On Wednesday, November 17, 2010 the women from Zonta hosted the Second Annual “Cooking Class” for over 20 Amethyst women in one of Amethyst apartment buildings.
Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Over time they have shown their support of Amethyst through financial and in-kind donations as well as volunteering their time.
In 2009, the Zonta cooking class at Amethyst was a huge success. The women asked for the group to return and they did, enthusiastically. This year the menu consisted of a delicious meal consisting of homemade lasagna, salad, rolls and dessert. During the meal they had fun games with prizes which incorporated educational facts. The women were taught to cook a homemade nutritious meal from scratch.
Thanks to all the women of Zonta. Women everywhere (and definitely here at Amethyst) appreciate the amazing work you do!
If you are part of a group that would like to host an event or class for Amethyst women, contact Nanon Morrison, Development Director.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Make a Holiday Wish Come True!
It is hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner! This year you have an opportunity to make the season extra special for the women and children of Amethyst, by getting involved in Holiday Wishes, a program that allows volunteers to "adopt" a family for the holidays.
Getting involved is easy!
Getting involved is easy!
- Contact Lauren at Amethyst
- Ask to "adopt" either a single woman or a family.
- You will receive a list of items the family would like.
- Shop!!!
- Wrap the presents
- Drop them off at Amethyst at your convenience
- Give an Amethyst family an amazing holiday!
Contact Lauren for more information! 614.221.7331, lnickell@amethyst-inc.org
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
1 Year Anniversary of Amethyst's Supportive Employment Program
October 19th marked the one year anniversary of the Supportive Employment program at Amethyst, Inc. The goal of the program program, which is funded by The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and the Wohlgemuth-Herschede Foundation, is to enhance the educational and socio-economic skill development of Amethyst women. The program assists Amethyst clients with finding jobs, furthering educations and school loan assistance. Kelley Breidigan is the supportive employment specialist for the program. She currently serves 72 women with the program, each woman referred to her with a counselor’s approval.
Breidigan has noticed since the development of the program that women have greater hope that they will get their lives on track both personally and in their career path. Breidigan has contact with majority of the women in the lower level programs after they have identified a need to return to the workforce or school.
Customer service is the work environment where the ladies find themselves most after meeting with Breidigan. Customer service is the best option because “it is a nice entry level to grow from” Breidigan said. More women have chosen to attend school rather than enter the work force because of the economy and acquiring a trade skill makes a person more marketable to employers.
Women often experience barriers once entering into the workforce after the program. The problems that most often occur when entering into the workforce for the clients is they “are not sure how to advocate for themselves,” Breidigan said “ women also encounter trauma issues and triggers because workforces are not always drug and alcohol free.”
Breidigan and the staff here at Amethyst train clients with the Job Readiness program. The required program consists of 21 women who work their way through three cycles. The program includes mock interviews, how to be an ambassador for their employer and how to answer questions in a professional way. The skills that Breidigan has instilled in the women are tools that clients will have for life.
The hard work of Kelley and the women in program is demonstrated by:
• 70 referred clients have engaged in employment services to address goals identified during initial meetings
• 17 referred ladies left treatment or graduated from the STAR program during the implementation of this program
• Of the 70 referred clients
o 17 clients are in the process of obtaining a GED
o 32 clients are currently volunteering or in the process of securing a volunteer placement
o 8 clients are negotiating student loan repayment
o 32 clients have completed resumes and are working on interviewing skills
o 7 clients are currently employed part-time
o 35 clients are pursuing various educational programs
• 1 client has accepted a full-time position, which is a program first!
“There are many barriers but there are seven women employed and that is evidence that barriers can be broken through with experience and education,” Breidigan said.
Breidigan has noticed since the development of the program that women have greater hope that they will get their lives on track both personally and in their career path. Breidigan has contact with majority of the women in the lower level programs after they have identified a need to return to the workforce or school.
Customer service is the work environment where the ladies find themselves most after meeting with Breidigan. Customer service is the best option because “it is a nice entry level to grow from” Breidigan said. More women have chosen to attend school rather than enter the work force because of the economy and acquiring a trade skill makes a person more marketable to employers.
Women often experience barriers once entering into the workforce after the program. The problems that most often occur when entering into the workforce for the clients is they “are not sure how to advocate for themselves,” Breidigan said “ women also encounter trauma issues and triggers because workforces are not always drug and alcohol free.”
Breidigan and the staff here at Amethyst train clients with the Job Readiness program. The required program consists of 21 women who work their way through three cycles. The program includes mock interviews, how to be an ambassador for their employer and how to answer questions in a professional way. The skills that Breidigan has instilled in the women are tools that clients will have for life.
