Ward Off Winter Blues - On March 11, 2020 - Transitional Services, Inc.
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WINTER 2021
Ward Off
Winter
Blues By Lindsey Laverty
O
n March 11, 2020 mental wellbeing is essential confidential support. Or, you
the World Health to managing stress and may decide that teletherapy,
Organization declared maintaining physical health. or meeting with a therapist
the novel coronavirus a global This becomes more difficult over the phone or on video,
pandemic. In response, the in the winter season where is the best option for getting
Centers for Disease Control the days get shorter, darker, support at this time.
(CDC) and the National and colder. Health problems In order to maintain your
Institutes of Health urged can arise like the cold or flu physical health, you need to
people to avoid crowds, stay as well as Seasonal Affective practice the advice from the
six feet apart, wear a mask, Disorder (SAD), a form CDC. Staying home more
and wash hands in an effort of depression that occurs often, washing hands, and
to remain physically healthy. around the same time each wearing a mask in public are
Now months later, many are year, usually in the winter critical steps to preventing
tired of both the restrictions months. SAD can impact the spread of the coronavirus.
and the stress that comes appetite, energy levels, As temperatures cool down,
from living in a health crisis. sleeping, and moods. it is time to get creative
Doctors are warning of To ward off winter blues, with exercising indoors,
“pandemic fatigue” or feeling it is important to monitor finding entertainment, and
exhausted, anxious, lonely, your thoughts, fatigue, and connecting socially with
and sad due to the pandemic. feelings. This might mean others while keeping a
This can be caused by stay- contacting your doctor if you physical distance. Inside this
at-home orders that can be are having SAD symptoms issue are more ideas on how
isolating or a general fear of or if you are experiencing to manage your mental and
oneself and one’s loved ones suicidal ideation. You can physical health this season.
becoming ill. also call the 24-hour National
During COVID-19, taking Suicide Prevention Hotline at
care of your physical and 800-273-8255 for free and
1 - W i n t e r 2021
Mes s age fr o m t he CEO…
FINDING
FORTITUDE &
COURAGE IN
UNCERTAINTY
L
et me begin by saying that I could not Additionally, over 90% are confident that they
have more respect and appreciation have the right resources and information.
for the selfless work that all employees Now to speak of the individuals that we
of TSI have displayed during the onset of are serving. These months have created
the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. We uncertainty, fear, anxiety, isolation, and
began this pandemic, as all others, without a coronavirus-related restrictions and changes.
guidebook to provide us with answers. Despite We have witnessed
this lack of knowledge, we forged forward many of our
and together as a team, and with the growing individuals display
body of knowledge that came from the public courageousness
health experts, we were able to create over despite the fear;
twenty new protocols that have provided us fortitude despite
with the guidance to keep our employees and the uncertainty;
persons served safe. and adherence to
Paul Brunton stated that “every test difficult restrictions
successfully met is rewarded by some despite the isolation.
growth in intuitive knowledge, strengthening TSI is privileged to
of character, or initiation into a higher be serving all our
consciousness.” TSI has been witnessing individuals! We are
each of these processes every day. We have grateful that they have selflessly supported
learned not only how to address COVID-19 in our agency-wide efforts to get through this
our practices, but crisis.
also how to function To write the word ‘crisis,’ the Chinese use
Nearly 90% of as an organization two brush strokes; one brush stroke stands
our employees feel through a sustained for danger, the other for opportunity. We are
period of crisis. We not through this crisis yet, but we will be in
that the frequency, months to come. TSI will step back and look
are proud to report
clarity and format that nearly 90% of for these opportunities that arise. We will use
of all COVID-19 our employees feel what we learn to continuously improve our
that the frequency, services to provide the highest quality of care
communication clarity and format to those that need us.
has been either of all COVID-19
extremely or very communication has
Have a very safe holiday season!
been either extremely
effective. or very effective.
