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28-February-2007
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Commitment to mission overcomes fury of winter storm.
Staff members provide uninterrupted outreach, support,
shelter, and crisis services during crippling snowstorm.
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Snowdrifts like this one on a sidewalk on
Cleveland's near west side confronted staff
members trying to bring services to clients.
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MHS clients had access to the full range of agency services during one of greater Cleveland's worst snowstorms in a decade because of the devoted service of the agency's staff members.
Every MHS program provides care for many of our community's most
vulnerable children or adults, for whom extreme weather conditions can be particularly dangerous. For the homeless, especially those who have a severe mental illness, outreach, shelter, and support services are even more critical when weather conditions threaten their safety and health. And, of course, the need for crisis services for children and adults experiencing suicidal depression or psychotic experiences is not
diminished during weather emergencies. |
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All MHS program remained operational during the near-blizzard
conditions that began on the afternoon of Tuesday, 13 February, and persisted through Thursday the 15th. On the 16th, Executive Director
Steven M. Friedman, Ph.D. distributed a letter to all staff
members, thanking them for their extraordinary efforts. Some of these
efforts highlighted in his letter are presented below.
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Overnight staff members of the Community Women's Shelter worked many
hours beyond the scheduled time of the end of their shift, because
first-shift staff members couldn't get to work at all, or on
time.
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Clients came to MHS for their scheduled psychiatric appointments, and Dr. Cunagin saw every one of them. Staff members from other departments helped to answer the phones and help clients set up follow-up psychiatric appointments.
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Department Directors switched hats and conducted crisis assessments in
the community on Wednesday, helping out other Crisis Intervention Specialists who ventured out 10 times into the community to see clients
at risk.
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Many staff members shoveled snow, and some drove to get workers who
wanted to work but couldn't get out of their driveways. Several workers repeatedly got stuck in the snow on their way to work, but dug themselves out each time, made it to work, and then worked extra hours to help clients with urgent needs. One worker even walked 30 minutes in the snow so she could start her shift at Safe Haven III on time.
"MHS remains open..." even when much of the city of Cleveland
shuts down, noted Dr. Friedman in his letter to staff members. MHS
remained open because staff members understand the mission of MHS, and believe they have a critical role in its fulfillment.
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To view the Service Note as a web page on the MHS website,
click
here.
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We send e-mail Service Notes to those who have expressed an
interest in our mission. We understand that time is limited, unlike the number of e-mail items you may seem to get. If you'd like us to refrain from sending future newsletters, just let us know.
We would also like to know if someone forwarded this, and you'd like to
directly receive future Service Notes, or if you have a new e-mail address. And, of course, we welcome your comments. Please send a
message to Joel [the "at" symbol] mhs-inc.org Thank
you.
Copyright (c) 2007
Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons, Inc. (MHS)
All Rights Reserved.
MHS, 1736 Superior Avenue East, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2944 U.S.A.
Voice - 216-623-6555 / TDD - 216-623-6540
Steven Prengler, President, Board of Trustees
Steven M. Friedman, Ph.D., Executive Director
MHS is a contract agency of the Cuyahoga County Community
Mental Health Board, and a partner agency of United Way Services of Greater Cleveland.
The MHS website is at http://www.mhs-inc.org
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