President’s Message for May 2024
Spring Fling
Pasta, meatballs, veggies, music, dancing, community, laughter, and cookies! That sums up the great time we had in Bedford on April 22nd during our annual Spring Fling dinner/dance event. We were delighted to have guests from five area Clubhouse programs: Elm Brook Place, Haverhill Clubhouse, Horizon House, Potter Place, and the Point After Club. We served 70 at our buffet and want to thank our long term music maker Mr. Melody-DJ Joe T. Our efficient planning team has organizing this event down to a science. It would be helpful to have new event coordinator take the reins for next year’s gathering. Please let us know if you can help get the party started in 2025.
The Clubhouse Program
The Clubhouses are supported by the Department of Mental Health and offer a welcoming community space for individuals living with mental health conditions to gather during the daytime Monday-Friday. The Point After Club’s website summarizes their program, “The Clubhouse is a voluntary membership program, with activities based around the interests, needs, and goals of its membership. Clubs focus on peer support and the empowerment of its membership. Strengths of members are celebrated, which provides the opportunity to live, learn, and engage in meaningful work, while contributing to the Club community.”
Some people attend their local Clubhouse for just a couple weeks. Others make a commitment to being part of the community on a daily basis over a long period of time. The programs have a simple, low barrier application process and are offered at no charge. The Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition website lists the thirty-six Clubhouses in the state: massclubs.org/. There is one near you.
Walk Day is almost Here! Lace Up for Mental Health!
Here’s a photo of some of the happy folks who joined us for last year’s NAMI Walks to help stamp out stigma, celebrate our community, and rally for improvements to the behavioral healthcare system. It is also the primary fundraiser for NAMI Massachusetts and our local affiliate. Join us in person for a freshly energized approach at our new location in the Boston Common or participate virtually by signing up to be a team member. Get the details about the day and register for the event on the NAMI Walks page of our website: namicentralmiddlesex.org/nami-walks. If you would like to skip the drive into the city, sign up to take a ride on our affiliate’s bus from Burlington. Contact Tom Scurfield for details and reservations for the bus: garlandhome@comcast.net. You can meet up with our team at our Central Middlesex canopy tent. We’ll see you in the Common on Saturday, May 18th!
Enjoy the spring flowers and take some comfort in the warmth and promise of May, Mental Health Awareness Month.