Faith Team Offers Support
Did you know that—with more than 80,000 Bosnians—St. Louis is the home to the largest non-native Bosnian population in the world?
Or that 120,000 foreign-born people, representing 90 nationalities, call St. Louis their home? Or that of these people, many—up to 9,000—are refugees who experienced torture or war trauma in their native countries?
The need for intensive, culturally sensitive mental health treatment led to the founding of PfP's Faith Team. That community support team is passionately committed to not only serving this specialized population but also to ensuring all community service providers know where to turn for help if they encounter a foreign-born person in need of mental health care.
To educate its peers about the growing population of refugees, the Faith Team helped organize “From Mental Health to Healing,” a conference about the experiences of torture survivors and the best practices for treatment. The event was held at the Holocaust Museum in St. Louis on United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which is observed on June 26 each year.
“The target audience of the event was mental health professionals who have not yet come into contact or worked closely with refugees/torture survivors,” PfP Refugee Services Coordinator Ron Klutho said of the event.
Conference attendees heard stories of people like Hamdija.
In 1996, Hamdija, a Bosnian refugee, arrived in St. Louis directly from six months in a concentration camp in Serbia. Eventually he sought help for recurring nightmares about his time in the concentration camp. That’s when he was introduced to Places for People’s Faith Team.
The Faith Team, which provided services to 304 people from 33 countries last year, connected Hamdija to a doctor who prescribed medication to ease the nightmares. He was also supported in his decision to pursue citizenship—with the Faith Team linking him to a private tutor and a volunteer citizenship preparation group. Two years ago, he became an American citizen.
The Faith Team, said Klutho, wanted to share its expertise and ensure health care providers were aware of the resources available from PfP and other organizations.
“All of us in St. Louis will come in contact with this population,” he added.
Klutho and PfP immigration attorney Courtney Manus organized the conference. Sponsors included PfP, St. Louis Mental Health Board, Center for Survivors of Torture & War Trauma, Family Care Health Center, Assisted Recovery Centers of America, National Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse – St. Louis Area, Bilingual International Assistance Services, and the Saint Louis Holocaust Museum.
This event featured four panels, each dealing with a different topic, ranging from barriers to treatment to challenges facing second-generation survivors. The panels included a variety of voices—both medical professionals from several organizations and those with firsthand knowledge of torture, including keynote speaker Dr. Judita Hruza, who is a Holocaust survivor.
“We plan to make this an annual event, with a different focus each year, but dealing with refugees,” Klutho said.
Click here to read more about the Faith Team.
Don’t Delay – Get Your Early Bird Registration in for
PFP’s 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Time is running out to reap the benefits of early bird registration for Places for People’s 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament.
Be sure to submit your registration before August 1 to take advantage of these early bird specials:
-
33% off Bronze Sponsorship – only $1,000
-
20% off individual registration – only $200
-
20% off team registration – only $800
This year’s tournament will be held Friday, September 21, 2012, at the beautiful Missouri Bluffs Golf Club in St. Charles. The day includes lunch, a four-person scramble, a buffet dinner, silent auction and awards presentation. It’s one of our favorite days of the year, so mark your calendar to join in the fun!
Click here or call the PfP Development Deparment at 314.535.2310 to learn more about registration, sponsorships and benefits.
Hope to see you at the first tee!
Places at Page Provides Opportunities
The beautifully restored structure at Places at Page provides more than shelter to its residents; it also provides opportunities.
Since opening last November at 5235 Page Boulevard, Places at Page has balanced residents' desire for independence and privacy with the assurance and assistance offered by 24/7, on-site staff. The residents of the building’s 23 apartment units are all taking remarkable steps toward recovery.
One tenant, who came to Places at Page directly from homelessness at tent city has recently enrolled in classes at Forest Park Community College. He is also excited to work with our on-site staff to develop daily living skills such as cooking and cleaning.
Another resident came to Places at Page from homelessness. The stability of having her own apartment has allowed her to return to work. For the past four months, she has consistently worked part-time at a restaurant chain.
A growing family now calls Places at Page home. About two months ago, a young couple who resides at Places at Page welcomed a healthy baby boy. The parents are not only proud, but also grateful to have the opportunity to raise a child in a supportive environment, rather than on the streets. They are receiving parenting education and support services from on-site staff.
“These are significant accomplishments. They illustrate powerfully what is possible for people with serious mental illnesses when the proper supports are in place,” said PfP Executive Director Joe Yancey.
The efforts at Places at Page were recognized recently with two prestigious awards.
On May 3, Places for People’s was honored with a “What’s Right with the Region Award” from FOCUS St. Louis for 2012 in the category of “Improving Racial Equality and Social Justice.” The program was one of 20 individuals and organizations to be honored by FOCUS St. Louis.
The rehabilitation of the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, earned Places at Page a 2012 Landmarks Association of St. Louis Most Enhanced Award at an event held on May 24. It was one of 11 rehabilitation projects honored at the ceremony.
“We are grateful to all of our partners who helped to design, develop, fund, and construct this supported housing project that serves people with great needs but also great potential,” said Yancey.
Please click here to read more about the awards on our website.
PfP Supporters Receive A-List Recognition
St. Louis Magazine recently released its A-List issue, which recognizes the area’s finest. We’d like to congratulate several PfP supporters for making the 2012 A-List!
Congratulations to all! We’re proud to be supported by the best of the best in St. Louis! Look for these winners and more in the July 2012 edition of St. Louis Magazine.
|
