Station Stories: October 2021

STATION STORIES

October 2021

Getting Ready for Cool Weather

To make sure our men are ready for the colder months ahead, we handed out winter coats and boots. The drive was held right before their trip to Camp Puh’tok to ensure each resident had a new pair of boots for outdoor activities and a warm coat for those chilly nights.

We received the boots as an annual donation from Boots for Baltimore, while the jackets came from numerous coat drives held by our generous donors. Thank you to all who donated to make sure our men have the supplies they need to keep warm in the winter months to come.

Camp Puh'tok

September 28-30th our residents took their annual trip to Camp Puh’tok in Monkton, MD. This trip provides the men a chance to connect with animals, nature, and each other outside of the treatment facility setting. During this three-day, two-night experience, the residents attended regularly scheduled individual and group treatment, but they also had the opportunity to participate in multiple outdoor activities including equine therapy, guided nature walks, archery, ziplining, drumming, and baseball.

Grammy award winners Dan and Claudia Zanes gathered around the campfire with the staff and men to enjoy folk and blues music. There were plenty of cookouts, but the one meal that stood out the most was the big crab feast.

Outdoor educational experiences like these provide numerous benefits for our men in recovery. Being outside helps reduce stress, improves cognitive functioning, boosts vitamin D and serotonin, improves sleep and provides a time for reflection. The men enjoy the peace and quiet of camp and view it as a way to recharge.

MMHA Golf Tournament

On September 30th, Maryland Multi Housing Association (MMHA) held their annual golf tournament at Mountain Branch Golf Course in Harford County. This tournament raised $10,000 for our treatment program. MMHA has been a longtime supporter of The Baltimore Station and will be working with us again as a competing chili team for our Stars, Stripes and Chow Chili competition. It was a day filled with fun, friendly competition, and prizes. Thank you to MMHA, tournament sponsors and all who came out to support our cause.

Mental Health Class

This year, October 10th was recognized as World Mental Health Day with the theme ‘Mental health is an unequal world.' The objective of this national day was to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to organize efforts in support of it.

As an organization that specializes in substance use treatment and mental health care, we are always looking for ways to expand our knowledge and understanding of our residents’ needs and how we can best serve them while ensuring we support staff and volunteers. The staff of The Baltimore Station recently participated in mental health and trauma-informed care training led by Marnie McGarry, Therapist, and Veronica Tucker-Scott, Community Programs Manager. The staff learned what trauma-informed care means and how to continue supporting mental health issues that many of our men deal with. The team also focused on challenges that our men face every day while in our care, to continue to support their individual needs.

Volunteer with Us Virtually or In Person

Volunteers are instrumental to our success and to our men’s recovery. They provide and serve meals, organize in-kind donation drives, coordinate service projects and lead classes for our residents.

With the holidays quickly approaching, this is the perfect time for your organization to get involved. Volunteering is a great team builder, morale booster and a perfect way to help homeless veterans right here in our community.

If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering in person or virtually, please contact Kim Callari, Deputy Director at kcallari@baltimorestation.org or 410-752-4454 x207.