Mental Illness a Family Affair, Say Glenn and Jessie Close

Journeys
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F
COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
WINTER
2014
Mental Illness a Family Affair,
Say Glenn and Jessie Close
B r e a k i n g
W
Silence
the
2 0 1 3
®
Jessie and Glenn Close at Community Alliance.
hen does an acting icon with more awards than
one can count allow herself to play a supporting,
rather than lead role? When it is her little sister
taking the stage. Emmy, Golden Globe, and Tony award
recipient Glenn Close shared the stage with younger sister
Jessie Close at Community Alliance’s 17th annual Breaking
the Silence event held on October 3, 2013 at the Joslyn
Museum.
Jessie’s battle with bipolar disorder went undiagnosed for
years. The Close family “had absolutely no vocabulary for
mental illness,” explained Glenn. “We come from tough
Yankee stock,” the actress, a native of Connecticut, explained.
“Get a hold of yourself, deal with it, move on,” was the way
both sisters were taught how to deal with difficulties.
“My recognition and involvement started when Jessie came
to me and our mother and said ‘I can’t stop thinking about
killing myself.’ That jerked me awake,” Glenn told the
audience. In addition to helping Jessie get treatment, Glenn
dedicated herself to learning more about mental illness by
reading, talking to experts in the field, and volunteering at a
rehabilitation program in New York City.
Jessie, a writer who will soon publish her autobiography,
described the internal confusion and pain that accompanied her
illness. She spoke of thoughts of suicide, her concern of the
impact her illness would have on her three children, her inability
to maintain relationships, and even a mourning period for
herself and for her son Calen, who has schizo affective disorder.
“My son and I are incredibly fortunate to be born into a family
who was able to get us care,” she said. “That doesn’t mean
there is a magic wand out there,” she quickly added. “Getting
and staying well is very much our own responsibility.” She
also spoke of the stigma others placed on her, as well as the
stigma she placed on herself. “Those of us who take heavy
duty medications usually experience weight gain. I have had
to put mental clarity over vanity,” observed Jessie.
(Continued on page 4)
Memorials
& Tributes
through January, 2014
In Memory of Rev. Clarence and
Hildegarde Boye
Vicki and Megan Boye
In Tribute to
Seamus Kevin Caffrey
Patricia Caffrey
In Tribute to Matt Darling
Franklin Logan
In Memory of Kyle Duckert
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Carl and Nancy Andersen
Scott and Wendy Axon
Duane and Judy Bailey
Carl and Nancy Bicskei
John and Joyce Clark
Joyce Christensen
Thomas and Doreen Constable
Michael and Karen Culjat
Rubye Davie
Dale and Connie Duckert
Mary Ann Duckert
Jean Ehrenberg
A.W. and Mary French
David and Karen Fulton
William and Cynde Glismann
H. Scott and Cathy Ann Grosskopf
Merne Hammitt
Mary Jo Hanigan, M.D.
Randall and Anne Hassler
Kathleen Hitzemann
William and Stacia Hoover
Robert and Patricia Johnston
Robert and Amy Kerby
Edward Kolb
Jack and Stephanie Koraleski
Richard and Ann Kutilek
Steve and Pamala Linehan
Stephen and Sara Mainelli
Kevin McCauley
W.C. and Shirley Nelson
Simona Oprea
Jennifer O’Neil
Michelle Peitzmeier
Stephen and Pamela Phipps
Margaret Racek
Jamie Rye
Maria Shamuel
Cathy Siebert
John and Nicole Stallbaum
Margaret Tigges
W. Kent and Connie Wichman
Philip Michael and Nancy Lindow Wolf
Timothy Wood and Jill Phillips-Wood
Catherine Wynne
In Memory of Doug Kupfer
John and Peggy Kupfer
In Memory of Mary Frances LaMar
Warren LaMar
In Memory of Nolan “Roy” Long
Dana Grisham
In Memory of Steven Marquis
Bette Sydow
In Tribute to Michael O’Meara
Francis O'Meara
In Memory of Gary Peterson
Gayle Dawson
William and June Dawson
Security National Bank
In Tribute to Jai Sookram
Richard and Kathy Kalal
In Tribute to Jeffrey Walker
Stephen Walker
Community Alliance
2014 Board of Directors
JANE ALSETH
Tenaska
JOANNIE BOWERS
Community Volunteer
JON BREUNING
Baird Holm LLP
ANTONIA CORREA
University of Nebraska Medical Center
JAY DAILY
Lozier Corporation
KATHY GERBER
Community Volunteer
MARGIE HELLER
Mutual of Omaha Bank
DEBY JOHNSON
Lincoln Financial Group
PATRICIA JOHNSON
Omaha Public Power District
GEORGE KLEINE
Kiewit Corporation
LORIE LEWIS
American National Bank
SCOTT P. MOORE
Baird Holm LLP
RALPH MOROCCO
Independent Consultant
SAMANTHA MOSSER
Union Bank and Trust
