Solano WRC Engages in NAMI Peer-to-Peer

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Our Solano Wellness and Recovery Center (WRC) is an always-active and inviting peer-run drop-in center for individuals with a known or suspected mental illness.

Currently, the WRC is engaged in NAMI Peer-to-Peer. NAMI Peer-to-Peer is an eight-week educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery. The program is taught by trained leaders with lived experience, and includes activities, in-depth discussions and informative videos.

Caminar Solano staff and our WRC clients are delighted to be part of this training. Our gratitude to Dove McKinnon, our WRC Program Coordinator, who arranged the training series.

Art and Inspiration on Display at the Solano WRC

Our Solano Region's Wellness and Recovery Center (WRC) is a peer-run drop-in center for individuals with a known or suspected mental illness. Located adjacent to Caminar’s medication clinic and case management services in Vallejo, the center provides an array of services to promote wellness and ongoing recovery including education, enrichment, and support groups. 

The art group allows clients to experiment with and explore the healing power of artistic expression. The walls display vibrant and inspirational art that showcases our clients' talent and their journeys toward wellness, resilience, self-love, and self-care.

WRC Celebrates Thanksgiving

On Wednesday, November 22, the Wellness and Recovery Center (WRC) celebrated Thanksgiving. WRC clients enjoyed a bountiful Thanksgiving lunch, complete with all the fixings, and served by our Solano Region staff. Clients also enjoyed community, friendship, and an early start to holiday festivities. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

WRC Clients Speed Over to the Sonoma Raceway for Fun in the Sun

The Wellness Recovery Center was able to secure an in–kind donation of Sonoma Raceway Tickets for clients to enjoy. The tickets were obtained by the mother of a WRC client who has expressed her appreciation and support for all that the WRC does for her child. 

In total, the tickets have a retail value of $750.00. We are very thankful for this donation, as it has provided a brand new experience for many WRC clients. The event consisted of hot cars, hot sun, and lots of fun!

 

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Solano County WRC Clients Treated to a San Francisco Giants Walk-Off Win

Clients of our Solano County Wellness and Recovery Center (WRC) enjoyed San Francisco Giants baseball on Tuesday evening, July 18, 2017. As with previous outings to local events, this trip to the yard was made possible through a collaboration with the Community Access Tickets Service (CATS).

WRC clients reveled in an exciting game between the Giants and the Cleveland Indians, complete with a 10th inning walk-off win for the home team. Clients and staff also enjoyed the relatively-warm San Francisco evening, ballpark food, and camaraderie.

We remain greatly appreciative of the generous support of CATS, which allows clients to attend sporting and entertainment events at no cost and fosters positive community participation and integration.

WRC Collaborates with Another Chapter

Caminar’s Wellness Recovery Center Solano Region is collaborating with Another Chapter. This organization "encourages a love for reading and is committed to providing access to books to children & adults in need." Their mission is to share the joy of reading and connect with the local community by providing free books.

The WRC just received their 1st donation of books from Another Chapter and clients absolutely love the periodicals, books, and magazines provided. Natalie from Another Chapter will visit the Wellness Recovery Center every 30 to 60 days to enrich our clients with the gift of reading! 

You can see all the wonderful things that Another Chapter is doing here:

https://www.facebook.com/AnotherChapterSolano/

 

1st book donation

1st book donation

The WRC Decorates Vallejo City Hall for Mental Health Month

It's May, which means it's Mental Health Month! In order to celebrate and raise awareness around mental health issues, clients from Caminar's Wellness Recovery Center have decorated Vallejo City Hall with beautifully crafted digital and hand painted art.

In total, 20 oil painted tapestries and 30 digital images are on display as a part of the 2nd Art Inspiration event held at this location. We would like to extend a big "thanks" to Gary Cullen, local retired photographer and mental health advocate, for volunteering a lot of his time and technical support to bring this project to fruition. We encourage you to check out his work at www.garycullenpictures.com. Please enjoy some photos of the decorated Vallejo City Hall:

 

 

 

 

WRC Clients had a Ball at the Oakland A's Game

The Wellness Recovery Center is privileged and grateful for being able to take clients to an Oakland A’s vs. Anaheim Angels Baseball game on Wednesday, April 5th, 2017. This event was made possible through a collaboration with the CATS (Community Access Tickets) Program.

The WRC clients had a lot of fun eating cotton candy and tuna fish sandwiches from their lunch that day at the WRC. 

They are looking forward to additional games and other entertainment events, which are provided at no cost to clients. The pictures below were taken during the game at the Oakland Coliseum. 

WRC Clients Visit the Empress Theater

Clients from The Wellness Recovery Center were able to go to the Empress Theater and experience live music for free on February 22nd, 2017.

The Empress Theatre is a historical landmark located in downtown Vallejo, California built in 1911.

