Page 3 – Aunt Martha's

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May 23, 2023

_{FINDING HELP FOR YOURSELF OR SOMEONE YOU CARE FOR IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK. IT IS ALWAYS OK TO ASK FOR HELP.}

Aunt Martha’s Health Center believes that everyone deserves access to mental health support and resources, regardless of their background or financial situation. This week, we encourage people to seek help when they need it, and to celebrate every small success along the way.

Finding Help: It’s up to all of us to make it okay

Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or ethnicity. No matter who you are, it is always okay to ask for help.

It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues so that we can all work together to support one another. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms like changes in behavior or mood, feeling sad or hopeless, or withdrawing from family and friends, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. There are resources and people out there who are willing to help, no matter what your situation is.

Here are some signs and symptoms of mental health issues to look out for:

Changes in behavior or mood
Feeling sad or hopeless
Withdrawal from family and friends
Changes in sleep or appetite
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide

You can ask for help.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, please reach out for help. There are many resources available, including:

Your primary care physician
A mental health specialist
A crisis hotline, such as:
- the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
- 988 – a three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- Illinois’s Medicaid Mental Health Crisis Line, CARES, at 1-800-345-9049

Finding help for mental health challenges is just a call away. Call CARES, Illinois' Medicaid Mental Health Crisis Line.

Finding Mental Health Resources

Aunt Martha’s Health Center offers a variety of mental health resources and services to support our patients. Our trained professionals can provide counseling, medication management, and other resources to help individuals manage their mental health. We also offer community-based services like support groups and referrals to specialized care.

But even if you’re not a patient at Aunt Martha’s, there are still resources available to you. You can start by talking to your primary care physician, who can refer you to a mental health specialist. You can also reach out to your insurance provider to find out what mental health services are covered under your plan. And if you’re in crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) for immediate help.

Supporting Each Other and Celebrating Small Successes

We all have a role to play in supporting each other’s mental wellness. Whether it’s sharing resources, encouraging others to seek help, or simply being there for someone when they need us, we can all make a difference. By doing so, we instill hope and can help others reach out when they need it most.

It’s also important to celebrate every small success along the way. Recovering from mental health issues can be a challenging journey, but every step forward is worth celebrating. Whether it’s attending a therapy session or trying a new coping skill, every effort counts towards improving mental health.

Ask for Help. It’s a sign of strength.

At Aunt Martha’s Health Center, we believe that mental health is a critical component of overall wellness. By making it okay to seek help, finding mental health resources, and supporting each other along the way, we can create a community that values mental health and supports those who may be struggling. Remember, seeking help for mental health issues is a sign of strength, and supporting others in their journey towards mental wellness is a powerful act of kindness. Let’s work together to create a world where mental health support and resources are accessible to everyone, and where we can all celebrate every small success along the way.

_{Take your mental health to the next level with Aunt Martha’s}

Successful therapy. Young female client having consultation with psychologist, grateful for professional help at clinic. Happy black lady speaking with her psychotherapist, solving emotional problem

Behavioral Health

Crisis response and intervention services strengthen bonds and keep families together

Crisis Services

Welcome to AM4YOU, where Aunt Martha’s is making it easier than ever to find great care and support wherever and whenever you need it.

Find help with am4you

Our Impact

May 9, 2023

Self-care is the practice of taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. When you take care of yourself, you’re better able to cope with stress, prevent illness, and enjoy life.

Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. When our mental health is good, we are able to cope with stress, make healthy choices, and have fulfilling relationships. But when our mental health is not so good, it can lead to problems such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

There are many things that we can do to maintain good mental health. One of the most important is self-care. Self-care is anything that we do to take care of our physical, emotional, and mental health. It can include things such as eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising, spending time in nature, and connecting with others.

Self-care is not selfish. It’s essential.

Self-care is the practice of taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s not selfish or indulgent; it’s necessary for your health and happiness. When you take care of yourself, you’re better able to cope with stress, prevent illness, and enjoy life.

But what does self-care look like? Well, it can be different for everyone. Some people may find self-care in relaxing activities like meditation, yoga, or reading a book. Others may prefer more active or social forms of self-care, like exercising, spending time with friends, or pursuing a hobby. The important thing is to find what works for you and make it a regular part of your routine.

Better self-care. It literally starts with You.

Not sure where to get started with self-care? Don’t worry, like talked about last week, small actions can have a big impact. Give yourself a boost by adding any of these tips and routines to your self-care plan today. And remember, with Aunt Martha’s as your medical home, you will have a team of pros who are ready to help you reach your personal health and wellness goals. That’s what we do!

_{2023 Mental Health Awareness Month}

Eight self-care tips and routines you can start using today

It’s your self-care journey. We’re here to help along the way.

Self-care is not a one-time thing; it’s a lifelong commitment. It may take some trial and error to find what works best for you, but don’t give up. You deserve to take care of yourself and be happy.

Tell us what self-care looks like to you

We’d love to hear from you: What does self-care look like to you? How do you practice self-care in your daily life? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below or on our social media platforms.

And don’t forget to check back next week for more mental health tips and resources!

