Report to the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program

from The Circle of Friends for Mental Health

Evaluation Project “We Have Questions”.

Introduction

by John Dame

First of all, we would like to thank you for this opportunity; I know it has been one of the most enlightening experiences of my life.

Carolyn came to me and said that she wanted me to help with writing a grant proposal. We worked on the grant a number of times that month, and submitted it when we felt it had been completed to our satisfaction. Carolyn suggested that we contact Jim Fickens from Clean Start, a clubhouse operated by CPC (Community Psychiatric Clinic) and to enlist his support for helping to create the surveys. Jim said that it was of critical importance to be able to gather measurable information and to relate it to progressive recovery, and that the aim of the study should be to measure a participant’s satisfaction, self-expression, self-confidence, communication skills, and interpersonal relationship building skills in regard to their participation in various art and music groups. These were skills that we were interested in because it shows progressive recovery when clients start

to work at a higher level of functioning by working with others to build community.

As this report unfolds, we shall present a history of Circle of Friends for Mental Health, the survey data ( listed under percentages of respondents answers), and an analysis of that data, and finally an evaluation of how we believe our organization effects and supports the Mental Health community. We will use data from other organizations and testimonials to support our findings, and give you a comprehensive history of Clubhouses (appendix I).

As we started to gather information, the clients functioning level became an issue, as many of them have had some difficulty in filling out the survey and required some extra assistance. Some of the answers they gave are interesting to say the least, but also analyzing and assessing their answers has taken more time than we were hoping to spend.

The information we have collected shows that clients not only enjoy doing the art, but also benefit greatly from the reduction of stress and anxiety, and build communication skills. But the biggest issue we have faced is building trust. So, building trust through building community is one of our main goals that are going to allow Circle of Friends to expand its role in the Mental Health Community.

Different methods of collecting the information;

Creating the survey questionnaires was a bit difficult and it took several attempts to get it right. One of the problems we faced at the beginning was the reluctance of the clients to participate in the survey. Again, this is a trust issue and in many cases we are just

beginning to earn their trust. We thought that most of the clients would be able to fill out the surveys on their own, which is the case, but many of them required additional help when filling them out. At Clean Start I only had to help two clients fill out the survey, but at Summit Inn the clients needed more direction and to have the questions explained to them. When giving the survey at Wallingford House two of the clients there also required a bit more help, and the clients at Emerald House were mixed in their ability to fill out the surveys.

Please note: There is a variable here in that clubhouses and congregate living facilities have different classes, different teachers, different mediums, and so there is a difference in the quality of instruction. The surveys were designed to fit specific classes, and different questions appeared on the survey for that particular class.

Table of contents

Page 2-3 Introduction by John Dame

Page 3 Different Methods for Collecting the Information

Page 4 Table of Contents

Page 5 Circle of Friends Program Details

Page 6 Circle of Friends Participants

Appendix I Comprehensive list of survey questions and answers

Appendix II History of the Clubhouse

Appendix III Brief Description of Instructors

Appendix IV Drumming Project at Clean Start

Appendix V Map of Sites

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Program Details.

“When Art enters us, it performs its healing magic, like a massage for the soul.”

- Jan Phillips

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS sponsors classes for groups of 10-20 mentally ill adults, some of whom are unable to live independently. The classes last an hour and take place at locations overseen by two Seattle-based community mental health agencies, Community Psychiatric Clinic and by Seattle Mental Health. The classes allow for a wide latitude of activities and goals. This year we have had 1500-2000 individual contact hours.

Inventory and Map. See Appendix V..

Circle of Friends Classes

Most CIRCLE OF CARE classes are held at clubhouses and living facilities for adults with chronic mental illness. Some are convened in public places like the Seattle Center. The first classes were held in the spring of 2003 at three Seattle clubhouse facilities for adults with mental illness. The three facilities included Wallingford House, Emerald House, and Keystone. Five instructors led a series of seven weekly arts and crafts classes at Emerald House. Three artists led classes at Wallingford House, and a weekly creative writing group was convened at Keystone. Very popular “laughter” sessions were held in which participants were encouraged to share their humor and laugh with each other.

In 2004 a second weekly arts and crafts classes was added at Emerald House; Wallingford House continued its arts and crafts class and added a knitting class; and the writing class continued at Keystone.

The arts and crafts and writing classes were continued in 2005. In addition Emerald House started a weekly drumming group, and Rainbow Creek in Bellevue initiated an arts and crafts group.

The program expanded during the 2006-2007 school year to include new art classes at Summit Inn-Community House, Clean Start, Seattle Center House, and Noel House. Wallingford House and Emerald House continued weekly afternoon arts and crafts classes. Keystone continued its writing group. Clean Start offered both an art class, followed by music sessions on Friday afternoon. A photography class that used donated film and cameras was held on Wednesday afternoons at Seattle Center House. The Summit Inn Art class met on Wednesday afternoons. An art group was convened on Wednesday afternoons at Noel House.

The schedule for fall 2007 includes afternoon classes at all seven facilities. The only shift in focus is from writing to a physical activity at Keystone. Painting, music, creative writing, drumming, and crafts will continuing on a weekly basis.

