‘You’re the real hero’ Richard Gere talks with RHD’s One Step Away erry, a vendor with RHD’s One Step Away, was about to sit down to watch Richard Gere’s new movie when Gere walked up and asked about Jerry’s story first. J One Step Away was invited to a VIP screening of Time Out Of Mind, an indie film in which Gere movingly plays George, a man experiencing homelessness and grappling with his existence in a world that has seemingly discarded him. It’s a project close to Gere’s heart; the iconic actor famous for movies such as Pretty Woman, An Officer and A Gentleman and American Gigolo is a passionate advocate for homeless causes. When Gere and director Oren Moverman were making appearances to promote Time Out Of Mind, Gere insisted that homelessness providers and most importantly people who’d actually experienced homelessness have a chance to see the film first. In Philadelphia, at an event hosted by Comcast and Project HOME, Gere premiered the film for an audience that included One Step Away — and Gere seemed most anxious to hear what Jerry thought of it. Gere is a supporter of the street newspaper movement, and was excited to find that Philadelphia — where he was born, although his family left Philly shortly thereafter — had a street paper. Asked if he had any message for people who were working to break the cycle of homelessness in their own lives, Gere laughed and said: “I don’t give them advice; they give me advice.” On the red carpet: Richard Gere (center) talks with One Step Away vendor Jerry (left) and One “I think these guys are the heroes, they’re the survivors,” Gere said. “Your vendors are out there, Step Away Director Emily Taylor (right) about the experience of homelessness. Describing the they have done something heroic. They’ve pulled themselves out of a very deep ditch and they work of RHD’s street newspaper serving people who experience homelessness, Gere said: didn’t do it by themselves.” See GERE/ page 2 “Your vendors are out there, they have done something heroic.”

THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NONPROFIT RESOURCES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

WHO WE ARE: Resources for Human Development is a national VISIT US AT: www.rhd.org human services nonprofit founded in 1970 that specializes in creating innovative, quality services that support people of all

WINTER 2015 WINTER abilities wherever the need exists. In partnership with local governments and those we serve, RHD builds better communities through more than 160 caring and effective programs in 14 states.

RHD is a pioneer in creating unique, effective children’s services that have helped thousands of children and their families achieve their behavioral and educational goals

Kenneth Kauffman | photo Story page 4 2 rhd.org to donate online. to sendacheck or visitusat www. futures for allRHD clients. oflifequality andcreating brighter to theirfullpotential, improving the to develop people theopportunity andrespect. dignity You canhelpgive challenges, shouldbetreated with human being, nomatter what their withabeliefthat each in theservice, programs that emphasize theperson caring, effective andinnovative communities. You canhelpsupport themselves, theirfamiliesand as theywork to buildbetter lives for resources peopleofallabilitiesneed generosity ofpeoplelikeyou. small, are madepossiblethrough the milestones andsuccesses, large and programs. Their human-services communities through RHD’s many themselves, theirfamilies, andtheir they needto buildbetter lives for andencouragement gain thesupport How you help can address above. MyRHD, [email protected] orwrite usat the throughout thecountry. Ifyou wishto unsubscribeto programsmore than160human-services itoperates about RHD’s innovations activities, andsuccesses inthe donors andgovernment officials. Itismeant toinform MyRHD ispublishedquarterly, mailedto supporters,

1970 – 2014 All directors are volunteers and, once elected, Please usetheenclosedenvelope Your helpsprovide the support More than43,500peopleeachyear Michael Denomme, Ph.D.,M.S.W.,Michael Chairman Caryn ReichlinJohnson,M.S.,OTR/L,Caryn FAOTA Bertram Wolfson,Esq., Bertram Phone: 215.951.0300or1.800.894.9925 Samantha Jones-Thomas,Samantha B.S.N., R.N. serve forserve an indefinite duration. JoAnn Connelly, E. M.S.W., L.S.W. Chief ExecutiveChief Officer Marvin Marvin Weisbord, M.A.,B.S. Board ofDirectors Barbara Shoulson,M.S.W. Sheldon Steinberg,Sheldon V.M.D. Tanya Stewart, M.S.C.E.D. Avrene L.Brandt, Ph.D. Kevin Douglas, M.S.W. Philadelphia PA 19144 Diane Menio,Diane M.S.W. Anthony J. Parrotto Email: [email protected] Mail: P.O. Box 12280 Web: www.rhd.org Contact Us Contact Peter Neuschul Dyann Roth