This visit is part of the ongoing efforts of the WRC to provide clients with experiences that they may not otherwise be able to receive due to economic circumstances. 

Please enjoy the images below, which were taken at the event.

WRC Clients Visit Academy of Arts Sciences Museum

The Wellness Recovery Center was able to participate and go to the Academy of Arts Museum for FREE on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, thanks to collaborating with C.A.T.S (Consumer Access Tickets), a non-profit organization.

Ken Langill, Program Coordinator, is proud to share that he took 4 WRC clients to the Academy of Art Sciences Museum to see the Steinhardt Aquarium, Phillipines Coral Reef, African Exhibit and also the Planetarium. 

This visit is part of the ongoing efforts of the WRC to provide clients with experiences that they may not otherwise be able to receive due to economic circumstances. 

Solano Region Christmas Party at the WRC

The Solano Region Christmas Party at the WRC was a blast!

"Our friend and advocate of Caminar’s Wellness Recovery Center graced us with his visit to our Xmas party. We had well over 100 plus people which comprised of WRC Staff / Clients / Case Managers and Mental Health Specialists from Solano County Mental Health as well as board and care and room and board operators." Kenneth Langill, Program Coordinator, WRC.

Here are some photos from this very fun event.

More Caminar Clients Enjoy #Music4MentalHealth

A new group of Caminar clients had the opportunity to experience live music at the Empress Theater. Read August's blog post (below) for more information about this fun event.

 The Empress Theatre, a beautiful 400 seat theatre with state-of-the-art sound system, huge stage, dance floor, and plush velvet seats,  invited 3 Caminar clients to listen to live music free of charge. This event is part of a new monthly series that uses music as a form of therapy for adults with mental illness.

   "Being able to take the clients to these offsite events improves their quality of life and enables them to enjoy what they normally would not be able to participate in otherwise," says Kenneth G. Langill, Program Coordinator of the Wellness Recovery Center in Solano County.  

   Langill was able to secure complimentary  entry for 3-4 Caminar clients in the Wellness and Recovery program to experience live music at this wonderful venue once per month.

We want to thank the Empress Theatre for their generosity and for supporting Caminar's mission to help people with disabilities live happy and enriched lives. 

   For more information about the Empress Theatre, please visit their website: http://empresstheatre.org/. 

Caminar Clients Enjoy FREE Music at Empress Theatre

The Wellness Recovery Center's #MusicforMentalHealth Series Continues

   

   The Empress Theatre, a beautiful 400 seat theatre with state-of-the-art sound system, huge stage, dance floor, and plush velvet seats,  invited 3 Caminar clients to listen to live music free of charge. This event is part of a new monthly series that uses music as a form of therapy for adults with mental illness.

   "Being able to take the clients to these offsite events improves their quality of life and enables them to enjoy what they normally would not be able to participate in otherwise," says Kenneth G. Langill, Program Coordinator of the Wellness Recovery Center in Solano County.  

   Langill was able to secure complimentary  entry for 3-4 Caminar clients in the Wellness and Recovery program to experience live music at this wonderful venue once per month.

   Photos of the last event shown here were taken by Empress Theatre staff photographer and Caminar advocate Gary Cullen. Caminar clients are looking forward to the next trip on September 21st. We want to thank the Empress Theatre for their generosity and for supporting Caminar's mission to help people with disabilities live happy and enriched lives. 

   For more information about the Empress Theatre, please visit their website: http://empresstheatre.org/. 

#Music4MentalHealth brings music, joy to Caminar mental health clients

On Friday, April 15, the Caminar for Mental Health Wellness Recovery Center in Solano county was filled with the sound and joy of music as dozens of people attended the inaugural #Music4MentalHealth concert series.

“The concert gives our mental health clients the healing aspects of live music,” said Kenneth G. Langill, Program Coordinator of the Wellness Recovery Center in the Solano Region and founder of the series. “Music communicates what cannot be stated or said.”

A near capacity crowd of 44 Wellness Recovery Center clients, staff and Full Service Partnership case managers attended the concert headlined by local jazz guitarist Leo Cavanagh, who donated his time and talent. Cavanagh has a 50-year history playing the guitar and his songs delighted the crowd.

“Music helps alleviate anger and loneliness,” Langill said. “It lowers blood pressure, helps with retention and also brings joy depending on the genre of music being played by the musician.”

Langill said last Friday’s concert show is the first of many planned for the Wellness Recovery Center as part of the #Music4MentalHealth series. Those wanting to RSVP for future concerts can contact Kenneth Langill at KennethL@Caminar.org.

“Any of our mental health clients should attend if they enjoy live music to stimulate and engage them,” Langill said. “Music is inclusive and intimate without being intrusive. Music is cathartic and therapeutic as well.”