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

September 2006                      Vol. 10 Issue #8    

From the President’s Desk…

Ever feel as though you are trying to bring fresh water to the clients, their families or the staff you serve with a big pitcher with a hole in the bottom?  More runs out the bottom that you can pour from the top? 

Some days I wonder how God can use me to help others with all my flaws.  I have good intentions about what I want to accomplish for Him, but some days I feel like a cracked water pot that leaks out more water than it is able to carry to others.

Board of Directors

Joseph Pugliese

Chairman

Jerilyn Keen

President

Timothy Gage

Director

Fred Martin

Director

Mary Tiffin

Director  

Chris Bingaman

Director  

Collette Benner

Secretary

Gene McCarty

Treasurer

Advisory Committee

Jerilyn Keen

Scott Constantini

Stephen Gaito

Robert Vanderwall

Jennifer Napp

Don Coleman

Connie Shoop

William Rossnock

Joseph Talarico

Dr. Elizabth Ciaravino

Thomas Bell

Agent William Weber

Larry Weidman

Consultants

Dr. Vikas Passi

D&A Medical Director

Dr. Frederick Maue

Mental Health Director

I found this story in a newsletter that was sent to me the other day.  I thought it was a wonderful encouragement of how well God knows all of our flaws yet still uses us in spite of those flaws to help others.  I hope you find this as inspiring as I did and that you will each keep trying to refresh those who have been placed in your lives to help, even if you feel like you may have a leak (or two) in your own pot.

The Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried around his neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it; and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the Master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.  Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.  But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfections and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what is perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream, “I’m ashamed of myself and I want to apologize to you.”  “Why?” asked the bearer.  “I have been able for these past two years to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your Master’s house.  Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and you don’t get the full value of your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot and in his compassion said, “As we return to the Master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path and this cheered it some.

The bearer of the pot said, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on one side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side?  That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.  I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you watered them.  For two years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my Master’s table.  Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

Each one of us has our own unique flaws.  But if we allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace his Father’s table. 

Only God can take what doesn’t feel is good enough and use it to beautify another’s life.  I am so glad that we do not have to be perfect, just willing to make a difference.

From my heart to yours,

Jerilyn

Jerilyn A. Keen, M.A.

President

News from our Administrative Office…

We had the privilege of hosting our Mental Health Director, Dr. Frederick Maue, to conduct an Adolescent DSM-IV Diagnosis Training on September 20^th.  There was a great staff turnout and the information was well received.  We thank Dr. Maue for providing training services to our agency!  We would also like to thank President Keen and Regional Manager Jenn Napp (pictured above) for working with Dr. Maue in preparing and finalizing the details for the training.

On September 27^th, President Keen and Regional Manager Scott Constantini conducted Documentation Training.  The training focused on the specific procedures for completing various forms and reports.  We thank both Jeri and Scott for taking the time to provide this training to our staff!  The feedback from participants was excellent.

Bethesda Highlights

We are excited to announce that we have received a grant from the Operation Good Neighbor Foundation in the amount of $10,000.  The Operation Good Neighbor Foundation provides financial assistance to non-profit organizations engaged in faith-based and social services.  This foundation seeks to address the underprivileged, the vulnerable and the indefensible and to extend opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of those they influence.  The money granted to Bethesda will be used to purchase computers and projectors to directly enhance our education and counseling services.  The delivery of materials will now be able to be made in a more appealing format that will capture our clients’ attention and keep them engaged in the educational and counseling processes.

The Bloomsburg Center has been awarded a United Way of Columbia County Community Fund grant in the amount of $1,000.  The grant will be used to purchase a computer projector, encyclopedia software and additional curriculum CDs to support interactive, hands-on learning.  The United Way was also able to secure two Gateway computers for the center from the Trash to Treasure reserves at Bloomsburg University.

On September 9^th, Bethesda was recognized at the Bucknell vs. Lafayette Football Game.  Bethesda was honored with a plaque and recognition during half time for our community service efforts.  Regional Manager Jenn Napp along with Support Staff Randy Treas and five group home residents attended the game.

