FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB

Issue 44, Volume 5

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2014

Dear Members,

Well I think it’s spring finally the weather is cooperating. I’ve

had to hold off on planting my flowers until now. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I spent the day chasing

bunny's with my great grand “babies”. I hope everyone takes part in all of the “May is Mental Heath Awareness Month”

activities. As always this year promises to be a really great celebration. Please come down and join the fun with us.

Hi Everyone, your Vice President here!

We have a great month in store for us. “May is Mental Health Awareness Month” will be celebrated with a number of events. We will be getting to

meet with our Senator Joe Crisco at the Armory for Enlightened Lunch. Our “Day of Hope” celebration is something good to look forward too. Our

Poetry contest topic to write about is “Socialization”. If you haven’t gotten your poem in there’s still sometime. A cash prize of $25 will be awarded for

the best one. The first three top poems will also be printed in the next social club newsletter. We are especially lucky to have our Annual Block

Party return to us. That day should prove to be a great day as always. Please come and share, food, fun, crafts, art work and the company of your

peers and neighbors of BHcare. The art work will be on display in the Social Club. So come and check out all there is to see as you get your calendar for

the month. You too can show your pride and come celebrate the breaking of stigma for your mental illness, past and present. Family and

friends are welcome to attend!

YOUR INVITED TO THE “MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH” LUNCHEON.

BHcare and the Valley Social club will be hosting it’s annual luncheon at the Ansonia city armory May 22nd from 12:00pm 1:30pm. It’s open to all

BHcare consumers and staff. We will be having Senator Joe Crisco as key note speaker. We’d love it if folks could RSVP at the club

before hand. We will be giving rides from the club up to the armory.

The following folks have birthdays in May: Kathleen D. Susan E. Brian F.

Shawn Mc. Mark O . Carl R.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAY TO YOU!

MAKING IT THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY

Page 2 VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2014

LAUNDRY AND SHOPPING GROUPS FOR MAY

The following are the dates for shopping group.

May 6th and 20th for Derby, Seymour, Oxford.

May 7th and 21st. For Ansonia and Shelton

The following are the dates for the laundry group.

May 13th for Derby, Seymour, Oxford.

May 21st for Ansonia, Shelton.

All groups will be picked up around 10 am.

Call Mike B. at 203-732-7089 for reservations.

GONE FISHIN!

John Dykman is once again starting his fishing group at the Valley Social

Club. The group starts June 5th and will be held every TWO weeks. John will be leaving at 10am sharp on Thursday mornings and will be fishing for two

hours at local lakes. In order to attend you need to get a fishing license. You can get your license at your local town clerks office. Fishing equipment

and bait will be provided. If you have any questions call John at 203-736 2601 EX: 1431 OR 203-305-0938©.

IN MEMORY OF OUR CLUB MEMBERS THAT HAVE PASSED ON

WE WILL MISS YOU!

NOREEN D. YVONNE G. RICHARD K. JUANNA S. CHRISTINE A.

Take all that you’ve become. Set your standards high. You deserve the best to be all that you can be.

Soar above the clouds and let your dreams set you free. By Author Jillian Hund

LINDA CLINE VOCATIONAL STAFF SAYS! “ In a world filled with hate, We must still dare to hope.

In a world filled with anger, We must still dare to comfort.

In a world filled with despair, We must still dare to dream.

And in a world filled with distrust, We must still dare to believe “

By Michael Jackson

ROBERT S. SAYS

Page 3 VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2014

THE MASTERS TABLE

Master’s Table is having another Community Dinner at Christ Church. All

our welcome to this dinner. Donations are graciously accepted. Please note doors will open at 4pm. Also our dinner for May will be the third Sunday,

instead of the fourth because of Memorial Day Holiday Weekend. Thank you for your support.

ARTS AND CRAFTS BY PAULA B.

I want to thank Jacques for all the time and effort for making arts and

crafts classes a success. We have made a Lighted Christmas Jars, Photo Frames, and Wooden Chimes that we decorated.

Now we are doing pastels, and making beautiful scenery for the VSC Art

Show in May. As Jacques frames them, they look so beautiful. Every one of them is different.

OUT TO EAT

We started going out to eat once a month at the club. We went to Hibachi

Grill in Orange, April 4th. The food was very good and everyone got filled up fast. I would definitely go out to eat again!

