Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.

Urgent Message Regarding Dr. Karen Kangas Award Nominations

2011-11-17T13:21:00.000-05:00

Due to an error with the online submission processing, any nominations for the 2011 Dr. Karen Kangas Award entered through our website prior to November 17th were not received. The problem has now been fixed, but we have no way of retrieving nominations submitted before November 17th.

We are extremely sorry for this situation, but in order to have the person you nominated considered for this prestigious award, you will need to resubmit your nomination. You can resubmit your nomination through the Dr. Kangas Award Nominations page at www.mindlink.org/kk_award_2011.html.

We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. Thank you for taking the time to resubmit your nomination.

"Music for Our Time" Fundraiser

2011-05-26T22:26:00.000-04:00

The Voice Studio of Adele Paxton will be performing "Music for Our Time," a fundraiser to benefit Advocacy Unlimited...

Music for Our Time
~ A program to benefit AU ~
Sunday, June 19, 2011
4:00 pm
- at -
St. James Church
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT

See www.mindlink.org/res_ctr_events.html#fundraiser for directions and more info.

Job Opening at AU

2010-09-02T13:06:00.000-04:00

Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. has a part-time opening for an Hispanic Outreach Coordinator. Visit www.mindlink.org for details.

AU's 2nd Annual Fundraiser

2010-09-02T13:01:00.000-04:00

AU is proud to be an official charity of the ING Hartford Marathon again this year as part of AU's 2nd Annual Fundraiser. Visit AU's website for more details!

2010-07-13T16:51:00.002-04:00

ADA 20th Anniversary Celebration
The ADA Coalition of Connecticut cordially invites you to “The ADA at 20: Dreams Delivered, Dreams Deferred” on July 26th at the LOB in Hartford.

Honorary chairperson and keynote speaker is Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., former Connecticut Governor, U.S. Senator, and a chief architect of the ADA. See ADA 20th Anniversary for more information.

2010-03-12T11:30:00.004-05:00

Advocacy Unlimited's Recovery University Course – a training and certification program for Recovery Support Specialists. New dates announced! The dates for the next full session of the RU Training and Certification Course, as well as the next Refresher Courses, have just been posted. For details and complete information, see Recovery University.

2009 ING Hartford Marathon

2009-09-21T12:33:00.001-04:00

WOW! 19 days until race day. I always get a little sad at the end because I feel like I should have run faster or should have eaten better. I guess I will not be allowed to be an elite runner. I hope to see everyone at Bushnell Park on October 10, 2009, it will be a great day of fun. Visit AU Official Charity for 2009 Hartford Marathon.

Recovery University - 2nd Session Starting!

2009-09-21T12:15:00.004-04:00

Advocacy Unlimited is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the 2nd session of Recovery University classes. Recovery University is a training and certification program for Recovery Support Specialists, Peer Delivered Services.

Classes will begin on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at Beers Hall on the CVH campus in Middletown, CT. Classes will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm, every Thursday until December 10, 2009 (no class on Thanksgiving Day). Please submit your application ASAP -- seats are limited! For complete details, visit Recovery University on AU's website.

Volunteers Needed

2009-09-04T14:04:00.005-04:00

Advocacy Unlimited needs help during the Hartford Marathon on Saturday, October 10th. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our office at (860) 667-0460‎ and ask for Linda. Thank you!

Words of Encouragement

2009-09-04T14:02:00.000-04:00

“ The big day is approaching and my goals have changed. Speed is not my concern, fun is. I tried a couple of speed runs, my old injury from the marathon started acting up, I have black toe and I am getting tired. Is this a sign of old age? Am I really coming to the end of my running ? NO! I always get really tired and discouraged at the end of my training but I never give up!”

Running for Recovery Update

2009-08-05T16:20:00.002-04:00

"My running has been wonderful ! This morning was like running in molasses, it is so humid outside. My left leg has been bothering me and I am hoping that the tightness goes away before my long run on Friday, keep your fingers crossed. If you have any suggestions, please send them to llentini@mindlink.org."

Running for Recovery Update

2009-07-22T12:13:00.010-04:00

Linda reports from yesterday:

"Good rainy afternoon! I had to wear my hat today because of the rain. I always wonder what people are thinking about when they see a person running in the rain. I will give you updates about my sprinting after Wednesday's session. Sprinting is really important to remind my legs that I have to kick it in high gear at the end."

