Following a hospitalization, 57-year-old Cynthia L. came to Hopewell in October 2015 at the recommendation of her family. The following are Cynthia’s words, as told to her clinician, Laura Scarnecchia, LPC. An inspiration to everyone at Hopewell, Cynthia has agreed to share her story as guest speaker at this year’s Summer Solstice event.
Month: May 2016
Resident Artwork Spotlight – Alex
Alex is a delightful member of our Hopewell community. He is an accomplished pianist and has a variety of artistic skills. Alex enjoys attending morning work crews in the art room, making wares for our Farm Market. He also regularly attends our afternoon open studio and weekly art therapy group. Alex says that he likes working most in pencil. Alex also enjoys occasionally utilizing paint brushes. His main palette consists of greens, beiges, teals, and some yellows. Art has had a significant impact in Alex’s life. It helps clear his mind and think clearly. “Art helps me rest in the knowledge that things have a beginning and an end,” he shares. It also provides an illumination of “in the moment” for Alex, a space free of outside noise and distraction. Alex also enjoys incorporating other interests into his art work. “There’s music, and then there’s animals. Technology stuff, buildings, cars and planes, they all fit in.” Alex demonstrates how art brings together different facets of his life to create harmony.
Alex shares that he’s learned a lot of new skills in the art studio at Hopewell. He’s thoroughly enjoyed learning how to make jewelry. He also spends time creating clay chess pieces. Alex believes that making art has helped him to breathe and relax in the present. He looks forward to contributing more to art at Hopewell.
Today we are highlighting just a few of Alex’s favorite pieces that feature a snake, alligator, turtle, farm life, clay chess pieces, and a contemporary piece name harmony. Thank you for taking the time to allow us to highlight some of the great artwork that is created everyday as part of the therapeutic process.
16th Annual Summer Solstice Event to Celebrate Hopewell’s First Twenty Years of Service and Honor Hawthorn, PNC Family Wealth® and Al Kantra
The 16th annual Summer Solstice benefit event will take place on Friday, June 24, 2016, from 6:00 to 11:00 pm in Hunting Valley. Proceeds support Hopewell, Ohio’s only therapeutic farm community for adults with mental illness. The event will celebrate Hopewell’s first twenty years of service and will honor Hawthorn, PNC Family Wealth® and Al Kantra, Executive Vice President & Managing Director of PNC Asset Management Group. Hawthorn has been the event’s Presenting Sponsor for sixteen consecutive years.
Known as a “Hunting Valley Block Party,” Summer Solstice will be held at the estate of Honorary Chairs Brian and Gretchen Colleran. Event Chair is Mary Joyce. Corporate Chair is Joseph Verciglio of BakerHostetler. Auction Chair is Susan Silverberg-Bewie. Special Guest Speaker will be Hopewell’s founder, Clara T. Rankin.
This unique benefit features exciting silent and live auctions that showcase unique experiences, getaways, antiques and collectibles. BidPal allows guests to browse auction items and bid from their smart phones. Dinner by Driftwood Catering will be served under the stars!
Last year the upscale, casual event sold out early, with over 500 attendees. Corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities are available through May 20 to be included in the program. RSVP deadline for individual tickets is June 10; these tickets begin at $225 and include parking, cocktails and dinner. For more information, to purchase tickets or make a donation, call 440-247-0912 or visit www.hopewellcommunity.org/events.
Hopewell is a 300-acre working farm in rural Mesopotamia, Ohio, where adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression learn to manage their mental illness and return to independent life. Hopewell is ODMHAS-licensed and CARF-accredited and is a member of NAMI and ARTA. Proceeds from Summer Solstice provide fee assistance for families with limited financial resources. Each year, fee assistance is provided for 95 percent of Hopewell’s residential clients. To learn more, visit www.hopewellcommunity.org.
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Men’s and Women’s Groups
Moral treatment is a key component to Hopewell’s treatment plan for our residents. One aspect of this is ensuring our residents are actively involved in their treatment. This includes the presence of our Resident Council. Through the work of this council our residents are able to create therapeutic opportunities and groups to ensure their best healing.