2 - TS I L i v i n g
Persons Served
Engagement
Committee Kick-Off
by Michele Charmello
I SHARE YOUR STORIES
n November, the newly Michele Charmello. The
formed TSI Persons Served committee discussed current
Engagement Committee
met twice to discuss
engagement activities and
potential opportunities
& SEND US IDEAS!
interesting and fun activities to share resources and Do you have an idea
happening here at TSI. We information agency-wide. We you would like to see
know that with daylight will be sending out monthly happening at TSI to
savings time ending, the emails filled with ideas engage our persons
weather getting colder, and and activities beginning in served? GREAT! Do
the threat of the coronavirus December. you have pictures or a
still looming, we are all As we enter the long, cold, story about one of your
experiencing feelings of winter months, we feel it is successful activities?
gloominess. There is certainly crucial for our TSI family to WONDERFUL! Send
a need to, as one staff person remain involved and occupied your ideas, photos, and/
put it, “Get a break from with enjoyable, leisure time or stories to Michele
blah.” activities. Our committee at mcharmello@
For these reasons, CEO will work collaboratively transitionalservices.org
Mary Anne Poutous organized with the TSI Activities &
the TSI Person Served Events Committee and all the
Engagement Committee. The wonderful TSI staff to help
first meeting took place on support, spread the word,
Monday, November 2, 2020 and recognize the activities
and was led by ID Director happening each day at TSI.
3 - W i n t e r 2021
P ROV I DE D BY THE ACT IVIT IES & EVENTS COMMITTEE
FALL
FESTIVITIES
Despite COVID-19 safety
restrictions, persons served
at TSI were still able to
participate in some fall
festivities.
Tell the TSI Persons Served Engagement
Committee what you will be doing in
the months ahead to bring a little light
into our TSI community. We will do what
we can to support you and help make
our staff members’ time at work more
enjoyable while adding to the quality of
life of our persons served. Email Michele at
mcharmello@transitionalservices.org.
4 - TS I L i v i n g
P ROVI DED BY THE AC TIVIT IES AND EVENTS COMM ITTEE
5 - W i n t e r 2021
STAY-AT-HOME
MENTAL HEALTH
PRACTICES
by Johnnie Hicks
Y MEDITATION/MINDFULNESS – Both
are proven to relieve stress and calm
nerves. If you are new to meditation
or mindfulness there are books and
mobile apps available to help you
start this journey and learn different
techniques.
Y CREATIVE PROJECTS – Taking on a
new hobby—whether it is knitting,
scrapbooking, painting, or cooking—is
a great way to spend time indoors. Is
The pandemic has made it there something you always wanted to
mandatory for everyone to learn to do? Now is the time! Purchase
spend more time in their homes a how-to book or look up instructional
and that can mean more time videos on YouTube to get started.
with family or more time alone. Y SPIRITUAL PRACTICES – There are
With the shorter days and colder, a wide range of
winter weather, proactively ways to unwind,
and tapping into
and creatively managing one’s your spiritual
fatigue, stress, and overall mental self can be
health is crucial at this time. Here effective. This
are some stay-at-home mental can include daily
readings, prayer,
health practices for this winter services online
season: or listening to
6 - TS I L i v i n g
motivational and spiritual speakers on practices. You can also use this time to
the internet, television, radio, or on a reflect on what life is teaching you, or
podcast. Choose to listen to uplifting on goals you have for yourself in the
sermons or speeches with words of new year.
encouragement.
Y MENTAL EXERCISE – Exercising your
Y “MY SPACE” – Create a room or a brain can take the form of puzzles or
space designated just for you. You reading. Allow your mind a break from
can personalize it with flowers, the anxiety and focus instead on a
candles, artwork, and other elements well-written story or putting together a
that bring you peace. Visual and puzzle.
sensory stimulation can provide a
positive distraction. When you feel Y TEATIME – Or it could be coffee or
overwhelmed, retreat to your space to hot-chocolate time! Hot drinks are
just sit and be for a moment. soothing, and tea in particular has
been shown to have a variety of health
Y JOURNALING – Journaling is a good benefits. While taking the time to
tool to monitor your mood and drink a hot beverage, concentrate on
environment. Writing relaxing your muscles, being in the
down feelings of moment, and take a mental inventory
fatigue or stress of how you are feeling that day.
can help to explain
what caused those
feelings. Once
documented, you can
be more effective in
the future in planning
out mental health
7 - W i n t e r 2021
MOVE
YOUR
BODY by Kellie Burnett
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT discovered, physical activity have the right equipment or
EVERYDAY MOVEMENT directly impacts the brain by complaining that physical
HAS EXCELLENT PHYSICAL and can improve mental exercise takes up too much
BENEFITS. REGULAR focus and even decrease the time; others may believe
EXERCISE CAN RELIEVE chances of health conditions that exercise should be done
STRESS, REDUCE WEIGHT, like depression. outdoors.
