Text Box: Synergist March, 2005 The monthly newsletter of Synergy Center, a division of Clubhouse of Suffolk, Inc. Text Box: SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS The Top 22 By Robert Oliviero 1. The Office of Mental Health is trying to promote smoke-free facilities. 2. A housing mediation meeting happened on Thursday, February 3rd at 1:00 p.m. with speaker Marie O’Donnell. (See page 7 for details.) 3. A men’s rap group has started every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. There will be a women’s rap group every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. 4. In March, Synergy is offering Peer Specialist training for possible Case Management options. See Wendy for more details. 5. On Monday we started “Sound Mind” music groups. All are welcome. 6. Employment through the National Council on the Aging at Synergy Center is starting up for certain for members over 55. 7. Computer classes are on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4:30 with Vince. Open to the public. 8. Saturday, March 19th is the second annual Mental Health Awareness Day. 9. Driving positions at Synergy are open for anybody with a clean license. 10. Plans are en route to do work on the new building. Furniture is coming and elevator work is needed. Phones are going to be hooked up. We are shooting for June 1st as a move-in date. 11. Case Management is partnering with Family Service League to provide support for people living in adult homes. 12. Phone extensions have changed starting with 11 instead of 3 for Case Management. 13. Bus tokens are available for transportation needs and $25 cards for Waldbaums, Kmart, and Wal-mart for emergency needs. 14. We are hiring three new Case Managers. 15. We are going to help veterans who are having mental health issues. 16. The Drop-In Center is having loads of fun every Friday at 4:30 p.m. Friends and are family welcome. 17. More and more Riverhead Town Board members are supporting Concern’s revamping of the Henry Perkins Building in downtown Riverhead. 18. All Supported Housing units got rate increases in New York. Mental Health Clinics got rate increases in Medicaid. 19. Big issue in Government - cutting Medicaid - President proposes block grant. 20. Medicare Reform - something needs to be done. Ask Aaron for details on how you can help. 21. PROS is going to happen. 22. Member Advisory Board Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of every month - more members are encouraged to come and develop ideas for PROS. Text Box: Synergy Center Mission Statement The Synergy Center philosophy includes a belief in the potential productivity of the most severely disabled person. It asserts that work, especially the opportunity to aspire to and achieve gainful employment is a deeply regenerative force in the life of every human being. As a parallel concept to that of the importance of work, men and women require opportunities to be together socially. The Synergy Center provides a place for social interchange, relaxation, and social support on evenings, weekends, and holidays. A program is incomplete if it offers a full set of vocational opportunities and a rich offering of social and recreational opportunities and yet neglects