The Self-Helper

News and Notes from the Self-Help Center

Winter 2008

Publicize your Self-Help Group on W.E.F.T., Champaign

For the past year, the Self-Help Center has been exploring the possibility of hosting some radio programs to highlight the benefits and variety of self-help groups available in East Central Illinois. Zelig Bartell and I have begun the process of becoming air shifters on the non-commercial, locally owned community radio station, W.E.F.T. 90.1 FM. Once training is completed we will work with other radio hosts to schedule self help group related programs. Please contact us if you want to pre-record a half hour to hour interview about your group and the topic you address in your group. We will have the option of pre-recording the program or doing it live. Let us know your preference and we will work with you to tell the story of your group and its value in the community.

Group Updates

Amputee/Family Group of East Central Illinois – Peer visits are available to persons or family members of a person who will be or has recently undergone an amputation of any type. The group meetings are no longer being held until there are enough members to hold them. Call Bob Devlin 344-6664 to arrange a peer visit.

Stay-at Home Dads Group – This is a newly formed group started by a dad, Eric Springer, who has recently moved to our community. The group is for at-home dads and their children. It provides an opportunity to connect with other dads and time for the children to play together. The group meets on Mondays from 10 a.m.-noon at Doris Kelley Christopher Hall, Family Resiliency Resource Center, 904 W. Nevada St, Urbana. The meeting space has toys available for the children and a resource library on the most recent research and best practices in parenting. The group has a web site to join or read postings by other dads at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ecidads/ For more information on the group meeting schedule contact Eric at 239-1905.

Parents of Adults with Disabilities – This newly formed group fills an important niche for parents whose children are adults with disabilities. The group shares information, resources and ideas on how to improve the quality of life for their family members. The group will hold its meetings at Provena Hospital in the Mercy Room lower level, 1400 W. Park St., Urbana from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10^th, Feb. 14^th, March 13^th, April 11^th and May 8^th. The group will not meet in the summer and will resume on Sept. 11^th. For more information on the group, contact Vicki Niswander at 217-778-1664 or email to vniswander@gmail.com

Disability Resources – IPADDUnite is a statewide listserve for Illinois parents of adults with developmental disabilities. You can choose two options for receiving emails through this site, a once-a-day email or allow emails to come in as people send them. IPADDD does ask experts to come on site each month to share their expertise in particular topics. Check it out at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/groups/IPADDUnite/

Head and Neck Cancer Support Group – This newly formed group will be twice a month: 2nd Mon., 7-8 p.m. at the Unitarian Church on Green Street in Urbana and on the 4th Thurs., 2-3 p.m. at the Forum at Carle, Urbana.  For more information contact Molly Caldwell, Carle Oncology 383-4066 or email molly.caldwell@carle.com

Announcements

• Support Group Updating in Progress – We will mail out group update forms mid January. Please complete and return by mid February or contact the Self-Help Center if you do not receive your form and have group changes. The new edition of the directory will be available in October 2008 and online at www.prairienet.org/selfhelp.

• Self Help Fall 2008 Conference – Mental Health Recovery: Creating Caring Communities will be held at the Forum at Carle, Saturday, October 25^th, 2008. Keynote speakers, small group sessions, exhibits and more.

• Listen to Disability Beat, heard every Saturday morning from 7:00-8:00 a.m. on WEFT 90.1 with host Vicki Niswander. The show is a public affairs program dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. A different featured topic and guest are highlighted each week and includes listener participation and commentary. Some of the topics covered include ADA compliance, health and medicine, early intervention, advocacy and more. The website is www.esnips.com/web/disabilitybeatradioweftchampaign/

The Self-Helper is published by the Self-Help Center, a program of Family Service, 405 S. State St., Champaign, IL. Contact us at 217-352-0099, email selfhelp@prairienet.org or visit us at the website www.prairienet.org/selfhelp