President Emeritus

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go primarily with what —but we see our lieto us senses how completely our of surface experience eachother is. We impossible. to shut down. We couldn’t make movie; the it would’ve been movie. If had me, recognized everyone we would have had happy,I was very it because meant we could make the street —and then no one made any eyecontact.” you’re to right talking now is same the guy was who on the I was ahomeless guy, and didn’t any look further. This guy character, within two people blocks decided of me that seeing invisible on streets. the portraying ahomelessexperience man was way the he became Gere himself reported that of most part the his impactful garnered praise from of homeless across spectrum the services. andsee, visibility the Step One Away become anational crisispeople have to learned ignore and not visible presence on streets. the Homelessness has inmany ways Away homelessness providers working Step inpartnership with One homelessness, volunteers community, inthe and other journalism. International Street Newspaper Association awards for won North American Street Newspaper Association and on issues of poverty and homelessness. The newspaper has as an important700,000 issues, serving voice of advocacy street newspaper is only their source of income. work that allows to them make toward strides self-sufficiency. joblessness, providing more than 65vendors eachmonth with opportunities for people homelessness experiencing or athrivingprogramto be that offers income meaningful newspaper, Step in2010.Since One Away then, yours. And you have avenue for it.” lot of people and I’m sure wasn’t his story that differentthan and book powerful it meant alot to me and it meant alot to a hebecause was honest with telling he his wrote story avery we wrote movie. the He’s not awriter, he wasn’t trained, but The way wrotehe book his of storiesmuch informedvery how There’sthat book a meant alot to me, Land The Lost Souls. of have to accept energy the that help. Iknowbecause there are alot of you when times don’t even toyou reach had energy the back and also that take hand — youGod Gerehad said.help “Thank around you thatand community isn’t it?” “Yes! Absolutely! That’sthe most importantthing, it’sthe samethe thing,” Gere excitedly punched air the and said: out there on street, the ifIcan because doit can do they “So, God. Thank You’re heroic.” ability to work as avendor for Step One Away ablebeen and to secure maintain housing to thanks inpart his how broke Jerry of cycle the homelessness has inhis life (Jerry GERE from front page One stepOne away the street: the current state of homelessnessbefore thepremier ofthefilm. inwhichGere homelessness. starsasamanexperiencing Mind (Bottom) RichardGere anddirector Oren Of Out Moverman ofapanelthat werediscussed part “It was adeeply profound and existential moment of “It was confusing, and profound,” he said. “As afilmmaker, “I was invisible inNew York,” Gere said. “Because Iwas this Perhaps most importantly, Step One Away More than 100writers —including people experiencing In its history, Step One Away For 82percent of Step One Away RHD founded Step One Away “It’s hard very for us, people don’t who know, to engage. “You can go to and them say I’ve look there, been Iknow,” to encourageWhen said: “I Jerry other try guys are who Gere about asked about Jerry and his talked experience, they — contribute to newspaper the eachyear. (Top) One Step AwayOne Director Emily Taylor and vendor Jerry Tucker RichardGere at posewithactor thepremier ofthefilm Time has distributed more distributed has than , Philadelphia’s street vendors, working with the brings to issue the has vendors are a ). Gere told Jerry: ). Gere told Jerry: has grown has sure it stays that way.” or anyevicted of stuff, this not anymore — and Iwant to make ofa set keys inmy hand, and Idon’t have about to worry being do my job, Iwant to thank whatever powers that that be Ihave Away it quite way the Idid. homelessness,” Jeffsaid. “Whensaw I this, Ididn’t see to expect troubles and delusional the behavior that accompanies Mind Of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia Daily News, and largest the aggregator news in com, for web the portal The Philadelphia Inquirer and through; that’s how it is.” backs ontheir you,” said. “It Jerry reminds me of what Iwent true. rang film the very movie and reported newspaper’s inthe they issue October that that is what it feels like.” ofall us. us, we we know are think they precious, is deeply important to inacommunity tobeings; be of people who, at look they when magnificent inside of ourselves,”Geresaid. “But we’re social yearning isintouch to be with that thing that is precious and Out of Mind is apassion project for him,and it shows. years for with Coalition the Homeless the inNew York. Time Eleanor Humanitarian Roosevelt Award, and he’s worked for for Leadership from Amnesty International, prestigious the worldwide. Gere has received Media the Spotlight Award funds and funnel resources to disadvantaged communities Award, Gere established Initiatives the Foundation to raise around me.” changedradically my of view myself fabric and of social the forthink an audience it should as well. be garbage? That’s a profound lesson forpersonally, me butI about me, ifIcan stand on astreet corner and treated be like money and fame and situation inthis kindly thinks everyone own minds and prejudices. Now, ifRichard Gere, has who continually we’re because living inan echo chamber of our “My end feeling is one of gratefulness, not Step only to One Out “I immediately was struck by realism the of Time Jeff’s of Timereview Out of Mind was published on Philly. “That’swhat it’s likebe homeless;really to people turn One Step Away vendors and Jeff Jerry were the able see to “We are of all us, deeply, together. inthis And Iwould hope “I find sayingtimethe — myself all thisour deepest A previous winner of Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson to it, verbalize and“I Idon’t try Ican get think there. But it , but that now Iwant to get up morning, inthe Iwant to ; it is blindingly accurate about conditions the and Al B. For |photo Employee of the year

