M e n t a l H e a l t hS y s t e m smhs

Mariposa Clubhouse Inspiration560 Greenbrier Drive Suite C-E

Oceanside, CA 92054 760 439-2785

Inside this issue:Dan K.......................... 1&2

Katie G........................ 2&3

Latasha W......................... 3

Bread of Life..................... 4

Funnies............................. 7

Groups & Activities........ 8

Mariposa Inspiration Staff

Senior Editor - Dan K

Contributing Editors - Rosemary K, Margie P, Janet M, Steve M.

Photographer - Dan K

Graphic Designer - Ryan P

Daniel Kasperick is an important mem-ber not only of the Mariposa Clubhouse, but the recovery culture of all North County. His most recent achievement was a speech given to over one hundred members of the Mental Health community at the Tri-City Medical Centers’ Fight the Darkness cam-paign to share information about brain dis-orders. Dan gave a first hand expression of his battle with mental illness, a twenty five year ordeal. He has been a part of Mariposa Clubhouse for several years. He was initially brought to the group by his mother when he was new to the North County area. He learned to ride the bus system on his own. He learned to take the 101 to the Sprint-er to Crouch Street and back to Carlsbad where his mom has a home. After a while living there he became a regular facet of the Mariposa scene. Dan would volunteer for anything and everything, believing that staying busy and making a contribution is a virtue to be strived for on a daily basis.Dan tries to make every day a great day for everyone he meets. His nick name is Kaz. and he takes pride in trying to learn each member’s name. Dan is upset when he can’t remember to greet members by their name as a way to make the Clubhouse a place where they feel recognized, welcomed and loved. It wasn’t always happy and joyous. Dan struggles with both schizophrenia and bi-polar illness. He also has a diagnosis of Ob-sessive Compulsive Disorder and Post Trau-matic Stress Disorder. However, he refuses to be identified as an illness. There were times when he was so alienated and beaten down that he could barely walk around the neigh-borhood, let alone make a contribution to society. With the help of a friendly staff, he was both supported and allowed to prosper

and blossom into the Mariposa Community. With the hiring of Kim McNaughton-Hume as Program Director, his contributions were recognized and rewarded. Dan was hired on as a Peer Support Specialist after passing the Peer Employment Training. His job re-quirements involve facilitating meetings, in particular the Mariposa Inspiration News-letter and NAMI Connections Meetings. What Dan is probably most well known for is his friendship bracelets. The theme of the jewelry is peace and love to anyone and ev-eryone he meets. Dan makes the bracelets by hand and has created literally thousands of them which he distributes free of charge. Although some people have said he should sell them, Dan opts not to. “You wouldn’t give a Christmas gift to someone, then turn around and ask for a couple of bucks.” he says.

March 2014 Volume 2, Issue 2

Dan K. Shares His Story In Song

Dan K. & Katie G. Celebrate Halloween Smiles

Home Office:9465 Farnham Street,San Diego, CA 92123P (858) 573-2600F (858) 573-2602mhsinc.org

M e n t a l H e a l t hS y s t e m smhs

Brandy by Janet M.

We have a dog named Bran-dyOh! she is so dandyShe’s always near to calm my fearAnd comfort me when I am feeling downShe’s as funny as a clownAnd she doesn’t bark that muchI guess that’s just her tem-peramentShe’s not for sale or rentAnd I think she’s just who I needTo be a companion by my sideWhen I am lonely, sad or want to hide She is a happy, vibrant dogAnd I don’t want to lose her in the pea soup fogMeet Brandy, she’s so dandy!

Katie Gil, is our Lead Generalist here at the Mariposa Clubhouse. Katie has been here for over three years this February. She helps out every member with their situations. The best thing, Katie says, are serving the members here, and the dai-ly interactions she has with them. “This is a place of recovery for people who come here to improve their lives. I put a smile on everybody’s face. It’s nice to be able to help people that are reaching out.”Katie grew up east of Malibu and par-ticipated in sports and extra-curricular activities while in junior high and high school. She played volleyball in her ju-nior high school and was on the volley-ball and swim teams in high school. She was also a member of the softball team.Katie started to oil paint at 5 years old and also took ballet, and gymnastics class-es. She would go places far away on her roller blades and skateboard. She took the beach bus down to the beach fre-

quently. Katie also did rock climbing and snowboarding while in high school.She went to Northern Arizona Univer-sity in Flagstaff and spent a lot of time in the Grand Canyon. Katie’s minor was En-vironmental Studies and she went back-packing and camping on the weekends. She also went horseback riding quite of-ten and joined the Girl Scouts. After she graduated college, Katie taught at Whis-keytown Environmental School, where she led fifth and six graders on short hikes.Katie also lived in Lake Tahoe. She par-ticipated in white water kayaking and snowboarding while she was there.Kate likes to hang out with friends and family and goes camping of-ten. She has a sister name Kim.

Dan is accessible and kind and is deter-mined to change the world one friendship bracelet and smile at a time. His leadership is palpable and he has many pals at the clubhouse. He is involved with his church where he sings in the choir. Dan enjoys the Carlsbad Drum Circle every first and third Sunday. Danno loves going to see live musical performances In his spare time, he enjoys creating pieces of art, writing songs and going to the beach. He is also a pub-lished author of short stories and poems. Dan has written 5 books over the years and has gone into the music studio to record 3 Compact Disks. He has two websites on the internet, Unionoftheheart.org and dankas-perick.com. He is also easily found on You Tube where some of his concert footage re-sides. Dan loves to spend time with friends

and is an active member of NAMI North County. His favorite food is anything home made. His favorite musician is Van Morri-son and he loves old folk music, especially Irish and English folk ballads. Dan tries to exercise every day with a walk to the beach or around town. He lost over 100 pounds over the past two years with proper diet and exercise. He has a support team known as Team Kaz, made up of family, therapists and friends. He relies on them for guid-ance and direction. On the upside, Dan is a friendly and engaging person who loves and cares for many. Rock on Kaz, rock on!!!