STRENGTHEN THE Most people can agree that These mindsets are
BODY, AND RELEASES daily exercise is necessary for preventing people from
ENDORPHINS THAT CAUSE good health, but somehow receiving the many health
FEELINGS OF HAPPINESS. fitness seems to stay on the benefits of daily movement.
“to do list” for many, and it Choose to boost your mood,
M
oving one’s body also can be difficult to get started release the stress, improve
has mental benefits, or keep to a program. Some your focus, and get moving
as neuroscientist people excuse themselves today!
Wendy Suzuki has from it by saying they do not
GET MOVIN’ MUSCLE-STRENGTHENING
ACTIVITY
WALK AND TALK
When on the phone, walk
*Remember to consult with your doctor Set an alarm and choose around the room for the
before attempting any new physical activity
to make sure it is safe for you to do. exercises to complete length of the call.
for short repetitions. For
example, do 10 jumping jacks, DANCE PARTY
YOGA
10 push-ups, and 10 sit-ups.
Adriene Mishler has been Music is a great way to let
crowned the “Reigning STRETCH BREAKS go, have fun, and move your
Queen of Pandemic Yoga” body. Play your favorite song
by the New York Times. Her During commercials or daily or find a playlist and then
videos on YouTube are great tasks, plan a break to fit go for it. Get your family
for beginners and really movement into your day. involved or celebrate by
anyone, featuring themes like This can be dusting, loading dancing about something
“Yoga for Seniors” and “Yoga the dishwasher, taking out good that happened to you
for Winter Blues.” the trash, or cooking. Those that week.
steps add up!
8 - TS I L i v i n g
BE SAFE AND
SOCIAL By Lindsey Laverty
H
umans are SOCIALLY DISTANCED
by nature DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN
social beings, SOCIAL ISOLATION
and social
interaction is F Schedule regular phone calls. Pick a day of the week to
catch up with a good friend or favorite family member.
a crucial part of a person’s Talk about fun memories you have together, update each
other on ways you are passing the time, and ask each
overall health. When persons other, “How are you, really?”
experience social support,
F Bundle up and take a brisk walk. Ask a neighbor or friend
the quality of their mental if they would be willing to take a walk with you on days
and physical health increases. that are not as bitter cold. Plan ahead and look at the
weather, then wear layers, a mask, and find a place to walk
At a time when staying away from crowds.
socially distanced is
F Attend an event digitally. Local libraries are holding virtual
required to stay safe, there book clubs and events, concerts have moved online, and
so have comedy shows. Enjoy the feeling of being together
are still opportunities to be with others while still being safe.
social with others. Keeping
F Play some games. If you live with a roommate or with
in touch and spending time family, try playing some board or card games, or even
doing a puzzle. If you live alone, play games on the
with friends and family
computer or do video games while making friends online.
may look different now, but
F Find a Pen Pal. Ask someone to be your pen pal! Agree
making an effort is the only to write letters to each other back and forth and write
way to avoid isolation and about topics that interest you both.
loneliness while following F Consider fostering or adopting a pet. Animals can be a
health guidelines. source of comfort and can help us to feel less lonely. If you
feel adopting is too much of a commitment or cost, think
about fostering animals from your local shelter.
9 - W i n t e r 2021
P ROV I DE D BY THE ACT IVIT IES & EVENTS COMMITTEE
STAFF RECOGNITION
Celebrating Years
of Service
30 YEARS 5 YEARS
KAREN PERRY JOHNNIE HICKS
Community Support Specialist I Mental Health Residential
Services Coordinator
RENAY TROTTER
Director of Programs, Mental Health KRISTINE GORGEY
Administrative Secretary
20 YEARS
3 YEARS
BONIFACE IGBA
Community Support Specialist I LISA KNAPP
Community Support Specialist I
RONALD LANKEY
Director of Operations PATRICIA ROBINSON
Transition Age Youth Team Supervisor
JOHN LAVENDAR, JR.
