like ours. We also still have our walking group hoofing it around town daily. So come on down and participate. MONTHLY THOUGHTS BY ROBERT S. I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcast station through which God speaks to us every hour, if only we would listen. By George Washington Carver Copied by Robert S. CELIBRATING MAY BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to all those having a birthday this month.

BRIAN F 5/9 SHAWN M 5/11 DONNA D 5/12 ROSALIE T 5/24 SUSAN E 5/25 MARK O 5/28 LOUIS B 5/29 KATHY D 5/30

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Attention Valley Social Club Members

Recently the club held a fund raiser to benefit the Woodbridge Ave Honor Roll and Neighborhood War Memorial. The club raised fifty dollars for the cause. In response the Memorial Committee sent us a really nice letter of thanks. The letter they sent is posted on the bulletin board in the club but we wanted to reproduce it here so that everyone can enjoy it. Once again great job everyone ! Julianne M. President

Dear Friends, On behalf of the entire Woodbridge Ave. Honor Roll Committee, thank you very much for your generosity. Your donation will help us to replace the stolen bronze and ensure that both the new and existing plaques are more secure. We cannot possibly express our appreciation with words. Please join us on Sunday, May 20th at 2pm. For our 68th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. We will also be rededicating the new bronze plagues during the service. Thank you once again on behalf of the committee and especially our Veterans. Sincerely Nancy Evens Woodbridge Ave Honor Roll Committee

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Retreat at Isabella Freedman

116 Johnson Road Falls Village, CT 06031

A healthy outlook improves your view

June 11 June14, 2012

Sign up at the Social Club from: April 30, 2012 to May 11, 2012.
Priorities will be given to first time participants. Remaining slots will be based upon past participation.
For any question please contact Jacques Maignan at: 203-430-1466. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

DAY OF HOPE
Poetry contest Motivation
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12:00 noon.
All submissions must be turned in to Jacques at the Social Club, no later than Tuesday May 8, 2012. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place entries.
Program is sponsored by May is mental health committee.

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Valley Social Club Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:00 4:30pm Everyone is welcomed!

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MAY IS MENTAL HEALTLH AWARENESS MONTH

Tuesday, May 1st- the lunch will feature a vocational consumer, Michele B. who came to the center with little thought of working. She has grown into an energetic participant of the work force. She will be here to tell her story about how getting a job has given her the confidence to set goals for a bigger and better life. Her job at the restaurant helps her to use her skills in order to better her life. Michele will be at the Valley Social Club from 12-1:00p. Friday, May 4th- The Shoreline will be showcasing their finest art at the Black Stone Library in downtown Branford from 5-7:30 pm. The show is free to the public and is guaranteed to be a winner! The artists will be available as well. Wednesday, May 9th- BHcare Valley will present a Complimentary Service Day from 10-3pm. Some of the presenters featured will focus on Nutrition, Aromatherapy, Massage Therapy, and much, much more. Locations for the events will be at the Lower Level Conference Room and Valley Social Club. There will be something for everyone! Wednesday, May 16th- Our Annual Day of Hope will feature consumer poetry. The judges will present this years winner with a cash prize. A light lunch also will be given to all who attend. The event goes from 12-1pm. Friday, May 18th- is a very special luncheon with Legislative Program Manager from DMHAS. She will talk on the latest issues happening at the Legislative Level related to mental health. There will be a light lunch following her question and answer period. The public is welcome. People should RSVP to this event, seating is limited, please call 203-736-2601, Ext. 232. Saturday, May 19th- NAMI WALK- Shoreline and Valley will walk together this year for the first time to celebrate May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check posted times for each site for when drivers are leaving. The event starts officially at 10am and goes to early afternoon. Wednesday, May 23rd- Valley Art Show- The art show will feature some of they Valleys best artists. The program runs from 2-4:30 at the Valley Social Club. Light refreshments will be served. Artists will be on hand to discuss their works. Wednesday, May 30th- Shoreline finishes off the celebration with a grand cookout! The members from Shoreline host Valley and staff in this fun filled afternoon! For more information on all these events please call: Phyllis Kaplan-Coordinator of Social Clubs for BHcare

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MONDAY3-4PM- OVER EATERS ANONYMOUS - For those individuals in need of support for all eating disorders-Meetings are held in the 1st floor clinic meeting room. Call Jim Cronin at 203-736-2601, Ext. 430. TUESDAY 4-5 PM-AA GROUP- A group that lends support for alcohol addictions based on the 12-step program. The Meeting is held at the Valley Social Club. Please call Jim Cronin at 203-736-2601, Ext. 430. 5-7pm-SOBER SOCIAL Come to this fun group held at the club for anyone who would like to learn a new game, and learn how to socialize with others in a fun and unique way! The group also shares a light dinner too! Rides provided only after the conclusion of group if needed. WEDNESDAY1-2pm-NICOTINEANONYMOUS-12- Step Group to assist with quitting or support of quitting your tobacco habit. Located in the Lower Level of BHCARE, Call John Dykman at 203-736-2601, Ext. 431. 3-4p-SCHIZOPHRENICS ANONYMOUS A 6 Step Program for individuals with Schizophrenia or related disorders. This group is located in the lower level Conference Room of BH Care. Please meet in the clinic waiting area. Call Jim Cronin at 203-736-2601, Ext. 430. THURSDAY2-3PM-AA MTG. held weekly in the Lower Level Conference Room of BHcare. Everyone is welcome to attend that is in recovery. This is a 12-Step Support Group. 4-5-PM- DUAL RECOVERYANONYMOUSFor anyone needing support for emotional and psychiatric disorders and addiction issues. This 12-Step Support Group is conducted at the Valley Social Club for more information please call Jim Cronin at 203-736-2601, Ext. 430. 5-7pm-SOBER SOCIAL Come to this fun group held at the club for anyone who would like to learn a new game, and learn how to socialize with others in a fun and unique way! The group also shares a light dinner too! Rides Provided only after the conclusion of group if needed. FRIDAY4-5PM- EMOTIONSANONYMOUS this nationally advertised program assists Individuals in dealing with their day to day concerns and works on a 12-Step Program. For more information please call 203-736-2601, Ext.430 and ask for Jim Cronin.