REMEMBER, THERE ARE 4 WAYS TO SUPPORT AU:

●Join us as a volunteer on October 10
●Make a contribution through http://www.mindlink.org
●Donate using Mastercard or Visa through www.active.com/donate/Advocacyunlimited
●Invite your friends and family to contribute!

Bazelon Center Releases Report on Olmstead Challenges Ahead

2009-07-20T13:18:00.015-04:00

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has just released "Still waiting...The Unfulfilled Promise of Olmstead: A call to action." The publication commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court's historic decision establishing the right to services in the most integrated setting.

Main points of the report include:

States must determine how many people with disabilities are served in unnecessarily segregated settings and what community-based services are necessary to support reintegration and recovery. They then must shift funding from institutions to community-based services.
Implementing Olmstead programs through health care reform would save billions of taxpayer dollars by making essential community services available to people with mental illnesses.
Often pressured by profit-making providers, states continue to waste valuable resources by placing people with mental illnesses in costly, ineffective institutional settings. The cost of a supportive apartment is one eighth that of state hospital care, just over a third of the cost in a board-and-care facility.
It is critical to promote Supreme Court and other judicial nominees who have an understanding of and intention to uphold Olmstead, the ADA and other civil rights laws.

“On this pivotal anniversary of Olmstead, we must take a hard look at what really needs to be accomplished to adequately serve millions of people with mental illnesses so that they receive the most integrated care possible. We are encouraged by President Obama’s statement of commitment on Monday to Olmstead’s civil rights and community integration mandates, and we hope that the release of this report spurs additional action,” said Robert Bernstein, Ph. D, executive director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.

To download a copy of the report, please click here.

Running for Recovery Update

2009-07-16T09:09:00.008-04:00

Hartford Marathon

October 13, 2007

image: Bill Jankowski

Linda reports:

"One of my goals for the race is to finish with a time of 1:45 - that would take 10 minutes off last year. I talked to my husband and asked him to get a stopwatch and time me. We are going to the track tonight, after I run my scheduled 4 miles, and I'll practice sprinting. I will let you know my time for the 100 yard dash and we can track my progress together . . ."

(Linda promises to explain to us why sprints are an important part of training for a marathon!)

Running for Recovery Update

2009-07-10T12:25:00.018-04:00

For the next twelve weeks, Grants Manager and Director of Training for Recovery University Linda Lentini will be sending in periodic updates on her training for the October ING Hartford Marathon. You can also follow her on our Twitter feed.

Linda Lentini - She's smiling today!

"Well, training starts tomorrow and I have planned my routes in my head. It is really amazing how much time and energy goes into training for a half marathon. The race only takes about 2 hours but the training can take months. I am really excited and I cannot wait to share all it with you!"

If you have any questions for Linda about her training, you can email her directly at llentini@mindlink.org. We'll post her answers here.

REMEMBER, THERE ARE 4 WAYS TO HELP AU:

●Join us as a volunteer on October 10
●Make a contribution through http://www.mindlink.org
●Donate using Mastercard or Visa through www.active.com/donate/Advocacyunlimited
●Invite your friends and family to contribute!

AU Celebrates Fourth Hispanic Graduation at Hartford Foundation

2009-07-09T16:50:00.017-04:00

Advocacy Unlimited held its Fourth Hispanic Graduation at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving on Wednesday, July 8 from 2-4. The ceremony honored graduates of AU’s Advocacy Education class, a 14-week course for persons in recovery from psychiatric disabilities and/or co-occurring disorders.

2009 Hispanic Mi Casa Class

This class, taught entirely in Spanish at Mi Casa Family Services in Hartford, was funded as part of a multi-year grant from the Hartford Foundation to create a Hispanic Initiative that expands Advocacy Unlimited’s service to Greater Hartford’s Latino community.

Annette Deonarine, AU Director of Education and Latino Initiative and Pete Rosa, Program Officer, Hartford Foundation

The keynote speaker was Pete Rosa, Program Officer, Hartford Foundation. Other speakers included Jorge L. Rivera, Founder and Executive Director, Mi Casa Family Services and Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., Ph.D., DMHAS Commissioner.

Jorge L. Rivera, Founder and Executive Director, Mi Casa Family Services

Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., Ph.D., DMHAS Commissioner, addresses the graduates.