Photography classes and drumming circles are in the upcoming program plan Art contributions have been varied. Interns and volunteers come to us through the
”list serve” kept by the Universities and organizations and by requirements of the schools for community work. When we find someone with a skill they will share, we try to find the correct place and connection. The artists from the Kirkland Art Center, have stepped up when we were in need of substitutes, or leaders to tackle a first event like the “Art in the Park.” Potters who have skills, printmakers, watercolorists, readers, quilters, all have shared their skills and good will with us.

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Circle of Friends Participants

Participants in the CIRCLE OF FRIENDS program are adults ages 18 and older who have serious mental illnesses and are living in King County. Some are living in congregate care facilities, some are homeless, and some live in Section 8 apartments.

They are members of clubhouses or residents at facilities where the classes are held. Their abilities vary considerably, and the groups take on different identities depending upon both the level of functioning and the personalities of the members. In 2004-5 an estimated 420 adults with mental illness participated in the COF program for a total of 1,500 contact hours.

Circle of Friends Instructors

Circle of Friends classes are led by volunteer instructors and often are also supported by presence of counseling staff from the clubhouses where they are convene. Volunteers from the community and interns from various University and Community Colleges lead and support the classes. In the spring of 2004 the University of Washington recognized the Circle of Friends as a program in which interns could receive credit for participation. Over the years the Circle of Friends has enjoyed commitment of over 28 talented volunteer instructors. They have come from art departments at our local universities, from the community of professional artists and as professionals interested in supporting persons with mental illness. Interns attend non-profit board and committee meetings and participate in fundraising activities. Successful instructors reflect a blend of artistic talent, energy and commitment, and sensitivity to and empathy with the challenges of mental illness. The evaluation report summarizes the following information about the 30 instructors: where they came from, what their artistic skill is, and how long they have worked with the program. 
 
Where did COF Instructors come from? Eleven instructors were art students from UW, and 2 were studying at SCC. Seven instructors have been professional artists; three have been art teachers, one a social worker, and one a nurse.
 
What were their artistic skills? Thirteen of the 30 instructors could be considered “generalists” across a range of artistic areas. The remaining 17 could be considered specialists in a broad range of artistic areas including drama (4), drumming (3), music (1), drawing (1), pottery (1), graphics (1), painting (1), writing (1), quilting (1), and photography (1).
 
How long have instructors worked with the program? Five of the COF instructors have volunteered for 2 years or longer, five have given 1-2 years. Six have taught one or two whole classes (equivalent to one academic quarter); nine have volunteered briefly, and three volunteer from time to time.
 
 
In Appendix II is a brief description of the contributions from these 30 instructors.
 

Special Events and Products Shared with the Community

Besides convening regularly scheduled classes, Circle of Friends sponsors other arts related events in the community.

Holiday Gift-Making. At holiday time Circle of Friends goes to many more facilities to hold gift-making events. Many community members step up to help when we make

holiday gifts. In addition musical groups accompany us to perform at the various sites. In 2004 we held special holiday events at three clubhouses and residential facilities. In 2005 we expanded this program to 6 locations and by 2006 to 13 locations.

Other events occur when the opportunities present themselves.

Drumming. A drum circle has a powerful, spontaneous improvisational flow of changing rhythms that creates a space of unity, creativity, and empowered self-expression. Volunteers procure materials, lead clients in making their own drums, and then all drum together. COF has held a number of drumming events described below.

Drumming at Emerald House. A volunteer who had worked with homeless people before and knew the population led drumming. He had many kinds of drums and a history of different countries and their instruments. Everyone learned about drums, music and history and had a great time playing the variety of things he brought.

Drumming at Clean Start, workshop for Social Workers led by an African drummer who volunteers with Circle of Friends and leads “Oceanmi,” a professional music group. The production was excellent and was written up in the Clean Start newsletter by Jim Fickens, the Clean Start Director. (Appendix IV )

Drumming in the Park by our African drumming volunteer. The leader always wears his African clothes when he comes to lead. He is fun, refreshing and engaging both personality wise and as a skilled historian and musician.

Publishing writing. The creative writing groups have produced and sold books of their stories and poems, with proceeds going back to the clients.

Attending local theater. The drama group attended three theater productions at Public Theater as part of their drama experience.

Visiting art museum. The group from Emerald House visited the Frye Museum when “mentally ill” artist was featured.

Displaying art in public. Circle of Friends has been invited to give two art shows. The first was at Form/Space Atelier Gallery in Seattle where Emerald House students

showed their art. The gallery had a wonderful opening with music, food and crowd. Several members attended. Two pieces were sold. The Espresso Splendido showed

Wallingford House art last year during December. All 29 pieces were sold. Everyone was thrilled! The owner told us he would find us more places to show. The Emerald House group created a seven ft tall bamboo sculpture of Pegasus. They are currently seeking a place for display.

Producing plays. A friend of Circle of Friends has written a play for the organization that is comprised of six powerful vignettes about the meaning of art and creativity in the lives of persons with mental illness. Two of the play vignettes have been shown on Seattle TV.

Publicizing Circle of Friends. Members of the Circle of Friends board and participants have taken advantage of several opportunities to publicize the organization’s activities. Carolyn Hale was featured as “change agent” in an article in Real Change, the local weekly newspaper distributed by members of the homeless community. Carolyn was also interviewed on Seattle TV in the show where two of the play vignettes were broadcast. A client at Emerald House spoke about Circle of Friends at the King County Council meeting. He was asked by Acorn, a non-profit organization from the Asian community to speak in support of the county funding the “1/10-cent for mental health.” He spoke wonderfully and most in attendance were not aware he has a mental illness and is deaf.

