October 2011 Volume 61 Page 1
Inside this issue:
Greetings from Cheri
Compeer News
1
Breakthrough House News
2
October Events & Activities 3
Youth/Volunteer Outings
4
Volunteer News
4
Birthdays
5
Announcements
5
Community Resources
5
Q & A Fun
6
We had a great time at September’s Skillbuilders
Event! We had an Italian themed dinner at the
Clubhouse. Close to 30 adults participated in the
event! That is fantastic! We focused on depression
awareness, and discussed ideas about positive steps
to support recovery. We learned warning signs of
depression and suicidal thinking, and how to
identify when to seek extra support.
Compeer has formed a team for the 2011 Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer walk which is being
held on Sunday, October 23rd at 1PM. Join our
team of Breakthrough House Staff and Compeer
volunteers to support this important cause!
Through Compeer, a volunteer can help change
someone’s life for the better and it’s just as simple
as being a friend.
Please call today to set up a meeting.
232-6807 x 304.
It’s Not Too Late To Get Your MONOPOLY Tickets!!
Join us for our 8th Annual Monopoly Tournament!
$35 each or 2 tickets for $50
Proceeds benefit Breakthrough House’s Youth Compeer Program
· Prizes and silent auction items
· Mardi Gras theme—dress up and have fun
· Delicious catered dinner
· A great evening to socialize for charity
go to www.breakthroughhouse.org to buy tickets online or call 785-232-6807
WHEN: Saturday, October 8th, 2011
WHERE: Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center at Washburn University
**DOORS OPEN at 6pm/ DINNER at 6:30pm
October 2011 Volume 61 Page 2
Breakthrough House News!
Residential Services
Time to get the raincoats and boots out again for Fall. Now is the time to start weatherizing your
house or apartment against the cold wind that is coming our way. If you have questions as to how
to go about weatherizing please call us at 232-6807 and ask for Ashley or Theresa.
Residential services would like to welcome Tom Casey to our housing staff. He is retired from
Goodyear and is wanting to help in the community. Please welcome Tom if you happen to see
him.
Clubhouse
Greetings from the Clubhouse! It’s that time of year for the warm days and cool nights. It is hard
to believe it’s already October. Before we know it, snow will be falling and Christmas will be here!
It is sad to say we are down to 3 staff members over here. To help us out, Megan Douthart has been
coming 3 days a week to help out in the kitchen. It has been fantastic, and very helpful to have an
extra hand around here, especially in the kitchen. Other changes are that our hours are 9-5 Monday
thru Friday with no evening groups. Thursday’s evening Wal-Mart group is now at 1:30pm.
We want to give a big THANK YOU to the Compeer Volunteers who have taken over doing
Friday’s Washburn Rural donations. We are so glad we can keep this service for the members.
Volunteers pick up the food, sort it, and make individual packages to pass out to each member. It
has been a tremendous success. Emily Millhollen has volunteered her time to come every Thursday
at 11am to hold a group called “Hearing Voices”. There has been a lot of interest in this group.
She shares information, and they discuss the topics and individual experiences, concerns, and
questions. She also holds individual sessions, if anyone is interested in that as well. Great Job
Emily!
Consumer Services
It wasn’t long ago we were complaining about the heat! Autumn has arrived and soon the leaves
will be turning their brilliant colors. The air is already crisp and cool in the evening. If one isn’t
bothered by allergies, it’s so refreshing to sleep with the window open just enough to let the fresh
air in. It’s time to think about dressing warmer, or being prepared to. How’s your supply of warm
socks, sweaters, gloves, head covers? Do you have a Fall jacket and a warmer Winter coat? This
is one of the reasons why we try to save some money back for you every month. Please check your
clothes inventory (yes, you could call it that!) and let us know if there is anything you need to help
keep you warm and dry this season.
Enjoy this beautiful, colorful month of October! Don’t forget to stop and notice the beauty of
Autumn!
October 2011 Volume 61 Page 3
WHAT MONTH IS THIS?
Community Events and Activities

Washburn University Jazz Concert
10/6 ,7:30 pm. White Concert Hall. *FREE*
670-1154

Crane Observatory. 10/6, 8:30-10pm. Stoffer
Science Hall. Washburn University.
*FREE* 670-2141

OK Kids Day on The Trail. 10/8, 9am-12pm.
Shawnee N. Community park. 300 N.E. 43rd
St. *FREE* 286-0676.

