Solano County WRC Clients Treated to a San Francisco Giants Walk-Off Win

Clients of our Solano County Wellness and Recovery Center (WRC) enjoyed San Francisco Giants baseball on Tuesday evening, July 18, 2017. As with previous outings to local events, this trip to the yard was made possible through a collaboration with the Community Access Tickets Service (CATS).

WRC clients reveled in an exciting game between the Giants and the Cleveland Indians, complete with a 10th inning walk-off win for the home team. Clients and staff also enjoyed the relatively-warm San Francisco evening, ballpark food, and camaraderie.

We remain greatly appreciative of the generous support of CATS, which allows clients to attend sporting and entertainment events at no cost and fosters positive community participation and integration.

WRC Collaborates with Another Chapter

Caminar’s Wellness Recovery Center Solano Region is collaborating with Another Chapter. This organization "encourages a love for reading and is committed to providing access to books to children & adults in need." Their mission is to share the joy of reading and connect with the local community by providing free books.

The WRC just received their 1st donation of books from Another Chapter and clients absolutely love the periodicals, books, and magazines provided. Natalie from Another Chapter will visit the Wellness Recovery Center every 30 to 60 days to enrich our clients with the gift of reading! 

You can see all the wonderful things that Another Chapter is doing here:

https://www.facebook.com/AnotherChapterSolano/

1st book donation

3rd Annual Mental Health Symposium Highlights

On May 18, 2017, more than 200 guests convened at Filoli for our 3rd Annual Mental Health Symposium. We would like to thank our illustrious speakers who shared new research and generous sponsors who made possible this valuable educational event.

PANELISTS (Click on the presentation title to view the slides):

• Steven Adelsheim, M.D., Stanford University - "The Youth Mental Health Imperative: Why We Must All Get Involved"
• Rebecca Bernert, Ph.D., Stanford Mood Disorders Center - Read about Dr. Bernert's research.
• Libby Craig, Crisis Text Line - "Crisis Text Line"
• Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., Stanford University School of Medicine - "Feeding and Eating in Children and Adolescents: Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, and Just Desserts"
• Eric Kuhn, Ph.D., VA Palo Alto / Stanford University School of Medicine - "Using Technology to Help Manage PTSD"
• Ben McGraw, McGraw Systems - "bStable"

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening! Our very special thanks to photographer Michael Collopy.

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Mental Health Month 2017 at Caminar

At Caminar, we strive to increase awareness of mental health all year round. We believe education goes a long way toward overcoming stigma around mental illness and creating communities that support recovery.

May provides a special opportunity to celebrate recovery and provide information about mental health as Mental Health Awareness Month is observed nationwide.

Above we share a sampling of some of our Mental Health Awareness Month activities this year. From top, left to right:

• At the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Board Community Heroes Event, Coralia Valdez, MFT, clinical supervisor in our FCS division, was recognized with a Heroes Award in appreciation for her longstanding commitment to the mental health of children and adults who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing.
• Our Solano Region, represented by Executive Director Chris Kughn and Wellness and Recovery Center Coordinator Kenneth Langill, took part in the Vallejo Police Citizen's Workshop on mental health, which was offered for all interested community members.
• The 3rd Annual Mental Health Symposium convened close to 200 guests for an educational evening at Filoli. Caminar CEO Chip Huggins and event moderator Steve Adelsheim, M.D., are pictured.
• At the Solano Region's Cammies Awards, program participants were recognized for their progress in recovery. In addition, we had the pleasure of presenting photographer Gary Cullen with an award in recognition of his volunteer service. Gary, middle, is pictured with Kenneth Langill of Caminar and Solano County Supervisor Erin Hannigan.
• The Expressive Arts Program, made possible thanks to the generous investment of Aroha Philanthropies, held a pop-up art show at Philz Coffee in San Mateo.
• At FCS's Circle of Support Luncheon, journalist and author Sam Quinones, author of the bestselling book Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Addiction, shared insights on the roots of the opioid epidemic and effective community responses.
• The Solano Region displayed participants' artwork at Vallejo City Hall and in county libraries throughout the Month of May.

Special thanks to Michael Collopy for the photos from the Circle of Support Luncheon, Mental Health Symposium and Cammies, and to Gary Cullen for the photograph from the Vallejo mental health information night event.

Tonight in Vallejo: A Conversation about Mental Health

Tonight, May 16, representatives from Caminar Solano will be taking part in a community conversation about mental health. We're delighted to be partnering with Vallejo Police Citizen's Workshop to raise awareness about mental health and our services during Mental Health Awareness Month. Join us!

Join us!

• Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2017
• Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
• Cost: Free! No advance registration required.
• Location: Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia Street, Vallejo, CA 94590

Click here to view the event webpage.

Read about the event in the Times Herald!