Volunteers sponsored an “Ashiana Dinner and Education Night”, our first event to spread the word about our work and raise some funds for basic supplies. Three East Indian couples lead in with a dinner, with East Indian Theme and the friends painting hands with henna, East Indian ford prepared by Tandoori Fire Restaurant and board members sitting at each table telling our goal and program ideas. Usha Jose continued to work with us a bit as a teacher and as an IT person. She is working on a Master’s degree at The UW and informs me that she will have some time this year for us to do some IT and wants to continue our connection.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Evaluation Methods:

The CIRCLE OF FRIENDS evaluation, entitled: “We Have Questions: Evaluation of Circle of Friends for Mental Health Art Therapy Project,” was funded through a grant from the Washington State Consumer and Family Evaluation Minigrant Program. The evaluation was carried out by an instructor who served as the project director and the president of the board of directors, who served as the evaluation project co-director. The evaluation team received technical assistance from a program evaluation expert at the University of Washington. The evaluation had two goals. One was to systematically document the activities of the program to date. The methods for carrying out this part of the evaluation was to review historical materials including class schedules, board meeting minutes, instructor rosters, published articles, and testimonials. These materials were organized into a descriptive report. The second was to systematically gather information from program participants, instructors, and counselors to understand program benefits and shortcomings. The method for carrying out this part of the evaluation was to design and administer consumer satisfaction questionnaires. The project director conducted this

part of the evaluation. Questionnaires were administered to clients at six sites, including Emerald House, Clean Start, Keystone, Wallingford House, Summit, and the

photography class. Responses from participants were tallied separately for each site. Responses for instructors were combined across sites, as were responses from counselors. Comments that were written on consumer satisfaction questionnaires were transcribed into the report.

Different questionnaires were designed for different types of classes (art, music, photography, writing). In general, however, the questionnaires ask about such topics as the value of the class, which aspects of class participants like the most, whether participation helped to accomplish other goals, what skills were learned, whether the class was fun, and what could be done to improve the classes. Questionnaires asked gender and age of participants, but were otherwise anonymous. The evaluation project director administered them before or after group sessions. Participation in the evaluation was voluntary. Those who participated received a small incentive (cookie and can of pop).

The Clubhouses Clean Start (CPC); Clean Start is a part of Community Psychiatric Clinic, and has been in service since 1987. Inspired by the Fountain House format, it started out as a place where recovering addicts could go and take a shower, get a fresh change of clothes, and do their laundry, hence the name Clean Start. Clean Start has served many downtown clients over the years, with a variety of services such as mental health education classes, community resource referrals, team building groups, meals, counseling, clothing, as well

as art and music groups. Clean Start encourages its members to actively engage in recovery by taking steps toward rebuilding self-confidence, productivity, and independent community living. In general the clients who attend Clean Start seem to be at a higher level of functioning because of the life skills that they exhibit.

Emerald House (SMH); Emerald House is a clubhouse operated by Sound Mental Health and serves a substantial amount of clients. The services range from counseling to protective payees, to medication dispensing, meals, and housing, and entertainment such as field trips to the Arboretum, art classes, and movies. The clients at Emerald House

function at different levels, but seem to be at a lower functioning level than the ones at Clean Start.

Summit Inn (CH); Summit Inn is a resident housing unit operated by Community House. The clients at Summit are at a level of functioning that need a lot of supervision and it requires them to live at this facility so that they can be provided with care constantly. One of the biggest issues at Summit has been earning the client’s trust. Since I have been working there, the clients are slowly, but surely joining in on the art classes, even though many of them have been on-lookers foe several months before they felt comfortable

enough to join in. Services at summit are comprehensive due to the amount of care needed by the clients.

Keystone (CPC); Keystone is a congregate living facility for thirty-five clients. The people who live there are generally in need of medical supervision, but are better able to take care of themselves than many others that we work with. The Creative Writing class there has been running for around three years and is led by a nurse. Two books have been written called “The Keystone Chronicles”, where the clients submitted the stories and poems. The group has also decorated baskets. Unfortunately, the teacher is leaving and the group is in need of a new instructor.

Wallingford House (CPC); Wallingford House is another clubhouse operated by the Community Psychiatric Clinic. Initially started as a clubhouse, it has gone through many changes in recent times, and is in the process of rebuilding itself. Wallingford House offers a number of services including meals, art classes, counseling and worker retraining. The clients at Wallingford House function at different levels, some higher than others.

Noel House (Catholic Charities) Noel House is a 20 homeless shelter for women and a few beds for transient women in the downtown Seattle. Between eight and ten people come.. Our wonderful artist teacher has been welcomed and tells poignant stories that come forth during the classes.

Photography Class (COF); Circle of Friends operates their new photography class from Century Square in Westlake Plaza. This class is open to clients from any mental health facility. Since its inception at Seattle Center, the class has doubled in size and is expected

to keep growing, which has presented us with the challenge of keeping up with the demand for cameras, film, and developing. This is just a photography class and offers no support services other than the camaraderie of working together in groups. The clients that participate in the photography class seem to be at a higher level of functioning as they must be able to get to the class by themselves, and operating a camera takes a bit of skill.

