Center Club’s Pulsebeat
APRIL 2015
Volume 8, Issue 9
Plusebeat
PULSEBEAT
Carolyn’s Caring Force Rally Speech:
State House April 7, 2015
Inside this issue:
Deep Thoughts Corner
2
The Education Program
2
Me2 Orchestra
2
Cuisine Tasters
3
MCC Employment Cele- 3
bration
Special Events
4
Mr. Lincolns Rebel
5
Totally Useless Facts:
TYPEWRITER is the
longest word that can
be made using the letters only on one row of
the keyboard.
Almonds are a member
of the peach family.
Bats always turn left
when exiting a cave
Good morning everyone. I
welcome the chance to
speak with you about the
importance of the job that
human service workers do
in Massachusetts and the
need to pay workers fair wages and good
benefits such as health insurance.
and it is personally
very important to
me that we can continue to hire and
keep qualified and
dedicated staff
members as we have
since the club began
in 1959.
My name is Carolyn Walker. I was born and raised in
Boston and am proud to
have been a member of
Center Club in Boston for
over 20 years. The club is a
program of Bay Cove Human Services and has a large
and very diverse membership of adults with psychiatric disabilities. My particular
diagnosis is schizophrenia. I
am proud that the club has
members from all different
races, ethnicities, lifestyles, and religions as well
as people who
speak different languages.
We also have a diverse staff
I live in my own
apartment, work part
time at Clover Foods
in Cambridge. I like
to take classes at
Boston University's
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation,
and have many good
friends. The support
which I have received
these many years at
Center Club has
played a major role. I
used to be very negative and did not think
that I was capable of
accomplishing anything.
When I became active in
the Civil Rights movement I learned, to quote
the Rev. Jesse Jackson,
that "I was somebody."
This led me to want to
be an advocate for others like myself with a
mental illness.
I am thankful for staff
members who have
stayed with me through
good times and bad
times too including
when I was diagnosed
with breast cancer.
Page 2
Plusebeat
Deep Thoughts Corner
Volume 8, Issue 9
By Michael Barker
PRECONCEPTION
Ones preconception have a profound effect on the way we perceive the world
around the us. We don’t see things the way they are.
We see them the way we are. So I say Ha.
BE WORTHY OF TRUST
Unless one can have confidence in the reliability of those about one (he), himself is at risk.
When those he counts upon let him down, his own life can become disordered and even his
own survival can be put at risk. Mutual trust is the firmest building block in human relationships. Without it, the whole structure comes down.
The way to happiness is much, much easier to travel with people one can trust…
The Sidney Baer Education Program
The Sidney Baer Education Program is based on finding opportunities for further education. This could
lead to higher education and careers
that enhance the member’s recovery.
Peer tutors support members who
are studying for their HiSet (GED)
diplomas. Robin Chase, Center Club
Education Coordinator, helps guide
members in finding ways of furthering their education; including certifi-
cate programs, Associate and Bachelor
degrees, leading to better career opportunities.
The program is a great way to build self
confidence leading to a more fulfilled
life.
The highlights of the program include
computer assistance such as typing skills
using Microsoft Office, Mavis Beacon,
and the Aztec Program. Center Club
members who serve as tutors have an
opportunity to attend monthly mentoring
sessions by Dr. Pat Nemec.
By: Scott McConnell
Me2 Orchestra
Patty Kenny, DMH Metro Boston Area Director
Cindy St. Pierre, DMH Metro Boston Director of Adult
Services
Ronald Braunstein, Music Director of Me2
Caroline Whiddon, Executive Director of Me2
On March 23, the members
of Center Club and their
special guests were treated
to a stirring and impressive
musical performance by the
Me2 Orchestra of Boston.
This 14-piece classical ensemble is comprised of individuals who have either directly or
indirectly experienced the impact of mental illness—
including health care workers,
professional musicians, individuals diagnosed with mental
illness, their families and
friends. The Center Club performance was the first public
show by the new Boston chapter of Me2Orchestra (a spinoff of the moreestablished
Burlington chapter), and was a
wonderful show, enjoyed by all
in attendance! To learn more
about the Me2Orchestra, visit
www.me2orchestra.org.
