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Cogitator May 9, 2012
Arlene Stokes and David Lauterbach, from The Kent Center
VISITING ROTARIANS
Dave Lauterbach, our guest speaker from The Kent Center, hails from the Warwick Rotary Club.
GUESTS
Greg Labossonniere was on hand, a guest of Steve Lombardi.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Warm happy birthday wishes this week from the club go out to Jonathan TerMeer (May 9th) and Mike Balsamo (May 13th).
And, very happy 16th wedding anniversary wishes to Beth (and Tony) DeGerlia, who celebrate their big day on May 11th.
MILLION DOLLAR MEAL/GROUP PHOTO
Wednesday June 20th will be our second Million Dollar Meal. It will be held at Rocky Hill School, thanks to Vin Meola, Beth DeGerlia, and the Million Dollar Meal committee. Besides the excellent food and camaraderie which are always part of our Million Dollar Meal ‘field trips,’ this will also be our annual Rotary Group Photo Day, so please make sure you’re there! The group shot will be included in Rotary advertising for the upcoming year.
SCOTT CARLSON ALS 5K RACE/FACEBOOK
Thanks to Soozie Sundlun and EG Photo for doing a super job, once again, at the Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K. The Facebook page for the event is terrific, thanks to Judy Pratt and Mike Gemma. Check out the great layout, good information, and plenty of photos from Race Day, and, the recent PawSox-ALS Night at McCoy Stadium.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Scott-Carlson-Memorial-Road-Race-ALS-5K-RunWalk/130004383679531
SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS…
We heard the sad news that Past President Don Anderson recently resigned from the club. Don’s extensive duties as Executive Minister of Rhode Island State Council of Churches have made it nearly impossible for him to join us each Wednesday. We all wish Don the very best of everything, and we thank him for his many years of Service Above Self. The door will always be open, Don…
TASTE OF THE TOWN
Pat Lenihan is doing a great job getting ready for one of our biggest social events of the year, and one of our biggest fundraisers, too. Taste of the Town is upon us…Friday, May 18th. The restaurant vendors are in place. The wine and other beverages…check…all set. Now, we need to make sure we’re getting as many folks as possible to the event, to help us savor the food, relish the wines, and have a fun night out in our community while raising money for Rotary! Please invite your family and friends to St. Francis de Sales Parish Center on the 18th. It has truly become a night not-to-be-missed for our club. Pat also encouraged all to use Facebook and social media to get the word out. Finally, keep working on those silent auction baskets…and let’s see who wins that prize for creativity (and largest donation) in the basket challenge!
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ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR
The annual Rotary Installation of Officers banquet approaches, as does the passing of the presidential torch from Mike Gemma to Ken Colaluca. And so, John Wolcott reminded us that it’s also time to vote for the Bipin Pancholi Rotarian of the Year. John, as well as two other past awardees, Jane Boynton and Richard Waterman, head this committee. They need your votes for, and comments about, the one Rotarian who ‘stood above the crowd’ this past year in remarkable Service Above Self. Please make sure you get your ballot to John, Jane, or Richard over the next two weeks.
PAW SOX NIGHT/ALS
Judy Pratt spoke of a wonderful family night at McCoy Stadium on Monday, May 7th. It was a night of honoring Scott Carlson, the Rotary Club of East Greenwich, and ALS patients of Rhode Island like Bill Hopkins, whose grandson threw out the first pitch. Judy also thanked Mike Gemma’s nephew, Mike, for enthusiastically taking ‘tons of pictures!’ Finally, Judy thanked everyone involved with the Scott Carlson ALS 5K, including the PawSox, who helped the club raise an astonishing $62,000 this year for RI’s ALSA Chapter.
ROTARY AFTER DARK
Don’t miss May’s Rotary After Dark, which will be held Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Ritrovo Italian Pub and Grille. The official time--5:30pm to 7pm. But look for President Mike to be there at 4:30pm or so, having noted recently, ‘I believe I will start a little early, because I need it…trust me, I need it...ok, need is a little strong...I want it.’ (Stay thirsty, Mr. President…stay thirsty.)
CLUB ASSEMBLY
Club assembly will be held on May 16th, next Wednesday. This is a good chance to hear reports on each of the Rotary Avenues of Service, as well as from various committee leaders.
CLEAN WATER PROJECT
Alan Flynn reminded us that the Newport Officers Club will host this year’s Clean Water for Cambodia gala on Friday, June 22nd. Please see Alan if you’d like to attend. Alan also mentioned that our club has again donated a large sum ($5,000) this year toward Clean Water efforts.
SPEAKER/PROGRAM
David Lauterbach (with Arlene Stokes), from The Kent Center
Dave Lauterbach noted that 'mental health carries still a stigma.' Formerly the Kent County Mental Health Center, management of The Kent Center changed its name for just that reason--the stigma associated with 'mental health.'
'Since our founding in 1976, The Kent Center mission has been to improve the quality of life for individuals and families who face behavioral health challenges. Through an array of mental health, substance abuse and trauma-informed programs, and with the commitment of experienced and dedicated professionals, we are assisting people in their recovery.'
The Kent Center has served Kent County for over 35 years. Some 4,000 men, women, and kids are helped each year by over 200 staff members. Dave’s operational annual budget is $13 million per year.
Alcoholism remains the number one substance abuse problem, although other substance abuse is quite prevalent. Post traumatic stress disorder, especially among veterans, is a very real issue in the local community and yet very treatable at the Kent Center.
Dave spoke of chemical processes in the brain which affect people with ‘mental health’ problems. It is medically proven that people afflicted with substance abuse problems, PTSD, and depression all have a common cause—bio-chemical reactions in the brain, depriving people of proper functionality, and/or, being able to retain hope. ‘Light at the end of the tunnel simply doesn’t exist for so many of the people we see every day,’ said Dave.
There is ‘a tremendous correlation’ between adult mental health problems and adverse childhood experiences. Dave seeks to continue the fight to make mental health an issue of ‘primary care,’ or ‘health and wellness.’ In the meantime, our society tends to ignore mental health issues and deny parity with other physical ailments.
The Kent Center has also become a housing authority, helping people with disabilities through vouchers and rental assistance. They also work closely with the local court system, helping to figure out when someone should be treated and when someone should be incarcerated.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. One in four Americans will have a mental health disorder in any given year, yet only one third of that group will seek help. Dave also noted that nearly one in five school children will have some kind of mental health problem, while only one percent will be referred to local services. Finally, Dave noted that people who continually go untreated will pass away some twenty years earlier than the general American population.
The Kent Center is located at 2756 Post Road in Warwick.