Percentages of respondents answers;

Please note: There is a variable here in that clubhouses and congregate living facilities have different classes, different teachers, different mediums, and so there is a difference in the quality of instruction. The surveys were designed to fit specific classes, and different questions appeared on the survey for that particular class.

Clients: 52 respondents total;

How long have you attended this class? 27 respondents; 15 % first time, 4 % 1 month, 15 % 3 months or more, 20 % 6 months or more, 36 % 1 year or more, 8 % 2 years or more, 12 % 3 to 5 years.

How valuable is this class to you? 36 respondents; 6 % not valuable, 12 % average, 27 % fairly valuable, 66% very valuable.

How do you feel when you are in class? 36 respondents; 3 % not good, 27 % average, 36 % fairly good, 45 % very good.

How do you feel after class? 35 respondents; 3 % not good, 12 % average, 27 % fairly good, 48 % very good.

Do you think about the work you did in class at other times during the week? 39 respondents; 78 % said yes, while 22 % said no.

How has the class affected your self-confidence? not improved, improved a little, greatly improved. 3 % not improved, 45 % improved a little, 54 % greatly improved.

Do you feel that you have been successful in this class? 35 respondents; 90 % said yes, while 10 % said no.

What skills have you learned in this class? 10 respondents; 100% said positive things such as conservation, patience, technique, social and people skills, sobriety, relieves the pain, gratitude for movement.

Has this class helped your: job skills, communication skills, self-confidence? 33 respondents; 18 % said job skills, 30 % said communication skills, 51 % said self-confidence.

Have you made new friends through class? 27 respondents; 78 % said yes, while 22 % said no.

Is this class fun? 24 respondents; 90 % said yes, 10 % or less said no.

Does the group laugh and express humor? 36 respondents; 90 % said yes, while 10 % or less said no.

How do the teachers make you feel? 31 respondents; 45 % said fairly good, while 55 % said very good.

When we teach this class again, will you come back to do it again? 7 respondents; 86 % said yes, while 14 % said no.

Instructors; ; 8 total, 5 female, 3 male, ages 20-73.

How often do the clients show up to do the classes?

12 % uncertain- 12 % said every other week- 75 % said on a regular basis.

Have you noticed any changes in the participants who attend the art therapy groups? Work better together, less angry or emotional, happier, more focused, other? 100 % said happier- 37 % said all apply.

Do participants talk about their art during the week or at other times that you know of? 36 % said don’t know- 36 % said yes- 12 % said I hear they do from the counselors.

Are they happy to have their art displayed, or when they do music therapy, to be listened to? 12 % uncertain-82 % said yes.

What kinds of activities do they enjoy the most? Drawing, painting, masks, collages, clay, charcoal, murals, apron painting, signs, other?

Please note that instructors are teaching different classes so this set of answers is negligible. Too many variables, so I’ll list a few responses.

Most said drawing, painting, and collages, for the art classes. One instructor said variety is a plus; they seem to enjoy them all. Creative writing class instructor listed poems, short stories, Haiku’s, and about their week and current events. One instructor said photography and music. The clients want to do tye-dye t-shirts. We made a bamboo sculpture of a flying horse that stood seven feet tall, it was great fun.

Do you have any suggestions that you think could improve the groups?

Again responses.

Have more supervisors to encourage clients to participate in the classes.

Meet more often. Longer class time, increase to 3 ½ to 4 hours (for clay). Better materials (voiced by many instructors). Have all of the new instructors meet with the board of COF and work up new strategies for motivating clients and increase instructors abilities to apply art techniques. We have plenty of professionals already, we just need to get together and bump heads. The music teacher wrote: If more clients could show up on different days, then yes that would be effective.

What ways could we get the word out about our classes to more people?

100 % said flyers, posters, or colorful signs.

Have the instructors always been respectful to the staff and participants?

100 % said yes.

Is there something that we do that has caused a problem or been unconstructive?

72 % said no. 12 % said no, but I believe we can be more constructive. 12 % said wash the floors after art class, not before. No one said anything negative here.

Should we enlist a professional or knowledgeable trainer to teach the students/instructors how to work with the participants?

50 % said no (but they are artists)- 12 % said sure- 12 % said its up to us- 12 % said yes, but we already have professionals, we just need to get together and bump heads.

Should we offer art classes more than one time a week?

12 % said no, we offer 4 classes a week- 72 % said yes, most emphatically- 12 % said that it depends on the facility, some already do, and some could use more. The music teacher said; Yes, if we could get more clients to show up on different day, then it would be effective.

Counselors; 5 total, 3 male, 2 female, ages 31-55

How often do the clients show up to do the classes?

40 % said every once in a while, 60 % said on a regular basis.

Have you noticed any changes in the participants who attend the art therapy groups? Work better together, less angry or emotional, happier, more focused, other? 60 % said happier- 40 % said more focused- 1 also said it seems to give them better insight into mental illness.

Do participants talk about their art during the week or at other times that you know of? 100 % said yes. 1 said art is the frequent topic at the club.

Are they happy to have their art displayed, or when they do music therapy, to be listened to? 100 % said yes, 1 said they are very proud- 1 said the display of a client’s art seems to be a great boost to the clients’ lives and self-esteem- 1 said yes, very much so- 1 said yes, they like to put their art up on the walls- 1 just said yes.

What kinds of activities do they enjoy the most? Drawing, painting, masks, collages, clay, charcoal, murals, apron painting, signs, other?

