A Publication of

March 2021

Encounters

Reopening the Thomas M. Wernert Center is based on multiple factors, including the spread of COVID-19 in our community and public health orders by local and state government authorities. TMWC continues to follow the Lucas County Health Department Stay-at-Home Health Advisory.

TMWC staff continue to connect with members on a regular basis by telephone, email, regular mail, and so-cial media. Many of our support meetings and activities are available online or by phone. Check them out on the enclosed calendar. If you are not receiving a regular wellness check phone call, but would like to, please let our staff know by calling 419-242-3000 and leaving a message. The health and wellbeing of members, staff, and their families is our highest priority.

SHARING MY STORY GIVES ME HOPE ANTHONY’S JOURNEY WITH DUAL RECOVERY

Anthony wants to give back. His journey with mental illness and recovery has profoundly influenced him. He now has a drive to help those experiencing mental illness by sharing his story.

“I want other people who are suffering to know they are not alone,” says Anthony. “I don’t want to sympa-thize with them – I want to share my story of getting my life back. I want them to know they can get ser-vices and recover, just like I did,” he adds.

Those are powerful words coming from someone who is diag-nosed with bipolar, schizophrenia, PTSD, ADHD, and manic depression. Anthony also suffered from addiction and is now six years clean. He’s not afraid to share his diagnoses. He wants others to feel equally empowered to share their story. “Sharing and helping others gives me hope too,” he says.

For Anthony, mental illness and addiction went hand-in-hand. “I was already struggling with mental illness when I lost my Mom, Dad, and Stepmom within a short period of time. I was depressed, dropped out of school, lived on the streets, and started doing drugs. I know I caused pain for others through my drug and alcohol use,” he shares.

Anthony realized he needed help when thinking about his Mom and how she would feel if she could see what he was doing with his life. “I do believe in a higher power and it was telling me my Mom wanted me to get help,” he says.

Originally from Tennessee, Anthony ended up in Ohio and eventually a half-way house for those in recovery. After receiving his diagnoses and treatment, he found his way to the Thomas M. Wernert Center.

“Participating at the center is what really brought me out of isolation,” he says. “I spent my previous years mostly alone, not going out,

JOIN US FOR VIRTUAL ART CLASSES

Continued on Page 3

Live Zoom Art Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. You must register with Kimberlie in advance by emailing ktodd@wernertcenter.org or by calling 419-389-2304 to schedule a session. Registration for each class is due by noon on Tuesday, a week before the class. Once registered, you will receive a link to the class and all the materials you will need. • March 2 or 3 - Foam Quillies

(quilling with foam sheets) • March 9 or 10 - Romero Britto Hearts

(colored pencil/marker) • March 16 or 17 - Cezanne Mt. St. Victoire

(oil pastel) • March 23 or 24 - Egyptian Cartouche

and Hieroglyphs

UPDATE ON TMWC REOPENING

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GOOD TO KNOW...IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

While making wellness checks on members, the Thomas M. Wernert staff has collected information about resources in Lucas County that provide direct assistance or guidance in a variety of situations. This is not inclusive of all services or locations available in the Lucas County area. For a more complete list, contact United Way 2-1-1 a free, 24-hour a day information and referral service. Dial 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211nwo.org to connect online. Resources include rental assistance, support for re-entry, jobs, food assistance, emergency housing, and more.

MENTAL HEALTH HELP

• Recovery Help line

419-255-3125/text 741741

• NPI Warmline, 419-442-0580

• Lucas County Emotional

Support Line - 419-442-3125

• Veterans Crisis line, 1-800-273-8255/text 838255

• Suicide Prevention line, 1-800-273-8255

• Crisis Text Line, trained crisis counselor 24/7

Text: 4HOPE (741741)

FOOD ACCESS

Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio Free pantry. Advance registration, ID, and proof of residency required. Call 419/243-9178, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m. to register. LIFE Station Free pantry offering food and hygiene products once a week. Delivery or pick up available. You must register in advance. Call 419/242-3340 to register. Food for Thought Mobile Pantries visit multiple partner sites every month. Patrons need a photo ID to receive service. Visit www.feedtoledo.org or call 419.972.0022 for a list of pantry locations. Marketplace for All People A free store offering food, clothing, household, and hygiene items. You must have an appointment.. Call 419-243-8284 to register. NW Ohio Food Bank Distributes boxes of assorted shelf-stable food and produce. Drive-up distribution at various partner sites. Advanced registration and ID required. Online registration toledofoodbank.org/events or call 419-242-5000, ext. 204.

United Way of Greater Toledo 2-1-1 is scheduling appointments for free tax preparation at Lutheran Social Services of NW Ohio, NeighborWorks, and Pathway. Contact United Way to schedule an appointment.

Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio 419-243-9178 Pick up application at 2149 Collingwood Blvd. Monday - Friday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Online application: https://form.jotform.com/LSSforms/renters-assistance-fund NeighborWorks Toledo Region 419-691-2900 Applications will be accepted by appointment only. Download application: https://www.nwtoledo.org/emergency-rental-assistance-fund Great Lakes Community Action Partnership 419-332-2060 Emergency Housing Assistance program offers help for households that have had difficulty making mort-gage or rent payments due to COVID-19. Includes Lucas County (excluding City of Toledo).

