28-February-2007

Commitment to mission overcomes fury of winter storm.

Snowdrifts like this one on a sidewalk on
Cleveland's near west side confronted staff
members trying to bring services to clients.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

To view the Service Note as a web page on the MHS website, click here.

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

Read prior issues of MHS Service Note newsletters.

Learn about MHS. Donate, if you'd like!