Fellowship Place was recognized by Dr. Ezra Griffith in the latest edition of Psychiatric News for its Creative Writing group. According to Dr. Griffith, creative writing is an important tool in mental health care, promoting trust, community, self-expression, and reminiscence.
Annually, Fellowship Place collaborates with Yale student volunteers from the VITA program to make certain clients who are part of the agency’s Supported Employment program get their income taxes prepared for free. Due to the pandemic, this year the tax clinic was a virtual event. The agency provided phones, laptop computers, and counselor assistance to help each client upload his/her documents to the Yale volunteers and hold a virtual meeting to prepare the tax forms. This all took a little extra effort, but we got the job done. Most of our clients have already received their refunds!
A special thank you to Aaron Farr and Rachel Handler, the VITA Coordinators at Yale, for working through the unique challenges we had this year so that the annual Income Tax Clinic could still happen.
It may be stormy outside, but at Fellowship Place we are dancing our cares away. Dance class happens every week, courtesy of the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation. Masks and social distance required.
Today Fellowship Place received 500 pairs of socks from BOMBAS. The socks will be distributed to homeless clients in the Fellowship Inn and to other needy agency clients throughout the winter months. BOMBAS is working with nonprofits across the country to make our communities better for vulnerable men and women. A great example of corporate social responsibility!
Fellowship Place has been awarded a $3,000 grant award from the Petit Family Foundation for the Expressive Arts program, which utilizes artistic expression in various forms as a therapeutic tool. “Fellowship Place is very grateful for this support from the Petit Family Foundation” says Executive Director, Mary A. Guerrera, “we are honored to be chosen as a 2020 award recipient. The expressive arts program has been an important outlet and resource for our clients during the coronavirus crisis.”
The Petit Family Foundation honors the memories of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Hayley Elizabeth Petit, and Michaela Rose Petit by continuing the kindness, idealism and activism that defined their lives. The Foundation’s funds are given to foster the education of young people, especially women in the sciences; to improve the lives of those affected by chronic illnesses; and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence.
Fellowship Place continues to gradually add new on campus programming while ensuring that all state and federal guidelines on the prevention of Corona-virus are followed. Beginning on Monday August 3, the Social program will offer a total of 15 group activities per week. Attendance for each activity is capped, so reservations are a must. Call Charlotte Sabovic at 203-401-4227, ext. 1207 for more information. To go meals continue to be served at 12 noon, Monday-Friday. Staff is also available for one on one meetings by appointment, and intakes for new referrals are being scheduled.
Fellowship Place and its staff are working very hard to adapt to the community’s “new normal” by offering creative programs, support, and assistance with basic needs for all of our clients.
Stay well and be safe.
