intouch summer 2014 · wednesday, august 13 from 8:30am-5pm mhfa youth, wednesday, september 10...

We listen, we care, we help...24-hours a day, 7 days a week Summer, 2014

InTouch With our Donors, Volunteers and Friends

Keisha Ramsey takes her job very seriously. She is the Welcoming Specialist at Common Ground’s Resource and Crisis Center (RCC). Part of her job is to greet those who visit the facility and direct phone calls to the appropriate person or department. But she

does much more than that. She sees herself as the face of Common Ground.

“I greet everyone with a nice friendly demeanor so they feel like they’ve made the right choice by coming to Common Ground,” Ramsey explained. “A lot of people are very distraught when they come in—they’re in a crisis and it is written all over their faces so I try to make them feel safe and comfortable right from the moment they walk in.”

When managing the many phone calls that come to the RCC, Ramsey provides a calm, cheerful voice and caring attitude. “Sometimes people get confused about which telephone number to call. When I answer I try to convey my concern and find out the reason for the call. If they sound distressed I direct or transfer them to the Resource and Crisis Helpline.”

According to Heather Rae, vice president of Programs and Services, Common Ground’s Resource and Crisis Helpline has been receiving more calls lately that are not crisis related, which can clog the phone line and possibly prevent a person who is truly in a crisis from connecting with the help they seek.

“I don’t think people are clear on when to call the business line and when to call the crisis line,” said Rae. “We want to keep the crisis line available for those who need assistance immediately. Connecting a person to the Resource and Crisis Helpline could literally be the difference between life and death, so we don’t want the lines busy because one of our operators is answering general questions about where we are located or RCC hours of operation.”

Ramsey points out there are specific reasons to call The Resource and Crisis Helpline or the business line at the RCC.

“People should call the business line if they are interested in making an appointment for an eligibility screening, have a tour request or want general information like hours of operation, address or directions. The crisis helpline is for someone who is experiencing a crisis right at the moment—who may be having homicidal or suicidal thoughts,” she said.

Even though the job can get pretty hectic, Ramsey loves working at Common Ground. “I feel important and needed because I know I’m helping somebody.”

RCC Welcoming Specialist Fills Important Role for Common Ground

Keisha Ramsey, Resource and Crisis Center Welcoming Specialist

When to call the 24-hr Crisis Line?

Dial the Resource & Crisis Helpline: 800-231-1127 for:

Immediate help to those in crisis situations Mental health assessments for adults and children Resources and referrals

When to call the RCC Business Line?

Dial the RCC Business Phone Line: 248-451-2600 for:

General questions—address, directions, hours ofoperation, etc.

Calls to specific programs or staff Tour requests Provider agency inquiries

Resource & Crisis Center Lobby hours:

8:00 am-12:00 am Monday-Friday

Use emergency entrance after hours & weekends

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Common Ground Legacy Society Members

Administration and Community Programs 1410 S. Telegraph Rd. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

248-456-8150

Crisis Intervention & Recovery Team 1063 Professional Dr. Suite D-4

Flint, MI 48532 810-496-4935

Crisis Residential Unit (Call the Resource and Crisis Center for admittance).

Resource and Crisis Center 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Bldg. 32E

Pontiac, MI 48341 248-451-2600

Sanctuary Youth Shelter, A Step Forward and Graduated Apt. Program

1222 S. Washington, Royal Oak, MI 48067 248-547-2260

For help in a crisis, call the 24-hour Resource & Crisis Helpline at 1-800-231-1127 or visit www.commongroundhelps.org; text us M-F, 4-10pm @ 248-809-5550

LEGACY PARTNERSRita Margherio

Mind Over Matter Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

LEGACY LEADERS Maggie Allesee

Debbie & Richard Astrein Tom & Carol Beeler

The City of Birmingham Donald & Susan Campbell The Chadwick Group P.C. Howard & Judith Christie

William Cousins Lorrie D’Angelo

Jane Dallas Dean P. Darby

Marjorie DeCapite Gary Dembs & Jan Weiss Dembs

Dr. Shari & Eric Dobrusin Debbie & John M. Erb

The Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation

Fred Fechheimer Myron Frasier

Dr. Howard & Pola Friedman The Harold & Marion Gordon Family

Jeanne P. Hackett Sylvia & Edward Hagenlocker

Ann Hartzell-Kneen Sandy & Michael Hermanoff

Robert & Diane Horstman Connie & Len Johnston

Dr. Paula Jorné Ellen Kock, PhD

James Kohlenberg, M.D. Vickie & Rhein Krigner

Mr. Reuben Levy LymTal International Inc.