1 said I don’t know, but its good to have a structured activity- 1 said I don’t know- the others said drawing, painting, collages, writing, and music.

Do you have any suggestions that you think could improve the groups?

Have more supervisors to encourage clients to participate in the classes.

Meet more often. Longer class time, increase to 3 ½ to 4 hours (for clay). Better materials (voiced by many instructors). Have all of the new instructors meet with the board of COF and work up new strategies for motivating clients and increase instructors abilities to apply art techniques. We have plenty of professionals already, we just need to get together and bump heads. The music teacher wrote; A monthly goal of a certain amount of songs that the clients should complete within that time frame.

What ways could we get the word out about our classes to more people?

100 % said flyers or posters, colorful signs, or brochures.

Have the instructors always been respectful to the staff and participants?

100 % said yes.

Is there something that we do that has caused a problem or been unconstructive?

100 % said no.

Should we enlist a professional or knowledgeable trainer to teach the students/instructors how to work with the participants?

60 % said no- 20 % said I always think training is worthwhile- 20 % said yes, professional instructors and teachers would be an excellent addition to our efforts.

Should we offer art classes more than one time a week?

40 % were unsure- 40 % said no, once was enough for their program- 20 % said yes.

Community impact has been growing. Our mailing to supporters brings the information about our program and the hopefulness that it spreads. The wonderful examples that come forward bring a clear picture of the small but continuing successes we have.

Family members from out of state have asked to meet us. I have one meeting scheduled for next month. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill “Family to Family” students often maintains interest in the program. Many groups that are now asking us to help, asking for information and wanting to cooperate with us. Harborview Hospital’s Mental Health program asked us to lead art tables at their first “Art in the Park.” Very Special Arts of Washington asked to cooperate with us in finding artists for their gallery and has invited us to show photographs from our class in the gallery later, probably in January 2008.

Rainbow Creek, a clubhouse on the Eastside wants an art leader. It has been difficult to find students with a car or people who are willing to cross the bridge to the Eastside. They know our work and have recommended places for a new volunteer “reader.”

The Form/Space Atelier Galley and the Espresso Splendido have helped persons in the community by showing their artwork. People can begin to understand the abilities and the struggles of these participants. Peace in the Street Kids has asked us for an art teacher. They work with kids from ages 17-26 and recognize that art builds health.

Art vs. Art Therapy?

Testimonials from Surveys and Recollected Comments

Below are comments that were written by members of the Circle of Friends for Mental Health, participants, instructors, board members, and others and were collected over the years.

Holly Ann, intern, now graduated: “I had so much fun working with Circle of Friends. It has been one of my favorite moments so far in my college career. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”

Margaret, creative writing instructor: “I had a really good class on Tuesday. We are getting somewhere with the writing and I seem to be getting more imaginative writings and answers. So I think we can find some very good short pieces for the website and I have a smaller group these days. In fact, some of what was written on Tuesday would be good to share with others. One member of the group is of Japanese descent (1^st generation), and his grandmother and mother are no longer alive. In his story about kite

flying, he wrote about his grandmother and mother sitting by the campfire making mushroom tea, while his father and he flew kites. I had asked them to imagine themselves on the beach flying a kite. But he is so clever. He wrote what was happening between his grandmother and mother, while he and his dad were in the background. It was poetry. You would have to have been there. It was just so touching.”

“One thing I do know is that maybe you don't realize how many people's lives you have touched by little "ripples" like circles. I have met a lot of people because of you, and you have had a big impact on my life. If it wasn't for your boldly suggesting that I do a writing group at Keystone, my life would not be so rich.”

Mac, consumer/artist: “The art you left on our walls is, by the way, very thrilling and several people were quite taken away exploring it.”

Terry Proctor, “Thanks for standing up so valiantly for this much maligned community. Peace.”

Sara, volunteer artist and COF board member: “It’s truly amazing how great the people at Wallingford House have been. Last week they made a goodbye card for us. And when I told them that I was going to continue volunteering they were all really happy to hear that. It’s also amazing how different the houses are but both have good atmospheres. I’ve grown to like the both for different reasons.”

Family member after Holiday event: “I was reminded of what courage, hope and faith mean as seen through the eyes of many residents who persevere despite incredible challenges.”

Liz, intern. “Thanks so much for all your care and dedication to this program, and for all of the support that is given us as interns. It has been really amazing and wonderful to be a part of the Circle of Friends. Thanks so much.”

Mindy Meyering “May God Bless you and everyone else who gives their time, talent, kindness and caring to help those who suffer from mental illness. Happy Holidays and all the best in 2007!”

Susan, COF volunteer: “You are a great organization with amazing ideas.”

Johenses, Harborview Medical Center CEO: “Art provides positive ways to express emotions, focus concentration, rebuild motor skills. It gave our patients a sense of pride. It gives immediate feedback. Art lets you see inside somebody. When people want to write they have things to tell us. Anything that makes a person more alive, makes the person more creative. Poems can be outrageous and fun or they can give a peaceful, elegant mood that seems to out of place today. This is a retreat that we need more than ever. Achievement motivation is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it grows.

Inner self feeds the whole self.‘

Carolyn, President COF: “A large, shy, black friend, who has a beautiful voice, sings to me when we do art at one of the Centers. I’m trying to get him to sing at our holiday events. Artists in our group are now making décor and paintings to complement the writings, ‘Keystone Expressions’ that is now their second booklet.”

