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News and Events |
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Department Profile: Supported Housing
Robert’s mental illness developed after the death of his father. He managed the illness with medication and was able to hold various jobs and care for his ailing mother. Upon her death in 2004, Robert slipped into major depression. In 2005 Robert was referred to Saint Dominic’s Home and was placed in a group residence. With counseling, medication and proper support and care, Robert progressed from living in the Lakewood apartments to his independent supported housing apartment two years ago. “I couldn’t be where I am today without Saint Dominic’s,” said Robert. “The program is excellent and the staff is very helpful with what I need so that I can take care of myself.” Robert is very proud of his electric and acoustic bass guitar collection, and is excited to be part of his newest band called “Eclectic Horizons.” The five-member jazz fusion band plays locally and has recorded original music which Robert invites people to sample at http://www.myspace.com/eclectichorizons. Lonnie Stafford, MSW and LCSW, Program Administrator of Saint Dominic’s Home Mental Health Adult Programs, said Robert’s story is typical of many of the people that Saint Dominic’s Home serves in his program. “Mental illness is more common than you might think,” said Lonnie. “In New York State alone programs under the New York State Office of Mental Health serve more than 500,000 people with various levels of mental illness.” The National Institute of Mental Health reports that an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, and about 6 percent or 1 in 17 suffer from a serious mental illness. Lonnie said Robert’s progress is what the Saint Dominic’s Home Mental Health Department is all about, transitioning people from a supervised level of care requiring 24-hour staff supervision to supported apartments and independence. “Our ultimate goal is to help people get back into the mainstream of society where they are fully independent and self-sufficient without the help of Saint Dominic’s Home. I think Robert is on his way,” said Lonnie. The Saint Dominic’s Home Mental Health Department currently serves 90 adults with mental illness in Rockland County, which includes three group living residences and 25 supported housing apartments. Residents participate in day treatment programs, attend school or work part-time or full-time. The goal of the program is to integrate residents into the community and establish the greatest level of independence. The core values of the program are: Encouragement, Hope, Self Advocacy, Family and Community Integration and Individual Empowerment.
Christine has been under the care of Saint Dominic’s Home since 1983, and Shannon for about 14 years. Both women transitioned out of group residence living to supported apartment living two years ago. Christine and Shannon both agreed that Saint Dominic’s Home has been wonderful to them and are comforted that they look out for them and provide the opportunity for independence. “I am free to live my life how I want to,” said Shannon. “This includes going for walks, working and seeing my boyfriend Jose on the weekends.” Christine encourages other adults with mental illness to seek the kind of help Saint Dominic’s Home provides. “My mother was nervous at first when I moved out. But she knew I was in a safe place with Saint Dominic’s Home and after all these years she knows I made the right decision." |
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For Robert Kovalik his love for music and playing the bass guitar is one way he copes with his mental illness. Robert, who is working on his college degree and is eagerly looking for work as a certified substance abuse counselor, lives in a nicely appointed one-bedroom apartment in Haverstraw, N.Y. that is supervised by Saint Dominic’s Home Mental Health Department’s Supported Housing Program. 
Roommates Christine Hodges and Shannon Pirnie epitomize these core values. They are an energetic duo who have a zest for life and are proud of their lovely two-bedroom garden apartment in Haverstraw. They both hold full-time jobs: Christine is a dietary aide at the nearby Northern Riverview Senior Assisted Living Center, and Shannon provides house care at Jawonio’s Fisher Assisted Living Center in New City.