OPEN M

Project Homeless Connect

OPENM — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:16:14 +0000

Project Homeless Connect

Written by Vikki Thomas
I know most of us have heard and probably used the ‘adage’ -“Time flies when you’re having fun-.”Well it seems as though it was just yesterday that the 2011 Project Homeless Connect event took place, however; it has in fact been a year. Well it is that time again and I am pleased to announce that OPEN M will participate for the fifth year in a row. This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Project Homeless Connect (held at The Chapel in Akron) is a one-day event sponsored by the Akron/Summit County Continuum of Care-, which is endorsed by the City of Akron and Summit County. The event is a day of hospitality where multitudes of services are offered to those struggling with homelessness or the threat of becoming homeless. Example; free eye exams, blood pressure checks, dental work [limited to] extractions, mammograms for those that are preregistered, free shampoo and haircuts. Food and clothing will also be distributed along with much more.
This is where you can help, OPEN M has distributed close to 4,500 pairs of socks to the men, women and children that have attended this event in the past five years. We also distribute hand sanitizer. We are hoping that with the kindness and generosity that you have always bestowed on OPEN M we will once again be able to help our needy brethren. It is time for us to dawn our ‘new sock drive’ through our churches, businesses, social clubs, etc. The last day for dropping off your new sock donation to OPEN M will be Friday, May 4, 2012. It is with a humbled heart that we say thank you to all and God Bless. For more information, contact Vikki Thomas at commedu@openm.org.

Check out our graduates speeches

OPENM — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:12:33 +0000

Check out the OPEN M Getting Ahead Class 8 graduating speeches! They are sure to touch your heart!

http://www.youtube.com/user/bridgessummit

Volunteer of the Month-Sharon Wood

OPENM — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:11:41 +0000

Sharon Wood is one of many volunteers that we consider family at OPEN M; she is a part of our past, present and future. Sharon has been involved with OPEN M since 1987 in multiple ways. She first got involved with OPEN M by volunteering with her church as a youth volunteer ever since then she was “hooked” on giving back. “Growing up in a suburban area such as Hudson, it was a different experience to help in an urban area, I learned a lot”, Sharon said. One of the things that really lead her to OPEN M was that mix of suburban churches and people coming together with the urban neighborhoods to help the community.
In 1987, Sharon started as our summer camp director and from there she has been involved with our summer camp for 20 years! Her true passion is to help children, teach them how to learn and be there for them. Being a retired Akron Public Schools teacher Sharon has seen this neighborhood grow and the children grow with it. She was here during the beginning stages of our Diamond Ladies program and is very proud of what the program has become. Sharon holds a special place in her heart for the OPEN M’s children programs. Not only did Sharon find her passion working with the Summer Day camp she got all 3 of her children involved in the program. Tiana, Tony, and TJ all went through the summer day camp program and Tiana and Tony were camp counselors. They kept the family tradition alive by giving back to the organization that helped them.
When our children’s programs are not going on Sharon volunteers her time as our receptionist on Monday mornings. She is a woman of many talents and we are so blessed to have her as a volunteer here at OPEN M.
All our volunteers at OPEN M come from very diverse backgrounds, which is what makes this organization so great and filled with knowledge. When talking with Sharon I found out some amazing things about her and her family. On top of volunteering at the church and for children’s ministries, Sharon’s hobby is to travel. She has visited every state except Hawaii. She has also been to many countries and every territory and providence in Canada. Sharon had the opportunity to visit Scotland and go aboard the “OPEN M fundraiser cruise” in 2010 all to support OPEN M! Another thing you might not know about Sharon is her husband was from Nigeria and her children are all dual citizens!
Sharon has used OPEN M services to get her through a few difficult times in her life. She spoke very highly of the food pantry, which she stated “really helped at a time of need,” she also was a client of our health clinic where after her husband pasted away she found herself with no health insurance. Thanks to OPEN M free health clinic, they diagnosed Sharon with a rare neurological disease and helped her to get disability medical insurance through her many years of teaching.
I asked Sharon if there is anything else she wanted people to know and she proclaimed, “Everyone should have a faith center. The cross should be at the center of your life and that is what OPEN M stands for, you see Christ in action everyday here. OPEN M is a tremendous organization. All the volunteers are here for the love of the clients and that is so encouraging to see.” Thank you Sharon for your 24 years of service and for volunteering your time, talents, resources, and love to OPEN M!