Steven & Sara Majoros Mike & Cathy McNamara

Mara McNeill The Honorable Fred Mester

Jerry & Deborah Moceri Mr. & Mrs. Neill Murphy

Scott Murphy Tom & Lisa Nardone

Patterson & Bryant Healthcare Solutions

Heather Rae John & Julie Roberts

Cheryl Rossman

Tony Rothschild & Mona Scott Christine & Dennis Ruen

Jim & Cindy Scoggin Michael & Karen Valentino

Kay White Michael & Gail Whitty

Wally Prechter & The World Heritage Foundation

YOUR NAME GOES HERE

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With our Donors, Volunteers and Friends

We listen, we care, we help...24-hours a day, 7 days a week SUMMER 2014

1410 S. Telegraph Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Administration 248-456-8150

24-hour Crisis and Resource Helpline 248-456-0909 or 800-231-1127

Web Site www.commongroundhelps.org

In Touch Editor Lenda Jackson, Director of Communications Our Core Purpose is: Helping people move from crisis to hope. We listen, we care, we help 24-hours a day

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Royal Oak, MI Permit No. 853

COMMON GROUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

COMMON GROUND LEGACY SOCIETY

Donald Campbell, Board Chair Cathy Rozanski McNamara, Chair-Elect

Judy Christie, Secretary Laurie Marshall, Treasurer

Gary Dembs, Immediate Past Chair

Richard Astrein • Rebecca Cox • Eric Dobrusin Fred Fechheimer • Myron Frasier • Bob Horstman

Paula Jorné• Dr. James Kohlenberg • Sharon McMurray Mara McNeill • Rita Patel • Al Sasson

Colette Stimmell • Kathy Walgren Kay White • Doug Wright

Tony Rothschild President & CEO

COMMON GROUND ADVISORY BOARD

Maggie Allesee • Sheriff Michael Bouchard • Edith S. Briskin Jerry Cavallier • Joe Donovan • John Erb

Maxine Frankel • Eugene Hartwig • Howard Hertz Helen Holmes • Sheila Kasselman • Rita Margherio

Hon. Fred Mester • Jerry Moceri • Hubert Price John Roberts • Shelley Roberts • Hon. Edward Sosnick

Maggie Allesee Debbie & Richard Astrein

City of Birmingham Donald & Susan Campbell The Chadwick Group, P.C. Howard and Judith Christie

William Cousins Gary Dembs & Jan Weiss

Dembs Dr. Shari & Eric Dobrusin

Debbie & John M. Erb The Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb

Family Foundation Fred Fechheimer Myron Frasier

Dr. Howard & Pola Friedman The Harold & Marion Gordon

Family Jeanne P. Hackett

Sylvia & Edward Hagenlocker

Dr. Paula Jorné James Kohlenberg, M.D. Vickie & Rhein Krigner

LymTal International, Inc. Steven & Sara Majoros

Mike & Cathy McNamara Mara McNeill

The Honorable Fred Mester Jerry & Deborah Moceri

Tom & Lisa Nardone Patterson-Bryant

Healthcare Solutions Heather Rae

John & Julie Roberts Tony Rothschild & Mona Scott

Michael & Karen Valentino Kay White

The World Heritage Foundation

LEGACY LEADERS

LEGACY PARTNERS

Rita Margherio Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.,Inc.

Cathy McNamara, Board Chair Kay White, Chair-Elect Judy Christie, Secretary

Laurie Marshall, Treasurer Don Campbell, Immediate Past Chair

Rebecca Cox • Eric Dobrusin • Seth Faber Fred Fechheimer • Myron Frasier • Cindy Gawrych

Bob Horstman • Paula Jorné • Adam Joseph Dr. James Kohlenberg • Sharon McMurray

Susan Murphy • Rita Patel • Chris Ruen • Al Sasson Colette Stimmell • Kathy Walgren Kevin B. Williams • Doug Wright

Richard Astrein • Maggie Allesee Sheriff Michael Bouchard • Edith S. Briskin

Jerry Cavallier • Joe Donovan • John Erb Maxine Frankel • Eugene Hartwig • Howard Hertz Helen Holmes • Sheila Kasselman • Rita Margherio

COMMON GROUND Mental Health First Aid

Common Ground is offering Mental Health First Aid training FREE to Oakland, Macomb and Wayne County residents until September 30, 2014. The course is offered in two categories: adult or youth intervention. MHFA Adult is for anyone older than 16 that wants to learn how to help an adult who may be experiencing a mental health related crisis or problem. MHFA Youth is for those who interact with youth ages 12-18 regularly. Topics include depression, anxiety, psychosis, trauma, self-harming behaviors, addiction, etc. Participants will learn a 5-step action plan to deescalate the situation to keep the person safe, while empowering them to seek appropriate professional resources or self-help. Schedule of OPEN MHFA Training sessions: MHFA Adult, Wednesday, June 25 from 8:30am-5pm MHFA Youth, Monday, July 28 from 8:30am-5pm MHFA Adult, Wednesday, August 13 from 8:30am-5pm MHFA Youth, Wednesday, September 10 from 8:30am-5pm

For training locations visit commongroundhelps.org and follow the MHFA registration link or call 248-451-3778 or email [email protected].

