R U Fit?! Inspires Healthy Living
Odyssey House launches
employee wellness program.
(See page 2)
Senior Drug Abuse Continues to Rise
Treatment admissions double for Americans aged 50 and over.
(See page 2)
Art Show Explores the Search for Wholeness
The Odyssey House Art Project
opens its 6th exhibition.
(see pages 4-5)
In this issue:pg. 2 WellnessProgrampg. 2 SeniorDrugAbusepg. 3 NewBoardMemberpg. 3 ABrighterFuturepg. 4-5 SeekingWholenesspg. 6 Community-BasedServicespg. 7 FoundationAwardspg. 7 FastFoodtoWholeGrains
Continued on page 7
OdysseyHousenewsodysseyhouseinc.org
Summer 2011
CommunityGardenTeachesOdysseyHouseChildrenAboutNutritionWithobesityamongthetoppublichealthconcernsfacingtoday’schildren,residentialprogramssuchasOdysseyHouse,wherefamilieslivewithusforseveralmonths,offerauniqueopportunitytoeducateparentsontheimportanceofchoosinghealthyfoodsfortheirfamilies.TheOdysseyHouseManorFamilyCenterhasbeguntakingadvantageofthisopportunitybylettingfamiliesgettheirhandsdirtyatalocalcommunitygarden.
OdysseyHousewasgiventwoplotsattheCarverCommunityGardenonEast124thStreet,athree-minutewalkfromourfamilycenteronEast121st.WhittakerWright,programdirectoroftheManorFamilyCenter,saidthatthegardenisawaytohelpconnectresidentstotheirfoodsources,reinforcethelessonsbeinglearnedthroughourhealthyeatingprogram(seepage7),
andtoofferaneducationalopportunityforchildrenlivingwiththeirparentsintreatment.
Preschoolteachershaveincorporatedgardentripsintotheirlessonplansandcreatedageappropriatecurriculatoteachthechildrenaboutplantsandnutrition.Thelessonplansalsotakeadvantageofacompostsystematthegardentoteachfamiliesaboutrecyclingleftoverfoodtoproducefertilizerandnutrientsfortheplants.
AfterbuildingnewbedsfortheplotwiththehelpofNewYorkCares,inearlyspringOdysseyHouseresidentsandtheirchildrenbeganplantingavarietyofvegetables,includingtomatoes,collardgreensandbellpeppers.Thechildrencannotwaituntiltheycansamplethefruitsofthelabor.
2 Odyssey House News, Summer Issue 2011
RUFit?!InspiresHealthyLiving
Thisspring,OdysseyHouseemployeeswereintroducedtoafreewellnessprogram,RUFIT?!,toencouragethemtoincorporatehealthandfitnessintotheirlives.ThisnewwellnessinitiativeisacontinuationofOdysseyHouse’scommitmenttosupportandencouragegoodhealthandpreventivecare.
Staffmembersalreadyhaveaccesstoexerciseequipmentatourfacilities,andmanyhaveparticipatedinRun for Your Lifeandother
Recreational coordinator Andre Matthews (with trophy) with the MABON/Manor team, winners of the annual staff softball tournament.
intramuralsportsactivities.WithRUFIT?!,theynowhaveaccesstoonline,confidentialhealthcoachingandpersonalizedprogramsthatpromoteweightandnutritionmanagement,exercise,smokingcessation,stressreduction,andlifestyle-relatedimprovements.
RUFIT?!wasgreetedwithenthusiasmbyOdysseyHouseemployees–86%offull-timestaffparticipatedinthefirstphaseofthe
Asbabyboomers,manyofwhomexperimentedwithdrugsinthe1960sand1970s,headtowardslatemiddleageandtheirsenioryears,thenumberofolderAmericanswithsubstanceaddictionsisgrowingdramatically.AsurveybythefederalSubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)foundthattreatmentadmissionsforadults50andoldermorethandoubledintheU.S.between1992and2008.
