NHS Maintains Community Connections
Submitted by: NHS Human Services
With roots firmly established in the community mental health center movement, NHS Human Services continues to maintain their community connections. As one of the largest providers of human services, NHS provides care to 50,000 adults and children each year in four states. NHS is a recognized leader in the areas of behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, addictive diseases, juvenile justice, elder care, autism and education.
NHS staff and consumers are a visible and integral part of the communities they live and work in. Community service is encouraged as part of a client’s treatment plan as it allows individuals to enhance their social skills and reintegrate into their communities.
One very successful community project takes place in Coal Township Pennsylvania where NHS Youth Services provides residential services to adolescent boys who are delinquent and dependent. Through a variety of programs NHS assists these boys to build their self esteem, develop vocational goals, and complete their education. A component of their treatment is community service. Each week a team of boys visits a local assisted living facility. They help provide light maintenance assistance as well as participate in recreational and social activities such as reading projects, bingo games, card games or visiting individuals who cannot leave their rooms. While NHS therapists work with the boys on their behavioral challenges, some of the best life lessons they learn are from the seniors they visit every week. They have learned compassion and commitment through these weekly visits and have connected with their elders in a very meaningful way.
The resident manager of the facility commented that although she realizes these young men have problems in their lives, their participation at her facility is nothing less than exemplary and she is proud of the bond that has been forged between the seniors and the young people. She said it is hard to tell who benefits most from this relationship as these visits are the highlight of the week for the seniors living there.
NHS Human Services depends on public funding to service a client base that is largely uninsured and underinsured. To help support the mission of NHS and its programs the NHS Foundation has been established to raise awareness of NHS as well as to raise funds to supplement the dwindling public dollars for their programs. One of their signature events, which raises in excess of $150,000 every year, is a black tie Gala which will take place this year on November 17, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Penns Landing. For further information about the NHS Foundation or the upcoming Leading the Way Gala please contact 610.260.4675.
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