Ella, a client with intellectual disabilities at RHD’s DeFuniak Springs program, took to her job at a local hospital with so much passion that she was named Employee of the Year

verybody knows Ella. When Ella walks into the Healthmark Regional EMedical Center for her job in the hospital’s kitchen, people at every step along the way wave and say hello. This summer they added “Congratulations!” Ella got a job in the hospital’s dietary department 20 years ago with the help of RHD DeFuniak Springs, but she went above and beyond to make the job her own. And this year she was recognized as the hospital’s employee of the year. “If I had two Ellas in here, I wouldn’t need anybody else,” said Dietary Supervisor Pat Pryor. “She’s so hard- working — never grumps, never gripes, always smiling. We love our Ella. “Her original job was washing dishes, but she does everything. She mops, she does stock, she puts everything up, she cooks, she cleans the fryer, she serves on the line. She’ll tell you her job title is ‘dishwasher,’ but she shouldn’t have that job title. She does way more than that. She does everything.” Ella has been a client at RHD DeFuniak Springs, a community-based clubhouse model and day program serving adults with developmental disabilities, since RHD founded the program. On the job: Ella, a client at RHD Defuniak Springs, has excelled in her job in the dietary department at Healthmark Regional Medical Center. DeFuniak Springs includes training in activities of daily For a time Ella was showing up on her days off, just living, pre-vocational skills, job exploration, volunteer in case she was needed (“I practically have to make her Al B. For | photo services, work enclaves, community resource utilization, take days off,” Pryor said, with a laugh. “She loves to be community organization participation, recreation skills, here”). She loved it so much, without any thought of residential rehabilitation, respite care, and personal care recognition, that the day when Pryor told her the hospital services. In 2002, the program expanded to provide administrator wanted to see her, she panicked. supported living services. “I said: Why?” Ella said. “What did I do? Am I in “We’ve seen her grow so much. Everybody’s proud of trouble?” her,” said DeFuniak Springs Co-Director Sandra Spann. She wasn’t. Gerald Beard, chief operating officer of “She went from living with her mom to living in her own Healthmark Regional Medical Center, was waiting with place. She raised her son, and supported him through high news that Ella had been awarded Employee of the Month school. She’s always had this job, always liked to work. for January. That honor qualified her for the Employee of “At the start, I was out there all the time. We helped a lot the Year award, and in a unanimous vote of the hospital’s when she first got the job, because it was a special training department, Beard had the pleasure of presenting her and job program. But finally her boss called me and said: with the Employee of the Year award at a ceremony in Ella is doing an awesome job, can we just go ahead and June. It was the first time in the hospital’s history they hire her as a regular employee? That point where Ella honored a member of the dietary department. They’d kept didn’t need us so much, that’s what we want.” the outcome a secret, and surprised Ella with flowers. across the country make a commitment to helping provide Ella needed support in everything from social skills to Beard attempted to give a speech, but choked up midway that opportunity, through job training and a dedication to job skills, from how to dress appropriately to showing up through it. supporting people in attaining jobs in the community. on time. The staff at DeFuniak Springs worked diligently “One of our managers had to help me,” Beard said. “I People with intellectual disabilities, or mental health to support her, and her job offered opportunity for knew I couldn’t do it without breaking up.” challenges, or who are re-integrating into society after independence. Ella threw herself into it. The harder she Department director John Ard, in helping present Ella involvement with the criminal justice system, or who worked, the more responsibility she got — and as she with the award, said: “Ella is one of the most dedicated are working to overcome any number of challenges as became empowered at work, Ella grew in her personal life people I have ever met. She often calls in to see if she is they seek to attain meaningful employment in their as well. needed. She gets along with everybody, and is a pleasure community, are finding support at RHD. “RHD helped me a lot, and I’m so glad I have my job,” to work with. Ella is a fine person and a wonderful Not everyone gets an award for it, of course - but Ella’s Ella said. “I love working at the hospital. I like working employee. We are all very proud of her.” work to overcome her challenges to attain, keep, and excel with the patients. People in the hospital, you want to help First among the values that guide RHD is a belief in in her job with the support of staff at DeFuniak Springs is make them feel better. I like taking them their food, and the fundamental dignity of each human being. For many something worth celebrating. I talk to them. I like working with everybody. I love my people the opportunity to attain employment is a key “There are not words for how much she’s grown,” Spann boss, Pat. I do anything she asks me.” element of self-esteem and dignity — so RHD programs said. “She’s just amazing, and we’re very proud of her.”

