Cardboard Campout Connects St. John Neumann Youth to Joseph’s Home

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The following article appears in the fall 2018 issue of the Joseph’s Journey newsletter. Read the complete newsletter for additional news, upcoming events, stories of how Joseph’s Home carries out its mission, and more.

Cardboard Campout Connects St. John Neumann Youth to Joseph’s Home

Sleeping in a cardboard box isn’t normally high on the list of how a teenager would like to spend a weekend night. But for a group of 25 teenagers from the St. John Neumann parish in Strongsville, cardboard boxes and the church lawn were home for one chilly night in April.

The group was participating in the annual cardboard campout event, which is a 20-year tradition that offers members of the parish youth group the opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of giving prayers, time and treasure to those in need.

This was the first year Joseph’s Home and St. John Neumann connected for the event, which was facilitated by Trena Marks Pacetti, social concerns director at the parish. The youth group did some volunteer work at Joseph’s Home and decided it was a perfect fit for the cardboard campout.

“We all fell in love with Joseph’s Home and its mission,” said Paul Koopman, St. John Neumann youth director.

During the event, the teenagers, who ranged in age from freshmen to seniors in high school, wrote letters to residents, prayed and ate soup together. They also heard about Joseph’s Home from Executive Director Christine Horne and learned about being homeless from Mike, former peer recovery supporter at Joseph’s Home. Mike spoke about what led him to being homeless, going through recovery and working at Joseph’s Home.

“Mike was struck by the maturity of the teens and their thoughtful questions. One question was, ‘How did you find God when you were homeless?’ The youth were very engaged and willing to put aside any preconceived notions about homeless people,” said Christine.

The group raised $2,000 for Joseph’s Home by collecting money at the masses that weekend. Paul said the event was a big success. “Participants felt a connection to those in need, developing love and respect for them. We look forward to continuing to partner with Joseph’s Home for this annual event,” added Paul.

Christine said she was impressed that the group of youth were taking part of their weekend to devote to learning and advocating for the homeless. “They were willing to step inside someone else’s shoes and that action spoke volumes about their commitment to social justice and following God’s commands to love one another,” said Christine. “I was extremely grateful and inspired to meet these students and share the ministry of Joseph’s Home.”

Fall 2018 Newsletter

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Poetry and Pastries: One Board Member’s Idea and Passion Transforms the Summer

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During the long and hot summer months, things slow down a bit around Joseph’s Home. Seeing a need for summer programming, Joseph’s Home Board Member Debbie Rovito proposed the idea of starting a poetry group with the men.

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Treating the Body and the Mind: New Behavioral Health Director Elevates the Level of Integrated Care

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The following article appears in the spring 2018 issue of the Joseph’s Journey newsletter. Holistic. It’s a word that can have different meanings to different people. For Joseph’s Home new Behavioral Health Director Michael Biscaro, PsyD, holistic has just one meaning: treating both the body and mind to address issues that may have led to […]

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The Art of Healing: New Wellness and Art Therapy Programs Allow Residents to Express Themselves

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Lamont Cox has always been seen as a tough guy. As a former gang member with a seemingly hard exterior, he never backed down from a fight and was never one to discuss his feelings. After suffering from multiple strokes and a heart attack, Lamont’s house was foreclosed and he was left with no place to go. He found himself vulnerable, distressed and looking for help. That’s when he came to Joseph’s Home.

Lamont has been attending the new wellness and art therapy programs offered by Joseph’s Home in partnership with Ursuline College. This past fall, Executive Director Christine Horne attended an event hosted by Catholic Community Connection. Connecting catholic education and social services is one of Catholic Community Connection’s core objectives, so they helped connect Christine with Ursuline College at the event. Ursuline College President Sister Christine DeVinne, OSU then recommended that Instructor and Clinical Director Melissa Hladek reach out to Joseph’s Home in hopes of bringing wellness and art therapy programming to the acutely ill homeless men of Joseph’s Home.

Accompanied by students of the Ursuline College Counseling and Art Therapy program, Melissa leads the residents in creative activities that are meant to encourage thoughtfulness and meditation, reflection on past experiences, healthy coping, and the creation of goals and aspirations as they relate to mental health. This focus on listening and sharing has given some residents the freedom to open up and discuss the challenges and barriers they have faced.

These days, Lamont can be seen participating in yoga, meditation and art projects that provide relaxation and reduce anxiety. “You all have showed me something I have never seen before. When I was growing up, all I saw was drugs and guns. I never had time for this. But now, I’ve got time,” said Lamont.

Lamont has been at Joseph’s Home for just over a month and has enjoyed attending the wellness and art therapy programs because they have allowed him to be creative and regain a sense of dignity. “I feel like I’ve been healed by art because it makes me feel good,” he added.

Melissa said she hopes that Joseph’s Home residents can tap into a side of themselves that is very rarely explored. Whether it be sharing about a traumatic event from the past, meditating to relieve the stress of homelessness and illness, or expressing their emotions through an art project, men like Lamont are experiencing healing that goes beyond medicine. The wellness and art therapy programs are providing homeless men who have lived chaotic and, in some cases, traumatic lives a coping mechanism and a sense of worth they’ve never felt before.

“It’s beautiful because it brings out the good in a person,” said Lamont.

The article above appears in the spring 2018 issue of the Joseph’s Journey newsletter.

Team Work Makes The Dream Work – El Barrio Helps Residents Overcome Barriers to Secure Employment

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I’ve healed, I’m looking for housing, now I need to get back to work.

