News From Amethyst Place

NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
Amethyst Place
“Where Families Come Home to Heal”
PAID
PERMIT NO. 115
LIBERTY, MO
2732 Troost
Kansas City, MO 64109
816.231.8782
Fax: 816.231.8981
www.amethystplace.org
Spring, 2013 Volume 7, Issue 1
News From Amethyst Place
Special Advisors of Our Board of Directors
Program Council
Amethyst Place
Tresia Franklin, Chair
Beth Pierson
Alan Dubois
Nancy Leazer, Treasurer
Jessica Williamsen
Alice Ellison
Rachel Whipple, Secretary
Marni Scott
Alice Kitchen
Brian K. Love
Marsha Page-White
Brenda Williams
Cathy Griffis
Oneta Templeton
David Ross
Erica Forrest
Penny Clodfelter
Irene Caudillo
Jessica Williamsen
Sister Berta Sailer
Marietta Parker
Sr. Corita Bussanmas
Marsha Page-White
Sr. Jeanne Christensen
Megan Crisp
Steve O’Neill
Nicole Levy
Teresa Anderson
Preston Washington
Shannon Gandee
The mission of Amethyst Place is to provide supportive housing to women, recovering from
Sheryl Feutz-Harter
alcohol and other drug addictions, and their children.
Stacy Bartlett
Here are ways you can help:
• Volunteer – We have so many volunteer opportunities to choose from. In the past 6 months 135 volunteers clocked in over 600 hours at Amethyst Place. We could not do what we do without volunteers.
• Take a tour – Come see what we do and meet a mom or two to hear their story. Bring a friend or two.
• Help us get our name out – We would love to present at your next club, organization, or group meeting.
• Make a donation – Your financial support is so important for us to continue to provide supportive housing to our women and their children. You may donate through the envelope provided or through our website.
• Like us on Facebook – This is where you will find the latest news.
Informing, Inspiring and
involving our COMMUNITY
Amethyst Place Needs:
Cribs
Microwaves
Vacuums
Mops and Brooms
Cleaning Supplies
Twin Sheet Set
and
Lamps
meeting, the group works as a whole to address
The Encompass mentoring program began in 2009
specific needs and leverage community resources.
at Operation Breakthrough, with 5 single moms and
Prior programs have included Meditation,
10 mentors. The program has grown every year since,
Transportation, Career Options, The Coupon Lady,
adding more mentors and moms to meet demand,
Chore Charts, Cleaning 101, and Parenting Basics.
and is currently a group of 13 moms and 26 mentors.
Encompass members meet a second time each
Encompass moved to Amethyst Place in September
month in a relaxed social setting. Activities at these
2012 and moms live at Amethyst Place or are referred
meetings have included various crafts, games, and
by Operation Breakthrough. Mentor pairs, two women
most recently the Night of Crazy Hats, pictured in
who are already friends, are doctors, lawyers and
this article. Mentors also meet with their moms
other professionals from Children’s Mercy, Hallmark,
Two Amethyst Place moms,
outside
of meetings.
Lathrop Gage, Lockton, Sprint, Travois, Brighton;
Galanda Cooper and Tina Benz,
some are retired; all are active volunteers in their
attended the Women’s Foundation
But it is really simple human connections that
of Greater Kansas City awards
community.
capture the spirit of Encompass. An Amethyst Place
luncheon to accept the 2013 grant mom shared at a recent meeting that she called one
It is our goal that Encompass continue to expand
award for Encompass.
of her mentors during a particularly hard day at
and one day provide every mom at Amethyst Place
work. She ran through all the voices in her head: a friend would
with two mentors. Even with all the supports of Amethyst Place,
and success rates double of other programs, only 60% of our moms have told her to just quit. Her sponsor would have told her to work
the steps. Her case manager would have told her to go back to
graduate successfully. She has seen parents, grandparents, and
school. So she decided to call her mentor. Because she knew it was
great-grandparents struggle with her same problems, with little
change or progress from generation to generation. A connection to a safe place to just vent. Afterward a mentor sent this email:
others who are not poor is absolutely essential for her to picture a
Julie,
different, positive future for herself and her children.
Tina’s impromptu story was the best advertisement for Encompass one
Encompass is about creating and developing these necessary
could wish for. In a way which was so authentic and heartfelt she expressed
supportive relationships between women. The group has adopted
what mentors are, by listing off what we are not. We don’t come with an
the phrase “Arms Around You”—to say hello, good bye, hang in
agenda (twelve steps); we don’t come with any expectations (you will do
there. It’s a simple phrase that means so much. We want our moms
this); we don’t have a pre-specified role. So there is much freedom. Through
to feel safe, loved, and protected, “Encompassed” all in one. But
simple presence, listening and offering empathy--relationships are born
Encompass also has at its root the word “compass”, a search for
and nurtured. This is precious and so powerful, even if we don’t think so. Her
direction—an openness to embrace dreams and goals, and our hope
‘testimonial’ helped me see more clearly what it means to be a mentor in
this setting. I loved it. Wish I had videoed it. What a great recruitment tool it
that she is ready to find a new path, arm and arm with her mentors.
would be. Thank you for making it happen,
Encompass meetings take place twice a month, on the 1st and
Denise
3rd Tuesday of each month, between September and May. At one
If you would like to receive
information about becoming
a mentor, or to share your
talent with the group, please
contact Julie Carmichael,
[email protected].