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

Bloomsburg:  The Bloomsburg Fair week was a time for the students to enjoy a week off from school, as this is the yearly custom.  The Center has completed another successful year of community service in collaboration with the Columbia County Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  The clients can take a break from picking up trash along the streams.  Thanks, kids, for another positive year working with Trout Unlimited!

Honesdale:  The Honesdale staff continue to work together as an excellent and efficient team.  We extend our “get well” wishes to Dean of Students Linda O’Hagan as she has been on a medical leave of absence.  We wish her a speedy recovery and return!  We thank the staff for their positive attitude and efforts during this very busy time.

Lehighton:  The Community Service Program is continuing to get off the ground.  We congratulate Day Treatment Supervisor Megan Dolaway (now Megan Goff) on her marriage to Jeremy Goff on September 23rd!  We wish both of you the very best!

Lewistown:  The staff and students are getting accustomed to being back in school.  The students have been learning about Shakespeare as they read and act out Romeo and Juliet.  Art classes have been focusing on teaching students basic drawing skills.  Topics include sports, landscaping and Autumn harvest.  Who will be the next Picasso?  The Day Treatment clients have continued to work on community involvement and have volunteered to do filing, cleaning and typing at a local recreational center.  We welcome Program Manager Jack Schreck, Special Education Teacher Angie Trude and Teacher's Aide James Lanciano to the Lewistown team!

Group Home - Middleburg:  The Group Home was busy during the month of September getting the boys back in the school routine.  The bedrooms recently received new carpet to compliment the newly painted walls.  The boys were able to enjoy a night out to attend a Bucknell Football Game.  The boys also enjoyed an afternoon maneuvering through the corn maize at Ard's Farm Market followed with a cookout.  We thank Support Staff Jeromy Snyder for including the boys in these events!  Mark is attending the Sun Area Vo-Tech and looks forward to graduating in June.  The Group Home boys continue to assist the St. Andrew's United Methodist Church at their weekly soup kitchen and block parties.  The boys also continue to help out at the Snyder County Recycling Centers.  We extend our thoughts and prayers to Support Staff Ken Kaufmann and his family as he recovers from his recent surgery.

Montoursville:  Both the Alternative Education and Day Treatment Programs are running well!  The younger students in the AEP are enjoying their studies of reptiles and are looking forward to a trip to Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland.  On September 18^th, Stephanie Farr from the Williamsport Sun-Gazette visited the Montoursville Center.  She met with President Keen, Regional Manager Bob Vanderwall and Community Service Coordinator Mike Miller to discuss our Community Service and Be Challenged Programs for a future article to publish in the newspaper.  The clients in the Community Service Program are painting at the Center and are scheduled for a fall cleanup at Administration.    

Scranton:  The Scranton Center focused a lot of attention on the events of September 11, 2001.  In commemoration, both the AEP and Day Treatment showed movies and held discussions.  History Teacher, Jaquie Ross had her classes design a wall in memory of 9/11.  Caseworker Trainee Chris Frizt held a weekly  commemorative event discussing the events leading up to 9/11 as well as its long lasting effects.  Chris hopes to have a 9/11 week every year to make sure Bethesda's clients never forget 9/11/01.  Drug & Alcohol Counselor Heather Thorburn set up speaker Danny D., a recovering addict, to speak to the Day Treatment clients about the hardships he endured with his drug addiction and his time in prison.  The clients seemed to respond positively to his life story and asked many questions regarding his struggles.  The Scranton Center is gearing up for weekly events with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  The clients were interviewed and attended orientation for mentoring.  The fall kick-off began on October 3rd at the Scranton Center with games and activities planned for the "littles".  Several exciting activities have been arranged for the fall, such as interacting with horses, pumpkin decorating and a Pizza Hut tour.  Sounds like great fun!

