Page 1   Unlimited Alternatives Winter 2007 Newsletter  Our Mission Statement: “Do With Not For” What is Unlimited Alternatives? Unlimited Alternatives, sometimes called UA, is a non-profit drop in center for people with mental illness or those who have dealt with mental or emotional problems in the past. The center is a place for people to come together and relax in an accepting environment.   At UA you will find compassion, support, and a welcoming atmosphere. People are free to be who they are and come and go as they wish. We are not a treatment facility but rather a gathering place for people who share similar concerns.   We offer various classes, resources, outings and support groups which you may utilize any time while at the center.       Many activities are accessible through the center. Some are offered daily. Among these are Support Groups Cooking Class Arts and Crafts Cable Television Cable Internet Computers Cards and Board games Friendly conversation Resources Books Karaoke Music Group outings Coffee, soda and snacks Relaxation Support from peers Information and much more…                         Page 2                                                         Support Groups UA is currently looking for volunteers to conduct several support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Schizophrenic Awareness and Overcoming Depression. If you are interested in leading a group please call (616)235 9529.                      Arts and Crafts I would like to congratulate Annemarie Beirnacki. Three of Annemarie’s photos were accepted as part of Shining Through with the Mental Health Foundation. She is an amazing photographer and we appreciate her contribution to the center in our arts and crafts department.     Exercise Classes          We have had a huge demand for some sort of exercise regimen here at UA, so… since I can’t put it off any longerJ I have decided to instruct a low intensity workout class Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am. So if, like me, you have a few extra pounds you’d like to take care of before you turn in to a turkey…..come down and help motivate me to get this class off the ground. It’s time eat to live, not live to eat… even though, I sure am looking forward to that turkey dinner.     Page 3 Cooking Class Our favorite Michigan fan, Lynn, has been doing a great job in our Tuesday morning cooking class. She continues to give us something to look forward to putting in our tummies. This was October 22ND‘s delicious recipe!   Chicken Tetrazzini   Ingredients: 1 box spaghetti, break into 2” pieces 2 cups of cubed cooked chicken 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 medium onion diced 2-4oz cans sliced & drained mushrooms 2/3 cup heavy cream ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper   Cook spaghetti & drain. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except 3 cups of cheese. Scoop mixture into a 9X13 baking dish and sprinkle with additional cheese. Bake uncovered@375 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes.                   Holidays We had our annual Halloween party October 30TH it was a blast! We dined on green worms and eyeballs, blood and witches fingers otherwise known as spaghetti, meatballs and breadsticks. We danced to Thriller & Witchy Woman and watched Beetlejuice & Hocus Pocus. DeeDee and Sherrie one the tootsie roll counting contest… congrats ladies! Our Thanksgiving feast will be served around noon on   Wednesday the 21ST; dinner will be catered. Our Christmas party is going to be held the 21ST of December. See you there. We have two Christmas shopping outings coming up, Nov. 29TH and Dec. 13TH. Also the week of the 17TH of December we will be doing a gift wrapping week if you have gifts you would like to wrap we will be providing paper tape and tags to do so. You bring the gifts and we’ll help you wrap them.   Page 4                           Laundry UA is equipped with a washer and dryer for our members to use at their leisure… we also provide the laundry soap! If you have clothes you need to wash bring them with you…..just remember… last load goes in at 2pm.     Volunteers We are always looking for volunteers here at UA. We are starting a pilot program where we have asked six Grand Rapids High Schools to complete their volunteer hours in our center as part of their curriculum for high school completion. We hope to decrease stigma by engaging with our cities youth as well as give students dealing with the onset of mental illness a friendly, non-clinical atmosphere.                   Weekly Calendar   Monday: 10am Exercise class   Tuesday: 10am Cooking Class   Wednesday: 10am Exercise class 1pm Arts and Crafts   Thursday: 2pm Karaoke   Friday: 10am Exercise class 1pm Popcorn and a movie           Unlimited Alternatives Hours of Operation     M-F 8am to 4pm           Mental Illnesses are not Contagious…Recovery is…Catch it!       Page 5 Game page                                                          Sudoku numbers 1-4               Riddle: #1 What do Snowmen eat for breakfast?   #2 How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?       Answer: #1 Frosted Flakes   #2 Fleece Navidad       Featured Member *Our featured member is Deb Martin, she was asked to speak at November’s Network 180 Board meeting, and this is her speech.   Hello, my name is Deb Martin, I have Tartest Discanecha, and it is damage of the central nervous system that causes loss of control over parts of the body by sending signals to the wrong parts. This damage was caused by being treated with the wrong drug for the cure causing damaging affects to the central nervous system. My brain sends out signals to a part of my body but the signal ends up somewhere else. In 1978 I was being treated with a drug I should have not been taking and this is why I have this problem.   Everybody treated me badly because they did not understand my condition and how I got this way. People use to think I was born this way and they would leave me out of games and other events and it was hard to make friends or even someone to talk to. I was very much alone and this was very hard for me to handle but as time moved on I found that answer. I have a right to live just like anyone does. I wanted a job, a place of my own, a car to get me around and friends to do things with and talk too.   I did not give up and it was very hard on me. I just would not quit, I just try harder to get what I wanted out of life, in getting the right help is a good start to move forward, going to your help meetings, talking to others that are like you can help you to understand yourself and the problems that lay ahead. Understanding what lies ahead in your journey to recovery.   Just don’t quit and adjust your life for the problems you have. There are programs and other people to help you or guide you along the way in the right direction to get the help you need. Most people do not understand what trouble is. They are confused on how they should treat you, this makes them want to get away from you and think that maybe you are crazy and dangerous to them. Lack of understanding will play a very big part in how people will treat you and if they want to be a friend or not. It’s this lack of understanding that makes it so hard for you to be normal, even so, never give up trying to be who you are and the things you want to do in your life.   Thank You.                   Unlimited Alternatives 921 28TH Street Grand Rapids, MI 49508   (616) 235-9529 (616) 235-8850FAX                                                                 Unlimited Alternatives Winter 2007 Newsletter Our Mission Statement: “Do With Not For”