TheAssociated Press,reportingontheSAMHSAsurveyresults,interviewedOdysseyHousePresidentDr.PeterProvetaboutthis“silentepidemic.”Dr.Provetsaid,“Thereisalevelofsocietaldenialaroundtheissue.Noonewantstolookattheir
grandparent,noonewantstothinkabouttheirgrandparentortheirelderlyparent,andseethatpersonasanaddict.”
Asthenumberofolderpeoplewithsubstanceusedisordersincreases,sodoesthedemandfortreatment.OdysseyHouse’sElderCareprogramhasbeenfocusingonthespecialneedsofthispopulationsinceopeningin1997.Theprogram,withan85%completionrateinthelastfiscalyear,hashelpedmorethan200seniorssuccessfullyre-integrateintotheircommunitiesandregainproductive,drug-freelives.
* To read the full article and view the accompanying video, visit the newsroom on our website at odysseyhouseinc.org.
program.Thissummer,theywillhavetheopportunitytocompetewiththeircolleaguesinthe10,000 Steps a Daychallenge.
Staff Role Models Support TreatmentThewellnessprogramisanaturalfitatOdysseyHouse,whereprovidingholistictreatmentispartofourmissionandwebelievewellnessisessentialtoafullrecoveryfromsubstanceuseandmentalhealthdisorders.ToOdysseyHousePresidentDr.PeterProvet,employees’healthandwell-beingisparticularlyimportantbecausestaffmembersserveasrolemodelstotheresidentsundertheircare.
“Rolemodelstaffinspire,challenge,check,andmotivateclientstolookatthemselvesandrealizetheycanbecomefarmorethanwhattheyhavebeen,”saidDr.Provet.
OdysseyHousehaslongofferedprogramsthatteachclientshealthliteracy,goodnutrition,andmore,inadditiontopromotingtheirparticipationinyoga,running,basketballandotherteamsports.Encouragingstafftoactasrolemodelsprovidesanadditionalincentiveforindividualsintreatmenttoembracehealthyliving.
SeniorDrugAbuseContinuestoRise Save the Date!
Odyssey House 6th Annual Run for Your Life
5K Run & Recovery Walk Saturday, September 24th
JoinusatIcahnStadium
onRandall’sIslandformusic,entertainment,children’s
activitiesandmore!
Thefunbeginsat9amwithchildren’sraces.
Formoreinformationortoregisteronline:
odysseyhouseinc.org
3
WhenTroyH.droppedoutofhighschoolafewyearsago,collegewasthelastthingonhismind.Today,heistheteenvaledictorianofthe2011GEDgraduatingclass,withhissightssetonadegreeinsocialwork.
Troywasoneof51residentswhowererecognizedforpassingtheirGEDtestsataceremonyearlierthissummer.Hisexcitementtobeatthegraduation–his
BrandingExpertJoinsBoardsofTrustees
GEDGraduatesLooktoaBrighterFuture
Valedictorians Troy H. and Herbert H. celebrate their accomplishments at the graduation ceremony.
OdysseyHouseandOdysseyFoundationhaveaddedanewmembertotheirBoardsofTrustees:JustinPeters,GlobalExecutiveCreativeDirectoratSiegel+Gale.Mr.Petershasextensiveexperienceinstrategicbranddevelopment,andheisexcitedtousehisexpertisetohelpfurtherOdysseyHouse’smissionandsupportindividualsandfamiliesinrecovery.
Mr.PetersfirstworkedwithOdysseyHouselastyearwhiledevelopingarefreshedvisual
identitythatcapturedthebreadthanddiversityofitsprogramsandservices.Mr.PeterswasimpressedwiththecommitmenttobuildingabrandthatexemplifiesOdysseyHouse’senergyandfocusinsuchafreshanddifferentiatingway.“Asaboardmember,IlookforwardtohelpingOdysseyHousefindnew,creativewaystocommunicateitsinnovativeofferings,”hesaid.