“Arts Create Health! Help us in a great cause! Art, music, writing, drama, for those with brain illness!”

From COF flyer: “Charles, a very soft spoken client hovers around to join our art group and gently takes a chair trying not to get in someone’s way. The student intern encourages him to sit and use the materials and learn skills using a variety of art forms:  paint, charcoal and beads, Japanese inks, etc. Charles smiles and often sings with a low melodious voice ballads of the South in tones so smooth tones that one thinks one of the great black singers is with us. Sometimes the voice is full of fun and we join him …“I’ll get a line and you get a pole, honey,” I’ll get a line, you get a pole, Babe,…we’ll go down to the fishing hole”. The music lightens up the day as the group makes holiday gifts.

Courageous young persons like Charles receive $58.00 a month for all their needed supplies, for any movie, museum or activity they want for the month. Due to the seemingly relentless cuts to support the Mental Health System, the Circle of Friends are stepping up in the community creating opportunities for enrichment and friendship by bringing the arts, drama, music to persons like Charlie.

Your support will give us a big jump to reach the many young persons needing fulfillment and building health along the way. Help us as you can this holiday season.”

From article in REAL CHANGE: “Carolyn Hale (COF founder and president) believes in the healing power of art. That’s why she formed Circle of Friends, a small-scale project that joins people who are mentally ill and community volunteers to paint, write, and do other creative projects together. It is in part a response to cuts in services for the mentally ill, and also an effort to increase public understanding and compassion.

Volunteers share their art talents and develop new relationships in the process. For mentally ill participants, art projects help build confidence and can also be a valuable form of communication. Art is ‘an instant telling of something within yourself,’ Hale says. ‘If you don’t have words, it’s another way to express it.’

Ultimately, Hale takes pride in small acts of understanding and accomplishment – the satisfaction of selling a painting, or a ride offered to someone who hasn’t been in a car in months ‘’ that contribute to participants’ well-being. As one backer of Circle of Friends observed, ‘drugs help with symptoms, but art builds health.’” Rachel Rubinstein, January 17-23, 2007

Poetry from Circle of Friends participants

I gave my love an Easter Egg Brian Youngberg 3/2/07

I gave my love an Easter Egg

painted with a mommy bunny and her child.

My love turned away the mommie’s face,

and turned away the child.

Freud said there are no mistakes in life,

but my love mistakes her life as mis-happenstance,

and so was…and that was…and so-on…and so-on…

until it stopped with her.

The alarm clock I bought to wake her up to take the test

sits on the kitchen table

and ticks but doesn’t move.

Frozen in the moment,

jiggling to escape, unable to be free,

trying hard not to be defective,

but out of warranty.

The clock and bunnies sit face to face by a potato

sprouted horribly alive and green,

resting beside some pickled, Mediterranean, gourmet mushrooms

soaking in a fancy jar.

I remember a passage by Eli Weisel

my daughter recited when she won a scholarship contest

at the annual, parochial, all-city elocutionary fair.

Eli Weisel held a prisoner all night until he killed him

as an enemy of the new, Israeli state.

And in the morning, Weisel’s face reflected in the kitchen window

and faded in the dawn.

He lost sight of himself in the holy city of the holy land,

and he learned then that our enemy is in fact ourself,

because we are all one with one another…

(It is a beautiful passage, and you must read it.)

We can cry, as we fade away.

We can die, as Weisel showed, by the hand of others.

Or by our own hand.

Or we can die, because we were never born.

But we can’t hide from ourselves.

And we can’t hide from our mothers.

My love sleeps quietly with her dog and cat,

while I am up worrying about the world and why she doesn’t like me,

composing poetry, drinking coffee and fading in the black window…

…We can cry,

for we will all die,

but for this moment we are alive,

and we can love each other or hate ourselves.

We can hate each other, but if we do so…

we cannot love ourselves.

None of us are mistakes,

for even Hitler could have been guided to be a good boy.

Even your mother could have been guided to be a good mother.

I love you, even though you don’t like me.

And I will always love you, whether you like me or not.

You are as beautiful as the Easter Egg catching the rosy light of day.

You are as beautiful as the sprouted potato.

You are as beautiful as the pickled, Mediterranean mushrooms..

…as the african violets in the window sill--

reflected in blues and emeralds in the black window of the night

as the pink dawn rises

and my own pale image fades away.

Irises Mac Crary 2007

Contemplating Hiroshige's woodblock of irises

as the Chinatown cherry blossoms

begin blooming

I imagine the century of men before me

pleasantly inspired

for whom the blue tints of time

in Hiroshige's print

awoke the heart's hummingbird dance
for the laborious turning of the ground.

It is as if

by engraving them as painters

the human-ness of a flower

becomes real.

Through the woodblock

the little garden blossoms

become wise men.

Much as the Buddha
smiles

from a living lilac.

FUTURE PLANS

Carolyn Hale

Future Plans are to find a drama leader, get the production started and begin more active education of public with the dramas--the small vignettes presenting them to boards, church groups and public events. The dramas should help develop more supporters and guilds.

Our plan is to reach out to Seattle Art Council, the King County Arts Council, the Seattle Art Museum and Cornish and Pratt Art schools.

We expect to have more art shows at places showing our art and sell art on line on our web site.

