The Beacon

Published by:  Bethesda Day Treatment Center, Inc.

 ...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good

deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

May/June 2006                      Vol. 10 Issue #5    

From the President’s Desk…

This month instead of an article from me, I have decided to feature the thoughts of one of our South Montrose AEP students.  She says it all.

Life

To All the Staff at Bethesda

Board of Directors

  Joseph Pugliese

  Chairman

  Jerilyn Keen

  President

  Timothy Gage

  Director

  Fred Martin

  Director

  Mary Tiffin

  Director  

  Collette Benner

  Secretary

  Gene McCarty

  Treasurer  

 Advisory Committee

  Jerilyn Keen

  Scott Constantini

  Stephen Gaito

  Michele Nixon

  Jennifer Napp

  Don Coleman

  Connie Shoop 

  William Rossnock

  Joseph Talarico

  Dr. Elizabeth Ciaravino

  Thomas Bell

  Agent William Weber

  Larry Weidman

I’ve been through a lot in my life; and I have been many places in my life.  I can remember each place that I have been and I honestly say if this was a contest Bethesda would win.  I remember the day I walked through the doors.  The first person I saw was Ms. Gail.  The lady at the desk I always said.  Then I saw this guy in pink, he smiled and said, “Hi, I’m Mr. Nolan.”  Then he introduced me to a man named Mr. Dan.  My deepest thoughts at the time were…why are they all smiling? 

As days went by I started to hate this place.  I thought I didn’t need to be there.  I didn’t seem to fit in.  I began to open up and meet all new friends.  I began to talk to this lady named Ms. Carol.  Now I can honestly say she is like my mother.  We talked and we laughed.  I began to like this place.

As time went on I grew close to everyone there.  Ms. Gail and I chit-chatted a few times and I say “hi” to her every morning.  Ms. Brenda and I have talked several times and we laugh.  She is an awesome mom who loves her daughter, which we all know AJ is quite fond of.  Ms. D. cracks me up.  She is an amazing woman who always makes everyone laugh.  She loves her coffee!  Mr. 

Mark is an awesome guy.  I love his classes.  He would do anything for us and we always end up getting into some really great conversations.  Ms. Chrissy is fairly new to the school but also holds a special place in my heart.  She talks with me and helps guide me through my recovery.  Whenever I’m angry, I can take it out on her mood dudes.  Mr. Jesse works with us after school.  He plays games and drives us home.  He is so much fun and makes awesome macaroni and cheese!  Mr. Scott we always see at least once a week.  He is always talking with me and helping me out.  He looks all big and tough but he has a soft heart.  Mr. Nolan is the head honcho around these parts.  He always finds time to talk and laugh with me.  He is strict and never once lets me have my feet up on the chair; and I must say I love the hair.  He reached out in many times of need to do whatever he can to help me.  What can I say about Mr. Dan?  He is the man.  I grew close to him and he is always there for me.  I cry, he is there.  I laugh, he laughs.  I can talk with him and he knows just what to say.  He has helped me so much through my whole experience at Bethesda.  When I’m angry, he holds up the little blue mat and with my fists full of anger, he all of a sudden makes me laugh.  He would do anything he can to help me out.  He never lets me down.  Last but certainly not least, my guardian angel on earth, Ms. Carol.  From day one she has helped me.  I will never forget her.  In my times of most desperate need, she reaches out with a loving hand.  She sees what most don’t see in me, a light of home that she has helped grow stronger and brighter.  She has never given up on me.  She is what I can call my strongest inspiration.  She is truly an angel.

I can remember the day I walked in and I looked to all of you in my time of desperate need.  If I didn’t come to school that day, I probably would have given up on everything.  You all did your best to help me out.  Then this little voice screamed, “I’ll take her.”  In to her home she took me.  From then on it was full blown restoration.  Somewhere along the way, I glanced at your slogan “healing hearts and changing lives.”  I can honestly say you have been doing just that.  When I fall, you all as one pick me up.  When I cry, you hold out your arms and I can shed my tears.  When I laugh, we share our joy.  When I screw up, you give me accountability.  When I do something right, you give me a pat on the back and tell me you’re proud.  Family is not only blood.  You are my family.  You are my friends.  My everything.  You are helping me repair the damage done.  You are there to vent my anger and shed some tears.  You are all truly God’s chosen people.  You have no idea how much you have helped me and no idea how much you truly mean to me.  I hope you all know how much I love you all and I can never thank you enough for the goals you helped me achieve and the hope that you bring.  I hope you never forget me.

From my heart to yours,

Jerilyn

Jerilyn A. Keen, M.A.

President

News from our Administrative Office…

Bethesda Highlights

President Keen conducted a Suicide Prevention and Self Injury Training on April 26^th.  There were 20 staff in attendance.  Check out the picture!