This is the challenge that many residents of Joseph’s Home face. Perhaps they have a negative work history or have no skills training. Maybe they just don’t have the suit they need to wear to an interview. That’s why Joseph’s Home has teamed up with El Barrio Centers for Workforce Development (El Barrio) to help residents conquer those barriers and more.

El Barrio has forged a path for residents who are willing and able to work to access the training and networking they need to secure employment. El Barrio provides an onsite workforce development program that allows residents to train and receive certifications in four or more weeks in one of several tracks: customer service, hospitality, construction, transportation, pharmacy and teacher assistance. El Barrio then provides case management to prepare candidates to enter the workforce ready and motivated. Once a client has graduated from the program, El Barrio matches candidates to companies looking for diversity in their organization.

Joseph’s Home’s own healthcare navigator, John Mytrysak, is a perfect example of how El Barrio training has made a big difference for residents. John fell ill in 2014. Due to his illness, his kidney function was slowly declining and his cognitive abilities were suffering as a result. The first big sign came when he lost his job due to a decline in his performance. Eight months later he was out of money. He sold his home and lived out of his car. Less than two years after he lost his job, he had also lost his car, was drowning in debt and was living in a homeless shelter. He was then referred to Joseph’s Home. Within two months, he was receiving the medical care he needed and he was participating in the El Barrio workforce development program in the customer service training track.

After working with El Barrio staff who helped him review his resume, learn professional skills for his chosen field, attend a job fair and receive a National Retail Federation (NRF) certification, he got a job in retail. He then had the income to get and keep an apartment. Flash forward to today. John is now the healthcare navigator at Joseph’s Home and is living the dream—an independent and successful life—all thanks to teamwork.

The article above appears in the spring 2018 issue of the Joseph’s Journey newsletter. Pictured above are Joseph’s Home Executive Director Christine Horne and John Mytrysak.

 

Spring 2018 Newsletter

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Perseverance in Hope: annual benefit luncheon to help provide integrated health care to acutely ill homeless men

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Perseverance in Hope: The Annual Joseph’s Home Benefit Luncheon is Thursday, June 21, at 11:30 a.m. at Windows on the River in Cleveland. The luncheon celebrates the remarkable healing and achievements of the acutely ill homeless men who have stabilized their health and transformed their lives at Joseph’s Home. In addition to lunch, there will be door prizes, a raffle and silent auction. Dan Moulthrop, CEO of The City Club of Cleveland, will serve as emcee and will be accompanied by keynote speaker Judge Michael J. Ryan, a judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division.

Funds raised at the luncheon provide meals, shelter and other care for the residents of Joseph’s Home. Individual tickets are $50 per person. Sponsorships are available beginning at $500 and include at least one table for up to 10 guests. Visit the event website for more information and to reserve your place today.

Judge Ryan successfully ran for judge in 2005, becoming the youngest African-American male to be elected in the Cleveland Municipal Court’s history. In 2012, he was elected judge to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division. Ryan grew up in poverty in Cleveland’s Longwood Estate projects. With his biological father in prison, he was under the care of his mother, who had him when she was 14, and his stepfather, who were both addicted to heroin. In addition to working with youth as a judge, Ryan does extensive volunteer work with area youth, both directly and through helping organizations creating opportunities for youth and adults, such as serving on the board of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland and on the Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland. In 2015, Ryan self-published a memoir, “The Least Likely: From the Housing Projects to the Courthouse,” on how he overcome the odds.

Joseph’s Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, provides a nurturing, caring environment for men without resources who have acute medical needs, helping them heal and achieve independence. Joseph’s Home is the only Northeast Ohio organization of its kind: offering acutely ill homeless men temporary shelter that provides medical respite to promote healing and long-term self-sufficiency.

Sponsorships and tickets are available. Click here for more information and to reserve your place today. Contact Development Manager Madeline Wallace at 216.987.9201 or [email protected] if you or your company have additional questions.

Welcome New Staff & Board Member

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We are pleased to welcome two new part-time staff members and one new board member, all three of whom have extensive medical and behavioral health backgrounds that will be extremely valuable as Joseph’s Home continues building medical respite capacity. Filling the two staff positions is a major step in fully transitioning into a medical respite program and providing the next level of integrated care.

Harikrishna C. Ponnam, M.D.—Medical Director
Dr. Ponnam, from St. Vincent Medical Group, is board-certified in internal medicine and is at Joseph’s Home weekly on Thursdays. As medical director, Dr. Ponnam provides clinical oversight and expertise as it pertains to the admission, care and discharge of residents, as well as helping create significant program efficiencies. He came to St. Vincent Medical Group in 2016 after an internal medicine residency in Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital in Mount Vernon, New York. He received his medical degree from Kurnool Med College Sri Venkateswara in India.

Michael J. Biscaro, PsyD, ABPP—Behavioral Health Director
Dr. Biscaro is a clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of experience providing direct clinical service and consultation in a variety of settings, including private hospitals serving the community and veterans, community mental health centers, private practice, the criminal justice system, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. He earned his Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from Xavier University and completed a post-doctoral residency in clinical psychology at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. As behavioral health director, he helps identify and address mental health and substance abuse issues and connect residents with ongoing intensive care, as well as helping train and oversee staff around trauma-informed care.

Lloyd Cook, M.D., Board Member
Dr. Cook joins the Joseph’s Home Board of Directors with more than 25 years of experience in internal medicine. Dr. Cook is the assistant medical director for Medical Mutual of Ohio. He was previously affiliated with St. Vincent Medical Group. He received his medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University and trained in the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Pictured below are Dr. Biscaro and Dr. Ponnam

Fall 2017 Newsletter

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