25 Years and Going Strong!

Our mission from the beginning has been to provide adults with mental illness a path to recovery and independent living. This year we celebrate 25 years of hard work toward achieving our mission and today we are proud to say that over 200 men and women use our services to chart that path to recovery and reach their personal goals! We are 25 and going strong.

Mental Health Cuts - Not the Answer

Proposed cuts to Illinois mental health providers' funding will severely restrict access to treatment and recovery services for the people we know.   Cuts to grants and Medicaid rates will cripple some agencies and eliminate others.  Why enact a solution now that results in greater system and human costs nearly immediately?

Use the following (or your own words) to tell your senator and state representative that mental health funding should be continued at current levels:

Mental  health consumers, their families and our communities have disproportionally suffered the burden of continued budget cuts and service reductions over the past several years. Community mental health centers in Illinois provide critical services for tens of thousands of citizens every year, often to those who cannot receive care anywhere else.

I expect you to support maintaining full capacity grant funding for community mental health centers at current levels. This is critically important for the provision of vital treatment for Illinois' most vulnerable populations and in the best interest of Illinois taxpayers.  

Thank you.    

Susan Shimon, Executive Director

Mental Health Cuts - not the answer

Spotlight on Our Staff and Members!

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we wanted to take a moment to thank our wonderful staff and members for their hard work and dedication. Through their enthusiastic efforts, New Foundation Center has become more than an organization, it's a home and supportive community for our members and staff alike. They have greatly contributed to our success and we are just so eager to brag about them!

Gail Fried, Master of Arts in Art Therapy (MAAT), Creative Arts Therapist (CAT), started as a volunteer when there was no art program. Gail had never worked in a clubhouse setting before and wasn’t sure if she would like it – that was 14 years ago. Now Gail says, “I feel like it’s my home – there aren’t many places like this and I hope I never leave.”

Gail leads a group called the Out Group – she and members go and visit galleries, museums, street fairs, and art festivals. “The more art you see – the more you learn about art and the more art you make,” states Gail. Gail has watched many members change and grow their artistic style over the years. “We try different things – forms and media – so we don’t get stuck,” Gail says.

And looking at the beautiful pieces on display throughout the clubhouse – Gail has succeeded.

Jeff Wendt joined New Foundation Center 12 years ago at a time when he was very sick and wouldn’t leave his house or talk. Jeff’s case worker, Wendy, visited him in his home and suggested he try going to the clubhouse. Reluctantly Jeff took her advice and was surprised to find a place where he could go, meet people, make friends and accept that he had a mental illness. “Wendy helped me open-up and that was a big help. She put a lot of effort into me,” adds Jeff.

Today Jeff is proud that he has stayed out of the hospital for 10 years by using tools he’s learned, like taking his meds and seeking help when he needs it. Jeff is a leader often facilitating member council meetings, daily morning meetings and co-leading a dual-diagnosis group.

Jeff has worked hard at his recovery and today he is strong! Way to go Jeff!

Our staff and members continue to be a source of inspiration for all of us at New Foundation Center.

In my 14 years here at New Foundation Center, I have seen so many changes, so much growth and unfortunately some sadness.  I’ve had the pleasure to work with an agency that hires talented and caring social workers.  I’ve witnessed myself grow, along with the agency from this experience.  I’ve also become somewhat of a celebrity. J  Since I’ve worked here, I’ve been on TV, in a movie and mentioned in a book!  Early on in my career with WilPower, I was asked to represent the agency on a local Glenview TV station.  The Office Manager at the time helped me “prepare” for this by acting as my agent.  She checked my outfit, hair and makeup and was there with me at the studio.  However, I don’t know if anyone actually saw the show!  I also have the distinction of appearing in the movie about our agency: “Unbreakable Minds”. 

“How We Got Barb Back, the Story of My Sister’s Reawakening after 30 Years of Schizophrenia", written by Margaret Hawkins, sister to one of my members, is the story of how an adult with severe, chronic, debilitating mental illness can live independently.  Margaret Hawkins is a professional writer who has also written two novels.  I feel honored to have been included in this book about how mental health services can make such a huge difference in someone’s life.  Margaret and I worked together to help her sister (who is agoraphobic, paranoid Schizophrenic, severely delusional and was not medicated) continue to live in her home that she has been unable to leave for over 30 years.  It would have been a disaster if we would have had to move her out of her home.  One of the great things about NFC is our ability to provide flexibility and individualized treatment plans that other agencies cannot provide.

I have seen many members progress beautifully in their recovery.  Some have been employed for long periods of time; some have gone back to school.  One of my fondest members is of Ezra S. who did not talk or interact with anyone when he first became a member.  But because of his continued attendance at our day program, he has developed communication skills.  He even performs at the Expressive Arts Festivals and is on Member’s Council.  One year at camp when he first joined WilPower, we were singing and telling jokes around the campfire.  Ezra surprised everyone when he began to laugh at the jokes and sing with the group, a monumental turnaround for him.

Part of my responsibilities were to facilitate the Family Support Group.  Through this experience, I’ve had the pleasure to meet and get to know many of the parents and families of our members.  We worked together to find resources to help their adult children continue working towards independence and recovery.

Katie Fields was a former WilPower music therapist who recognized the importance of self expression through the arts.  She introduced me to drumming.  This led to facilitating the Choir and Drum Groups which I now co-facilitate with a member.  Marc G has been co-facilitating Choir and Drumming with me for several years.  He is creative, talented and works very hard to make these groups enjoyable for all of us, the members and myself!

My 14 years at WilPower, now New Foundation Center, have been quite an experience.  Gail Fried (our wonderful and talented Art Therapist) has also been here 14 years..  But we can’t remember who started first.  We think it was me.  I hope we’re here at least another 14 years!

Wendy Trafny

Timeline of achievements during New Foundation Center's 25 year history:

1980’s

·         1987 – received $2,000 grant from New Trier Township for housing needs survey   

·         1989 – opened first group home in Glencoe and hired Thresholds to manage organization

1990’s

·         1991 – Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program(PSR) operates 3 days per week

·         1992 – second home purchased in Wilmette

·         1993 – first part-time Executive Director hired – PSR offered 5 days per week

·         1995 – clubhouse at 444 Frontage Rd. opens

·         1997 – Community outreach program and Member Council started

·         1998 – Website launched

2000’s

·         2000 – first full time Executive Director hired  

·         2001 –  became fully independent and managing on our own

·         2003 – received HUD grant to operate residence for people with mental illness and homeless; initiate WRAP

·         2004 – received second HUD grant for scattered site housing

·         2006 – hired nurse to offer health and wellness services

·         2008 – initiated Wellness Management Recovery evidence based practice

·         2009 – changed name to New Foundation Center

·         2011 – established endowment   

25 and Strong!

New Foundation Center is 25 years young! We will celebrate this momentous achievement all year long by hosting several events that honor our founders, members and loyal supporters. If you have memories you would like to share about New Foundation Center - our staff, services, members, events - feel free to post them for all to enjoy as we begin the celebration.