The hard work of Kelley and the women in program is demonstrated by:
• 70 referred clients have engaged in employment services to address goals identified during initial meetings
• 17 referred ladies left treatment or graduated from the STAR program during the implementation of this program
• Of the 70 referred clients
o 17 clients are in the process of obtaining a GED
o 32 clients are currently volunteering or in the process of securing a volunteer placement
o 8 clients are negotiating student loan repayment
o 32 clients have completed resumes and are working on interviewing skills
o 7 clients are currently employed part-time
o 35 clients are pursuing various educational programs
• 1 client has accepted a full-time position, which is a program first!
“There are many barriers but there are seven women employed and that is evidence that barriers can be broken through with experience and education,” Breidigan said.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Amethyst Women Advocate in D.C.
Kris Young was one of two Amethyst clients who got the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. for the Rebecca Project for Human Rights Fall Forum in September, to advocate on behalf of family based treatment centers.
Joined by representatives from 13 states, Kris and her peers had the opportunity to share their stories and lobby for increased funding for family-based treatment centers, like Amethyst. She sat in the offices of goverment officials and took place in panel discussions. Kris additionally underwent two days of training to learn about how to effectively tell her own story of how both addiction and treatment services have affected her and her family. "I never really thought they would listen to me-- or that my one voice could make a difference. But they did. They listened," Kris shared.
Kris, who has been with Amethyst for over two years, is currently enrolled in nursing school. While she defies much of the stigma that surrounds women in recovery, she is now committed to teaching her peers how to do the same. She will attend two more days of training as part of the Sacred Authority-- a national leadership network of parent advocates established by the Rebecca Project. Kris is excited to come back and teach her peers the new techniques she learns and about the importance of advocacy. "One voice can make a difference. And I may be one voice now, but I can teach my peers about advocacy and come back with their letters and their voices," Kris explained. She plans to turn her voice into many and create change.
Click here learn more about the Rebecca Project
Please use the comment section below to share encouragement for Kris the women of Amethyst who are brave enough to share their stories to help the good of women everywhere!
Monday, October 4, 2010
1st Annual Report to the Community
On September 28, 2010, Amethyst, Inc. hosted the first Annual Report to the Community event at Grange Insurance, Haaf Hall. The event was themed, Looking Beneath the Surface of Addiction, and concentrated on providing a transparent look at addiction treatment, Amethyst and providing a honest look at the recovering woman and the disease of addiction.
The event began at 8 a.m. with breakfast and speaker including (click on speakers name to watch a video of their remarks):
• Judge Paul Herbert, Franklin County Municipal Court Judge and founder of CATCH docket.
• Kelly Budros, Director of Programs for the Women's Fund of Central Ohio
• Sue Wolford, Volunteer Coordinator at the Columbus Metropolitan Library
• Dr. Melissa Beers of the Strategic Research Group
• Kanika Elder, an Amethyst client.
These speakers, who were composed of various community members who have witnessed Amethyst’s work first hand, focused on two key programs from 2009: The launch of a supported employment program and the expansion of family services.
Other 2009 highlights include:
•The opening of The Jefferson Avenue Apartments in collaboration with The Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts and Community Housing Network ;
•Our first time acceptance as a United Way Member through the award of three competitive grants to support services to families and children and trauma-informed health and wellness services;
•Winning The Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility;
•Receiving the 2009 Exemplary Prevention Award from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Addiction Directors; and
•Receiving a three-year grant from the Administration of Children and Families to expand family services and produce evidence of the effectiveness of our service and housing model.
Amethyst Inc. would like to thank everyone who attended and assisted with the Annual Report to the Community. Special thanks to:
Grange Insurance
Megan McKay
Quetina Sims
Stacia Kock
Please view our annual report by clicking here.
http://www.amethyst-inc.org/index.php/Events
The event began at 8 a.m. with breakfast and speaker including (click on speakers name to watch a video of their remarks):
• Judge Paul Herbert, Franklin County Municipal Court Judge and founder of CATCH docket.
• Kelly Budros, Director of Programs for the Women's Fund of Central Ohio
• Sue Wolford, Volunteer Coordinator at the Columbus Metropolitan Library
• Dr. Melissa Beers of the Strategic Research Group
• Kanika Elder, an Amethyst client.
These speakers, who were composed of various community members who have witnessed Amethyst’s work first hand, focused on two key programs from 2009: The launch of a supported employment program and the expansion of family services.
Other 2009 highlights include:
•The opening of The Jefferson Avenue Apartments in collaboration with The Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts and Community Housing Network ;
•Our first time acceptance as a United Way Member through the award of three competitive grants to support services to families and children and trauma-informed health and wellness services;
•Winning The Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility;
•Receiving the 2009 Exemplary Prevention Award from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Addiction Directors; and
•Receiving a three-year grant from the Administration of Children and Families to expand family services and produce evidence of the effectiveness of our service and housing model.
Amethyst Inc. would like to thank everyone who attended and assisted with the Annual Report to the Community. Special thanks to:
Grange Insurance
Megan McKay
Quetina Sims
Stacia Kock
Please view our annual report by clicking here.
http://www.amethyst-inc.org/index.php/Events
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