Telethon

This year Ten Thousand Helpers of St.Croix will inaugurate its first annual fund raiser Telethon. One Hundred Thousand Dollars needed. Our programs of service to the community are coming on stream and the need for a cash flow is very evident. Having been entrusted with funds to purchase a building which will be used in the rehabilitation of persons who are mentally ill and homeless we must now secure the funds to run the programs. May 26 is the date scheduled for the telethon. Channel 2 is the venue. The time: 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. It will be five hours of entertainment, anti-stigma infomercials, greetings from persons with influence in the community and lots of visual of our organization in action. We need volunteers to obtain pledges ahead of the event and to work the phone banks. The bank of Nova Scotia, Sunny Isle Branch are working to help us raise the much needed funds.

Run for Respect

This is our Road Relay Race which is held jointly with VI Pace Runners. It is yearly run which takes place every August. 2006 was our first year. Run for Respect culminates our anti stigma campaign which starts every May and finishes in August. Each year we use a different vehicle to bring attention to the stigma that is associated with mental illness. In 2006 we used signs placed on the streets, and handouts in the bags of our runners. 2007 we plan to use billboards on taxis and the video made by our children during Youth on the Move!

Conference

The 2005 conference on Mental Illness was a big success. We Challenged the Consumers with the title ‘Take Control! Mental Health, Mental Illness, Treatment and the Community.’ After the inspiring presentations by Psychiatrist Michele Clarke from California and Jennifer Brown, Director of the Anti Sigma Project in Maryland testimonials were shared and a new determination and resolve seem to take over the conference. Groups came together to strategize as to how to go about influencing the government to improve the Mental Health system. 2007 is here. Conference dates are:

Thursday May 3 and Friday May 4 2007.
The Theme: Our Children and their Mental Health.
Venue: Gertrude’s Restaurant Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Registration Fee: $110.00 for both days: $65.00 for one day Discounts for Early Registration.

Topics will include: Children and mental illness Teen Screen Programs Behavior Modification Parenting Skills Call us for more information: Phone: 340-719-2828 Fax: 340-719-3805

Project Sunrise

Project Sunrise is the name that we have given to our Out Reach Program. We hope that with this program a new day will emerge for the people whose lives will impact. Having received funds from the Department of Human Services in 2006 we started our out reach program by registering 135 persons who stated that they were in need of shelter. Five workers were hired to walk the streets of the towns of Frederiksted and Christiansted interviewing and giving out nutritious snacks. This year 2007, again receiving a grant we rehired 3 of the workers to begin the rehabilitation process by addressing some of the issue presented by clients chosen from those registered last year. Each worker has three clients. Every week the workers meet the Program Director to discuss the progress and to set new goals to address the issues of the clients. When we are able to move into the Drop in Center, the contacts that are now being made on the streets will occur in the Center. Persons who are homeless will be encouraged to attend and to have a shower and a change of lothing. Recreational activities will be used as therapy and staff will engage the client in conversation in order to establish a therapeutic relationship. The program will work closely with the Mental Health Clinic, The Governor Juan Luis Hospital, The Village and St. Croix Mission. These agencies will be instrumental in the stabilization of the client at which point we will be able offer accommodation in the Transitional Housing Program. As a resident of Rainbow House, the client has nine to twelve months to prepare himself/herself for permanent housing. He/she will receive assistance to:

• Register for permanent Housing
• Become Client of Vocational Rehabilitation to receive training or employment
• Register with Department of Labor
• Be trained in Living Skills including money management
• Learn to understand his illness and his medication
• Obtain a job

To successfully operate this program our organization must raise funds.