Prosper Place Pioneer · Prosper Place, brightens up the room whenever he walks in at Prosper...

Issue 60, January 2020

Inside this issue:

Come Meet with Us Pg. 2

From the Desk of the Peer Board of Directors

Pg. 3

Peer Member of the Month Pg. 3

Message from the Program Manager Pg. 4

What’s New? Pg. 4

Winter Semester - Wellness Network Learning Community Courses

Pg. 5

Member Feature Pg. 6

Featured Community Events Pg. 7

Upcoming Events Pg. 8

What We Did…. Pg. 8

Christmas Dinner Celebration Pg. 9

Christmas Party and Gift Exchange Pg. 10

Favourite Christmas Activity Pg. 10

Acknowledgements Pg. 11

Acknowledgements Pg. 12

Feature of the Month Pg. 13

Recipe of the Month Pg. 14

Social Recreation Pg. 15

The Little Happiness Corner Pg. 16

Events Calendar Pg. 17

Menu Calendar Pg. 18

Prosper Place Pioneer

Created and published by members and staff of Prosper Place. Prosper Place is a peer-run organization for people living with the effects of mental illness.

10455 – 172 St. NW, Edmonton, AB, T5S 1K9 Phone: 780.426.7861 Fax: 780.426.7874

[email protected] | www.prosperplace.org

Prosper Place Pioneer Issue 60, January 2020

2

Meetings are a very important part of Prosper Place.

Meetings are open to members and staff.

Come join us for the opportunity to contribute to the team!

Come Meet With Us

DAILY MEETINGS

Unit Meeting

Daily at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm

Each unit holds a meeting for members and

staff to sign up and decide which tasks or

projects need to be worked on.

Announcements

Daily at 10:30 am

One free coffee, tea, or juice is available.

Announcements let everyone know what is

happening at Prosper Place. If you miss

announcements, you can catch up by reading

them on the ‘Communications Corner’ Board.

Come enjoy a coffee break with your

colleagues!

TEAM MEETINGS

• Fundraising Team

• Employment Team / Workshop Team

• Social Rec. / Special Events Team

• Newsletter Team

• Menu Planning Team

See events calendar for dates and times

of all our Team meetings.

NEW MEMBERS

Jamie Lee K Jeff E

Albert Z David B

SOCIAL RECREATION

Wednesdays 1:30 pm

Come join your friends and enjoy games,

cards, movies, crafts and so much more!

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in the Prosper Place Pioneer are those of the authors, not necessarily those of

Prosper Place. Please feel free to contact Prosper Place at 780.426.7861 with any questions or concerns.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Elizabeth M George T Sherry T Joy P Felicia L Conrad T Mary S Rosemary A Ace A Ciara M Darcy M

Lynette W Madeline C Louis Z Angele (Roy) S Terry E Mudar A Bernie G Darnell L Hadi E George J

Reminder : We will close on December 31,

2019 at 2:00 pm and January 1, 2020 for New

Years Day.


3

From the Desk of the Peer Board of Directors

We are the Peer Board of Directors. Prosper Place is focusing on being more peer lead. Peer and a Member are virtually indistinguishable. It simply means we are all in this together. We are equals who share in the leadership of our community. The individuals who currently sit on the Peer Board of Directors consist of Samantha, Jerred, Pauline, Michael, Tammy, and Colin. One of our newest endeavors is to renew the previously known Newsletter Door Prize into a more engaging Peer Member of the Month. This will be awarded monthly in recognition of outstanding achievement and personal contribution to Prosper Place. The nomination forms are available in the Canteen. Reasons for nominating a peer include criteria such as attendance, performing tasks well, initiative, following the Code of Conduct, being respectful, positivity, giving compliments, as well as taking part in activities. Once you have filled out the nomination form, simply give it to a staff. They will present the nominations to the Peer Board of Directors, who will then make the decision for who will be celebrated as the next Prosper Place Peer Member of the Month. Submitted by Jerred M. Peer Board Co-Chair

Peer Member of the Month Recognition January 2020 - ASIF S.