COMMUNITY DINNERS
Christ Church In Ansonia will be holding another Masters Table dinner on May the 20th from 4:00pm-6:00pm All in the community are welcome to come. The next dinner is scheduled for June the 24th. Come and join us for this special time.

FISHING GROUP STARTS AGAIN BY JOHN D.

Attention all you anglers fishing season has arrived. Fishing group is being held Thursday mornings at 9:30am to 12 noon. If you want to join us make sure you get your license first. In order to get your license you can go to your local town hall. The fee is $28. Keep in mind that if the weather looks bad call us(203-7362601 ex. 431) first to make sure we are going !

GREETINGS FRIENDS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Greetings friends with Schizophrenia. Did you know that one in a hundred people have this disorder.. That means that there are 2.2 million Americans with the illness. That statistic comes from the World Health Organization which is part of the United Nations. At this time there is no cure but there is hope. The best chances for recovery are ample choices in a typical anti-psychotic medications and improved therapy. Schizophrenics Anonymous believes in medication and encourages members to listen to their therapists advice. The SA Fellowship is warm and friendly. We ask you to check us out every Wednesday 3-4pm at lower level conference room at the BH Care building. Its located at 435 East Main St. Ansonia. For more info call Jim at 203-736-2601 ex. 430.

DID YOU KNOW BY JOHN D.

Do you know what dual diagnosis is ? It means that a given person is an addict/alcoholic and has a psychiatric diagnosis such as bi polar disorder. Our dual recovery meeting is a 12 step meeting that meets once a week on Thursdays 4-5pm. at the Valley Social Club. This meeting needs your support. Come join us. There are no fees, dues or referrals needed. To join. This is an anonymous meeting so you can free comfortable with what you share.

ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE

As reported last month the Valley Social Club raffled off some really nice blankets for a Vietnam War Memorial plague for the city of Ansonia. The club raised fifty dollars for the memorial. Great job to all those who helped out ! Its great to be able to give something back to the community. Julianne M.

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB CALENDAR MAY 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Phyllis 305-7895 Warm Line 732-2004 Breakfast 8:30-10am Trans 735-6408 Jacques 430-1466 Valley Cab 732-8294 Valley Enlightened Lunch Mike 732-7089 Social Club 735-9106 12-1
Bingo2-3pm Sober Social 5-7pm
AA Mtg 4-5pm

STAFF NUMBERS

General Numbers

Breakfast 8:30-10am Games Afternoon 1-3p

Lunch 12-12:30pm Art Class 1-2pm Duel Recovery 4-5pm Sober Social 5-7pm

Free Lunch 12-12:30pm EA Mgt 4-5pm Shoreline Art Show Blackstone Library 5-7:30pm

Drop In 1-3:30p

Club Closed

Lunch 12-12:30pm Lets Talk 1-2pm Art Class 2-3pm Over Eaters Anon 3-4pm

Breakfast 8:30-10am Bingo 2-3pm AA Mtg 4-5pm Sober Social 5-7pm

Lunch 12-12:30pm Breakfast Art Class 1-2pm 8:30-10am Duel Recovery 4-5pm Enlightened Lunch Sober Social 5-7pm 12-1pm

10

Free Lunch 12-12:30 Art 1-2 EA Mgt 4-5pm

11

Picnic at Osborndale Park 11:00a-2p

12

Mothers Day
Club Closed

13

Lunch 12-12:30pm Lets Talk 1-2pm Art Class 2-3pm Over Eaters Anon 3-4pm

14

Breakfast 8;30-10am Bingo 2-3pm AA Mtg 4-5pm Sober Social 5-7pm

15

Luncheon at the Ansonia Lunch 12-12:30pm Breakfast 8:30-10am NAMI Walk Armory 12-1:30 pm Art Class 1-2pm Day of Hope 12-1pm Leaves 8am-1:30pm Art 1-2 Duel Recovery 4-5pm With Shoreline! In Hartford EA Mgt 4-5pm Games Afternoon 1-3 Sober Social 5-7pm Be at club by 7:30am

16

17

18

19

Club Closed
Memorial Dedication 1:30pm Meet here at the club.

20

Lunch 12-12:30pm Lets Talk 1-2pm Art Class 2-3pm Over Eaters Anon 3-4pm

21

Breakfast 8:30-10am Bingo 4-5pm AA Mgt 4-5pm Sober Social 5-7pm

22

Lunch 12-12:30pm Breakfast Art Class 1-2pm 8:30-10am Valley Social Club Duel Recovery 4-5pm Art Show 2-4:30pm Sober Social 5-7pm

23

24

Free lunch 12-12:30pm Art 1-2 EA Mgt 4-5pm

25

Drop In 1-3:30p

26

Club Closed

27

Memorial Day Club and Agency closed

28

Breakfast 8:30-10am Bingo 12-1pm AA Mgt 4-5pm Sober Social 5-7pm

29

Breakfast 8:30-10am Shoreline Mental Health Awareness Cookout 1-4pm

30

Lunch 12-12:30pm Art Class 1-2pm Duel Recovery 4-5pm Sober Social 5-7pm

31

KEY $= Bring Money

* Must sign up for

activity