WINTER 2015 3 R 4 achieve 80percent of behavioral their and/or educational goals, and engaging family the is a processthe from start.” the family, provides evaluations homes inthe and communities. inthe We want of families part to be already familiar with program. the The staff atgoesSTS the out in community and engages the families are aware through ongoing of service the are that they meetings arises so aneed when wea support provide,” to traditional the STS services Harrison said. “We work to make sure graduated from program the to offer support for familiesother and receive support need they it. if children and families their from crisistogether. We teach how to de-escalate, and self-soothe.” Brown-Roache.Zelice “We have parent workshops that teach our that model, so we move the support employee,” other just through district schooldistrict the like every Harrison said. childrenthe program the serves. acute behavioral challenges. health CAPP staffthrough goes continuoustrainings best to support helpthe of CBH makes sure its staff is prepared to forprovide childrenwhoservices often have documentation. CAPP is one of hospitalization three acute partial programs city, inthe and with management, as well as course clinical formulation, treatment planning and clinical of Community Behavioral Health (CBH) that on focus crisisprevention/intervention/ programs for children are always delivering most informed and highest quality service. can’t treat child inisolation. the And trauma-informed being is extremely important.” Familydeliver engagement services. is ahuge initiative our inall programs, we because know we in Philadelphia. We’ve able been to pioneer effectivefor therapeuticand children.services that’sservice not done being anywhere else. OrHiFi Wraparound, was which first the of kind its at Mastery, an outpatient therapy program within Mastery is which Charter aunique Schools, we have ability the to provide the based on differentneeds of differentservices populations.Look Assistant Director for children’s programs. “We’ve network developed agood of resources and tothem everybody.” abetterme parent be to help my daughter. were just great. services the All Iwould recommend wraparound process she was making F’s Now ineverything. she’s making A’s and B’s. HiFi helped an RHDprogram High Fidelity called Wraparound. “When my daughter firstthe started success, they’ve found that RHDlefta mark them, on too. that has helped achieve them behavioral their and educational goals. As they’ve achieved that children. Thousands of children theirand families have foundcaring, effective support atRHD through hastheir them left mark the on program. want blue; that’s my favorite color,” he said). healthy, behaviors. wise For his graduation ceremony, he’ll make his handprint on(“I wall the RHD’s HiFi Wraparound reports that children stay who with program the for 180days or more “RHD’s program parenthasalso Therapeutic School Services schools,the in meetings as In CAPP an has fact, begun alumni workshop where families come back aftertheir has child Family Engagement: “When achild is family incrisis, the is incrisis,” said CAPP Director “In RHDeducational all programs, our teachers are teachers, certified and receivetrainings and Staff at CAPP, for example, through go series trainingsof a withthe PhiladelphiaDepartment Training: RHD’s Children’s have four Services main cornerstones: “But there are some ways RHDprograms inwhich are similar, of because way the we want to “RHD’s children’s continuum diverse,” services is very said Harrison, Sebrina RHDCorporate “RHD really helped me and my family tremendously,” said Jerkisha, daughter whose is in CAPP is just one example of how apioneer RHDhas been increating unique programs for It’s aritual many RHDchildren’s programs embrace to show that passes eachchild who children develop self-regulation that skills minimize challenging behaviors and increase his schoolafter having completed