DARLENE MUELLER
Community Volunteer
SUE OAKES
Community Volunteer
CAROL RUSSELL
Community Volunteer
STEPHANIE SAMSON
UNMC Physicians
NOLA SCHETTLER
Journeys is a publication of Community Alliance. Helping individuals with mental
illness achieve their unique potential and to live, work, learn, and contribute in a community of
mutual support is the mission of Community Alliance. The Board of Directors and all employees
are committed to carrying out their responsibilities in a professional and ethical manner reflecting
Community Alliance’s mission, values, and purpose. Community Alliance operates within a
multi-corporate structure designed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its many
operations, and to meet certain statutory and regulatory requirements. All corporations
comprising the Community Alliance system are recognized as nonprofit charitable and/or
educational organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
For information on Community Alliance or to submit suggestions for this newsletter or
address changes, please contact:
Community Alliance
4001 Leavenworth Street
Omaha, NE 68105
402.341.5128
community-alliance.org
Community Volunteer
SARAH WALDMAN
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
TARA WISDOM
Lutz
PATTY ZIEG
Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP
Executive Staff
CAROLE BOYE
President and
Chief Executive Officer
AILEEN BRADY
Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer
JEAN HANSON
Chief Financial Officer
J O U R N E Y S
T O
R E C O V E R Y
My Personal Journey Towards Recovery
You hear a lot about programs being
recovery focused, professionals who now
adopt the recovery philosophy. However,
I wonder if we all understand what it
means to recover from a mental illness. Is
it just going back to where you were
before? Is it just returning to baseline?
by Ken Timmerman
I believe recovery encompasses much
more than that. It is more than just being.
It is about the quality of life. It is about
having a purpose and meaning. Dr. Jai
Sookram states . . . “recovery is more
than just surviving, it is all about thriving.”
My definition of recovery is reaching your
fullest potential no matter what that
potential is.
Sometimes our notion of recovery is
challenged by those we walk along side
with. So who is able to recover? The
answer is simple, with the right medication, tools and
supports anyone has the ability to recover from a mental
illness.
I can already hear some who read this say this is not
possible. They might be thinking of a particularly challenging
situation. For example, can a person with a mental illness,
who is an alcoholic, in full blown psychosis and is in denial,
homeless, without supports, with side effects so severe he
can hardly walk or talk, a true outcast; surely that person is
not going to thrive, reach any potential or
recover? On the contrary, that person is a
great candidate for recovery. I know this
to be true. I am that person!
Ten years ago in October I came to
Community Alliance. Not as a staff
member but as a person with a mental
illness in a very difficult situation. I had
lost everything — my family, my job, my
home and most importantly my hope
and desire to live. Through all the services
at Community Alliance, I found doctors,
the right medication, good supports and
wellness tools. Most importantly I found
hope! Some would say (like I did) this as
good as it gets. Wrong! With the support
wisdom and encouragement of many
Community Alliance staff, I started my
journey of recovery.
Today, I am writing this from my very own office at Safe
Harbor ( a peer run program of Community Alliance that
was birthed during my time in the day program). In fact, I
just got interrupted by a telephone call in which I was told I
just bought my first home! I can’t wait to tell my family (yes,
they are back in my life)!
With each of you walking beside us, I and those like me can
and do recover! I want to thank each of you who has helped
me along in my journey. I am grateful.
Holiday Concert Benefits Community Alliance
The amazingly talented a capella group, Tonic Sol-Fa
entertained and amused an Omaha audience Saturday
evening, November 30th. This is the 3rd year that the group
has included Omaha on its holiday concert tour across the
Midwest. Tonic Sol-Fa’s performance, once described as “the
Rat Pack meets Glee” provided artistic renditions and
unforgettable harmony as they sung both traditional
Christmas carols as well as original melodies and lyrics.