Mr.PetersjoinedSiegel+Galein2005,drivenbyacommitmenttoeffectpositivechangeonaglobalscalethroughleveragingthepowerofstrategicthinkinganddesign.Hisexpertiseatleadingcomplexbrandengagementsmarriesanunconventionalvisualsensewithleadershipskillshonedovertwodecadesofworkingwithdiverseclientsaroundtheworld.Mr.Petershasledstrategicpositioning,designdevelopmentandmarketimplementationofidentityprograms,printcommunications,branded
firstsincethefifthgrade–wasobviousashesaid,“Icouldn’twaituntilthedayIcouldsay,‘Mom,Ididit!’”Addressinghisfellowgraduates,hesaid,“Iwantyoualltounderstandsomething.Itdoesn’tstophere.‘Can’t’and‘try’shouldn’tbeinourvocabulary,andwecandoanythingweputourmindto.Wejusthavetowantitenough.”
Troy,18,enteredtheOdysseyHouseTeenLeadershipCenterinDecember2009andisexpectedtocompletetheprogrambytheendoftheyear.HehasmadethemostofhistimeatOdysseyHouse.Inadditiontohiseducationalaccomplishments,hehascompletedrelapsepreventionandparentingclassesandhasrecentlystartedaninternshipforayoungadultmentorprogram.
KeynotespeakerDeborahBrinkley,avocationalrehabilitationexpert,congratulatedthegraduatesontheiraccomplishmentandofferedthemsomewordsofencouragement.“Don’tstophere.Continuelearning.Youcanbeanythingandeverythingyouwanttobe,onedayatatime,
onestepatatime,onemomentatatime.Itisnevertoolatetobecomethepersonyouwerealwaysmeanttobe,”shesaid.
HerbertH.,a60-year-oldElderCareresident,alsolefthighschoolbeforegraduating.Morethanfourdecadeslater,heistheElderCarevaledictorian,withthehighestscoreoftheentireclass.
“Odyssey House has saved my life by giving me the tools and knowledge to live a drug-free life.” — Herbert H.
OdysseyHouse’sVocationalRehabilitationServices,inpartnershipwiththeNewYorkCityDepartmentofEducationandProjectRestart,provideson-siteeducationalservicesavailabletoallresidentialclientsandadministerstheGEDexamfivetimesayear.
environmentsandinteractiveexperiencesforclientssuchasKodak,IngersollRand,NationalGeographic,SesameWorkshop,Disney,Scholastic,GE,TheWhiteHouseMillenniumCouncil,Tata,TheChicagoSymphonyOrchestraandtheCooper-HewittNationalDesignMuseum,tonameafew.
Hisworkhasbeenrecognizedinnumerousindustryjournalsandperiodicals,andhehaswonseveralnotabledistinctionsincludingthePresidentialDesignAward.
Mr.PetersholdsaBFAfromtheUniversityoftheArtsinPhiladelphia,certificatesfromRhodeIslandSchoolofDesignandParsonsSchoolofDesign,andhehascompletedtheOmnicomAdvancedManagementProgramatBabsonCollege.
4 Odyssey House News, Summer Issue 2011
Artshowexploresthesearchforwholeness“Seeking Wholeness”isthesixthexhibitionbymembersoftheOdysseyHouseArtProject, composedof individualsinresidentialtreatmentforsubstanceuse and/ormentalhealthdisorders.Thisyear’sshowexploresmandalasassymbolsofrecoveryandthesearchforspiritualwholeness.Artists,includingthechildrenofresidentsintreatment, wereencouragedtouseavarietyofmedia,suchaspainting,photography,needlepointandahand-crankedspinningwheel,tocapturethespiritembodiedintheseancientimagesandportrayhowtheycontinuetoresonateandguideindividualsinsearchofbalanceandwholeness.