hospitalizationthe short-termpartial programthat helps is graduatingaheem from RHD’s Children’s Acute Partial Program (CAPP), and returning to 1970 – 2014 RHD staff bestreceivethe and most up-to-datetrainings available,thatso RHD THE QUARTERLY OF FORHUMANDEVELOPMENT RESOURCES THE NONPROFIT NEWSLETTER families achieve their behavioral andeducationalgoals children’s services that have helped thousands of children and their RHD isapioneer increatingadiverse array of unique,effective that provided treatment for infants and to birth toddlers, three years, with kindsthe of supports RHDcan offer.Early Interventionbegan as a program growing interms both of number the of children and RHDis able to serve levelsgrade and math scores levels. increased 0.8grade significant dividends. Student and comprehensionvocabulary increased by 1.0 andLearning Technology Centerfrom thanks to agift National Penn, sawand challenges. year Last Stepping Stones was able Interactive to anew addanew in Philadelphia children that withof ahistory emotional serves and behavioral with had acrisis.” to deal they because to go back to schools their feeling something just missed academically like they to makeschool district sure children maintain We grades. their don’t want kids ensure continuity education,” intheir Harrison said. “We work closely with the (IEPs) we from so know schooldistrict the what supports children the to need grade-appropriate material, and we obtain Individualized Education Programs program, we have collaborated with schoolofficialsmake to sure we’reteaching involveddepartment is very with staff the in providing support.”clinical collaboration provides alevel of consistency of care. child psychiatry Our psychiatrists, and provides and supervision oversight of that process. That psychiatrists that are able to support our programs. to deliver inchildren’s services,” Harrison said. “We have built a team of problems involved by getting on everybody same the page.” therapist at Clemente Roberto School.“Working with HiFi has helped resolve and brings resources to help connect us to eachother,” Delvin, a said Rebecca reason.primary That record of successwhy is Children’s RHD programs expanding,keep Stepping Stones is only the long-term Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) advancement: and scholastic Educational “Our chief psychiatrist atone really sets for for of all our that service Psychiatric services: “HiFi has amuch better connection schooland the between family life, “Child psychiatry is a unique service that “Child we’re is aunique psychiatry service able “Where enter kids an RHD developmental delays. With a family focus on skill training to enhance developmental skills of the child, Early Intervention has expanded in terms of the ages it can serve and received consistently positive feedback from families. That doesn’t come easily, or quickly. Sade Edwards, Program Supervisor at Early Intervention, spent weeks working with a child named Anthony who needed assistance with speech but was reluctant to engage with her. “When I tried to interact with him he would shut down,” Edwards said. “I decided I would sit within Anthony’s eyesight and engage in activities with his classmates while using them as intermediaries to get responses out of Anthony. Over time Anthony would interact with me periodically, but always seemed to need time to warm up. “Then one day when I walked in, Anthony came right up to me, said “Hi,” took my hand and said “Come on,” and then directed me to sit on floor with him to play. He and I played and talked together for the entire session. With patience and time, you can make great achievements happen. If you give Anthony time, he can now respond to any request. He’s engaging with his teachers and making great strides.” For more information on RHD’s Children’s Services, including information on referrals, treatment methods and admission criteria, please visit us online at: www.rhd.org/rhdkids