Commissioner Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., Ph.D. (center), John Sims,
President of AU's Board of Director and Dr. Karen A. Kangas, AU’s Executive Director

At the ceremony, John Sims, President of AU Board's of Directors, presented Commissioner Kirk with The Karen Kangas Excellency in Advocacy Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of mental health and substance use disorders.

AU would like to congratulate the graduates and especially recognize Annette Deonarine, Director of Education and the Latino Initiative, for successfully leading the class and for tremendous work and dedication to this class and to all her students.

Also visit Advocacy Unlimited Celebrates 38th Graduation Ceremony at the DMHAS website!

Save the Date: "Recovery Through a New Lens"

2009-07-06T14:30:00.006-04:00

Co-Occurring Concerns:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery
Educational Forum

September 2, 2009

co-sponsors:
Advocacy Unlimited, Hartford Recovery Community Center
and Women’s & Children’s Program Connection Inc.

guest speakers:
Julienne Giard, MSW, Co-Occurring Project Manager,
CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)
and Paul Acker, InterCommunity Mental Health

time:
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
doors open at 9:30 am)

location:
Hartford Recovery Community Center
198 Wethersfield Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114

space is limited
light refreshments will be served

for more information or to RSVP, please contact Lyne Stokes,
Program Director, Advocacy Unlimited, at 860-667-0460 or
at lstokes@mindlink.org.

Running for Recovery: Training for the ING Hartford Marathon

2009-07-06T13:06:00.015-04:00

Today, Linda reports:

"These are the sneakers that will be on my feet for the next 12 or so weeks. As a runner, I have to plan my sneakers around my training. I was able to run 10 miles on Friday for fun, and now I need to do some speed runs. More later this week!"

If you have any questions for Linda about her training, you can email her directly at llentini@mindlink.org. We'll post her answers here.

REMEMBER, THERE ARE 4 WAYS TO HELP AU:

●Join us as a volunteer on October 10
●Make a contribution through AU's Website
●Donate using Mastercard or Visa through www.active.com/donate/Advocacyunlimited
●Invite your friends and family to contribute!

Advocacy Unlimited Celebrates 38th Graduation Ceremony & Fourth Hispanic Graduation

2009-07-02T08:43:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to the graduating students of the 2009 Hispanic Mi Casa class, the fourth AU course taught entirely in Spanish!

To recognize and honor these courageous individuals as they begin their journey as AU Advocates, a commencement ceremony will be held on

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 2:00 - 4:00 pm 

- at -

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving 
10 Columbus Blvd, 8th Floor
Hartford, CT 06106  

The commencement ceremony will feature keynote speaker Pete Rosa, Program Officer, Hartford Foundation. Other speakers will include Jorge L. Rivera, Founder and Executive Director, Mi Casa Family Services, and Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., Ph.D., DMHAS Commissioner.

A complimentary reception will follow the commencement activities.

AU has held 54 Advocacy Education Courses throughout Connecticut since its founding in 1994. Over 390 students in recovery from psychiatric disabilities or co-occurring disorders have graduated from the Advocacy Education Course and become AU Advocates.

Click here for directions to the Hartford Foundation and for parking information.

* * * * * *

For more information about the Advocacy Education Course, visit http://www.mindlink.org/ed_overview.html

For information about Spanish-language classes, visit http://www.mindlink.org/espanol/default.html

Schizophrenia linked for first time to chromosome region

2009-07-02T08:32:00.006-04:00

From Stanford University School of Medicine:

"Researchers at Stanford and 14 other institutions carried out a study of common DNA variations throughout the genome, and then combined forces with two independent studies to complete a pooled analysis of 27,000 individuals. The largest genetic differences between the study participants with and without schizophrenia were found on a stretch of chromosome 6 containing numerous genes associated with immune response (and some with other roles). This raises the possibility that immune function plays a role in schizophrenia."

See the full story at http://med.stanford.edu/news_releases/2009/july/schizophrenia.html

Please Join Us: Rally at State Capitol 6-23

2009-06-20T09:44:00.005-04:00

HELP KEEP CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT!

Please join the Keep the Promise Coalition for a Rally at the State Capitol to support vital services that help Connecticut's older adults, children, parents, pregnant women, people with disabilities, immigrants and others stay healthy and live independently in the community.

Keep the Promise is partnering with several disability and older adult advocacy groups to rally against the multitude of proposed budget cuts to vital services.