Community Support Specialist I CLIFFORD HOWARD
Community Support Specialist I
10 YEARS Mary Anne Poutous, Chief Executive Officer
JANET MOSES TONISHA HOWARD
Community Support Specialist I Community Support Specialist I
JESSICA REICHARD CHARITY WILEY
Community Support Specialist II Community Support Specialist I
1 0 - TS I L i v i n gP ROVI DED BY THE AC TIVIT IES AND EVENTS COMM ITTEE
RENAY TROTTER
30 Years – Director of Programs, Mental Health
Renay began her TSI career as a Resident Advisor. She is currently
the Program Director for four mental health Community Residential
Rehabilitation (CRR) programs, Congregate and Community Supportive
Living, Permanent Supportive Housing and Transition Age Youth
programs.
“I enjoy helping people to change their lives. I see TSI providing
programs to different populations in the future.”
CHRISTINE HARTMAN
20 Years – Program Supervisor
Chris started her TSI career as the Senior Resident Advisor at
one of our former Community Residential Rehabilitation (CRR)
locations. She is currently the Supervisor of the Congregate
Supportive Living and Community Supportive Living programs.
“I work at TSI because I believe in the mission. I enjoy helping others
and being a support for the staff who are so dedicated to providing
quality services. I think there will always be a need for the services
TSI provides. We truly go above and beyond what agencies (in our
industry) have to offer.”
MAUREEN KELLY
3 Years – Payroll/Human Resources Coordinator
Maureen began her TSI career as the Administrative Secretary.
In her current role, she processes payroll and is responsible for
various responsibilities of the Human Resources Department.
“I like that TSI is a non-profit organization and has a meaningful
mission and caring employees who are like my second family. I see TSI
continuing to build relationships, foster hope, and change lives.”
BRANDIE KONYAK
3 Years – Housing Support Staff
Brandie has been in her current position since being hired for the
Permanent Supportive Housing Program.
“What I like most about working for TSI is working with the persons
served and making a difference in their lives by helping them obtain
their apartments. I would like to see TSI grow in all departments.”
11 - W i n t e r 2021Making a Difference
TSI recognizes staff monthly through
our Making A Difference recognition
program. Staff are nominated and voted by
LYNN and KHALILAH
Core Value: Teamwork
their peers for Making A Difference in the day- Staff responded to an individual who was in crisis
to-day lives of the individuals and their peers. to ensure their safety. Support was quickly put
At the end of the year, the committee selects into place. In addition, staff met the individual
the nominations that stood out the most. in the community and returned them to their
Thank you for your hard, heartfelt work and program.
for the care and value you add to Transitional
Services. Congratulations!
WILL
KATHY D., MOSES, EBONI, DEBBIE, Guiding Principle: Be Servant-Hearted
SHARON and DENNIS in Attitude and Actions
Core Values: Teamwork, Communication While performing a wellness check, Will discovered
and Customer Service the individual was in need of immediate medical
This team exemplifies these qualities as they all attention. Will contacted EMS and followed them
do whatever it takes to keep individuals safe. The to the hospital. He stayed with the individual until
program was never without coverage and staff he was admitted and provided comfort through
treated individuals with respect and dignity while the process.
providing options and personal communication.
A Glimpse Inside This Issue…
Stay Engaged!
806 West Street, Homestead, PA 15120-1566 Fall Fun
412-461-1322 • 412-461-1250 fax
www.transitionalservices.org What To Do at Home
Get Movin’!
MISSION STATEMENT
To help people with mental disabilities
Safe Socializing
discover and achieve their hopes
and dreams for a meaningful Years & Years
life in the community.
VISION STATEMENT TSI LIVING
Transforming communities through the Editor: Lindsey Laverty
contributions of the people we serve. Publications Team:
Keisha Becoate, Johnnie Hicks, Renay Trotter,
Kellie Burnett, Michele Charmello,
Transitional Services, Inc. has been accredited by Lindsey Laverty
CARF for the following programs and services:
• Community Services: Community Housing Photo Credits:
• Community Services: Supported Living Fall Festivities: Todd Daniels (coloring activity),
• Community Housing: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults) Annie Torres (pumpkin carving/ painting),
• Supported Living: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults) and Guy Hurt (door decoration pictures)
Recognition Photos: Keisha BecoateYou can also read