WINTER 2015 5 6 work together. And together, we’re better. even one person —at atime. In way, this RHDeffects change, one community — or “What day: can else every we dofor our community?” better lives for themselves. innovative programs that support build people as they RHD to continue developing caring, effective and RHD help create brighter futures for others, and allow of asingle donorpeoplethewho makingsupport agift, potential.develop full their treatedbe with dignity and have opportunity the to person, no matter what challenges face, should they generosity and support of that people believe who every that supportthatservices effective person. and creating service, in the unique, innovative and commitment to highest quality service. different. very look all But representthey RHD’s diverse population over years, the of programs all these studio. avery RHDhas sought Because to serve with intellectual disabilities inaunique creative arts our country,into afterserving society and artists homelessness, veterans support need who reintegrating and children, their work as they to break of cycle the year’s fundraiser benefited wine gala single mothers our programs that like and they want to support. This people in and experiences each yearservices, find another piece he liked. with agift of one he’dpiece admired. Marcus purchased giving Marcus atour of studio, art the presented him Works) is amazing to see.” creativity at and energy the Center (the for Creative “I’m very, proud very to help support RHD’s work. The connect with onthey level. apersonal know what but always to expect, they something find doorin the of one of our programs often —they don’t I always love people’s to see reactions walk they when RHDprogramsthe that wouldfrom benefit the gala). he wanted Center the to for see Creative Works (one of Marcus our could be honorary chair year, this and that innovative We human services. that were thrilled innovative winemakers inan event that benefits RHD’s WineLine celebrates which Gala, world’s the most an engineer —just like me!” artist about her work and her process and said: “You’re his background is inengineering. He chatted with one woodworking area. Marcus is an elite winemaker, but Works and excited was particularly new the to see was touringCellars, RHD’s Center for Creative FROM RHD’S CEO No one it does alone. At RHD, you’re our partner. We always andRHD has will been, aplace be, that asks Whether it fundraiser or is awine gala generosity the peopleThe we are honored relyserve to the on At RHDwe great take pride infocusing on person the At RHD, we’re that thankful thousands of people Center for Creative Works Director Bartol, Lori after “It is ahumbling honor here,” to be Marcus said. Marcus was here to host RHD’s annual Main Marcus Notaro, winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine create brighter futures fortheindividualsRHDserves places, includingthisyear’s MainLine Wine Gala,helps The RHDreceives generous support from many different this avery goodyear Thank you formaking

1970 – 2014 THE QUARTERLY OF FORHUMANDEVELOPMENT RESOURCES THE NONPROFIT NEWSLETTER Among the guests supporting thewinegalawas Lisa Among theguestssupporting Yang, at the Center asanartist for isthriving whosesonDoug Creative Works. chairat disabilities. with intellectual thisyear’s Marcuswith several was thehonorary artists Line Main Wine whichbenefitsRHDprograms. Gala, Line Main Wine Gala: Dyann Roth,CEOofResourcesDyann for HumanDevelopment From top, Marcus Notaro, winemakerat Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, visited RHD’s Center for Creative Works andspent time CHANGING LIVES, MAKING RHD’s Healing Ajax finds HEADLINES For more on these stories and other news about RHD’s innovative programs around the country serving supporter in Ken Casey people of all abilities, please visit the media center at www.rhd.org.