Solano Region Libraries Showcase Mental Health Month Posters

Library patrons are being educated about Mental Health Month and the services that Caminar provides thanks to a donation by Tim and Susan McDonald of the Vallejo Arts Counsel. Ken Langill, Program Coordinator at the Wellness Recovery Center, secured 7 Mental Health Month posters and informational brochures that showcase the Wellness Recovery Center, FSP Program, CCM Program, Supported Housing, and our homeless outreach program called H.O.M.E. You can see the displays at the following locations:

Benicia Library, Benicia, CA

Springtown Library, Vallejo, CA

John F. Kennedy Library, Vallejo, CA

Cordelia Library, Fairfield, CA

Fairfield Library, Civic Center, Fairfield, CA

Suisun Library, Suisun, CA

Vacaville Library (Town Square) Vacaville, CA

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The WRC Decorates Vallejo City Hall for Mental Health Month

It's May, which means it's Mental Health Month! In order to celebrate and raise awareness around mental health issues, clients from Caminar's Wellness Recovery Center have decorated Vallejo City Hall with beautifully crafted digital and hand painted art.

In total, 20 oil painted tapestries and 30 digital images are on display as a part of the 2nd Art Inspiration event held at this location. We would like to extend a big "thanks" to Gary Cullen, local retired photographer and mental health advocate, for volunteering a lot of his time and technical support to bring this project to fruition. We encourage you to check out his work at www.garycullenpictures.com. Please enjoy some photos of the decorated Vallejo City Hall:

WRC Clients had a Ball at the Oakland A's Game

The Wellness Recovery Center is privileged and grateful for being able to take clients to an Oakland A’s vs. Anaheim Angels Baseball game on Wednesday, April 5th, 2017. This event was made possible through a collaboration with the CATS (Community Access Tickets) Program.

The WRC clients had a lot of fun eating cotton candy and tuna fish sandwiches from their lunch that day at the WRC. 

They are looking forward to additional games and other entertainment events, which are provided at no cost to clients. The pictures below were taken during the game at the Oakland Coliseum. 

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'15-'16 Client Satisfaction Surveys

We are pleased to share the results of client satisfaction surveys from 2015-2016. These numbers show how dedicated our staff has been in progressing Caminar's mission, which is to help people with disabilities live in the community with dignity and independence. 

WRC Clients Visit the Empress Theater

Clients from The Wellness Recovery Center were able to go to the Empress Theater and experience live music for free on February 22nd, 2017.

The Empress Theatre is a historical landmark located in downtown Vallejo, California built in 1911.

This visit is part of the ongoing efforts of the WRC to provide clients with experiences that they may not otherwise be able to receive due to economic circumstances. 

Please enjoy the images below, which were taken at the event.

Our 2016 Annual Report

We are delighted to share our 2016 Annual Report, sharing highlights from the year and stories of people who successfully moved from crisis to independence thanks to the comprehensive services our donors make possible. Read here.

WRC Clients Visit Academy of Arts Sciences Museum

The Wellness Recovery Center was able to participate and go to the Academy of Arts Museum for FREE on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, thanks to collaborating with C.A.T.S (Consumer Access Tickets), a non-profit organization.

Ken Langill, Program Coordinator, is proud to share that he took 4 WRC clients to the Academy of Art Sciences Museum to see the Steinhardt Aquarium, Phillipines Coral Reef, African Exhibit and also the Planetarium. 

This visit is part of the ongoing efforts of the WRC to provide clients with experiences that they may not otherwise be able to receive due to economic circumstances. 

Solano Region Christmas Party at the WRC

The Solano Region Christmas Party at the WRC was a blast!

"Our friend and advocate of Caminar’s Wellness Recovery Center graced us with his visit to our Xmas party. We had well over 100 plus people which comprised of WRC Staff / Clients / Case Managers and Mental Health Specialists from Solano County Mental Health as well as board and care and room and board operators." Kenneth Langill, Program Coordinator, WRC.

Here are some photos from this very fun event.

Vallejo Executive Lions Club Supports WRC

The Vallejo Executive Lions Club showed their support for mental health clients in Solano County by donating to our Wellness Recovery Center. 

The WRC is a peer run drop-in center for individuals with a known or suspected mental illness, located adjacent to Caminar’s medication clinic and case management services. A wide range of educational and support groups are offered, including art groups (expressive, creative, storytelling art), employment preparedness groups by Jobs Plus, and library visits.

From the Lions Club Website:

"Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. With the funds we make through our fundraisers, we offer assistance to local non-profits and needy individuals. We focus on eye care, recreational, and educational services for the elderly and youth."

Kenneth Langill, who is the Program Coordinator for the WRC, stated:

"I’m appreciative that the Lyons Club has donated $500.00 dollars to Caminar’s Wellness Recovery Center. I remember hosting the president (Gary Truelson) whom visited our center with another board member way back in May 2016. He was impressed with the Wellness Recovery Center. He then invited myself and Chris (Kughn, Solano Executive Director) to give a presentation to the Lyon’s Club Board Members on October 4, 2016 for their monthly luncheons at Zio Fraedos restaurant in Vallejo, CA. I’m happy for their contribution and thankful for their support!!"

Visit the Lions Club Website HERE

Mental Health by the Numbers

Here is a quick overview of mental health in America. Which of these did you already know? Which of these surprise you?

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