Peer members, Staff of Prosper Place and our supporters in the community. It is my great honor to announce to you our Peer Member of the Month for January, 2020. He is no other than everybody’s friend at Prosper Place, Mr. Asif S. He resoundingly met all the criteria for nomination as determined by his fellow peer members and as agreed by consensus of the Peer Board of Directors. Asif, as he is fondly called by the Peer Community at Prosper Place, brightens up the room whenever he walks in at Prosper Place, according to peer member Brian U. Peer member Paige W. was quick to add that Asif always makes her smile. As agreed by the Peer Board of Directors, the monthly Peer Member of the Month winners will receive a free meal at the fabulous Prosper Place Cafe. Asif is the first recipient of this coveted free meal. This recognition was decided by the Peer Board of Directors as an excellent but practical incentive for all the peer members to be their best at all times and abide by our Prosper Place Code of Conduct. Congratulations Asif! You are an inspiration to all the peer members at Prosper Place.

Submitted by Michael M.


4

Message from the Program Manager

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all

members and staff of Prosper Place for their accomplishments

over the last year. I am looking forward to a year of

new goals and challenges.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2020.

April Scott

Program Manager

What’s New?


5

Winter Semester Wellness Network Learning Community Courses

WRAP

Co-facilitators: Naomi and Yelena

Tuesday: January 7, 2020 – March 3, 2020

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Cooking Basics

Co-facilitators: April & Sam

Monday: February 3 – March 9, 2020

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Everyday Confidence

Co-facilitators: Colin & Pauline

Tuesday: February 18 – March 24, 2020

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Goal Setting

Co-facilitators: Jessica & Michael

Wednesday: February 19 – March 25, 2020

10:00 am – 12 noon

Leadership Series

Co-facilitators: Colin & Jerred

Thursday: February 6 – March 26, 2020

11:00 am – 12 noon (lunch break 12 noon – 12:30 pm); 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Creative Sandwiches

Co-facilitators: Andrew & Monique

Friday: March 6 – March 27, 2020

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

We are accepting registration for our Winter Semester courses. Spaces are limited so please register early!

Visit: wellnessnetworkedmonton.com for more information.

http://wellnessnetworkedmonton.com/




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Member Feature My Why……….

I have been living most of my entire life with mental illness. It was simply my normal. I believed

that everyone went to bed with the prayer “let me die before I wake..” I believe that because it

was normal for me that I could cope with it and I’m still here today.

A few weeks ago my doctor told me about Prosper Place. He felt it would be a good fit for me. I

had been so isolated for way too long. I talked to Lori on the phone and began to get really

excited. To go somewhere that I could be myself. A place where my mental illness didn’t make

me different. Somewhere that people would understand and not judge.

Of course as the first day to go got closer my anxiety, doubt and fear, plagued me near

constant, no matter what coping skills I used. I was tempted to call and cancel, but I knew that

my isolation wasn’t healthy and this was what I needed to do.

The night before my visit was a tough one for me. Little sleep, panic attacks and negative

thoughts kept me from getting much rest. I have learned a variety of coping skills and relaxation

techniques and believe me, I used them all.

My best friend came to pick me up and as soon as he saw me he said “Should you maybe think

of taking an Ativan?”

My reply…”I already did, so drive before I chicken out!”

Well l ended up making it through the orientation that day. I was thankful that it didn’t take

long and headed home. A couple of days later was my intake interview. I don’t think I slept

much at all the night before.

To my welcomed surprise, it went really well. Colin was nice and easy to talk to. We got off

topic many times. We had been talking for so long that someone called into his office curious as

to what was taking so long.

On my way home I was feeling really good for a change. I felt like I would enjoy going to Prosper

Place.

I’ve been going once a week for about a month or more now. I’m starting to feel more

comfortable and to my amazement I’m even remembering people’s names. I now look forward

to going and in the new year I plan on going a couple times a week.

It’s nice to have a place where people are accepting and non-judgmental. Somewhere that I feel

welcomed and appreciated for who I am. Where my life experience is valued and I feel safe to

express myself.

Submitted by Lisa L.


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Deep Freeze

Saturday, January 11th &

Sunday, January 12th, 2020

Embrace the cold northern climate

by enjoying artistic panache and

authentic cultural and heritage

winter games and fun.

Boardwalk Ice on Whyte

Thursday, January 23, 2020 to

Sunday February 2, 2020

Experience amazing ice sculptures as Boardwalk Ice On Whyte's hosts an international ice carving competition.