Mike Gold of RHD’s FaSST/Connections honored as XCEL Case Manager of of Dropkick Murphys the Year at 2015 national case management conference in New Orleans Michael Gold, a supervisor at RHD’s FaSST/Connections, was honored as the XCEL Case Manager of the Year at the National Association of Case Management Conference. Michael has been providing Case Management to people experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia for more than seven years. While working in the shelter system, Michael was able to identify additional needs for individuals he was supporting. Michael identified past trauma as a common barrier for individuals who were homeless. He utilized the Men’s Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (MTREM) as a successful evidence-based approach to better serve the homeless population. As a strong advocate for trauma-informed care he has successfully facilitated MTREM groups for the homeless population, veterans, and individuals in Permanent Support Housing. Michael also played a key role in the mental health system transformation in Philadelphia, providing Intensive Case Management to individuals transitioning from congregate living into independent housing. FaSST/Connections is a behavioral health care unit that provides evaluation, linkage, and coordination of services to individuals and families living in various shelters. FaSST/Connections’ primary outcome is to engage families with a history of mental health problems and/or substance abuse. Families receive linkages to various programs such as mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, housing referrals, legal services as well as counseling and consultation with FaSST/Connections staff and other agencies including shelter staff.

RHD staff from Mainstay Community Services, Mandela and Visions Support on the homefront: Ken Casey, founder and lead singer of the rock group Dropkick Murphys (left), presents a check to RHD’s Healing Ajax as part of Casey’s Claddagh Fund golf tournament. recognized as ‘Points of Transformation’ at DBHIDS Celebration Accepting are Healing Ajax director Tom Wagner (center) and Tim, an Iraq War Veteran. Four RHD employees were honored with nominations for the 2015 Points of Transformation Awards by the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys and an array of celebrity guests gathered Intellectual disAbility Services. at the Woodcrest Country Club September 9 for the Fourth Annual Claddagh The Points of Transformation Awards provides DBHIDS an opportunity to recognize direct support staff in provider organizations who have served as models Fund Celebrity Golf Tournament. This year the Claddagh Fund selected RHD’s of excellence, who show compassion, value growth and achievement of those Healing Ajax as one of its veteran’s charities. served, and have committed their careers to supporting individuals with intellectual Casey founded the Claddagh Fund in 2009. Casey is the bass guitarist, primary disabilities. This year four RHD employees were honored with honorable mentions: songwriter, and one of the lead singers of the Boston Celtic punk group, which Therapeutic Residential Specialist Mario Edney and Clinical Coordinator Reese he started in 1996 with guitarist Rick Barton and singer Mike McColgan. Casey Lessig of Mainstay Community Services, Medical Coordinator Margo Johnson of is the only original member of the Dropkick Murphys left in the band. Casey, his Mandela, and Residential Advisor Joyce Smith of Visions. bandmates and their families have supported charities throughout the history of the band. Understanding the power of their position to harness the passion and RHD presents second annual “Working With Voices” with Ronald Coleman generosity of their fans, the Claddagh Fund was created to raise funds for, and and Karen Taylor, pioneers of worldwide hearing voices movement broaden their impact on, worthy nonprofits that support the most vulnerable RHD held the 2nd Annual Working with Voices: Listening and Gaining individuals in our communities. Understanding, featuring Ron Coleman and Karen Taylor, two of the world’s pioneers Using a grassroots approach to fundraising, the Claddagh Fund supports of the Hearing Voices Movement, October 28-30 at the RHD Central Office in Philadelphia. Through trainings and a public town hall-style meeting, Ron and Karen community-based nonprofits, focusing on children and veterans organizations shared their work on a cutting-edge recovery model that helps people who hear and programs that support alcohol and drug rehabilitation in cities across the voices, and their friends, families and caregivers, work through difficult situations to country and around the world. build better lives for themselves. The trainings featured an introduction to working RHD founded Healing Ajax in 2009 to respond to the needs of veterans with voices, along with more in-depth