Recovery is OUT - to change the addiction conversation from problems to SOLUTIONS. An independent feature documentary about the over 23

million Americans living in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions. Deeply entrenched social stigma have kept recovery voices

silent and faces hidden for decades. The vacuum created by this silence has been filled by sensational mass media depictions of addiction that continue

to perpetuate a lurid public fascination with the dysfunctional side of what is a preventable and treatable health condition. Just like women with

breast cancer, or people with HIV/AIDS, a grass roots social justice

movement is emerging. Courageous addiction recovery advocates have come out of the shadows and are organizing to end discrimination and

move toward recovery-based solutions. The moving story of The Anonymous People is told through the faces and voices of the citizens,

leaders, volunteers, corporate executives, and public figures who are laying it all on the line to save the lives of others just like them. This

passionate new public recovery movement is fueling a changing conversation that aims to transform public opinion, and finally shift

problematic policy toward ... Written by Greg Williams

I owe much of the success of the Beading Class on Wednesday’s from

11-12p to my very good friend Paula B. If it were not for her taking over

and running the class for me, it would not be the success that it is today.

We are getting more and more people joining the class every week,

including men! There would not even be a beading class if it were not for

Julianne M. encouraging me to start it after seeing my own supplies and

making jewelry in the Social Club. So a BIG thank you goes out to Julianne

M. for her encouragement to start the beading class in the first place and to

Paula B. for running my class so well. “Keep up the good work”.

THE TINY GROUP THAT COULD BY MELISSA P.

RECOVERY IS OUT– A NEW MOVIE ON RECOVERY WILL BE

SHOWN WENESDAY,MAY 7, 2014

Page 4 VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2014

QUOTES FROM FAMOUS PEOPLE SUBMITTED BY OTTO G.

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone” Ronald Reagan

“There is nothing so annoying as to have two people talking when you’re

busy interrupting” -Mark Twain

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment”- Jim Rohn

2014 Calendar of Events Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month

Page 5

Below is a list of Mental Health Awareness Month activities taking place at BHcare throughout the month of May 2014. For participation information contact Arlene Greco at 736-2601, Ext. 1856 or the number designated on the listing. BHcare Art Show – Friday, May 2, 2014 - 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758

Main Street, Branford, CT – Witness the talents of BHcare clients who use photography, sculpture, painting and other forms of art to help them in their recovery from mental illness and addiction. Admission is free and light refreshment served.

BHcare Information Displays at Area Libraries: Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby, CT – May 1 – 16, 2014 Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster Street, Shelton, CT - May 19 –28, 2014

Day of Hope Celebration & Poetry Contest - Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 12:00 noon at the Valley Social Club, 285 Main Street, Ansonia. Celebrate a Day of Hope with special poetry readings. Poetry contest winners will be announced. Participants are invited to a club-sponsored lunch at the Valley Social Club, 285 Main Street, Ansonia, immediately following the observance. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held in the Valley Social Club. Light lunch served. For more information contact Jacques Maignan at (203) 430-1466.

Employment Salute: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. at Molto Bene, 557 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia – Keynote Speaker: Joseph Carbone, President/CEO, The Workplace “Think It Forward: Innovation in the Economy and our Communities” NAMI Walk: Join BHcare’s team on Saturday, May 17, 2014, Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT. Leave Club at 7:30

a.m. for 10:00 start time. Return 2:00 p.m. For more information contact Phyllis Kaplan at (203) 736-2601 Ext.

1232. Movie – “King of California” May 19, 2014 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Valley Social Club, 285 Main Street, Ansonia. Popcorn and soda will be served during the movie for attendees. FREE Schizophrenic Awareness (SA) Luncheon: Wednesday, May 21, 2014 from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Jim Cronin and Dr. Oren will be presenting. For more information contact Phyllis Kaplan at (203) 732-7089.

Enlightened Lunch: Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 12:00 noon at the Ansonia National Guard Armory, 5 State Street, Ansonia, CT – Guest Speaker: State Senator Joe Crisco. Free and Open to the Public. Light lunch served. Please RSVP to Phyllis Kaplan at (203) 736-2601 Ext. 1232. OPTIONS Annual Cook Out – Wednesday, May 28, 2014 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Staff and Consumers are welcome to attend a fun afternoon of food and music in the backyard of the Options Social Club

on 13 Sycamore Way, Branford, CT.

Valley Social Club Consumer Art Show: Thursday, May 29, 2014 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. The viewing is free and open to the public. May is Mental Health Awareness Month Block Party at the BHcare Corral: Thursday, May 29, 2014, 4:00 p.m. on the grounds of BHcare, Ansonia site, 435 East Main Street, Ansonia The event will culminate a

variety of month-long activities to promote the importance of good mental health and to celebrate the improved quality of life provided for thousands of individuals through BGHS’ quality mental health services. This event traditionally draws 400+ attendees, including consumers, staff, Board members, area businesses and the general public. This event is free and open to the public. Food and entertainment provided. This year’s block party

will also celebrate the City of Ansonia’s 125th Anniversary.