We’d be glad to arrange a pick-up,
just call Shanda at (816) 472-1873.
Moms and mentors show off their crazy hat creations
during a December meeting.
Mentors with two Amethyst Place moms:
Latrice Finley far right, Galanda Cooper second from left.
Message from Tresia Franklin-Board Chair
Mother’s Day is a special day where we honor the role of nurturing, helping and giving that a mother is called to do. We
buy cards or flowers as a way to say thanks to that person whose support and love has made a difference in our lives.
So in that spirit, Mother’s Day is a great time to say thank you to so many people who have nurtured, helped and given
to Amethyst Place over the years. Whether it is volunteers who serve as mentors to our Moms, or those who donate items
for apartments, or help organize our annual action fund raiser, or spend time serving as babysitters when needed or help
decorate an apartment for a new family or…or..countless other things done in service to Amethyst.
Tresia Franklin
What motivates and inspires these individuals to help at Amethyst? Is it a belief that hearing kids laughing and playing
Board Chair
is a universal joy? Is it an understanding that for lots of different reasons people reach a point in their life where having a
second chance is critical and these individuals want to help provide that opportunity to Amethyst Moms? Whatever the reasons for helping—we
are just very grateful for their time, energy and commitment.
Amethyst is a place where community and caring is at its core. Amethyst describes itself as the place where families come to heal. It is
also a place kids get to play, moms get to have friends facing the same challenges and goals and women get to grow in new ways. It is
very gratifying to be involved with an organization whose work is to bring families together—to give mom’s the opportunity to be moms!
If you are interested in learning more about Amethyst Place—don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Happy Mother’s Day to the Moms of Amethyst Place and a sincere thank-you to those wh0 support Amethyst in so many ways!
Where are they now? — Graduate Sharon G.
We are often asked about our families that graduate from Amethyst Place. So we would like to update you on Sharon and Owen
G. After almost 3 years at Amethyst Place and its Alumni program, Sharon and her 5 year old son, moved into their own home on
February 8, 2013. Sharon will finish up her prerequisites and apply for Nursing School in August of 2014.
Sharon also agreed to a 2 year term on Amethyst Place Board attending her first meeting in March. Sharon stated, “I never
dreamed I would be sitting here 3 years ago.”
She is very proud to say she will celebrate 3 years clean in April of this year. When asked what has been the biggest adjustment,
Sharon states, “Owen was 2 years old when we moved in”, (since we moved) he always asks, “Can we go back home?” Sharon
compares leaving Amethyst Place to everyone who has left their home for the first time…” This was our home.”
U P C O M I N G E V E N TS
Making a Differencee
When Houseparent’s Jerry and
Heidi Brake Jones moved into
Amethyst Place in September of
2009, we had no idea what a
huge bonus they would bring with
them. That bonus happened to be
Heidi’s mother and father Peter
and Jill Brake. They were first
introduced to Amethyst Place
when they helped out at a
community event over 3
years ago. They state,
“We love being with the
moms and kids”. Jill and
Peter have not only spent
many hours helping with
community events, they have
also made
a monthly
financial
commitment
to the work
done at
Amethyst
Place. “We strongly support
Amethyst Place’s mission, what
is happening there to get women
back on their feet…helping
families get stronger,” said Peter.
Peter works full time as the
Director of Business Development
at Talley Inc. and Jill is a substitute
teacher in an upper elementary
School and a learning coach for
two homebound young men with
Muscular Dystrophy. You might
think that the Brake’s learned
community service early in life and
then taught their children, but they
will be the first to tell you it is their
children who have been their
inspiration and teachers. The
Brake’s describe themselves as
ordinary people who have seen the
important work done at Amethyst
Place and have been called to help.
They highly
recommend
that everyone
does the same.
It brings them
a great sense
of fulfillment.
Thanks so much
to the Brakes
for their loyal
and committed
service and
giving. We
certainly would
not describe you
as ordinary….
but extraordinary.
Easter 2013 at Amethyst Place
On Saturday, March 23, children were given an Easter party filled with crafts, an Easter egg
hunt, a visit and pictures with the Easter bunny. We had 14 wonderful volunteers from Fontbonne
University, and Peter and Jill Brake helping us create such wonderful memories for our children.
A special thanks to the Heart of Kansas City Chapter of National Charity League, Chapter IC PEO
group and HyVee in Prairie Village for providing the Easter grass, dye, plastic eggs, candy, bags,
and cookies for the event.
JulyJuly 27, 2013 27, 2013
For more information: [email protected] For more information:
[email protected]
Place is honored to announce for the 2nd year we will be one of the benefactors of this event. Amethyst Place is honored
to announce for the 2nd year
we will be one of the
benefactors of this event.