Plusebeat
Volume 8, Issue 9
Cuisine Tasters : Mr. Bartley’s
Members and staff at Center
Club formed a group call Cuisine Tasters. We go out to eat at
restaurants of different ethnic
backgrounds. Last week we visited Bartley’s in Cambridge, MA.
The menu consisted of old fashion onion rings to homemade
milkshakes. The service was
great, the food was awesome and
the atmosphere was warm and
cozy. Everyone had a great time.
By Ralford Parry
Yes, My Brother,
Yes, My Sister
By; Ali Nikoonejad
Yea, yea
My brother
Yea, yea,
My sister.
Trust me, I have quit everything
that’s bad
Thank you for asking me.
Yes, good human, technology
human, smart human.
Next outing in June 6 to
Orinoco in the south end.
MCC EMPLOYMENT CELEBRATION
Center Club is honored
to recognize Walgreens
on School Street in Boston and specifically
store manager David
Onanian for their exceptional work in
providing opportunities
for Center Club members to train and work
in a life store environment. Mr. Onanian and
Page 3
his team
have
been
exemplary in
making
Club
members feel
at home,
giving
direction, providing constructive feedback to
trainees, and creating
permanent competitive
positions for deserving
participants upon
showing that they have
the right attitude and
perseverance to become
Walgreens employees.
Jeff McGauley,
one of the first REDI
Trust me, I have quit everything
that’s bad.
You know what I mean, my partner in the year 2015?
I am very serious for staying
strong.
Yes, that is true, I need, I want,
to make myself very strong.
participants, who is
Yea, yea, yea, yes.
now gainfully emThat is true.
ployed by Walgreens
I want to make myself a very
in a carved position
reported when asked if smart human for one smart life.
anything had changed Yes, my brother, thank you for
asking me like this:
for him since working
at Walgreens “I’m
“Have you quit?”
glad to have money.”
Yes, absolutely!
Jeff’s favorite part of
Yea, yea, I have quit everything
this experience has
that’s bad.
been “coming in [to
How about you, technology huwork] every day.”
man?
We are proud to call
I needed to say, hello, hello,
Walgreens our partner
in assisting people
Please don’t forget for thinking
good,
with barriers in getting
back to work and look For talking good, for doing good.
forward to a continuHave a good day, life passenger.
ous fruitful relationAmen.
ship.
Page 4
Plusebeat
Volume 8, Issue 9
Special Events May 2015
Sun
Mon
3 Walk for
Hunger meet at
8:15
10
4
Tue
5
11 Tutoring Group 12
Wed
Thu
Sat
1
2
8
9
6
7
13
14 Employment & 15
Education Dinner
Out
Mother’s Day Tea
3:00
17
18
19
20 10th Annual
21 NAMI 6:00
Center Club
Memorial Service
24
25 Memorial Day
26 Menu
Planning Meeting
10:00
27 Cleaning Day
Club open 10-3
Fri
22
28 Employment & 29
Education Dinner
In
16 NAMI Walk
11:00
23
30 Game Day
Club open 10-3
31
Carolyn’s Caring Force Rally Speech: (continued from page 1)
One of the things I do at
Bay Cove is to help train
new staff members.
When I give my talk I
tell them that I am very
grateful that they have
chosen to work in human services and that I
want them to know how
they can change the lives
of many others in a positive way.
Robin the Education Coordinator at The Education Fair
Those of us with mental
illness often have experienced losses and traumatic events in our
lives. Sometimes it takes
us awhile to develop a
trusting relationship with
a counselor only to lose
it when the staff member has to leave his or
her job due to poor wages or health insurance
which is too expensive.
Part of my advocacy effort now is to return the
favor and encourage the
State to provide better
funding to non profits
agencies such as Bay
Cove Human Services
Thank you for listening
to give yourselves a
round.