Those in attendance enjoyed a wonderful start to their
holiday season.
A portion of the tickets sold to this concert benefited
Community Alliance. American National Bank and C&A
Industries were sponsors of this year’s concert. These
businesses and Tonic Sol-Fa’s support of Community
Alliance and the agency’s efforts to increase awareness about
mental illness and its work is greatly appreciated.
Tonic Sol-Fa Singers Greg, Mark, Shaun and Jared at their holiday concert
in Omaha.
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Mental Illness Is a Family Affair . . . (Continued from page 1)
encouragement. In tribute to their iconic PSA, clients and
staff wore t-shirts with words such as strength, hope,
resilient, empowered, and advocacy to demonstrate their
shared community with the Close sisters. All agreed that,
with hard work and the support of family and professionals,
stigma can be beaten, healing can occur, and recovery can
be achieved. Both Glenn and Jessie were presented with a
t-shirt of their own, as well as a Community Alliance
‘Champion for Recovery’ medal to commemorate their visit.
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Mental Illness is a family affair according to both Close
sisters. Shortly after Jessie’s son and Glenn’s nephew Calen
was hospitalized, Glenn decided to use her celebrity to help
combat the stigma of mental illness. This led to the founding
of BringChange2Mind.org in 2009, a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to changing attitudes about mental
illness. Through this organization, the two sisters were a part
of creating a national public service campaign and
broadcasting an anti-stigma PSA. The PSA, directed by Ron
Howard and featuring music by John Mayer, was widely
acclaimed and has set records for most viewed in U.S.
history. They, along with Calen, continue as active
ambassadors of the anti-stigma effort.
“We are all part of the same community,”observed Glenn.
“We must empower those living with mental illness and
those that care about them to come out of the dark, to look
into their hearts, to find the courage to talk openly, to find
help through organizations like Community Alliance, to join
us. The backbone of stigma can be broken. A tipping point
will be reached. Stigma, discrimination and social exclusion
will be a thing of the past.”
Earlier in the day, Glenn and Jessie visited Community
Alliance where nearly 300 clients greeted them with a
standing ovation and shared words of hope and
Jack and Stephanie Koraleski served as Honorary Chairs of
this year’s event. Omaha World-Herald columnist Mike Kelly
served as emcee for the evening and moderated a short
question and answer session after the Close sisters remarks.
Carole Boye, Community Alliance chief executive officer,
provided comments highlighting the agency’s work and
achievements.
Proceeds from Breaking the Silence directly support the
educational and service mission of Community Alliance,
including the provision of rehabilitative housing, individualized
vocational and community supports, integrated primary and
behavioral health treatment, homeless outreach and transition
services, peer services and family education.
J O U R N E Y S
T O
R E C O V E R Y
Thank You to All Who Supported
Breaking the Silence 2013
An estimated crowd of 700 were able to hear the importance
of ‘Breaking the Silence’ about mental illness from awardwinning actress Glenn Close and her sister Jessie Close thanks
to the tremendous support of nearly 70 sponsors and the
hard work of volunteers who planned and organized this
year’s event. In addition to this near record crowd at the
evening performance, approximately 300 consumers and staff
participated in the good humor, hopeful message, and words
of encouragement shared with them by Glenn and Jessie
earlier in the day. Community Alliance extends a heartfelt
thank you to all of the sponsors and volunteers listed below
as well as to all who attended or otherwise contributed to the
success of Breaking the Silence through their donations, inkind contributions, and other support.
HONORARY CHAIRS
Jack and Stephanie Koraleski
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Howard and Rhonda Hawks
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Ken and Ann Stinson
Moglia Family Foundation
Susan Boust, MD and George Burcum
Kuehl Capital Corporation
Mike and Nancy McCarthy
Bill and Kathy Gerber • John and Vanita Lund • Mammel Foundation
Ron and Teri Quinn • Mike and Lin Simmonds
Jane Alseth • Baird Holm, LLP • Beardmore Chevrolet Subaru • Borsheims Jewelry Company
Bill and Joannie Bowers • Carole Boye • Aileen Brady • Jon and Connie Breuning
Builders Supply Company • CBRE|MEGA • Cuddigan Law, PC, LLO • D & J Electric • George Kleine
Lammers and Peters Wealth Plan • Mike and Susan Lebens • Lincoln Financial Group
Magellan Behavioral Health of Nebraska • Marcotte Insurance Company • Methodist Health System
Leon and Deirdre Milobar • Randy and Darlene Mueller • Mutual of Omaha Bank
The Nebraska Medical Center • William and Susan Oakes • Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc.