A Faithful Volunteer-Pat Coon

OPENM — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:09:35 +0000

Daily at OPEN M, we are blessed by the support of many wonderful people. Hundreds of people volunteer their time, talents and financial assistance to make sure that OPEN M continues to make a positive difference in the community. We would like to take the time to highlight one particular volunteer who has made a huge impact on OPEN M throughout the years. Pat Coon has been an avid volunteer of OPEN M for over 11 years. She has been a blessing to OPEN M, the staff and its clients. Over the years, Pat has worked hard in the OPEN M Food Pantry. For many of those years, she, along with her daughter Sylvia Hauenstein, faithfully came to the pantry weekly. Many weeks, Pat’s grandchildren Alec and Tisha even took part in volunteering at OPEN M. It was certainly an uplifting sight to see 3 generations come together for the common good of our community!
We could always (and still can) count on Pat to come through whenever needed. When Bobbie, the Food Pantry Manager, needed someone as a substitute, Pat was always there to help. Not only did she work in the pantry but she helped with numerous programs at OPEN M. Devotedly she helped with Mountain of Food, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Summer Day Camp, the Walk for Kids and more. She was also a Church Representative for Church of the Good Shepherd whose outstanding support of OPEN M throughout the years has been unprecedented.
January 31, 2012 Pat decided to retire from her volunteer position in the food pantry, though she still is unwavering in her desire to help OPEN M. Pat continues to do work behind the scenes in being an advocate for OPEN M and spreading the good work to those in need in the community. OPEN M is so blessed and grateful to have the support of people like Pat Coon. While we have so many loyal and fantastic supporters, Pat is truly a unique and special woman whom we have a great deal of respect and love. Thank you Pat for the many years of enthusiastic service to OPEN M and the community!

Did you know…? Clinic Edition

OPENM — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:07:28 +0000

Did you know…? Clinic Edition

The OPEN M Free Health Clinic is the only operating free health clinic in Summit County, serving approximately 650 patients yearly. The clinic is operated under the guidance of Roger B. Chaffee, M.D., who serves as Medical Director; Patrice Fox, BSN, RN who serves as the Nurse Administrator; Kristina Holwerda, LSW, who serves as Clinic Manager; and Desiree Baker, who serves as the Front Desk Receptionist.
In 2011, the clinic offered internal medicine along with 17 additional specialties. Our specialties included dental, dermatology, diabetic education/nutrition, endocrinology, medical massage, nephrology, neurology, optometry, orthopedics, physical therapy, podiatry, psychiatry, pulmonary, smoking cessation, social services, urology and women’s health. Along with our specialties, we are able to conduct some basic in-house lab services for patients, as well as perform EKG’s and echocardiograms.

Did you know…?

• In 2011, we collaborated with 41 different agencies in Summit County to provide comprehensive health care to our patients
• We contract with 12 schools in the area for medical related volunteer students.
• In 2011, we started 3 new programs in our clinic:
o “Champions for Wellness”- is a monthly interactive forum that is supportive, educational and empowering. The forums address challenging behavioral health issues with a guest speaker that specializes in the monthly topic.
o “Working Fitness In”- to help patients improve their weekly exercise in an effort to eliminate joint pain and cut back on patient obesity.
o Smoking Cessations program (started by Sarah Kelling and 17 other pharmacy students) combines behavioral modification and tobacco cessation medications. With this program, thirty patients have begun the quitting process.
• Throughout 2011, the clinic had approximately 245 active volunteers comprised of physicians, specialists, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, lab techs and clerical staff.
• The clinic saw approximately 3,395 duplicated patient medical visits in 2011
• OPEN M volunteer nurses, medical assistants, and students performed 2,944 lab tests, valued at $325,451.
• Combining the value of the visits with the professional value of our volunteer staff gives the yearly medical services provided a value of $888,530.
• The dental clinic saw 179 patient visits, which could include either a diagnostic appointment with x-rays, cleaning, fillings, or extractions. Combining the services with the professional value of the dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists, our dental program is valued at approximately $46,132.
• The pharmacy filled around 9,575 prescriptions, valued at an estimated $1,144,309.

2011 has been a year of production, change, and growth. The Lord has blessed our efforts to continue to be His hands and feet to His beloved, and we anxiously await what He will lead us to next year.

Champions for Wellness- Grief 101: Coping with Loss

OPENM — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:18:39 +0000

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Champions for Wellness- Grief 101: Coping with Loss
Coping with the loss of a loved one can be difficult in many ways. Come learn about grief and discuss helpful strategies to assist with those who are coping with the loss of a loved one.