Katie’s other hobbies are photogra-phy, graphic design, artwork and music. While in college, Katie worked in sum-mer camps. She has also worked with the students on communication skillsShe discovered the Clubhouse through a friend who worked for Mental Health Sys-tems. Katie Gil is a valuable member of the Mariposa Clubhouse team. She is able to accomplish a multitude of tasks daily. She is wise and knowledgeable, capable under the most compli-cated situation and always has a beautiful smile to share with everyone she encounters. Kate is a lifesaver under pressure and exemplifies the model of a helping, caring, compassion-ate, valuable leader each day she’s at the Clubhouse. She can be counted on for achievement and peace under difficult cir-cumstances. Thank you Katie, we couldn’t do it without you!

Katie G. Is Sunshine, Roses, Quiet, Strength & Happiness To Everyone She Meets

Latasha Whitecloud 1957-2013

The Mariposa Clubhouse lost one of it’s most cher-ished members with the passing of Latasha White Cloud in the Autumn of 2013. A memorial service was held shortly after her death and it was attended by over 30 Mariposa members and community mem-bers who’s lives had been touched by this gentle and quiet soul. Latasha was an artist, a daily attendant at Mariposa and led a deeply spiritual existence. Her family was very important to her and she cherished the time she spent with them. Latasha was a gener-

ous and peaceful human being and will be missed terribly.

9,000 people a month are served by the Oceanside Bread of Life. Many are homeless or in desperate straits of some kind. The program is run by Dr. Alan Lauer & Pastor Steve Bassett. Their goal to get folks out of the cycle of homeless-ness by getting visitors off the streets and back into produc-tive members of society. Year round, shelters distribute food and clothing for all those in need. Their office is open from 9am-7pm and is located at 1919 Apple Street Oceanside, CA 92054. Hot meals are served to those who qualify for a Bread of life card (BOL) and again from 4:30pm-6:00pm. On the First & Third Tuesdays food boxes are distribut-

ed, first Tuesday & last Thursday of the month are parking lot dis-tribution days. Intake times ini-tiate paper work. Drug tests are re-quired but there is no requirement

to attend any spiritual meetings or devotional times. From December 1st to March 31st, Bread of Life provides emer-gency housing for those living outside during the coldest months of the year. They have 18 beds for women and 32 beds for men. They open their doors at 5:00pm and close at 7:00pm. Those who spend the night there must leave at 7:00am the next day. Bags of food, eggs, canned goods, produce and whatever is available for distribution are passed out the first and third Thursdays from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Food is donated to B.O.L. from the San Di-ego Food Bank and Feeding America Program. Other contributions come from Ralphs, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Fresh & Easy, and Walmart all contribute to the cause.

Danny W. brings in supplies Chelsey L. helps out in the kitchen

Kimberly D. lends a hand

Dr. Alan leads the Bread of Life Team

Bread Of Life Offers Hope To The hopeful

Chris M. & Karen B. pick up food from Bread of Life

Ellie Mae T. sorts through delivered food

Boxes of food are delivered from Bread of Life

L o a d s o f f r e s h b r e a d a r e d e l i v e r e d s e v e r a l t i m e s a w e e k f r o m B . O . L

The Bread of Life is a consistent donor to the Mari-posa Clubhouse. Several days a week, they provide boxes of left over bread. This means that the Club-house can use these goods to make fresh breakfasts and lunches at little cost for her members. Mariposa is extremely grateful for the generosity of Dr. Alan, Pastor Steve and their team of volunteers. You help us not only save money for our other needs, but pro-vide a glimmer of goodness with your aid and posi-tive mission to help those in need in our community.

Fun &

GamesTony S. Takes Aim

Richard A. Lines Up A Shot

Edward M. shows Steven B. how to really play checkers

Scott W. Chairman of the board enjoys an ice cream cone,

Ursula L. always has time for a smile

Funnies

What is the one thing the short-order cook hates to make?

Mis-Steaks

What do nutritionists call Mc-Donalds French Fries?

The Golden Starches

What do best friends from Idaho call each other?

Potato Buds

Eddie J. plays his golden horn as the Winter sun sets on the Carlsbad drum Circle

Mariposa Clubhouse Groups, Meetings and Activities

Monday8:15am Meditation Group10:00am Community Meeting11:00am Newspaper Production12:00pm Self Esteem1:00pm Anger Management1:00-3:00pm Education & Employment

Tuesday8:15am Meditation Group9:00am Art Therapy10:00am Community Meeting11:00am Wham Wellness1:00-3:00pm Ongoing Recovery Group

Wednesday8:15am Meditation Group9:30am Community Meeting12:00pm NAMI Connections2:15pm Women’s Meeting2:15pm Men’s Meetiing

Thursday8:15am Meditation Group10:00am Community Meeting10:00am CAB Meeting (Last Thursday)10:00am Grief and Loss12:00pm Book Club Luncheon2:00pm Power of Positive Thinking2:15pm Flow with the Music (4th)

Friday8:15am Meditation Group10:00am Community Meeting11:00am Scot’s Training12:00pm Luncheon Social Club1:00pm 12-Step Dual Diagnosis Recovery2:15pm Members Choice