John and Ivel Reed • David and Nola Schettler • Seim Johnson, LLPSilverStone Group
Bryan and Leslie Slone • Stinson Morrison Hecker, LLP • Union Bank and Trust Company
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Kathy Gerber, Chair • Joannie Bowers • Aileen Brady • Julie Cobb • Jay Daily • Deby Johnson
Pat Johnson • Deirdre Milobar • Ralph Morocco • Darlene Mueller • Sue Oakes • Robin Putnam
Carol Russell • Stephanie Samson • Nola Schettler • Sarah Waldman • Carole Boye
IN-KIND SUPPORTERS
IMAGE GROUP
ADVERTISING & CREATIVE SERVICES
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Employees Recognized for Their Service
T
hirty-one employees celebrated major milestones
with Community Alliance in 2013. All were
recognized at an employee recognition reception and
presentation held on December 5, 2013. An estimated 200
staff and consumers were in attendance to help thank these
individuals for their contributions to the organization and
those we serve.
30
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At the recognition celebration, JoAnn Strong
was honored for her 30 years of service at
YEARS
Community Alliance. JoAnn joined the
agency in August, 1983. She started as a
case manager, and worked in various other capacities until
taking on her current role as
Division Manager for
Homeless Services in
November, 1994. At
Community Alliance and
throughout the service
provider community, JoAnn is
known for her knowledge,
skill, and dedication in serving
those with mental illness who
are also experiencing
homelessness. During her
tenure, our homeless services
have continued to grow and
evolve. Under JoAnn’s
leadership, the program has
also remained focused on providing service that respects the
individuality and helps each person find the strength,
courage and hope he or she needs to overcome the
significant challenges and barriers that homelessness has
placed upon them.
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Dana Grisham has served as the Division
Manager for Community Alliance’s Day
YEARS
Rehabilitation Services since moving to
Omaha and joining our team in December,
1988. The program has continued as Community Alliance’s
largest during her tenure, now providing services to nearly
1,000 men and women each year.
It also utilizes a wellness approach,
incorporating multiple evidence-based
models, to address the diverse needs
of the individuals we serve and assist
them in their individual recovery
process. Dana was recognized for her
knowledge and skills, for serving as a
mentor and role-model to many, and
for her ongoing contributions to the
organization and those we serve.
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Since joining Community Alliance in July,
1993, Stacy Ring has served in a variety of
programs within the agency, including
YEARS
Residential Rehabilitation, SOAR, and
currently within the Day Rehabilitation
program. In addition to her duties as a
group facilitator and one of three team
leaders at our Jones Circle program
site, Stacy is actively involved with the
NAMI — Omaha chapter, serving as
Community Alliance’s liaison at this
group’s monthly meetings.
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Stacy (R) with her
supervisor, Jen Muckey.
Ten individuals were honored during the
program for 15 years of service with
YEARS
Community Alliance. These employees are:
Residential Rehabilitation Specialists
Ray Cahill, Joyce Davis, Kate Evans, and Millicent Myres;
Judy Wolz, Health Specialist; and Operations Manager for
Residential Rehabilitation Services, Dennie Whitmore; Day
Rehabilitation Specialist Rodger Gerberding and Cook Anita
Brown; Denise Stuart, Division Manager, Vocational Services;
and Nancy Engquist, Clinical Director.
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15 year honorees, (L to R) Dennie Whitmore,
Judy Wolz, Nancy Engquist, and Rodger Gerberding.
Four employees were congratulated for ten
years of service: Cathy Gilland, Housing
YEARS
Specialist; Nick Parrish, Accountant;
Tom Trouba, IT Manager; and Chris Webb, Residential
Rehabilitation Specialist.
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Recognized for five years of service
were these 14 employees: Heather Hazel,
Donnie Roman, ACT Services;
YEARS
Paul Arithi, Ayite Ayivi-Guedehoussou,
Tomeki Cobbs, Amanda Copeland, Craig Hinson, Greg
Nowel, Kelly Stoddard, Jen Thompson, Paula Watson,
Residential Rehabilitation Services; Heather Carlton,
SOAR Services; Amanda Nemec, Sangeetha Youngman,
Day Rehabilitation Services.