Washburn University “Oktuba Fest” 10/8,
7:30pm. White Concert Hall. *FREE* 6701154

Planetarium Open House. 10/13, 7pm-8pm.
Washburn University. *FREE* 670-2141

Haunted Trail to the Lost Lagoon 10/28,
7pm. Lake Shawnee Beach. $1, Bring bag to
collect treats!! 267-1156

Breast Cancer Awareness
Domestic Violence Awareness
 Emotional Wellness Month
 Healthy Lungs Month
National Disability Employment Awareness
 Cookie Month
 Halloween

Stay Healthy
This month, as we prepare for fall, there are many
health issues to bring awareness to. October is a
month for breast cancer awareness, domestic
violence awareness, and emotional wellness. This is
a good time to learn to do self-breast exams. Early
detection is key. Go to www.komen.org for
important information and resources.
Domestic violence is an important family issue, and
often kept secret. Help is available. Go to
www.ncadv.org if you need immediate help, call
The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799
-7233
October is national disability employment month.
Are you disabled, and ready to return to work?
Have you already found employment, and are
learning to adjust to working life? Celebrate your
successful transition! If you need more information
about returning to work, go to www.ssa.gov/work
This is also a month to focus on healthy lungs! If
you smoke, quitting or greatly reducing how much
you smoke, can quickly improve lung function.
You CAN be a successful quitter! The American
Lung Association has some very useful tips for
quitting tobacco products for good! Go to
www.lungusa.org
October also brings Halloween! Check the
newsletter for safety tips, and have a fun & safe
Halloween! It’s cookie month this month, so enjoy
your favorite cookies, or try the delicious Iced
Pumpkin Cookie recipe included in this month’s
Halloween Safety
The excitement of children and adults at this time
of year can sometimes make them not as careful as
they would normally be. Common sense ideas can
do a lot to stop tragedies from happening. Never go
into a stranger’s house or ring their door for treats
unless your parents are with you and say it's okay.
Vandalism is never cool! Throwing eggs at cars and
houses is not cool. Someone has to clean it up and it
could be you, if you get caught. Avoid trick-ortreating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted
adult. Examine all treats for choking hazards and
tampering before eating them. Hold a flashlight
while trick-or-treating to help you see and others
see you. Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid
eating homemade treats unless you know the cook.
October 2011 Volume 61 Page 4
Spotlight on Volunteering
“My match was so thrilled to finally have a lunch buddy of her own. She knew a
friend from her class last year who had one, and when she saw me, she was so
excited, her eyes lit up and she said “I’ve always wanted a lunch buddy of my
own!” Needless to say, I was thrilled to know a child could be that excited about
ME spending time with them.” - You may not think that one 40 minute lunch
break could have such a positive impact on a child, but it’s stories like these that
prove the smallest efforts give the biggest returns. Sometimes all it takes is a
smile, and open heart, and a willingness to listen. Thanks, mentors, for all you do
to bring a little sunshine to someone’s life.
Skillbuilders
Volunteer Outing
Calling all new volunteers!!
Volunteers!! It’s time for our monthly volunteer
outing! Meet new and current volunteers, and discuss
program improvements. Share encouraging stories
about your matches. Socialize, and just have fun with
other volunteers. Bring new friends who may show
interest in becoming a mentor! Come have fun!!
WHEN: Thursday Oct. 27th 7pm-9pm
WHERE: Henry T’s Bar & Grill
21st & Washburn
CALL: Cheri or Rachel
785-232-6807
Volunteer News
Be sure to send your monthly reports in on time each
month—due buy the 5th. Please consider including
anonymous, encouraging stories in your monthly
reports about your match for our “Spotlight on
Volunteering” series. These stories can help encourage
and support new and current volunteers. Thank you for
choosing to help make a difference, one person at a
time.
ANNUAL HAY RACK RIDE
It's time for our 3rd annual Hay
Rack ride, with Adult Compeer!
Watch the announcements at the
Clubhouse for date and time, and
check your mail for an invitation.
Don’t miss out on this fun event!
Come socialize, enjoy a Hay Rack
ride, eat some tasty goodies, and
have a fun Halloween celebration.
October 2011 Volume 61 Page 5
Birthday Celebrations!
Happy Birthday to:
Chris P. 10/4
Premiere J. 10/13
Johnny B. 10/20
Melissa K. 10/20
Emelia L. 10/21
Amira B. 10/28
Male Volunteers Needed!!!!!
If you are a male 18 years or older, and are interested in
being a mentor to a youth in need of a consistent and
dependable male role model, please contact Cheri or Rachel at 232-6807.
We hope you have a safe and
special birthday! Thank you for
your service to Breakthrough
House and Compeer!
We are trying to diminish our youth waiting list! Please
help us do this by spreading the word about our programs. If you are involved in a men’s ministry at your
local church, consider spreading the word and sharing
information about becoming a mentor. If you are part of a
fraternity, or lead one, consider a mentoring project for
your Frat brothers. If you are a current volunteer, share
your experiences with your male friends and co-workers.
The best recruitment tool is word of mouth! Thank you
for your help and dedication!
Community Resources
———————————Kansas Drug Card: This is a FREE
prescription assistance program for all
Kansas residents. Go to kansasdrugcard.com to order your FREE discount
prescription drug card, which can be
used at any Hy-Vee, Dillons, Walgreens,
Kmart, Target, or Wal-Mart. This card
can help save up to 75% on prescriptions. Call 888-444-2550 for more info.
———————————————— United Way 2-1-1: Information service.
Dial 2-1-1 on your cell/home phone.
This service provides help and information locating training, employment, food pantries, aging issues, addiction prevention/recovery programs, teen issues, affordable housing options, and support groups.
————————————————
Valeo Crisis: Need someone to talk to?
Are you in crisis? Don’t know where to
go or who to turn to? Call Valeo Crisis:



Daytime: 783-7599
After Hours: 233-1919
Hotline: 234-3300
Need Ideas For Match Activities?
Are you running out of fun ideas for you and your match?
Are you struggling to find free and low cost things to do
during your match times? Here are a few suggested activities:

Take a picnic lunch or dinner you prepared together,
and drive to a local park, or the lake. Have a “nature”
scavenger hunt while there.

Buy day old bread in the discount isle, and go feed the
ducks.

Listen to music and design your own karaoke/CD sessions.

Washburn University OFTEN has free concerts at
White Concert Hall. Call for event listings or watch our
newsletter for concert announcements. 670-1154

Crane Observatory at Washburn University has FREE
events the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Thursday’s. Call 670-2264
Breakthrough House
Compeer Program
603 SW Topeka Blvd, Ste 100
Topeka, KS 66603
Compeer Contact Information
Cheri Stortz, Compeer Director
(785) 232-6807, Ext 304
Rachel Sutton, Compeer Volunteer Coordinator
(785) 232-6807, Ext 305
Fax Number: (785) 232-0751
E-mail: [email protected]
www.breakthroughhouse.org/Compeer.html
INTERESTING OCTOBER DATES:
1st: Yosemite National park established,
1890
5th: World series broadcasted on radio for
first time, 1921
9th: Washington Monument opens to the
general public, 1888
14th: Martin Luther King, Jr. awarded Nobel
Peace Prize, 1964
16th: Marie Antoinette was guillotined for
treason, 1793
19th: Revolutionary War ended, 1781
19th: Thomas Edison gave successful
demonstration of electric light, 1879
23rd: 25,000 women marched in NYC
demanding the right to vote, 1915
26th: Erie Canal opens, 1825
28th: France presented U.S with Statue of
Liberty, 1886
29th: The New York Stock exchange
crashed on what is now known as “Black
Tuesday”, starting the Great Depression,
1929
31st: First Thermonuclear bomb detonated
on Marshall Island, 1952
31st: First known city wide recognition of
Halloween in North America, 1915
——————————————————
** On The Waiting List?**
Thank you for your patience. We have not
forgotten you! The matching process takes time,
and we are doing all we can.