Plusebeat
Volume 8, Issue 9
Page 5
Mr. Lincoln’s Rebel By David Hogan
The young Irishman looked at the approaching shoreline slowly approaching. He was
about 5’9” or 5’10” with a fine upturned mustache. He was still in the bloom of his
late youth, fit and well muscled, but kind of thin, not unreasonably so. He reached into
the flaps of his jacket and checked for what must have been the thousandth time. The
envelope, in which there was a small amount of money, that was to finance his journey
to America. Soon the ship, an old and bedraggled schooner, docked at a pier in New
York harbor. The next leg of his journey from New York to Boston was made by a
locomotive. Black smoke spewed from the stack. It was far from a smooth ride and it
seemed interminable. Finally reaching it’s ending destination of Boston, the young
Irishman, Sean Raffardy, disembarked from the train. Thinking back on the events that had led up to his journey,
he smiled. The memories were clear, his parents sitting around the smoldering peet fire in the hearth, talking in
low tones, but an earnest conversation just the same. This went on for about a week. Then his father, approached young Sean, saying “Son, it is our wish that you join your sister in America to help her run her fish
store. You’re doing that would enable her to make more money, some of which she could send home to us.
That would help both her, your mother and me” he continued. The little money he had pinned inside his jacket,
Sean set off on his long journey to America. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, young Raffardy, reading the
directions written on a small scrap of paper, threaded his way through the streets of Boston. Finally, he spied his
destination almost directly in front of him, a sign “Doherty’s Fish.” Heaving a sigh of relief at the event of his
reaching his destination, Sean mounted the steps and pushed the door open, entering the dimly lit interior of the
store. Stopping to survey the interior of the store, the young Irishman aspired a middle-aged woman carrying a
box of fish filets towards a trough filled with crushed ice. Putting the tray of fish on the counter, the young
woman turned and asked “Can I help you?” “Oh Sean” she said, while throwing wide her arms to embrace him.
Hugging each other warmly, the pair embraced. “It’s been so long!” said Sean. “You were a young teen when I
last saw you. Now look at you, you’re a grown man.” Said Jane. “And look at you Jane, you haven’t aged a bit”
said Sean. Taking Raffardy by the hand and leading him towards the back room, Jane said “and now, I have
someone to show you. Come with me.” Following his sister with almost a docile manner, young Sean smiled. In
the somewhat dark interior, Raffarty aspired a middle-aged man with a rubber apron standing next to a tray which
contained a sink and a growing pile of fish filets. “Sean” she said, “this is my husband Robert. Robert, this is my
brother Sean.” The two shook hands in a warm fashion and smiled almost in unison. “Please to meet you Robert” said Raffardy. “And a pleasure to meet you Sean” said Robert. “Father told me you were coming Sean, and
believe me, we can sure use your help” said Jane. “I have fixed up the upper loft so you can bunk there Sean”
continued Jane. “So follow me and we’ll get you situated.” She led him up a flight of stairs and opened a door.
Ducking down to enter the room, Raffardy followed. “Well this is it, I hope you find it to your liking.” Looking
around, Sean beheld a small but well appointed room, with it’s furnishings appropriate and to his liking. For a
little over a week, Robert coached Sean in the art of buying fish and how to pack it in ice for transport back to
the store. After which it was Raffarty’s job to do this daily task. Raffardy was given a small amount of money for
his efforts, which he happily spent at a nearby pub, patronized mostly by Irish immigrant males. Most of which
were allied with a Feinian political movement. The talk was centered around setting their homeland free from
English rule. The volatile political state of the country did not escape their discussions. John Brown’s aborted
rebellion created more than a minor topic of discussion. Soon the turmoil turned to the approaching war. With a
firing on Fort Sumner, the war began. The event of the war caused the young Fenians to enlist in regiments
made up exclusively of Irish immigrants and dubbed the Irish Brigade. The aim for most of the young Irishmen
was the wish to acquire battle experience, military training
Center Club
31 Bowker Street
Boston, Ma
02114
Phone: 617-788-1000
We are on the Web at
Center Club is a Clubhouse for adults with psychiatric
disabilities. Since 1959 we have been dedicated to the
principles of self-help, peer support, and empowerment. We offer a safe and supportive environment in
which members of the program can work towards
building meaningful lives, connecting to the larger community, assuming valued roles in the communities of
their choice, and ultimately live as independently as
possible.
www.centerclubboston.org
The services provided by the Club are individualized
and based on each member’s needs, strengths, and
choices, which are assessed at the time a person joins
the program. Each member participated in individualized goal planning with their key staff member at the
Club. Club members have the option of working with
staff members in English or in Spanish.
The Me2 Orchestra after their performance at Center Club