J O U R N E Y S
T O
R E C O V E R Y
CARF — Another Perfect Experience
For the third time in succession, and fourth
time in five surveys over a 15 year span,
Community Alliance achieved a “perfect”
score, receiving no recommendations in its
national accreditation survey. This signifies
that the on-site surveyors who visited
Community Alliance in the fall of 2013 and
reviewed every program did not identify any
areas of non-conformance to CARF
national standards.
“This is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Brian Boon
Ph.D. and President and CEO of CARF International in
communicating with Community Alliance. “Community
Alliance meets or exceeds all of the CARF standards,” wrote
the survey team. It is “an outstanding organization with
strengths in every aspect of performance.”
“This outcome strengthens our belief that what we do at
Community Alliance is effective, and how we do it, in
partnership with those we serve and our community,
continues to meet the highest standards,” said Carole Boye,
chief executive officer. “We were especially challenged in this
survey to show that we were maintaining quality in our daily
operations and all our existing programs while, at the same
time, assure that we had successfully implemented CARF
standards within the three new service areas developed
since the last survey — integrated care, outpatient services,
and peer crisis diversion.”
One of these new services, the Safe Harbor peer crisis
diversion program, was cited as an exemplary program, a
rare distinction given in a CARF survey. Exemplary programs
must show demonstrated outcomes and hold promise of
replication in other agencies across the country.
In its citation of the program, CARF noted Safe Harbor’s
employment and training of peer specialists. It also noted the
program’s success in developing community connections,
including procedures and mechanisms to take warm line
calls from 911 emergency staff members and transfer
emergency calls to 911. Ninety-six to 98 percent of the
persons served by the program at the time of the survey
credited Safe Harbor with preventing hospitalization. “The
director of the program radiates optimism and the staff
members are dedicated to helping those who call or arrive
for services,” said the report.
“This is an extraordinary
accomplishment,” said Brian Boon
Ph.D. and President and CEO
of CARF International in
communicating with
Community Alliance.
Following is a summary of other strengths cited by the
survey team:
• Employees ‘wear’ the mission and values of service to
the consumers; staff members consistently demonstrate
a shared and lived mission, pride in their work with
consumers and collaboration with internal and external
providers.
• Planning processes are outstanding; leadership at the
governing body, executive, and managerial staff levels
are committed to serving the needs of the consumers.
• Organizational willingness to take risks for the
betterment of consumers and quality of life in the
community.
• Excellent image in the community; open and eager to
innovate.
• The organization is known as one that works well with
other providers and organizations in the Omaha area.
• Consumers indicate highly collaborative relationships
with the staff in planning and implementing treatment.
• Community Integration services are organized,
comprehensive and offer a great deal of choices for
the consumers.
• Stakeholders note WorkSource’s excellent communication
skills, commitment, and passion of the staff.
• The organization uses a variety of evidence-based
practices in its many programs and is flexible in meeting
needs of consumers based on consumer input.
• Artful and tasteful annual report, including the presentation
of meaningful and understandable information on results.
• Provision of housing facilities that are spacious, warm,
welcoming and reflect design input from consumers and
other stakeholders.
“Recognition for this significant accomplishment must be
shared with those we serve, their families, staff and Board
members, community leaders, and other stakeholders
throughout the community and State,” said Carole Boye.
“We thank and congratulate everyone involved!”
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PERMIT NO. 1876
Community Alliance
4001 Leavenworth Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68105
Together.
One Life at a Time.
It’s Still Cold Out There.
Would you like to share your
warmth this winter?
Please contribute again this winter to Community Alliance’s
“Share Your Warmth” campaign. We are collecting new, adult
sized coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks throughout the
winter to provide to clients in need. Both men’s and women’s items
are needed in every size, but there is an especially great need for
XL, XXL, and XXXL sizes.
Please bring your donations to 4001 Leavenworth Street
in Omaha. Or, if you prefer, you may make a cash contribution
on-line by going to www.community-alliance.org and clicking on
the ‘You Can Help’ tab. Please indicate in the comments section
that your cash donation is for the “Share the Warmth” campaign and
we will use it to purchase these much needed items for distribution.
Thank you for spreading the warmth!