5
“Wholeness of the Self”MandalaisaSanskritwordmeaning“circle.”Invariousspiritualtraditions,mandalas areusedasaspiritualteachingtool,forestablishingasacredspace,andasanaidtomeditation.PreeminentpsychologistCarlJungsawthemandalaas“anarchetypalimagewhoseoccurrenceisattestedthroughouttheages.ItsignifiesthewholenessoftheSelf.”Heencouragedhispatientstocreatethemas“movementtowardspsychologicalgrowth,expressingtheideaofasaferefuge,innerreconciliationandwholeness.”
Artistsinterpretedthemeaningofmandalasindifferentways.JoseC.,anElderCareclient,createdavisualinterpretationofthebabyboomerexperienceintheformofaclock(seeright).Usingcut-outphotoshecreatedacirculartimelinestartingfrom1945totoday.Aself-taughtartist,JosegraduallystoppedmakingartuntilhejoinedtheOdysseyHouseArtProject.“IwasgratifiedtofindIstillhadthatcreativityinme,”hesaid.
Engaging in TreatmentOdysseyHousehasanactiveandvibrantexpressiveartsprogram.Creatingarthelpsresidentsfindnewwaystoaccessandcommunicatetheirfeelings.Manyresidents,whoweresociallyandculturallyisolatedbytheiraddictionand/ormentalillness,areencouragedtobecomeengagedinthecreativeprocess.ForresidentsinrecoveryatOdysseyHouse,discoveringtheirbroaderpotentialwithinapositivepro-socialenvironmentisintegraltotheircontinuedgrowth.
Residentswhoparticipatedintheartprogramfoundittobearewardingandsatisfyingexperience.FredP.,aresidentinouradultcomponent,saidtheprogramhelpedhimrelievestressandgavehimanewperspective.“Arthasaredemptivepower,”hesaid.“Nomatterhowdarkyourpastis,youcanuseittocreatesomethingbeautiful.”
“Seeking Wholeness”willbeopenthroughDecember23,2011attheHavenArtGallery,239E.121stStreetinHarlem.Viewadditionalselectionsfromtheexhibitiononodysseyhouseinc.org.
Park Avenue tenant Jack C. with his painting “The Alchemist”. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, “Seeking Wholeness” is Jack’s 24th art show.
“Squirrely” by Gary S.
“Time Marches On” by Jose C.
“Green Imp” by Gary S.
6 Odyssey House News, Summer Issue 2011
TakingRecoveryIntotheCommunity
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Change in HMHF Outcomes from Initial Interview to 6-Month Follow-Up Interview (n=20)
InnovativeprogramsthataddresstheongoingneedsofpeoplewithsubstanceuseandmentalhealthdisordersareahallmarkofOdysseyHousetreatment.Alongwithintensiveresidentialandoutpatientservicesthatprovideaccesstoprimarymedicalanddentalcareandoffereducationalandvocationalsupport,ourapproachtorecoveryincludescommunity-basedservicesthatpromoteindependent,soberliving.InthelastseveralyearsOdysseyHousehasbeenawardedfivefederalgrantsfromtheSubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)thatrecognizeourcommitmenttoinnovationandexcellenceindeliveringcommunity-basedtreatmentservices.Threeofthecurrentgrantssupportdistinctsubstanceabusingpopulations:womenwithchildren;olderteens,youngadultsandtheirfamilies;andadultsinearlyrecovery.Eachofthesenewservicesenhancesrecoverybyutilizingtreatmentexpertisetoreachouttoextendedfamilyandaccessingcommunityresources.
Focus on Family Connections HealthyMothersHealthyFamilies(HMHF)isacomponentoftheOdysseyHouseFamilyCenterofExcellence,acomprehensivetreatmentservicethatprovidesasafe,supportiveresidentialcommunityforsubstanceabusingpregnantwomenandmothers,andtheiryoungchildrenandbabies.Womenaddresstheproblemsthathaveledthemtodrugsandpreventedthem
frombeingresponsiblemothers,whiletheirchildrentakepartindaycareandpreschoolprogramsthathelpthemdevelopintellectualandsocialskills.