workshops for key workers and voice hearers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Healing Ajax peer-to-peer to learn and work together. model lends itself to all veterans who are dealing with PTSD, depression, or other RHD has become a leader in developing hearing voices trainings. The Philadelphia Inquirer covered the workshops at RHD, in a story titled: “Hearing behavioral health challenges as a consequence of their military service. voices, and living with them.’” “This is a great program that really makes a difference,” Casey said. “We’re proud to support it.” “We’re honored to be part of the Claddagh Fund’s support of our nation’s veterans,” Healing Ajax Director Tom Wagner said. “Ken Casey’s generosity and commitment to veterans will have a lasting impact at Healing Ajax.” The Claddagh Fund is making a five-year commitment to Healing Ajax, with a total contribution of $25,000. This generous gift will help fund vital services including initial one-on-one assessments, periodic reassessments, participation in a weekly psycho-educational trauma-informed peer group (TREM), and referral to other services, if needed, such as substance abuse treatment and veterans’ benefits. Tim, a combat veteran who served in Iraq, said: “I’ve gone to a lot of different places for a lot of different treatment. With Healing Ajax, I’ve found a home and RHD Rhode Island holds state’s first Outsider Art Fair for local artists a place that really works for me.” In conjunction with the 17th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival, RHD Rhode Island Led by Wagner, a trauma-trained Army veteran, Healing Ajax is an innovative presents the first annual Rhode Island Outsider Art Fair Saturday Sept. 19 at RHD Rhode Island’s studio for artists with intellectual disabilities. Many of Rhode Island’s approach to helping Iraq, Afghanistan and other war veterans reintegrate into premiere art centers, galleries and programs for artists with disabilities joined forces society. At Healing Ajax peer support groups, veterans successfully share their with RHD Rhode Island to present their work and wares at the same time, in the same traumatic events and coping skills with their comrades who are going through place. The event was the first of its kind in Rhode Island. similar experiences. The event received coverage in The Providence Journal and Rhode Island Monthly. It’s veterans helping veterans, making sure their brothers and sisters don’t feel Nate Carroll, RHD-Rhode Island arts coordinator, told reporters that the term alone, giving them a support network, and helping them get the assistance they “outsider” has come to encompass many things. “It’s a somewhat controversial catch-all term,” Carroll says. “It can mean art created need through trauma-informed, veteran-to-veteran support groups that focus outside academic art, self-taught artists, folk art, visionary art and it can be produced on a variety of topics such as trust, anger, loss, hope, positive problem solving by people with or without disabilities. A large percentage of the artists have a and more. disability, but the main focus is on the art itself.” “In many cases veterans find that only a fellow veteran can truly appreciate Outsider art is gaining a following because it’s “pure and honest and immediate,” what they’re going through,” Wagner said. “Our only goal is to serve those who he says. “Generally speaking, you don’t need an art background to enjoy it; it’s often have so selflessly served our country.” not conceptual in a contemporary way.”

WINTER 2015 7 Giving thankswithRHD RHD Tri-County madethisholiday celebration happenatwww.rhd.org/thanksgiving and maintainthelifeskillsrequired tosustainsuccessfullivinginthecommunity. Readmore onhowthestaffat RHD Tri-County Supportive Housingoffers community-basedflexibleservicesinanattempttohelppeopledevelop to create a Thanksgiving feastfortheindividualstheysupportthankstoauniquecollaboration intheircommunity. Stephanie Dowd, Director ofRHD Tri-County Supportive Housing, andKristen Tahaney, Assistant Director, were able

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In this edition …

RHD Children’s Services help create new 1 generations of ‘Comeback Kids’ Ella, a client at RHD’s Ken Casey of Dropkick DeFuniak Springs, Murphys supports 3 earns employee award 7 RHD’s Healing Ajax About Resources for Human Development A national human services nonprofit founded in 1970, Resources for Human Development serves tens of thousands of people of all abilities every year with Plus more … caring, effective and innovative programs addressing intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health, homelessness, addiction recovery Richard Gere meets and more. In partnership with local governments and RHD’s One Step Away: those we serve, RHD builds better lives, families and 1 ‘Your vendors have done communities. something heroic’