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2012 Report to the CommunitDear Supporter,

Recent events over the last couple of years

have brought much needed attention to

the challenges children and adults face in

dealing with a mental illness. One in four

Texans will be affected by mental illness in

their lifetime, and these men, women, andchildren are the heart of our mission.

Our work started in 1950 with a handful

of volunteers who wanted to show love and

compassion. Through innovative programs

and partnerships, the Volunteer Services

Council (VSC) of the Austin State Hospital

(ASH) continues to serve as a beacon of

hope for people who require inpatient care

during their recovery from mental illness.

The Austin State Hospital is a special place, and without the VSC and the

community support it generates, critical programs that assist in the recovery effo

would not be possible. The VSC provides support to the programs and projects th

arent funded through the state.

Loyal supporters, like you, help our organization ourish, evolve, and sustain ou

relevance in our community. Most importantly, you help us erase the negative

stigma associated with mental illness by providing hope and healing to thousand

of Texans each year.

Please take a look at the following sections in this Report t

the Community, including our program highlights and our

accomplishments. And know this it is through the ongoin

support of individuals like you that allow the VSC to contin

serving the patients of ASH.

Kind Regards, Neil B. Alexander, Chair

THE BOARD OF

DIRECTORSf the Volunteer Services

ouncil is a working

oard whose sole mission

to improve the quality

f life for patients at

ustin State Hospital.

ontact the VSC by

isiting our website at

ww.ashvolunteers.org

you have an interest in

erving on the board.

CURRENT

MEMBERS

NCLUDE:

eil B. Alexander, Chair

oseph Geraci, Vice Chair

elen Heard, Treasurer

olin Muething, Secretary

ohn Bryan

lizabeth Castaneda

anette Pizzini Stein

m Taylor

Austin State Hospitavolunteer services council

C A R I N G F O R T H E M E N T A L H E A L T H O F T E X A N S S I N C E 1 8 5

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l EXPERIENCE IT! helps patients integrateack in the community by providing off campus

xperiences including theatre, sports, dance, and music

erformances.

l ON BOARD is a Capital Metro educationalrogram bringing navigation skills to the units helping

atients learn the Austin bus system.

l INSIGHTS ART PROGRAM provides patientsn opportunity to engage in self discovery, personal

rowth, and healing through creativity.

l PET PARDNERS encourages dog owners to join

ur team with their four-legged pals to visit patients

hroughout the hospital.

Our Program HighlightsWhat an amazing year! Through the support of our individual donors,

corporate partnerships, and event participants, many outstanding services

programs were provided for patients of the Austin State Hospital, including:

l PEER SUPPORT links current patients witindividuals who have successfully mastered recover

from a mental illness and to other support groups in

community.

l TECHNOLOGYplays a large role in everyonlife, including required job skills, and the VSC prov

computers, printers, and educational software for

patients.

lFAMILY HOUS E located on the ASH campusprovides free lodging for family members.

lCLOTHING AND SHOES are provided forpatients who arrive with only the clothing on their

backs.

The VSC also provides funds

and support for the following

lCELEBRATIONSHoliday celebrations, camcultural events, supplies for patient art, music and

poetry, and other vital programs through the educa

and rehabilitation department.

lASH VOLUNTEERSASHs successful voluprogram, including volunteer orientation, training,

volunteer appreciation. The Austin State Hospitals

active volunteers are an essential component of oursuccess.

l NUTRITION PROGRAM Nutrition plays major role in recovery, and the VSC supports a wee

nutrition program promoting healthy eating habits.

l ASSISTANCE Assistance with birth certicasocial security cards, identication cards, as well as

GED testing, has been an on-going service provided

the VSC.

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The VSC spearheads two signature fundraising events

to raise awareness and support patient programs.

lTHE ASH DASH 5K BUNNY RUN

s held on the Austin State

Hospital campus and has

welcomed thousands of runners,

walkers, and volunteers over the

past nine years. The ASH Dash5K Bunny Run is a fun, easy way

to support programs and services

for over 3,800 Texas adults and

children admitted annually to

the hospital.

lASH INSIGHTS ART SHOW & SALE For the past ve years, the

ASH Insights Art Show & Sale has been an

entertaining, artistic, and thought provoking

way to spotlight the works of our talented

patients and raise funds through the sale of

art donated by some of the regions highly

respected professional artists. Art and music

therapy are vital to patients recovery, giving

them an opportunity to express themselves

through creativity.

lVSC PROGRAMSIn addition, the

VSC continues to provide support for other

mportant programs and services, including our traveling art show that

spotlights artwork created by our patients in area restaurants, state ofces,

and corporations throughout Travis County. This showcase is bringing much

needed attention to the challenges and triumphs of people who have a mental

llness and helping erase the negative stigma that goes with it.

BYTHE

NUMBER

Our Accomplishme

859volunteersprovided invaluable

experiences with our pat

65 service groupscontributed their time an

talents

8,954 hours wcontributed on behalf of

volunteers

$453,662the value our volunteer

service groups provided1,019 tickets wepurchased for patients to

attend 147 athletic and

cultural events

1,450 the numbpeople who participated

fundraising events

127 families were to use the Family House

visiting their loved ones

$77,836

in-kind goods were contr

E V EN T S :

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VolunteerDo you have a talent to share? Join ourSparks of Life program. Our Sparks of Life offers volunteers

an opportunity to interact with patients on a regular basis

with community music, dance, and art performances, art

classes, seasonal parties, yoga, BINGO, poetry, exercise

classes, and much more. The interaction between our patientand the community provides renewed spirits and invaluable

experiences. Qualications to be a Sparks of Life volunteer

are simple have the desire to make a difference by offering

hope and healing to the 3,800 Texans who are patients of the

Austin State Hospital each year.

Contactthe Community Relations department formore information or visit the Volunteer Services Council

website at www.ashvolunteers.org. or 512-419-2330.

Ways to

ontinue Supporting

our Efforts:

l38 Central Texas counties for adults and 71 counties forchildren and adolescents.

lASH has 299 beds, with the average length of stay of about 18 days.

lOur Children /Adolescent Psychiatric Unit (CAPS) was established in1966 and was the rst inpatient facility for children in Austin. The 30-

bed service provides acute care mental health services to youth ages 5-1and is known for expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of complexpsychiatric disorders.

lPatients generally have a diagnosis of major depression, bipolardisorder, or schizophrenia. These are all brain diseases that respond totreatment, and early treatment is more effective.

lMany patients have a co-occurring substance issue that is addressedin treatment.

lPatients come from all walks of life, and while some are indigent,many are not - many patients have Medicare and Medicaid benets or

private insurance.

lAbout one half of the patients who come to ASH have not received anservices in the state system before.

lOur patients range in age from 5 years to over 90 years.

lAbout 45% of our patients are discharged within 7 days of admissionanother 22% within 14 days, and another 20% within 30 days. The goalfor all patients is to return to the community.

Who We Serve

DONATEour gift provides help, hope,nd healing throughout

he year. Use the enclosed

nvelope or make a secure

onation online at www.

shvolunteers.org.

$5provides two book-ound journals for our poetryrogram on the adult units

$10provides art supplies

$20provides twoatients with dufe bags upon

ischarge

$35providesecreational sports equipment

or the units

$50provides funding forpatients to attend a cultural

r sporting event

$100 providesupplies for the therapeutic

reenhouse on the childrens

nit