WHAT: STATE BUDGET RALLY TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN NEED

WHEN: TUESDAY, JUNE 23 AT 11:30 AM (PLAN TO ARRIVE BY 11AM)

WHERE: SOUTH LAWN OF THE STATE CAPITOL (Capitol Avenue side)

(rain location: Old Judiciary Room, 3rd floor, State Capitol)

*** Free Bag Lunch will be Provided Courtesy of AARP***

To RSVP or get directions, please call Cheri or Maura at (800) 215-3021 or (860) 882-0236 or email at mail:keepthepromise@namict.org.

PLEASE INVITE YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO THIS EVENT!

LET THEM KNOW HOW THE PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS WILL IMPACT YOU!

You can reach your legislators by calling:

House Democrats (800) 842-8267

House Republicans (800) 842-1423

Senate Democrats (800) 842-1420

Senate Republicans (800) 842-1421

or go to http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp

Save the Date: 4th Annual Recovery Transformation Celebration

2009-06-11T13:22:00.008-04:00

Food! Fun! Music! Networking! Karaoke! Giveaways!
4th Annual Transformation Celebration Cookout
*co-sponsored by FOR-U and AU*

Where: Camp Harkness: 301 Great Neck Rd., Waterford, CT
When: Friday, August 28th, 2009, from 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Who: ALL ARE WELCOME!
Cost: $5 per person (includes food, t-shirt, activities and door prizes)

Please register the number of individuals and their shirt sizes and send with cash or check payable to “FOR-U” to:

Focus On Recovery-United, Inc.
100 Riverview Center, Suite 272,
Middletown, CT 06457

by Wednesday, AUGUST 12th

Pre-registration is not required, but only those who register by August 12th are guaranteed a free Celebration T-shirt.

In order to make this the biggest and best yet, WE NEED YOU!

Any questions? Please contact FOR-U at (860)704-0556 or by email at focusonrecovery@gmail.com

*partial funding for this event provided by DMHAS*

Commemorating Olmstead: Past, Present and Future

2009-06-09T09:16:00.010-04:00

On Thursday, June 18, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Connecticut's disability advocacy groups will come together to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W.

The Olmstead case was brought on behalf of two residents in a Georgia psychiatric institution whom the state refused to release into the community. In Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W. , the United States Supreme Court held that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions may constitute discrimination based on disability. The court ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires states to provide community-based services rather than institutional placements for individuals with disabilities.

This historic pronouncement made attainable a goal long-sought by people with disabilities and advocates: the Supreme Court said that, under the ADA, state agencies are required to provide services "in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities."

Meet Lois Curtis, one of the original plaintiffs in Olmstead, who will be at this event!  

The commemoration will begin at 10:00 am (rain or shine!) with a march to the State Capitol. Marchers will meet at 9:00 am on the West side of the Capitol for shuttle to the start of the march. The march will be followed by a rally and lunch at 12:00 noon in the Old Judiciary Room.

The afternoon events, which end at 3:00 pm, will include presentations by persons with disabilities about their experiences transitioning from living in a psychiatric institution to living in a community; an update on progress toward the Olmstead goals and an agenda for future actions; and recognition of individuals who demonstrate a personal commitment to Olmstead's goals.

Lunch and the afternoon events are open to everyone, marchers and non-marchers alike.

Share your story!

If you formerly lived in a psychiatric institution and you are now living in the community, and you would be willing to make a brief (3-minute) statement about your experiences as part of this commemoration, please contact Amy Beer at abeer@mindlink.org or at (860) 667-0460.

To RSVP for the event, please contact Amy O'Connor, Policy Assistant, at NAMI-CT by email at policyassistant@namict.org or by phone at 800-215-3021.

AU Named Official Charity for ING Marathon

2009-06-08T13:24:00.004-04:00

AU is pleased to announce that we have been named an Official Charity in the 2009 ING Hartford Marathon to be held October 10, 2009. For more info about the race, see 2009 ING Hartford Marathon.

You can help support this event and raise money for AU by donating safely and securely using your credit or debit card. Please visit AU's Personal Fundraising Page. MasterCard, Visa, and American Express accepted. 100% of every donation, whether it's a little or a lot, will go directly into helping us continue our work for persons with, or in recovery from, psychiatric disabilities or co-occurring disorders.

For questions or more info, contact Linda Lentini by email or (860) 667-0460.