This is “What’s Happening” at Our Centers…

Bloomsburg:  The Day Treatment staff and clients are enjoying the warmer weather which gives them an opportunity to eat their meals outside at the picnic tables.  They also go to the park on Fridays to play basketball or football.  The Day Treatment clients participated in the Berwick United Way’s Annual Day of Caring on Saturday, April 29^th.  The clients went to Camp Louise Girl Scout Camp and helped clean out drainage ditches along the entrance road.  We thank Day Treatment Supervisor Shelby Scott, Community Monitor Donald Yarmol and Drug and Alcohol Counselor John O’Brien for assisting with the clients at this event!

Honesdale:  We welcome Mary Griffin to the Honesdale Center as our newest teacher’s aide.  The AEP staff are making preparations for their upcoming barbecue held at the center to celebrate the end of the school year.  The Day Treatment Program continues to grow with constant inquiries from our referring agencies about our MA status.  The Day Treatment staff will be reviewing the client files to check on MA eligibility in preparation. Program Manager Steve Rizzo would like to personally thank all the staff at the Honesdale Center for their dedication and hard work.  He truly appreciates all that you do!

Lehighton:   The Lehighton Center continues to run smoothly.  We welcome Raymond Birk as our new Drug and Alcohol Counselor.  The Community Service Program is being offered to Carbon County Children and Youth.  The final details have been worked out and we are anticipating referrals for this program very soon!

Lewistown:  The AEP and Day Treatment continue to run smoothly as the summer soon approaches.  Even though the end of the school year is fast upon us, the AEP continues to receive referrals from the school districts.  After completing lessons on World War I and World War II, the History class took a field trip to the Boalsburg Military Museum.  The students also got the chance to tour Penn's Cave and panned for different kinds of rocks.  The Day Treatment clients continue to work with PA Clean Ways to assist in cleaning up dump sites.  The staff would like to wish Caseworker Hillary Worley a "Happy Birthday".  We also welcome back Nicole Smith.  You were missed!

Group Home - Middleburg:  We hosted Heather Klem from Lycoming County Juvenile Probation again in April.  The staff and residents have enjoyed her visits.  The boys have started their spring cleaning around the house.  Some color has been added with some painting projects.  The house looks great and the staff and residents are eager to complete their projects.  We thank Case Manager Jon Gamble for the donated use of his equipment to shampoo the carpets.  For the Easter holiday, a local church donated Easter "buckets" to each of the residents.  A nice Easter dinner was provided by the staff to those residents who were unable to have home visits.  Also a donation of candy was given to put in the resident's Easter baskets.  One of the boys was able to go to Florida on the senior class trip with the high school.  This is quite an honor for one of our residents to attend.  As part of their community service, the residents have increased their participation at the Snyder County Recycling Center.  The residents continue to assist the United Methodist Church's Soup Kitchen and are looking forward to helping the church with their block party again this year.  The staff are anticipating the high school graduation of two of their boys in June!  Way to go!

Milton:  Both the AEP and Day Treatment programs continue to see additional referrals.  The staff continue to do a tremendous job!  On April 27th, the AEP class that raised the most money for the "Pennies for Patients" campaign as well as the top giving students were treated to lunch at the Olive Garden in Williamsport.  Way to go! 

Montoursville:  The AEP staff are coordinating a field trip to Hershey Park for the students.  As part of the requirements to go on this trip, the students must complete a science project constructing their own amusement parks.  The other requirement is that the student has to achieve positive status in the school community.  Many of the students are excited and willing to do what it takes to be able to go!  We are excited to welcome Clinton County to our list of referring agencies.  With the addition of this new county, we have hired two new Community Monitors.  We welcome John Hoffman and Warren Dority to our team!  Public relations are also being done with Bradford County.  We are excited for the new opportunities for growth with the addition of these new referral sources.  We wish Chad Kirkendall the best of luck on his upcoming wedding on May 20^th!  Some of the clients in the Community Service Program are spending some time at the Administrative Office working on the landscaping (pictured).  Thanks, kids!

Sciota:  The staff remain a strong team as additional referrals come in for both the AEP and Day Treatment Programs.  The Day Treatment clients participated in litter pickup on April 21st for Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Day.  They did a great job!  We said farewell to Caseworker Jessy Miller as he resigned to accept another position.  The staff honored Secretary Erika Graff with a beautiful bouquet of roses and a yummy ice cream cake in celebration of Secretary's Day.