Withthesupportoflicensedsocialworkersandcertifiedalcoholandsubstanceabusecounselors,atleast150womenand225childrenhaveparticipatedinarangeofenhancedtherapeuticinterventionsdesignedtoreinforceconnectionswithfamilymembers,includingpartnersandthechildren’sfathers.
Expanding Youth Services Thetransitionfromadolescencetoyoungadulthoodcanbeadifficultperiodformanyyoungpeople,butforthosewithhistoriesofsubstanceabuse,navigatingthisprocesscanbeespeciallychallenging.Tohelptheseyouth(manyofwhomhaveagedoutoffostercare,school-based,orotherinterventionservices)emergeasindependentanddrug-freeyoungadults,OdysseyHousehasestablishedanalternativetreatmentprogramthatofferscommunity-basedindividualandfamilysupportoutsidethepurviewoftraditionalresidentialandoutpatientprograms.
CalledBronxUrbanYouthInitiativeorBUY-In,thisisanevidence-basedprogramproventobeeffectiveinempowering18-24yearoldstomakehealthylifestylechangesontheirownthroughskill-buildingactivities
andutilizingresourceswithintheirhomecommunities.
Recovery Mentors Make a Difference Oneofthemostrelapsepronetimesforformersubstanceabusersistheperiodfollowingtheconclusionofformaltreatmentservices.Duringthisperiodindividuals,whointreatmenthavemanagedtomaintainadrug-freelifestyle,findthetransitiontoindependentlivingcanbeisolatingwithoutthesupportofapeergroup.
OdysseyHouseRecoveryOrientedCareSystem(OHROCS)providestimelyaccesstoanetworkofpeermentorswhohavesuccessfullynavigatedthetransitionfromtreatmenttoindependentlivingandaretrainedinpersonalcoachingtechniquesproventosupportindividualsinearlyrecovery,includingcraftingandfollowingarecoveryplan,attendingpeer-to-peersupportgroups,andpursuinggoal-orientedincentives.OHROCSenrolleditsfirstmenteesearlierthisyearandisontargettoserveaprojected330individualsinearlyrecoverywithinthreeyears.
To find out more about our community-based services, contact Odyssey House Admissions at: 212-987-5100; or send an email to: [email protected]
figure 1
Reduction in Substance Abuse-Related Outcomes for BUY-In Clients from Initial to Follow-up Interview (n=26)
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7
“It’sprettyhardtogetkidsexcitedaboutvegetables,butthegardenmanagedtodoit,”saidMr.Wright.
Hecontinued,“ItalsohelpstodevelopmoreconnectionsbetweenOdysseyHouseandthecommunity.”Thefamilieshavebeenattendingmonthlymeetingsatthegardenandvolunteeringatevents,suchaspreparingproducebagsfordistributiontothehomeless.Inaddition,OdysseyHousehasconnectedwithanotherlocalorganization,NourishingNYC,asaresultofourparticipation.GardenersfromNourishingNYC,acommunityfoodprogramthatstrivestoachieve“nutritionforall”inNewYorkCity,willbevisitingtheManorFamilyCentertoprovideaHealthySummerEatingworkshopforchildrenandElderCareclients.
GardeningforHealth Continued from page 1
Preparing produce bags for the homeless.
FromFastFoodtoWholeGrainsCHEF program teaches healthy eatingThefirstcycleofthenewCreatingHealthyEatingFamilies(CHEF)programwrappedupatFamilyRe-Entrythisspringwithapotluckdinner.Theprogram,createdwitha$25,000grantfromAetna,focusesonimprovingthebasicnutritionandeatinghabitsofparentsandtheirchildren.Itprovideshands-onnutritionandcookingclassesforparentslivingwiththeirchildrenintheOdysseyHousefamilycenters.
