Interim's mission is to provide services and affordable housing supporting members of our community
with mental illness in building productive and satisfying lives.

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Interim Congratulates Kontrena McPheter
United Way Unsung Heroine for 2012

Staff member Kontrena McPheter has been awarded United Way’s 2012 Unsung Heroine Award for her volunteer work in support of adults with mental illness. Kontrena is a part-time employee serving as the Coordinator for our “Success Over Stigma” (SOS) Program. As coordinator, Kontrena is responsible for recruiting, orienting, and training more than 50 mental health clients to share their stories of mental health recovery with other agencies, organizations, and schools. This program has made a real difference in helping to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and has empowered the clients who share their powerful personal stories.

Kontrena also works tirelessly as a volunteer empowering her peers in their recovery process. In 2011, she spearheaded a movement to revamp local Board and Care Homes organizing individuals and agencies to donate clothes and personal items to Board and Care residents. Kontrena (and Vernon Sample) inspired the Monterey County Behavioral Health Mental Health Commission to arrange training seminars on mental illness and recovery for the staff at all 19 Board and Care Homes. They had previously had no such training available.

Kontrena actively participates on the Recovery Task Force and the Wellness and Recovery Conference planning committee. She helped a local Girl Scout troop produce a video on mental health awareness and organizes consumers to participate in various mental healtheventseach year (Capitol Action Day, the NAMI Walk and Family Fun Day). Kontrena is a trainer in Culture Competency and the NAMI Peer to Peer Recovery Education classes where she is currently running a nine-week class.

Kontrena is passionate about helping people with their mental health recovery and seems to possess boundless energy and enthusiasm. She is a role model to all of us and very deserving of this award.

Yarn and knitting materials needed at OMNI

The OMNI Center is working on their community project and need your help.  They are in need of yarns, knitting needles, crochet hooks, looms and things of that nature to create scarves, hats and mufflers for approximately 150 board and care residents.  Any donation will be helpful and can be dropped off directly at the OMNI Center, located at 1033 S. Main Street in Salinas. For more information, contact Lisa Corpuz at 831.754.3838.

SEES Program Needs Donations of Clothing for Clients Seeking Jobs

Our Supported Education and Employment Services (SEES) program is looking for donations of interview-appropriate clothing for men and women. They are particularly looking for shirts and blouses, and accessories (handbags, costume jewelry). Knowing you are nicely dressed can boost self-confidence in an interview, and when you feel good about yourself, prospective employers will feel good about you too.  You can drop off donations at main office at 604 Pearl St.,Monterey, or at the SEES office at 201 John St.in Salinas.

Monthly calendar of events  for  TAY, OMNI and Our Voices

Housing, Healing, & Hope for Adults with Mental Illness