Maintaining Balance in an Upside Down World

On January 26, 2021 the Adult Faith Formation hosted an online program examining life in an “upside down” world. Work, school, family, church and community life have all been impacted by the pandemic, as well as social and political turmoil. Presented by Maria Kereshi, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and parishioner at St. Francis Assisi, the program looked at the impact of situational and chronic stressors on our lives while identifying strategies to help us thrive Below are some resources to complement the session.

Wellness and Other Useful Resources

Links

• HopeWorks, Howard County
  (https://wearehopeworks.org/)
  At HopeWorks our mission is to provide support and advocacy for people in Howard County affected by sexual and intimate partner violence and engage the community in creating the change required for prevention.
• Screenagers Podcast
  (https://www.screenagersmovie.com/screenagers-podcast)
  A podcast on parenting in the digital age from the people who produced the Screenagers documentary films.
• Hopeful Minds
  (https://hopefulminds.org/)
  A curriculum resource site focused on hope as a teachable skill. Hope counters depression which in turn leads to suicide prevention.
• The Happy Foundation’s Journey to Happiness
  (https://www.happyfoundation.net/journey-to-happiness)
  Tools for developing happinesss.

Maryland Resources in Focused Areas

• Family and Children’s Services
  phone: 410.997.3557
  A variety of services designed to support and strengthen families, including water bill assistance Monday through Friday during regular MultiService Center (MSC) office hours.
• Family and Children’s Services Counselor
  contact: Toni Schon, LCSW
  phone: 410.313.0238
  email: tschon@fcsmd.org
  Offers counseling to individuals and families. Client must call 410.997.3557 at x243 to do an intake over the phone and set up an appointment for either MSC or the Columbia office.
• Getting Ahead Program
  contact: Marchelle LeBlanc
  phone: 410.313.0225
  email: mleblanc@howardcountymd.gov
  Enables people in poverty to investigate how poverty affects their personal resources and discover the goals and actions needed to improve and empower their life.
  Monday through Friday during regular MultiService Center (MSC) office hours.
• J & A Positive Image, LLC
  contact: Eryca Haase, LMSW
  phone: 443.788.0163
  email: ehaase@japositiveimage.com
  A psychiatric rehabilitation program providing services to both youth and adults in Howard County and surrounding counties, including mobility and transportation support, links to community resources, entitlements, housing stability, links to therapy providers, personal hygiene, medication monitoring, and much more. Insurance accepted: Medicaid, disability Medicare, Tricare. Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• JustLiving Advocacy, Inc. (JLA)
  contact: Nette Stokes
  phone: 410.972.8377
  email: nette@justlivingadvocacy.org
  Provides life-saving childcare advocacy to single parent, head-of-household women, providing an opportunity to ‘bridge’ women to work, help them become self-sustaining and able to take care of their families. They also help grandparents who need childcare assistance for their grandchildren; and provides information on heart disease awareness and prevention for women. Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• MakingChange Financial Wellness Programs
  web: makingchangecenter.org
  phone (main office): 443.518.7649
  Individual coaching to track expenses and develop a plan to pay down debt, set financial goals and create a plan for financial stability; counseling for first-time homebuyers; financial seminars; free tax services to low and moderate-income individuals.
  • VITA Site Coordinator/Tax Programs
    phone (main office): 443.518.7649
  • Program Coordinator/Financial Coaching
    contact: Renee McElroy
    phone: 443.518.7650
    Wednesdays 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. (appt. only)
  • Financial Housing Counselor
    contact: Glenda Schultz
    phone: 410.313.0239
    Mondays and Tuesdays (appt. only)
  • Program Coordinator/Financial Education
    contact: Roy Yenoli
    phone: 443.518.7648
    email: yenolir@makingchangecenter.org
• Maryland Legal Aid
  contact: Barbara Coleman
  phone: 410.480.1057 or 301.560.2100
  email: bcoleman@mdlab.org
  Free legal services to low income persons (i.e., family, consumer, public benefits, housing and elder law) 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of each Month.
• Meals on Wheels
  phone: 410.730.9476
  Enables people to live independently at home by providing nutritious meals, personal contact and related services Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Success in Style (SIS)
  contact: Sandy Welch
  email: swelch012@verizon.net
  Business wardrobes and coaching at no cost; disadvantaged men and women seeking employment Tuesdays, The Savage Mill is now operating 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• The Jacaranda Center for Family & Youth Development
  contact: Chisha Johnson
  email: chishajohnson@verizon.net
  Provide a variety of support programs and training to strengthen families and help adults and youth thrive. Mondays, 8:30- 2:30 p.m.