Two of these groups are our Men’s and Women’s groups. Our residents are all involved in group therapy sessions regularly. Although this group is very beneficial and helpful for our residents’ healing, some of our residents wanted more.
The ability to create new groups and opportunities are some of the many ways that differentiates how Hopewell treats mental illness. Personalized plans and caring are essential to the Hopewell Model of healing. Thanks to the Resident Council these groups are possible. After some conversations about group therapy a few of our female residents expressed interest in creating a separate woman’s group. This allowed our residents to really open up about issues that they were tentative sharing with the community as a whole. There have been so many amazing moments of growth and healing since the implementation of these separate groups.
Once we saw the success the woman’s group was having a men’s group was also created. The results carried over to this group as well. It is always amazing to see group healing succeed, and it is why we are so committed to the therapeutic community model. Men’s and women’s groups exemplify Hopewell’s commitment to empowering individuals toward their highest level of self-reliance, self-confidence and the capacity to live and work within an interdependent, vibrant community.
The Men’s and Women’s Groups meet on a weekly basis to discuss topics especially important to our residents as men or women. Agendas are created and discussions begin.
Hopewell Promotes Assessments and Tours During May Mental Health Awareness Month
Hopewell therapeutic farm for people with mental illness is promoting tours and assessments for residential candidates during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, according to Rick Karges, Executive Director/CEO.
“Here is a chance for persons seeking help on their caregivers to determine whether Hopewell is the right place for them. People in northeast Ohio can take a nice ride in the country and visit our farm including our Farm & Craft market,” said Karges. “The proceeds from market sales help to support our residents and the breakthrough work we do to find better ways to deal with mental illness.”
Outcomes studies since 2006 have shown the effectiveness of Hopewell’s program, a model that incorporates a bio-psycho-social orientation to promote wellness and sustained recovery. The healing power of nature, meaningful work and community – along with a caring and high-quality staff – have led to Hopewell’s unique model of mental health care that successfully promotes self-worth, self-confidence and a greater independence for adults dealing with mental illness.
The “Hopewell Model” actually is a newer version of an old methodology called “moral treatment.” Dating back to the early 1800’s in Europe, the concept of moral treatment focused on treating individuals with equality and respect within the context of a healthy living and learning environment. People with mental illness are able to express their feelings and views freely, as well as actively participate in decisions affecting their lives. This is the basis of today’s “therapeutic community.”
Within a therapeutic community the community itself becomes a catalyst for positive change. At Hopewell individuals with mental illness are able to heal and thrive within a compassionate supportive community. As contributing members of that community, they build their self-esteem and learn the skills necessary for more independent living after discharge.
At Hopewell, such skill-building is paired with comprehensive mental health treatment for maximum results. Hopewell’s highly-trained clinical team provides a variety of therapies that have been proven to be successful in treating a range of mental health conditions. These therapies include psychiatric medication management, group counseling, creative expression, equine-assisted learning and horsemanship, nature studies, meditation, spirituality, education (high school diploma program and GED preparation), money management, independent living skills (meal planning, shopping, cooking, healthy living) and interpersonal relationship skills. Job-readiness is emphasized and residents develop vocational skills in their daily work, which may include the resident operated, on-site Farm and Craft Market and wood shop.
About Hopewell
Hopewell is a 300-acre residential working farm located in Mesopotamia, Ohio, where adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression learn to manage their mental illness and return to independent life. Hopewell is the only therapeutic farm community in Ohio. It is ODMHAS-licensed and CARF-accredited. Hopewell is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Residential Treatment Association. Information, tours and assessments are available by contacting Daniel Horne, Clinical Director, at 440.426.2009 or by email at dhorne@hopewell.cc. Visit www.hopewellcommunity.org.
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2015 Outcomes Report
Results from Hopewell’s research continue to show improved outcomes.