The Circle of Friends hope to develop more pottery, maybe even find a site where we can continue using pottery wheels and more developed clay work. We will reach out to get supporters from the U. Washington Alumni, the RSVP, and the Seniors Mayor’s list of volunteers.

Our goal is to broaden our places adding 2 or 3 a year. It is hoped that we could have a second art events mid-year at all the homes we service with the holiday events.

It is hoped that we find places for the music groups to play. Perhaps even individuals that play guitars or pianos or single instruments. I have heard them playing in the parking lot at Wallingford House and at Victriola coffee shop.

A story collection may be started with all the expressions that have come forward.

Each home may find a person to help them starting with just supplying old magazine for people to read. Perhaps they can grow ideas that would build on the needs.

Card stock is being used to make cards that we can sell at the St. Marks Christmas sale. Perhaps the artist persons can join and help sell.

Our brochures are scheduled to be printed and will help us find new support and acceptance.

Funding ideas include finding some group or persons to lead “guilds-(circles) that will support us.

Plans for fund raising dinners by board members are in process and videos about Mental Health will be shown.

Plans to have some more wine tasting are in the offing-wine experts are available. Possible places are the Kirkland Art Center, Barbara Hurst has offer her home again and the Edmonds gallery where Judy Heim is involved.

We expect to seriously reach out to the King County Disability commission for funding next year. Barbara Hurst and Dan Moreland are on the committee and should help us. It may give us some on-going support.

Dan Schmidt is working on a grant for us. He feels it will be one that we can use the information for other grants when it is readied. Dan is a grant writer and worked for Very Special Arts of Washington.

Operation and Functioning of the Survey

By John Dame

Initially I thought that doing the survey would have been a lot easier. When conducting the surveys we met quite a bit of resistance (in general) from the clients. It took some coaxing to get them involved, and many of the questions we asked went unanswered, or the answers were illegible and or unintelligible. Some of the counselors also had trouble filling out the questionnaires as they had never participated in a survey before and felt like they couldn’t give us answers that supported us. I had to convince them that they were quite capable of doing it and to just be honest about the interactions they have seen. So it was very difficult to stay on our time line, and things got put off until they could be done more effectively. The second set of surveys didn’t get done, (it was hard enough to get the first ones), and we see now how things could have been done better. We have learned a great deal from this experience about how to conduct surveys with the mentally ill. It took a considerable amount of time, energy, coaxing, and bribing

(cookies and pop), to get the client’s interested in being involved in the project.

The instructors did a good job on the surveys for the most part, some were a bit rushed as they’re students in college and have intensely busy schedules. All in all, I feel good about the outcome and the results of our project, especially being that it was our first one. After meeting and talking with our technical coach from the state, I realize how much better things could have been, if only we had the support available from the beginning. I called early in the beginning to see if I could get some help, but I didn’t realize that I needed to try harder, I thought that they were just too busy to help us. After meeting with Ann, I see now that I just didn’t understand how your system works and that you really are that busy. The money coming late wasn’t really that much of an issue, although it may have helped get the surveys done earlier, and stay on top of the time line.

Future Plans

John Dame

I don’t know if you’re excited yet, but you should be! The amount of energy being created by a small, community activist operated nonprofit organization is considerable considering the circumstances. Carolyn Hale should be nominated for some kind of humanitarian award for the amount of time, energy, and money out-of-pocket that she has put into creating and operating this outstanding organization. When you consider all of the adversity she has faced and is still highly active in the mental health field, it is nothing less than amazing. Circle of Friends has operated almost entirely out-of-pocket with very little monetary support from the community, and used volunteers exclusively.

There are many projects already in the works to expand the operations of Circle of Friends for Mental Health. Our new drumming class is about to begin at two locations, Emerald House and Clean Start. This will be a class where clients build and learn to play their drums. The photography class is such a success that we have had to stop taking new students because there aren’t enough cameras. However, Steven (the instructor) and I are working to see if Nikon Cameras will sponsor the class by giving us one hundred digital cameras that the clients can keep after they complete an orientation with instruction, and the class.

Carolyn and I have been working hard to recreate our drama program. This class has been particularly difficult to facilitate due to lack of qualified instructors. I am currently working with faculty at Seattle Central Community College to secure a space with members of their drama department to supervise the operations of this class. I believe that once things are rolling, this will be a productive class.

I intend to spend a bit (most) of the money that I receive from the grant to buy supplies for getting the art that has been produced matted and framed and ready for

showing in galleries. There is a woman that came to our photography class that works with about twenty art galleries in downtown Seattle. She told us that she would help us get spaces for showings. There are other persons with connections to galleries that we are currently trying to enlist their help also. Much of this looks very promising, as when the art sells, it does so much for building the client’s self-esteem and confidence.

I wear a lot of tye-dye shirts when I teach classes, and many of my students are expressing the desire to do tye-dyes. I just need to come up with the money for the supplies. One of my friends does marbling with shirts and said that he would be thrilled to run a class. This is to be a series of upcoming classes.

Right now we are in the process of motivating some of the more talented students to make cards that they can sell at our Christmas events. They are currently making the cards and packaging them.

A Creative Writing Professor from Seattle Central has started teaching classes at Emerald House, and I am trying to enlist his services at Clean Start so they can run their own newsletter. He is also working with Steven to help with securing the deal with Nikon.