South Montrose:  Dean of Students Curt Keihl has been making many positive changes by incorporating a more advanced Social Studies curriculum, developing constructive negative deterrents and integrating intensive groups for negative students.  The South Montrose Center has partnered with Susquehanna County Literacy Program to start a Reading Comprehension class for our students.  Curt and Teacher's Aide Carol Potter are taking the Literacy Tutor training to be able to teach and help the students with reading problems.  The Literacy Program will supply all the testing and reading materials for our students at no charge.  Caseworker Dan Beesley has been working on the flagpole, getting a flag and gathering supplies to build a stone planter and put a sign in front of the center.  The South Montrose Center has its first two Honor Club pledges, with several more being able to move up soon.  Curt is incorporating the pledges in mentoring the other students to work on improving their levels.  Sgt. Tony Chapman from the U.S. Army came to speak to the students about some of the options they can choose for their future.  The students found his presentation interesting and had many questions for him.  Drug & Alcohol Counselor Christina Carter arranged for a recovering addict to come speak to the students about his addiction and the consequences in his life.  The students are busy with their academics.  They are studying the cellular process in Life Science, learning purposeful writing and how to write an essay in English, studying the settlement of the colonies in Social Studies, and writing a Class Constitution in their Government Classes.  All of the clients will sign the "Constitution" to be followed throughout the year!  Keep up the great job, gang!

Congratulations To…  

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH….

The following staff were also nominated for Employee of the Month for September.  Stephanie Rice, Foster Care Coordinator at the Milton/Montoursville Centers, Mike DiMattia, Day Treatment Supervisor at the Scranton Center and Lee Viola, Head Community Monitor at the Honesdale Center.  We commend these staff for their efforts and encourage them to keep up the great work!

Welcome to our family…

Donald Rehrig, Teacher, Lehighton

Douglas Frederick, Community Monitor, Milton

Jack Schreck, Program Manager, Lewistown

William Snyder, Community Monitor, East Stroudsburg

James Lanciano, Teacher’s Aide, Lewistown

We extend out gratefulness to President Keen and her husband, Bill, for their monetary donation to Bethesda for the purchase of clinical materials and for the special needs of foster clients and the Group Home boys.  We also thank them for the generous donation of furniture to be used in our counseling office and kitchen.  Thank you!

We also extend our appreciation to President Keen’s parents, Jerry and Shirley Greenawalt, for their donation of VCRs, a microwave and a dinette set.  We appreciate your generosity!

Thanks to Program Managers Jamie Yonkin and Walt Gieski for volunteering to become Safe Crisis Management instructors for the agency.  They both completed the JKM Training Inc. SCM Instructor Certification Course in September.  This brings our total number of SCM Trainers for our agency to six.

We thank Dr. Richard Lelind for his monetary donation to purchase gym equipment for the East Stroudsburg Center .  The kids are having a great time utilizing the equipment in their gym classes!  Thanks for your generosity!

This month we are delighted to highlight our Chairman Joseph Pugliese.  Joe has served continuously on our Board of Directors since September 1988.  He served as a Director from September 1988 to September 1992, as President of the Board from September 1992 to September 1995, as Chairman from September 1995 to September 2000, and as Executive Committee Chairman from October 2000 to November 2005.  In November 2005, Joe was elected again as Board Chairman.  Joe is a director who unwaveringly stood by us through all of our lean times over the years. 

Joe and his wife, Suzanne, are the proud parents of a son and two daughters, and make their home in Lewisburg.  They have been blessed with four grandsons.  Joe retired as Vice President of Brodart Company in 2004 after 26 years of employment.  Joe was self-employed from 1972 to 1975, worked for General Interiors Corporation from 1970 to 1972 and Price Waterhouse Company from 1965 to 1968.

Joe is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Yale College.  In addition to his service to Bethesda, Joe offers his time to the Union County Youth Commission.  He enjoys spending his free time gardening and playing chess.  Joe also enjoys entomology.

Joe shares these thoughts on Bethesda’s mission:  “ Bethesda’s healing message is desperately needed by families throughout Pennsylvania.  Our mission must be to provide help to families in every community that welcomes us.”  Thanks, Joe, for all you have done for our agency!