ParticipantsmetwithnutritionistPauletteSinclair-Weirtwiceaweekforsixweeksandlearnedabouttopicssuchasreadingnutritionlabels,reducingportionsizes,increasingfruitsandvegetables,andfoodsafety.Sessionsincludedhands-oncookinginstruction,givingparticipantstheopportunitytotryouttheirnewculinaryskills.Theclassesculminatedinapotluckdinnerwhereresidentseachpreparedseveralvegetariandishesfortheirfamiliesandneighbors,demonstratingwhattheylearnedduringtheprogram.
Itwascleartheprogramhasalreadyhadapositiveimpactontheparticipants’livesastheytalkedaboutthechangestheyhavemadeintheirdietsasaresult.Oneresident,Teresa,wasabletoreducehercholesterolmedicationbymakinghealthysubstitutions,likebakinginsteadoffrying.Anothermother,Bernadette,whosaidshewasskepticaloftheprogramatfirst,startedusingfreshherbstoflavorherfoodandreducedhersodiumintake.Shesaid,“Theprogramtaughtmehowtocookmealstomytastethatwerestillhealthy.AndIlearnedIdon’thavetoputsomuchonmyplatetobesatisfied.”
TheCHEFprogramisbeingimplementedattheManorFamilyCenterthissummerfornearlythreedozenresidentsaspartofOdysseyHouse’songoingcommitmenttoimprovingthehealthandwellnessofparentsandchildreninresidentialtreatment.
FoundationAwardsFundInnovativeServicesUnrestricted grant supports agency-wide services Privatesupportfromfoundations,corporationsandindividualsfundsmanyoftheinnovativetreatmentprogramsOdysseyHousedevelops,fromhealthandwellnessinitiativestofacilityrenovations.Workinginpartnershipwithoursupportersweareabletoenhancethetreatmentexperiencesoftheindividualsandfamiliesinourprogramsandincreasetheirchancesofachievingalong-termrecovery.Arecentunrestrictedawardof$50,000fromtheLavanburgFoundationwillhelpfundimprovementstoouradministrativesystemsthatbenefitclientsintreatmentacrossourservicelines.Expressinghisthankstothetrusteesofthefoundation,Dr.PeterProvetsaidhewasespeciallygratefultoreceivesupportforgeneraloperatingcostsandacknowledgedlong-timeOdysseyHouseandFoundationboardmemberStephenGrossforintroducingustotheLavanburgFoundation.
“Itisincreasinglyrarefornonprofitorganizationstoreceiveunrestrictedgrantstohelpwiththecomplexadministrative,financial,andcommunicationfunctionstheyareexpectedtoperform.ThisgenerousawardfromtheLavanburgFoundationwillmakearealdifferencetoouroveralloperatingcapabilities,inparticularthecontinuedimplementationofclients’electronicclinicalrecordsandotherneededimprovements.”
Renewed support from Broadway CaresPreventionservicesforHIV/AIDSreceivedasecondyearoffundingfromtheatredistrictpartnersBroadwayCares/EquityFightsAIDS.The$5,000awardwillaugmentourHIV/AIDStestingservicesandtargetwomenintreatmentatourfamilycenters.
It is the mission of Odyssey House:To provide comprehensive and innovative services to the broadest range of metro New York’s population who:
• Abuse drugs• Abuse alcohol• Suffer from mental illness
To provide high quality, holistic treatment impacting all major life spheres: psychological, physical, social, family, educational and spiritual.
To support personal rehabilitation, renewal and family restoration.
In all of its activities, Odyssey House undertakes to act as a responsible employer and member of the community, and manage the assets of the organization in a professional manner.
95PineStreetNewYork,NY10005
odysseyhouseinc.org212-361-1600
On the Horizon
Odyssey House 6th Annual Run for Your Life
5K Run & Recovery Walk Saturday, September 24th
Join us to celebrate recovery in New York City!
Helpusspreadthewordfacebook.com/OdysseyHouse
Followusat@OdysseyHouseNY
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