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NewsAugust 2006 THREE AREA BUSINESSES PULL TOGETHER TO GIVE KIDS IN CRISIS A PLACE TO PLAY
(Winslow) Thanks to the generosity of three area businesses, kids and teens in crisis have a new place to play when they spend a few days at Crisis & Counseling Centers’ Halifax House. Pike Industries, Inc., Gerald MacKenzie, Inc., and Bard Paving Construction Corporation have each contributed to the creation of a 50’x 50’ asphalt court that can be used for basketball and other sports. Halifax House, which opened in 1998, provides children and teens experiencing a mental health crisis with a place to stay for a short time, while they stabilize. During their stay, the residents work with staff on developing coping and communication skills. The youth and their families also receive therapeutic support to deal with their issues. Children and teens come to Halifax for a wide range of reasons. Some may have a history trauma, including abuse, and/or behavioral issues. Others may be severely depressed following the loss of or a change in a significant relationship. Whatever the case, Halifax House is a less costly and often more appropriate alternative to psychiatric hospitalization that provides round-the-clock care by a professional and caring staff. But sometimes, the best therapy may be something kids can best do for themselves – by being active and having fun. “Kids need a lot of different ways to express themselves, and until now, we’ve been limited in what to offer them in the way of physical activities during their stay with us,” said Michele Hylen, Director of Crisis Residential Services for Crisis & Counseling Centers. “The generosity of these local businesses has helped us to finally accomplish something the staff at the house has wanted to see in place for the kids for many years.” Pike Industries, which has local facilities in Sidney and Fairfield and is headquartered in Westbrook, donated the asphalt for the court. Jay Tuthill, Pike’s facilities manager, went to bat for the project, getting approval from Regional Manager Bob Robillard to donate the asphalt – under the condition that other local business would help out. The other two businesses jumped in. Last fall, contractor Gerald MacKenzie, Inc. donated the earth work, leveling the area and hauling in and laying down the gravel sub layer, with Brian LaPlante heading up the job. Steve and Shelly Bard of Bard Paving Construction Corporation completed the project with their work crew, by hauling in and laying the prepared asphalt. “In-kind donations, especially ones like these that add up to many thousands of dollars, have a bigger impact then is sometimes realized,” stated Crisis & Counseling Centers Development & PR Officer, Judi Watters. “Not only do we have this wonderful product that will provide great value to the kids who use it, but the money we saved – thanks to the businesses involved – can instead be directed into services. From the kids and families who use Halifax and from the staff and board of Crisis & Counseling Centers, we offer these community-minded partners our sincere thanks.”
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Two New Treatment Groups Offered: Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program and "Seeking Safety" Group for Women Crisis & Counseling Centers is offering two new treatment groups: ADOLESCENT INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM The Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (AIOP) for teens with substance abuse issues meets Mondays-Thursdays in the afternoon and is the only one of its kind in the Augusta area. Designed to be a four-week program, participants help to create an individualized treatment plan, participate in group meetings and, if appropriate, will have family members join them for meetings with a clinician. Some of the skill-building topics addressed in group sessions include Communication, Healthy Relationships, Dealing with Emotions, and Considering Consequences.
Teens will graduate from the AIOP if, during the four weeks of participation they:
"SEEKING SAFETY" The other group being offered is call "Seeking Safety," and is specifically for women who have developed a dependency on drugs or alchohol and who have experienced either physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect during their lives. Women who are motivated to be sober and who have experienced at least a brief period of abstinence have found that this group provides them with the tools and emotional support they need to make life-enhancing decisions. "Seeking Safety" meets mornings, Monday through Thursday, each week, at the Augusta office. For more information about either group or to schedule an intake, call the Consumer Care Coordinator at 626-3448.
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