BHCARE BLOCK PARTY

& SOCIAL CLUB ART SHOW

THURSDAY,MAY 29, 2014 4-7PM

THE BLOCK PARTY IN THE BACK!!

COME CELEBRATE MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH

MONTH WITH THE BHCARE FAMILY

FREE FOOD—FREE MUSIC BY DJ PHYLLIS K.

GAMES, RAFFLES, LINE DANCING AND SO MUCH

MORE

THE VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB ART SHOW WILL BE IN THE CLUB’S MAIN ROOM FOR ALL TO SEE SO

BRING THE FAMILY AND COME ON DOWN TO 435

EAST MAIN STREETS BACK PARKING LOT OF THE BHCARE BUILDING IN ANSONIA.

BREAKING STIGMA TOGETHER!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

KEY

$- MUST BRING

CASH

*- MUST SIGN UP

FOR THIS ACTIVITE

WARMLINE 7 DAYS A WEEK 203-732-2004 Sun-Thr. 6-10 p FRI/SAT 6-11p

TELEPHONE NUMERS (203) PHYLLIS 305-7895 JACQUES 430-1466 MIKE 732-7089 SOCIAL CLUB 735-9106

CLUB HOURS MONDAY-THURS.

8:30AM-5PM FRIDAY

8:30AM-4PM

No crafting group On Wens. only

1 Lunch 12-12:30pm Crochet Grp 1-2pm Drawing Grp 2-3 Sober Social 5-7pm

2 Computer Lab

10-11am

Lunch 12-12;30

Games Day all day!

W/Will Boutwell **

Emotions Anon

4-5pm

Branford Art show 4-7

3 Tag Sale at the United Methodist Church in Ansonia 10-12p Bring $$ **

4

CLUB CLOSED

5 Lunch

12-12:30pm Lets Talk 1-2pm Drawing Class 2-3 Over Eaters Anon 3-4pm-main building

6 Breakfast

8:30-10am Bingo 2-3pm Sober Social 5-7pm Poem entries Due date

7 Breakfast

8:30-10am Walking Grp. 10-11am Movie “Sharing Miracles” 1-2:30p* Beading Class 11-12

8

Lunch 12-12:30pm Crochet Grp 1-2pm Drawing Grp 2-3 Sober Social 5-7pm

9 Computer Lab

10-11am Lunch 12-12:30 Crafting Class 2-3pm Emotions Anon 4-5pm

10

Out To Eat at

House of

Pancakes 10-1p

$*

11

CLUB CLOSED

12

Lunch 12-12:30pm Lets Talk 1-2pm Drawing Class 2-3 Over Eaters Anon 3-4pm-main building

13 Breakfast 8:30-10am Bingo 2-3pm Sober Social 5-7pm

14 Breakfast

8:30-10am Walking Grp. 10-11am Beading Class 11-12 Day of Hope Poetry Contest 12-1*

15 Lunch 12-12:30pm Crochet Grp 1-2pm Drawing Grp 2-3

Sober Social 5-7pm

16 Computer Lab

10-11am Lunch 12-12:30 Crafting Class 2-3pm Emotions Anon 4-5pm

17 NAMI WALK

LEAVE CLUB AT

8AM ANDRETURN

AT 1PM SIGN UP IN

CLUB OFFICE

18

CLUB CLOSED

19

Lunch 12-12:30pm Movie hosted with the Housing Dept. 1-3 Popcorn and Ice Tea* Over Eaters Anon 3-4

20 Breakfast 8:30-10am Bingo 2-3pm Sober Social 5-7pm

21 Breakfast

8:30-10am Walking Grp. 10-11am Beading Class 11-12 Enlightened Lunch 12-1 w/Jim Cronin*

22 Enlightened Lunch at Armory 12-1:30p w/Senator Joe Crisco ** Rides Provided to Armory

No Sober Social 5-7p

23 Computer Lab

10-11am

Lunch 12-12:30

Crafting Class

2-3pm

Emotions Anon

4-5pm

Beach Walk 4-6*$

24

CLUB CLOSED

25

CLUB CLOSED

26 Memorial Day

Observed Club and center closed

27 Breakfast 8:30-10am Bingo 2-3pm Sober Social 5-7pm Art entries due date

28 Breakfast

8:30-10am

Walking Grp.

10-11am

Beading Class 11-12

Options Cook Out 1-4*

Club closed 1-5

29 Lunch

12-12:30pm Crochet Grp 1-2pm Drawing Grp 2-3 No Sober Social Block Party in Back

Lot and Art Show 4-7*

30 Computer Lab

10-11am Lunch 12-12:30p Crafting Class 2-3pm Emotions Anon 4-5pm

31

CLUB CLOSED

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB CALENDAR

FOR MAY 2014