Admission: Family Pack (2 adults & 2 children) $20 Adults $7 Child $4 (2 to 13 years old) Under 2 free

Superhuman

Telus World of Science

Thursday, January 23, 2020

6:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Our bodies and brains are capable of incredible feats and

are the result of millions of years of evolution. Have a look

at new technologies and find out if a spider bite or

radiation can really give you superpowers! Admission: Adults only event $25.95

Featured Community Events


8

Christmas Tins Workshop

Christmas Cards

Workshop

Upcoming Events

Come join us for our HAWAIIAN Theme

New Year’s Celebration on January 8, 2020 from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

Dress in your best Hawaiian outfit, and celebrate 2020 Hawaiian Style!

“Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!”

Free appetizers will be served!

What We Did…


9

Christmas Dinner Celebration

December 19, 2019

A huge “THANK YOU” to Capilano Glass and Screens Ltd for your turkey donations. Christmas dinner at Prosper Place was delicious.

Our annual Christmas dinner was amazing and a lot of fun! We had a huge dinner of turkey and ham with all the trimmings. We also had a choice between pumpkin or apple pie for dessert!

Thank you to everyone that showed up and participated in the event. Merry Christmas!!!

Submitted by Paige W.


10

Christmas Party and Gift Exchange December 23, 2019

“THANK YOU” so much to our Secret Santa for your generous donations to Prosper Place!

A day full of laughter, love and good cheer with family and friends as we celebrated with delicious food, games and our gift exchange.

What is your favourite Christmas activity? Submitted by Nikita W.

My favourite Christmas activity is opening Christmas presents on Christmas day with family and going to Christmas parties. I also asked some members about their favourite Christmas activity. Paige: Opening Christmas gifts with family on Christmas Day.

Curtis: Attending Christmas parties.

May: Eating Christmas treats and singing Christmas carols.

Brent: Putting up the Christmas tree.

Adel: Gift wrapping.


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Acknowledgments

Thank you to the St Thomas Anglican Church women!

On November 20, 2019 Prosper Place representatives drove to Sherwood Park and attended the

St. Thomas Anglican Church Women’s 19th annual Christmas dinner. Lori, Sam, and Colin gave a

presentation after we enjoyed a holiday delicious feast. The food was outstanding, and the

Anglican women were warm and welcoming.

Sam, Peer Board of Directors co-chair and part-time staff member, shared her story of lived

experience and gave a stellar presentation. Colin and Lori talked about Prosper Place and some

of the ways we are evolving into an organization of vibrant peer culture and excellence.

We were invited to attend the event by Trish Downing, a long-time friend of Prosper Place and a

member of the women’s group. Donations to Prosper Place were collected that evening.

On December 9, 2019, 3 women from St Thomas: Trish, Vicki, and Brenda, came to Prosper Place

for a tour and they presented a generous donation on behalf of the women’s group.

Thank you St. Thomas Anglican Church Women’s group for your kindness and generosity! You

embody the spirit of giving and sharing. We are so grateful for your gift.


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Acknowledgments

Congratulations!

Thank you to all our students who participated in our Wellness Network Learning Community Courses – Fall Semester. Several courses (Cooking Basics, Creative Sandwiches, Everyday Confidence, Goal Setting, Writing for Recovery and WRAP) were delivered and these are some feedback you shared:

We are so proud of your achievement – congratulations!! It’s not too late to sign up for our

Winter semester – see page 5 for more details!


13

Feature of the Month: New Beginnings, New Opportunities

Submitted by Jerred M.

"Forgiveness means giving up the hope for a better past." -Rev. Don Felt

To quote the timeless New Year song and Robert Frost, "should auld acquaintance be forgot"?

This question can even be asked about our 'past self', not just people who are no longer in our

lives. Every year is a new opportunity to grow. A clean slate. We owe it to ourselves to still carry

forward the lessons we have learned, but also learn to forgive ourselves.

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust

the action steps."

-Confucius

Some people like the idea of resolutions, some don't. But the fact remains that whether we want

to set explicit goals or not, we have the opportunity to begin a fresh year. The phrase 'New Year,

New Me' has become cliché, and comes with a problem. It isn't a new us. We are still the same

people. It is our potential for 2020 that is renewed.