Scranton:  The entire Scranton team is doing well with the staff pulling together to offer extra help during the time of being short-staffed.  We welcome two new Community Monitors to the center.  The AEP students continue to be involved in the University of Scranton's Life Skills Program.  Please read the "AEP In The Spotlight" in this issue for the exciting things that the students were involved in!  The clients continue to perform community service around the center.  The clients will be getting involved in some spring clean-up in the local towns now that the weather is warmer.  We said farewell to Program Manager Dave Falbo and Teacher Dave Cook.  We thank both of them for being a wonderful part of the Scranton Team.  We welcome Heather Thorburn as our new Drug and Alcohol Counselor.  We also welcome John Evans and Barry Matthews as our new Community Monitors.  We congratulate Mike DiMattia on his promotion to Day Treatment Supervisor.

South Montrose:  The South Montrose Center continues to remain busy with academics, field trips and programming.  The students have been studying electricity and various scientist throughout history in their Science classes.  The Math students are studying graphing and proportions with the assistance of materials from the M&M Company.  The Algebra class is doing factoring polynomials.  The English class is writing presentations on different musical artists and groups.  The Economics class is working on how bills are moved and passed through Congress.  The Art classes are enjoying the nice weather outside to draw scenery.  We welcome Chrissy Carter as our new Drug and Alcohol Counselor.  She has the students working on the 2006 Youth Fest for Anti-Smoking, which will be held May 27th at the Milford Park.  The students are making posters and working on designs for the T-shirts.  The Honor Club and Pledge members enjoyed a field trip to the Press & Sun Bulletin in Vestal, New York.  The students learned how a newspaper is put together from the ground up.  The students went to lunch after their field trip.  The students also visited the Susquehanna County Jail and then held discussions on their goals in life and how to obtain them.

Congratulations To…  

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH….

Welcome to our family…

John Evans, Community Monitor, Scranton

Heather Thorburn, Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Scranton

Chrissy Carter, Drug & Alcohol Counselor, South Montrose

Kristy Breiner, Teacher’s Aide, Lehighton

Warren Dority, Community Monitor, Montoursville

Raymond Birk, Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Lehighton

Mary Griffin, Teacher’s Aide, Honesdale

Barry Matthews, Community Monitor, Scranton

We commend Gary Shipman, Day Treatment Supervisor at the Montoursville Center, for his generosity and knid-heartedness when finding out a Day Treatment client had no bed.  Gary took the initiative to find her a new bed and comforter.  The cleint's probation officer was astonished and grateful that Gary prioritized this girl's needs.  Thank, Gary, for your kindness!  You have made a positive impact on this girl's life as well as on our relationship with our referring agency because they see that you really care deeply for our clients!

We congratulate Regional Manager Steve Gaito for receiving the Administrative Management Team Quarterly Leadership Award and to Program Manager Lisa Alfieri for receiving the Manager’s Quarterly Award for January, February, and March 2006.  Thanks to both of these managers for their dedication and hard work!

We congratulate Charles and Lee Austin, foster parents for our Montoursville Center, on receiving the Foster Parent Quarterly Award for the 1^st quarter of 2006.  Charles and Lee have been foster parents for Bethesda for just over a year.  They have shown a true desire to make a difference in the lives of the youth that are placed in their home.  We commend them for their dedication!

We congratulate Advisory Committee Member & WGRC General Manager, Larry Weidman on the recent honor presented to WGRC.  The radio station was honored by the PA Associated Press Broadcasters Association with the Joe Snyder Award for Outstanding News Service.  The radio station received a number of additional awards with four first place awards, six second place awards and one third place award.  WGRC serves Central PA with contemporary Christian music, news and information out of their studio in Lewisburg, PA.  Thanks for providing such wonderful and encouraging music and programs!

This month we are delighted to highlight the AEP at the Scranton Center.  As we have shared in the past couple newsletters, the students at the Scranton AEP, in conjunction with Advisory Board member, Dr. Liz Ciaravino, have been involved in the Life Skills Program at the University of Scranton.  Dr. Liz is a professor at the University of Scranton.

A Diversity Initiatives grant was awarded to Elizabeth Ciaravino, Ph.D. from Mission and Identity to fund the “Life Skills at the U” collaborative program between the junior occupational therapy students and the students from the Bethesda program.  The University of Scranton’s occupational therapy department is closely aligned with the Jesuit mission of the university, in that students are educated with a collaborative, client-centered approach to treatment, and the department endeavors to provide numerous opportunities to practice interactions with a diverse group of individuals with various life situations and/or disabilities.  Within their practice courses, students learn theoretical models of treatment, and applications for interventions with individuals with developmental, physical and/or psychiatric difficulties.  During “Life Skills at the U”, approximately 12 students from Scranton’s Bethesda Alternative Education Program attended every Friday morning during the spring semester, and worked on life skills issues with junior Occupational Therapy students.

The students created posters to display at The University of Scranton’s Sixth Annual Celebration of Student Scholars.  Check out the pictures below!  We would like to thank the Scranton staff and Dr. Liz and Sister Bernadette Ross for their efforts in coordinating this for our students!