Common Ground is extending the deadline for FREE Mental Health First Aid training to Oakland, Macomb and Wayne County residents until December 31, 2014. The course will continue to be offered for adult or youth intervention. MHFA Adult is for anyone older 16 that wants to learn how to help an adult who may be experiencing a men-tal health related crisis or problem. MHFA Youth is for those who interact with youth, ages 12-18 regularly. Topics include depression, anxiety, psychosis, trauma, self-harming behaviors, addiction, etc. Participants will learn a 5-step action plan to deescalate the situation to keep the person safe, while empowering them to seek appropriate professional resources or self-help.

Open MHFA Training sessions:

MHFA Adult, Monday, Sept. 22 from 8:30am-5pm MHFA Youth, Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 8:30am-5pm MHFA Adult, Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 8:30am-5pm MHFA Youth, Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 8:30am-5pm For training locations visit commongroundhelps.org and follow the MHFA registration link or call 248-451-3778 or email Siiri Sikora at [email protected].

Common Ground welcomes Christina Gallardo, the agency’s new manager of Runaway and Homeless Youth Services. Gallardo brings a wealth of experience with her, having worked in previous positions with individuals with substance abuse, mental illness and children who were abused and neglected.

She also had a private practice for a time, specializing in trauma and violence against women.

Prior to joining Common Ground, Gallardo was Clinical director at Care House of Oakland County with responsibility for all of their clinical programming. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan.

Gallardo was motivated to pursue a career in social work because she wants to help people. “I was always really interested in psychology and human behavior and how the mind works but also in social justice issues. Social work seemed to be a way to best blend to two,” she said.

Although she has been working at the agency for only about two months, Gallardo likes what she sees. “In the time I’ve been here I’ve seen that it’s a great place to work. People are very positive and passionate about what they do and the services delivered are of the highest quality.” She added, “I’m really happy to be here.”

Mark Your Calendars for Common Ground’s Coming Events Survivors of Suicide Support Open Group— Meets first and third Monday of the month from 7-9pm at 1200 North Telegraph Rd., Bldg. 32E, Pontiac, MI. Individual Sessions—Offered by appointment only. To register or for more information on any of the sessions, contact Amelia Lehto at 248-451-2613 or email [email protected]. Con-sumer Advisory Council (CAC)—Meets first Wednesday of each month from 11am-1pm at the RCC building. Guests are welcome. Call Sean Sylvester at 248-451 -3789 for more information. Crisis to Hope Presentations—Please join us to learn how Common Ground helps people move from crisis to hope. Visit commongroundhelps.org to sign up for the next date, which is Wednesday, September 24 from 4-5pm at the

Resource and Crisis Center at 1200 N Telegraph in Pontiac. Birmingham Street Art Fair—Common Ground’s signature fundraiser celebrates its 40th year. Held in down-town Birmingham along Old Woodward and scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 20 & 21, the fair features the artwork of more than 150 artists from across the country and a silent auction, which benefits Common Ground. Call 248-456-8150 to volunteer. Legacy of Hope Breakfast— Please join us Tuesday, October 21 at the Oakland Hills Country Club from 7:30am-9am for this 4th annual fundraising breakfast “Crafting Brighter Futures” benefit and connect with more than 250 distinguished guests who are committed to helping us help people move from crisis to hope.

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New RHY Manager Brings Experience, Compassion to Youth Programming

Christina Gallardo manages Common Ground’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Services.

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Summer Interns, Volunteers Gain Knowledge and Skills While Helping CG The foundation of Common Ground was built more than 40 years ago in part, by the support of many volunteers. And although the agency has evolved over the years, volunteers and college interns remain very important contributors to Common Ground’s success.

Volunteers and interns help out in just about every area of the agency, from the Resource and Crisis Helpline to the program areas and even in Administration. This year’s crop of summer interns and volunteers are especially skilled, creative and passionate about contributions they are making.

Alicia Herman, a University of Michigan social work graduate student, started her internship in January. One of the projects she has been helping out with is the Partners for Health initiative, a partnership between Common Ground and a health facility that explores ways to help people successfully manage their health issues after discharge from the hospital. The effort could help reduce hospitalizations, save money and provide more personal care to individuals served.

“I think it’s neat how excited everybody is about working here and how invested everyone is in the mission to help people move from crisis to hope,” Herman said.

