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 a rich offering of social and recreational opportunities and yet neglects the circumstances in which its members live. Text Box: Synergist April, 2005 The monthly newsletter of Synergy Center, a division of Clubhouse of Suffolk, Inc. 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 the Text Box: SPEAKER’S BUREAU AT MATHER PARTIAL SAM SYNERGIST INTERVIEWS JANET HAND Where was the Speaker’s Bureau held? The Speaker’s Bureau was held at Mather Partial Hospital. It is located in a shopping center near Mather Hospital. What was the general set-up like? When we arrived we were shown to an activity room. We handed them a book to sign for attendance and information to join the Synergy Center. There were approximately fifteen signatures. The seating arrangement was a number of round tables with about four people to a table at about seven tables. We sat in the front and answered questions. What were the main topics of discussion? Don decided to talk about his experiences since joining Synergy Center mostly concerning the use of the computers and updating Membership computer records. Georgi added her experience with the attendance records in the Membership unit. I attempted a short description of Maria’s Personal Development class, but decided to touch more on my experience in the Clerical Unit. It was discovered that several openings for drivers were available at Ronkonkoma. A clean driver’s license is necessary. It was decided that an approach might be needed towards anxiety in the work place. What were some of the questions that were asked? The main inquiry seemed to be about job opportunities at Ronkonkoma Clubhouse. Some questions were concerning support after starting a new job. If there was any anxiety it should be dealt with differently. The computers and the use of them seemed to interest most people even if they were just afraid of them. Did you have the chance to contribute? If so what was it? I mentioned at the beginning when asked to talk about Synergy the fact that I was a member of the Clerical Unit and am no longer afraid of the computer. That I write various articles about events surrounding Synergy and also holiday occasions which I learn about from a website, for instance, recently St. Patrick’s Day. I also touched on the daily newsletter that we read daily at lunchtime. What do you think was the value of going there? The value of the Speaker’s Bureau is that sharing information about Synergy offers hope for people who want to change something in their life. The personal challenge of going with the consumers and staff is to take the risk of conveying new information to other people in the same position. Georgi found it fun, and I found it interesting.