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Chocolate Velvet Dessert

• 1-1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs • 2 tablespoons sugar • 1/4 cup butter, melted • 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips • 6 egg yolks • 1-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened • 3 cups confectioners' sugar • 3 tablespoons baking cocoa • 3 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk

• In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 1-1/2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

• In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Cool. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, cream and vanilla. Gradually stir a small amount of mixture into melted chocolate until blended; gradually stir in remaining mixture. Pour into crust.

• Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

• In a large bowl, combine the butter, confectioners' sugar, cocoa and enough milk to achieve a piping consistency. Using a large star tip, pipe frosting on dessert.

https://amzn.to/2LlenxW





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Social Recreation

The excitement of Snakes and Ladders! Even Chef Andrew joins in on the fun!

We find some talented singers during Karaoke!

Social Recreation is held every Wednesday at 1:30 pm


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Poetry

Puzzle

The Little Happiness Corner

Colouring

New Beginnings

This Canadian home

We call Prosper Place

Is fresh and alive

New beginnings

Come with past renewal

As 2020 preludes

A new decade is upon us

Remember what you fought so hard for

To get to where you are today

The cool winds of change are howling in the night

Waiting for us to take the reigns

And walk with our heads high

And light shining so bright

Written by Brent W.

Jokes


17

January 2020 - Events Calendar Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4

CLOSED

NEW YEARS DAY

Clubhouse Coffee Club

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Tim Horton’s on

Jasper Avenue & 107 Street

6 7 8 9 10 11

Menu Planning

10:00 am

Newsletter Meeting

1:30 pm

Workshop Meeting

11:00 am

WRAP

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Conversations - Prosper Place

10:45 am - 11:45 am

New Years Celebration

Hawaiian Theme

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm


1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Tim Horton’s on


13 14 15 16 17 18

Newsletter Meeting

1:30 pm

WRAP

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm


10:45 am - 11:45 am

Social Rec -

Monopoly 1:30 pm

MCCollege Haircuts

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Social Rec/Special Events

Meeting 11:00 am

Microsoft Word Workshop

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm


1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Tim Horton’s on


20 21 22 23 24 25

Newsletter Meeting

1:30 pm

WRAP

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm


10:45 am - 11:45 am

Social Rec - Cribbage

Tournament 1:30 pm


1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Tim Horton’s on


27 28 29 30 31

Newsletter Meeting

1:30 pm

Fundraising Meeting

11:00 am

WRAP

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm


10:45 am - 11:45 am

Social Rec - Giant Word

Search 1:30 pm

Movie and Popcorn Day

10:00 am - 12:00 pm


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January 2020 – Monthly Menu Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 2 3

CLOSED

New Years Day

Lunch: Shepherd’s Pie

Supper: Gnocchi in cream

sauce

Lunch: Leftovers

6 7 8 9 10

Lunch: Soup and Sandwich Lunch: Taco Salad

Supper: Rice Jambalaya

New Years Celebration:

Lunch: Free appetizers

Lunch: Open faced Roast Beef

Supper: Shake and Bake

Chicken w/ Macaroni Salad

Lunch: Leftovers

13 14 15 16 17

Lunch: Soup and Sandwich Lunch: Pancakes and Sausage

Supper: Chicken Caesar Wrap

and Fries

Lunch: Burger & Salad Lunch: Mac and Cheese

Supper: Smokies and perogies

Lunch: Leftovers

20 21 22 23 24

Lunch: Soup and Sandwich

Lunch: Individual Pizza

Supper: Meatloaf

Lunch: Burger & Fries Lunch: Hot Dogs, Baked Beans

and Salad

Supper: Chili Meal Deal

Lunch: Leftovers

27 28 29 30 31

Lunch: Soup and Sandwich

Lunch: Chicken Fingers

Supper: Pork Stir-fry

Lunch: Burger & Fries Lunch: Eggs Benedict and Ham

Supper: Spaghetti and

Meatballs

Lunch: Leftovers

Soups are $1.00. Lunches are $4 or less. Regular Suppers are $5 or less. Holiday Suppers are $6 or less.

Prosper Place Pioneer · Prosper Place, brightens up the room whenever he walks in at Prosper...

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