David Klauber, also a University of Michigan social work student, is currently interning at the Sanctuary. He started in January with an internship in the ACCESS department. He says he enjoyed both experiences and has learned much more than he expected.

“Due to the scope of the work that this organization does, there are so many opportunities to learn about the different facets of the field that can be applied outside of the mental health field,” he said. “The ACCESS team was wonderful and insured that I got the experience I was looking for. At the Sanctuary I’m working with youth and exploring my interest in art with them.”

Rachel Pad, who is pursuing studies in psychology at U of M, volunteered some time from her summer to the Advancement and Donor Relations department. Helping the team make progress toward a goal of going paperless, she streamlined files, transferred information and made phone calls. “I was happy to help and gained skills that I will need at some point in my life. It was a great experience and I was blown away by everyone’s kindness and genuine concern.”

Baker College graphics design student Anthony Montellanico recently completed an internship in the Advancement and Donor Relations department. He designed and produced promotional materials like flyers, invitations and power point presentations. “The internship gave me a work environment related to my career path and allowed me to work at my own pace. It gave me a lot of experience and I didn’t have a moment where I didn’t have fun working there.”

Michael Grabowski was in a career transition when he found the time to do something he had wanted to do for quite a while. He did searches on the internet looking for a suicide prevention hotline to volunteer for and Common Ground popped up. Due to time constraints, he wasn’t able to work on the crisis line, but Grabowski was able to match up skills from his information technology career with Common Ground’s Human Resources department. Since May, he has volunteered several days a week and enjoys it very much.

“In HR I’m helping to automate performance reviews by reviewing and testing new software. It’s been very rewarding. One reward I didn’t expect is that I can shift gears here and get away from what I usually do during a week. It’s really nice to have that variety.”

Save the Date: Common Ground’s 4th Annual Fundraising Breakfast is October 21

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Please join us for the 4th annual Legacy of Hope Breakfast, Crafting Brighter Futures benefit. Connect with more than 250 distinguished guests who are committed to giving a voice to the costly silence surrounding mental illness.

This year’s breakfast will be held October 21, 2014 at the Oakland Hills Country Club, from 7:30 a.m .to 9:00 a.m. One of the featured speakers includes Wally Prechter, President and Founder of the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund at the University of Michigan Depression Center. For a quarter century, Wally served as the closest business advisor and confidant to her late husband, entrepreneurial visionary Heinz C. Prechter, quietly helping build the business empire that was Prechter Holding.

We invite you to stand with us in the battle to decrease the stigma of mental illness and embrace and encourage all to never give up on life.

“No other nonprofit agency addresses the needs of people with mental health crises, survivors of crime/violence, legal crises, youth/young adults in crisis as well as covers all modes of communication for those in crisis to reach out—calls, texts, chats and mobile outreach,” a quote by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), an international independent nonprofit accreditor of health and human services, which recently renewed the agency’s three year accreditation.

To register, visit www.commongroundhelps.org. For more information call 248-451-3732.

Common Ground thanks our generous sponsors: Art Van Furniture, Beaumont Health System, Blue Care Network, LymTal International, Patterson-Bryant Healthcare Solutions, The Chadwick Group, P.C. & Toyota USA

Good News: Mental Health First Aid Grant Extended to End of YearAs a result of a grant Community Mental Health received earlier this year to offer the tri-county area (Wayne, Macomb and Oakland) free Mental Health First Aid training, more than 3,000 people have now been trained to help someone who may be in a mental health crisis.

According to Siiri Sikora, who coordinates and schedules the trainings, the goal is to train as many people as possible, both those who work with youth and those who do not. “With the grant extension, Common Ground is now able to offer the Mental Health First Aid course for free until December 31, 2014,” she said.

People who take the one-day course have good things to say about its benefits. “Overall the feedback has been quite positive,” Sikora said. “Not just about the materials, but also about the instructors being passionate about the topic and doing a good job with different exercises and role plays, which sometimes really help the participants understand the topic better.”

To view the training schedule visit www.commongroundhelps.org. or call 248-451-3778.

Siiri Sikora, MHFATraining Coordinator

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248-456-8150

Flint, MI 48532 810-496-4935

Pontiac, MI 48341 248-451-2600

Cheryl Rossman

YOUR NAME GOES HERE

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LEGACY LEADERS

LEGACY PARTNERS

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248-456-8150

Flint, MI 48532 810-496-4935

Pontiac, MI 48341 248-451-2600

Cheryl Rossman

YOUR NAME GOES HERE

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LEGACY LEADERS

LEGACY PARTNERS

intouch summer 2014 · wednesday, august 13 from 8:30am-5pm mhfa youth, wednesday, september 10...

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