RENT ASSISTANCE

FREE TAX PREPARATON

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT - MEET JANESE

Janese is a Peer Supporter Team Leader at TMWC. On any given day prior to the pandemic, you might find Janese coordinating activities in the clubroom, facilitat-ing Dual Recovery Anonymous meetings, assisting with the Garden Club, or whipping up a batch of treats in the center’s kitchen.

There’s not a lot Janese can’t do or won’t do for TMWC members or her coworkers. Currently, working from home, she continues her peer sup-port work by phoning members to check on their wellbeing and facili-tating group classes through teleconferencing.

“I feel my most important work right now is helping members stay connected with TMWC and helping keep them on track in their recovery,” says Janese. “I am continuously learning from our members,” she adds. “At the end of the day, I always walk away assured, knowing there is hope.”

For Janese, community starts when we are listening to one another. “It is so nice to have a place to go, where I can show up and just be myself. TMWC has really cre-ated a space where I can celebrate who I am,” she says. Janese has been coping during the pandemic by relying on other staff and members. “Here at TMWC we have been helping each other get through this. We have cre-ated a little nest of humanity through our caring well-ness calls, where we provide a safe space to talk about meaningful things,” she adds.

One thing Janese is grateful to the pandemic for is the opportunity for self-care. She spends time quilting and reconnecting with her large family through video chats and phone calls.

Janese is very passionate about helping others through personal development and finding solutions in recov-ery. “Coming to the TMWC has really been a light in my life and helped in my own recovery,” she says. “I am inspired by those moments when a member, through the connectivity of our community, develops a better understanding of themself and their recovery.”

You inspire those of us who work with you, Janese. Thank you for being YOU.

Engage Toledo If you have a concern with the City of Toledo or any of its services, contact Engage Toledo, your 24/7 customer service provider for all City of Toledo service requests and issues. Call 419-936-2020 to report issues requiring immediate attention, such as a water or sewer emergency, or anything pertaining to public safety. For anything that does not need immediate attention, you can email engagetoledo@toledo.oh.gov. PCs for People Available refurbished desktop and laptop computers for distribution to eligible recipients. Every desktop includes a mouse, a keyboard, power cords and monitor cords at no additional cost. For instructions on how to register, visit www.toledolibrary.org/pcsforpeople Free Legal Help

Call Legal Aid Line at 419/724-0460 or complete an online application: www.legalaidline.org. LAWO, ABLE, and the Toledo Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Services Program help with civil legal problems. All services are free. Some services are provided by telephone, by computer or by mail. Legal Aid does not handle criminal or traffic cases.

MORE GOOD TO KNOW

with blankets on my windows to shut out the light. The center and the staff changed that for me.”

In particular, Anthony enjoys the many activi-ties and classes offered by TMWC. He has made friends, and focused on his communication, leadership, and coping skills.

“Peer-support has really made a huge difference in how I see myself,” he says. “I have started fo-cusing on my dreams.”

Anthony has returned to writing, an activity he has al-ways enjoyed. Recently, he has written a book that tells his story. “I have learned from making friends at the center that everyone has their own story of recovery to tell,” he says. “If my story can offer hope to others, I will have made a difference to someone.”

ANTHONY’S STORY CONTINUED

Anthony (left) with fellow Garden Club member Theresa, watching the greenhouse being built.

THOMAS M. WERNERT CENTER For Mental Health Recovery & Support

208 W. Woodruff

Toledo, OH 43604 Phone: 419.242.3000

Fax: 419.242.0750

www.wernertcenter.org info@wernertcenter.org

Mission

To improve the quality of life for persons living with mental illness by offering hope and peer-driven

programs which address recovery through education, advocacy and peer support.

Vision

To be the most innovative peer-driven mental health recovery and support center.

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Toledo, OH

Permit No. 175

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

SUPPORTED BY

MAKE A CONTRIBUTION The Thomas M. Wernert Center (TMWC) is an Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services Certified Consumer Operated Service funded by the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, sponsorships, grants, and individual and corporate donors. If you would like to make a contribution, please visit our website at www.wernertcenter.org and complete the online form, or contact Patti Robb, Director, Development and Communications at 419-242-3000, ext. 112 or probb@wernertcenter.org. TMWC is a 501 (c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible, based upon IRS guidelines.

Join the Thomas M. Wernert Center Board of Trustees Lisa Urrutia - President Oswald Companies Laurie Beck - Vice President ProMedica George Monger, CPA - Treasurer William Vaughan Company Evamae LaVoy - Secretary Community Volunteer Mary Beth Alberti - Past President Arrowhead Behavioral Health Jenifer Brown - Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Taylor Burns - ABLE (Advocates for Basic Legal Equality) Amanda Denniss - Community Volunteer Warren Frary - Community Volunteer Georgia Humbarger - Community Volunteer Tammy Hochradel - Community Volunteer Theresa Nelson - Community Volunteer Wendy Shaheen - Community Volunteer Kelly A. Skinner - Executive Director

Get social with TMWC on

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a member of the Thom-as M. Wernert Center (TMWC), please contact Stacey at 419-242-3000, ext. 105 for more information. Please note that the TMWC is not a clinical agency. Peer support relationships are different from clinical relationships in that they are based on mutual sharing of lived experience with mental illness. Individuals can become an active member who participates in the many pro-grams, services, and activities we offer if they meet the following criteria:

• You must be 18 years of age or older.

• Live in Lucas County, Ohio.

• Have a diagnosed mental illness and are receiving mental health services

• Be ready to begin or expand your mental health recovery.