Carolyn has been very busy trying to drum up support from a long list of people from the Mayor’s office to a variety of organizations working in the Mental Health field. We hope some of that support is funding, but also we are canvassing for volunteers to teach classes. I have just contacted the Intern Coordinator at Antioch College that facilitates

placing students in service positions. These students are going for their degrees in art therapy and should be a major boost to the quality of services we offer.

There are a number of clubhouses that we used to be involved with, but due to turnover of staff, and other problems such as distance, we have had difficulties in placing

instructors at these facilities. We are currently in the process of opening these places back up and expanding the classes to cover more of a variety of mediums. I have just contacted

the person who oversees the operations of Community House and she seems interested in having art classes at more of their facilities.

Jim at Wallingford House wants me to put together a panel of higher functioning mentally ill persons to come in and talk to other clients who are lower functioning, to inspire and motivate them. I have already spoken with several persons and they seem excited to be involved with this and it looks very promising.

Carolyn mentioned that she wanted to put together a music/dance class that involved movement. I thought it would be just fantastic to create a class where clients could make a drum, play the drum, and dance to the music they played. Some of the clients could play, while others danced, and then they could switch places. We realize the effectiveness of art and movement together when combating depression and other disorders, and so these are some of the things we have in the works.

One of our future plans is to do the survey over again, but to do it with a control group, and to be more concise about collecting the data. We will have to create a new set of questionnaires that are considerably more comprehensive, and target a wider range of measurable information.

Conclusion

By John Dame

The one issue that stands out more than anything else that I have observed when working with the mentally ill is that it takes time to build trust. Without trust there is no interaction, no healing, and no community. In the nine short months that I have worked at this volunteer position, I have experienced some interesting changes in the clients’ behavior. They were slow to warm-up at first, but now that we have been working together doing art, they are genuinely happy to see me when I walk through the door of their clubhouse. We get along well and have a really good time doing art projects as a group or as individuals. 100 % of the counselors said that the clients were happy to have their art displayed. The clients are proud of their work and it seems to be a great boost to their self-esteem.

When I went to research statistics from other mental health organizations the typical statements seem to center around the common theme of “Well, there just hasn’t been any real scientific data collected on the benefits of using art therapy with the mentally ill”.

I read a number of case studies and testimonials from qualified Art Therapists and they all have a fair amount of success stories. If you haven’t got any facts either, I have one for you. Persons’ who are mentally ill love to do art! I know this because they keep coming back to do the art classes. 75 % of the instructors said that clients show up on a regular basis. Here’s another one, 100 % of the instructors said that clients were happier while doing art. When I tallied the responses from the counselors and instructors, most of them said that clients show up on a regular basis, are happier, and are more focused.

I was looking at an article published by the American Cancer Society, which backed up my theory on art therapy. The article states;

“Numerous case studies have reported that art therapy benefits patients with both emotional and physical illnesses. Case studies have involved many areas

including burn recovery in adolescents and young children, eating disorders,

emotional impairment in young children, reading performance, childhood grief, and sexual abuse in adolescents. Adult studies have included working with adults or families with bereavement, addiction, and bone marrow transplant, among others. Some of the potential uses of art therapy to be researched include reducing anxiety levels, improving recovery times, decreasing hospital stays, improving communication and social function, and pain control.”

One of the main things that I do with my students is to try and bring some normalancy to their lives by treating them just like an average person. By creating an environment where the clients feel safe to come out from behind their mask and interact with the community is of critical importance. That is when they start to feel good about themselves and the possibility that their lives may become a little more livable and productive. Building trust through building community!

Developing Strategies and Technique to motivate the clients.

The fact that I am a client, as well as an instructor and the director of the evaluation project, has helped me to earn the clients’ confidence. Many times the clients ask me about my disorders and we discuss the realities and problems of living with such disorders, and what we can do to overcome such adversities in our lives. Many times when clients come into the art room and I ask them if they would like to join in, they say “I’m not an artist, or “I don’t know how to do that”. I tell them that I’m not an artist either, but I like to draw, and I’m just having fun anyway. Sometimes it works and they

sit down and ‘play’ with us, and after a while several others will join in and we all start talking and joking and having fun. It’s really a great feeling watching them create a piece that their proud of. When we asked the counselors and instructors if the clients were

happy to have their art displayed, the comments were, “Yes, they’re very proud when we display their work and it seems to be a great boon to client’s lives and self-esteem”.

Now that I have earned their confidence they share things with me and I’ve started to ask them about how the art affects their lives. Many of them say that doing the art relieves their stress and anxiety levels or builds confidence in their abilities to do other things. Many others say that doing the art helps relieve the depression or helps with pain.

So at this point I am just learning how to do things to help increase the clients’ self-esteem, and confidence levels. I’m working with some of the lower functioning clients and it has been a bit trying at times, its slow going, but we’re making progress that you can see in their work and in their behaviors. I can tell when I’ve been working with a client that has said many times they can’t do something, and I laugh with them and show them that they have already done it. After a while they usually quit saying they can’t do it any more, and just do it.

Our music group is a big success story!

When our instructor took over the music class at Clean Start he told me that the group was at odds with each other. They weren’t working together very well because they weren’t communicating. The guitar players would turn their amps up to drown each other out and there was a bit of anger going on with them. The instructor got them to start communicating and working together, and now the group is playing songs and having a lot of fun. This has been working well for the last six months and now the group is performing at a local tavern where open microphone jams are he