A small group of discussion and support
Light dinner will be served
Door prizes will be awarded
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Location: OPEN M 941 Princeton Street Akron OH 44311

Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop

OPENM — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:02:23 +0000

Over 1,500 in Summit County have been trained in a Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop, are you one of them?

If you employ, work with, serve, or teach low income individuals- you should be! This workshop is an approach that helps employers, community organizations, social services agencies, and individuals address poverty in a comprehensive way. The material will shift the way you look at individuals you interact with daily and help you to better grasp what poverty in Akron looks like day-to-day.

The Next all day workshop is Thursday,February 9, 2012 from 9-3 p.m. at OPEN M

Price is $25 and includes book, materials, and lunch. Please RSVP to Hannah by Feb 1 by calling 330-434-3250 or e-mail family@openm.org

Below are some comments from individuals who attended last year:

“Incredible, helps me both professionally and personally.”
“The energy level of the presenters is contagious. Excited to shift the way I interact with my clients and staff.”
“Excellent presentation, potentially life changing information.”
“Light bulbs were going off every section, this changes the way I view my role as an employer and in my church.”
“Very eye opening. Coming from a middle class home I did not completely understand the individuals I work with everyday.”

We hope you can attend!

Monthly Support for Graduates

OPENM — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:56:02 +0000

Monthly Support for Graduates
The focus of our Family Development program is on Getting Ahead, an 8-week group where 12 low-income individuals investigate issues surrounding poverty. Each investigator ends the class by choosing three different resources they would like to build (financial, emotional, spiritual, mental, language, support systems, etc) and writing a goal for each resource. But then what?
Every month, OPEN M hosts a monthly meeting for all Getting Ahead graduates to come together and provide support and encouragement. Making the transition from poverty to stability is not easy, and positive support systems play a HUGE role. At these monthly meetings, we invite all Getting Ahead graduates from Akron and “partners” (middle class volunteers) to come hang out and build relationships.

Each month we have a topic that we will cover, and we break out into small groups or pairs to further discuss that issue. For example, September we practiced job interview skills, October we went through drills for networking and selling yourself, and in November we talked about staying motivated and how to move away from using excuses.
Are you interested in volunteering to make this possible? We need partners to come and help with discussion, groups, to cook dinner for the group, and administrative volunteers to make it all happen! A big thank you to all the volunteers who already help each month, and a “good job” to the Getting Ahead graduates who are making changes.

Getting Ahead’s generosity

OPENM — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:33:47 +0000

Getting Ahead’s Generosity-Written by Hannah Nitz
Just like a class in high school, each Getting Ahead class has their own flavor. This is the fifth class that I have facilitated at OPEN M and I have found this to be true each time. The current Getting Ahead group (class 7) has quite an interesting flavor, with lots of spices, sauces and generosity.
Getting Ahead meets twice a week. The first week this class met, one individual generously brought in two trays of homemade food for the group to share. “I wanted to share this with our class. I appreciate all of you.” I was shocked by this move, how did she manage to cook enough food for 12 people and get it all the way to OPEN M? Even more shocking, this trend continued.
Each person in the class has taken their turn at bringing in food for the group. Not just a small side salad, but trays full of mac n’ cheese, green beans and pot roast. Their generosity each week has absolutely floored me, and kept my stomach very happy. While this has been happening the past 4 weeks, I am reminded of God challenging us to be generous with what we have, always serving others as if we are serving Christ. As I look at the current Getting Ahead group, many of which are struggling to keep the rent paid and lights on, I see their joy and generosity and am challenged to do the same. Do I serve others around me even when it is hard?

ACME Fresh Market Receipt Program

OPENM — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:30:36 +0000

ACME Fresh Market-Cash Back Program

Shop at Acme Fresh Market and save your register receipt tapes dated September 24, 2011 through February 11, 2012. Ask your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to shop at Acme and save their receipts, too! Receipts must have the words “Cash Back” and amount on the bottom of the receipt to be valid. Then mail your receipts to OPEN M, 941 Princeton Street, Akron Ohio 44311, or drop them off. All receipts must be turned in by Monday, February 20, 2011 to be eligible to turn in. Acme Fresh Market will donate back to OPEN M 5% of the cash back amount printed at the bottom of the receipt. The cash back amount includes all Acme store brand merchandise purchases. These include, Acme Fresh Market, Academix, Domestix, Electrix, Food Club, Full Circle, Paws, TopCare, ValuTime, and World Classics products.