_{Take your mental health to the next level with Aunt Martha’s}

Behavioral Health

Crisis Services

Find help with am4you

Our Impact

May 4, 2023

In mental health, small changes (and a little support) can make a huge difference

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage people to seek help if they need it. This year, Aunt Martha’s is proud to be a part of this important movement.

This month, we’ll be sharing a series of posts that we hope will help to raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage people to seek help if they need it. We’ll cover everything from the signs and symptoms of mental health problems to the importance of self-care. We’ll also be sharing tips on how to be a supportive friend or family member to someone who is struggling, and on how to find a mental health provider who can help.

We hope that these posts will help to raise awareness of mental health issues and to encourage people to seek help if they need it.

This week, we want to focus on one simple but powerful message: small actions equal big impact. When it comes to mental health, you don’t have to do something huge or complicated to make a difference. Sometimes, the smallest gestures can have the most positive effects on yourself and others.

Four ways to improve your mental health and help others:

Be there for someone who is struggling.

Sometimes, the most helpful thing you can do for someone who is struggling is to simply be there for them. You don’t have to fix their problems or give them advice. Just show them that you care, that you are listening, and that you are not judging them. You can also offer practical support, such as helping them with chores, running errands, or going with them to appointments. By being there for someone, you instill hope and encourage them to reach out when they need it most.

When you know someone is struggling with their mental health, you can help by simply being there for them.

Share resources.

There are many resources available to help people with mental health challenges. If you know of any resources that could be helpful to someone, share them. (HINT: Get started by learning more about our services at Aunt Martha’s, or by sharing this article with friends. You never know who you might be helping!)

Resources and websites (that aren’t Aunt Martha’s)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
MentalHealth.gov
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

These are just some of the small actions you can take to make a big impact on your mental health and the mental health of others. Remember, you are not alone, and you have the power to make a difference.

Stay tuned for more tips and resources on our blog throughout the month of May!

_{Take your mental health to the next level with Aunt Martha’s}

Behavioral Health

Crisis Services

Find help with am4you

Our Impact

February 2, 2023

Building a stronger heart is easier than you think this American Heart Month

^{February is American Heart Month}

Matters of the Heart

Did you know that people who have close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meeting our health goals when we work on them with others. NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement to inspire us to protect and strengthen our hearts with the support of others.

This month, we’ll be sharing facts, how-to tips, and resources to inspire you to join with others to improve your heart health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Most middle-aged and young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk for heart disease.

Multi-ethnic Group Of Woman In Athletic Gear

Build a stronger heart by connecting with your friends

Feeling connected with others and having positive, close relationships benefit our overall health, including our blood pressure and weight. Having people in our lives who motivate and care for us helps, as do feelings of closeness and companionship.

Follow these heart-healthy lifestyle tips to protect your heart. It will be easier and more successful if you work on them with others, including by texting or phone calls if needed.

Be more physically active.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a nutritious diet.
Quit smoking.
Reduce stress.
Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep.
Track your heart health stats.

Small steps will get you where you want to go.

Six Ways to Get Started Building a Stronger Heart Today

Build a stronger heart by exercising like the young woman in this picture

Move more

Invite family, friends, colleagues, or members of your community to join you in your efforts to be more physically active:

Ask a colleague to walk “with you” on a regular basis, put the date on both your calendars, and text or call to make sure you both get out for a walk.
Get a friend or family member to sign up for the same online exercise class, such as a dance class. Make it a regular date!
Grab your kids, put on music, and do jumping jacks, skip rope, or dance in your living room or yard.

How much is enough? Aim for at least 2½ hours of physical activity eachweek—that’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In addition, do muscle strengthening exercises 2 days a week. Can’t carve out a lot of time in your day? Don’t chuck your goal, chunk it! Try 10 or 15 minutes a few times a day. NHLBI’s Move More fact sheet has ideas to get and keep you moving.

Build a stronger heart by eating healthy foods and aiming for a healthy weight

Eat heart-healthy and aim for a healthy weight

We tend to eat like our friends and family, so ask others close to you to join in your effort to eat healthier. Together, try NHLBI’s free Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. Research shows that, compared to a typical American diet, it lowers high blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels. Find delicious recipes at NHLBI’s Heart-Healthy Eating web page.

Find someone in your friend group, at work, or in your family who also wants to reach or maintain a healthy weight. (If you’re overweight, even a small weight loss of 5–10 percent helps your health.) Check in with them regularly to stay motivated. Agree to do healthy activities, like walking or cooking a healthy meal, at the same time, even if you can’t be together. Share low-calorie, low-sodium recipes. Check out NHLBI’s Aim for a Healthy Weight web page.

If you’re overweight, even a small weight loss of 5–10 percent helps your health.

Still smoking? Stop!

To help you quit, ask others for support or join an online support group. Research shows that people are much more likely to quit if their spouse, friend, or sibling does. Social support online can help you quit.

All states have quit lines with trained counselors—call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). You’ll find many free resources to help you quit, such as apps, a motivational text service, and a chat line at BeTobaccoFree.hhs.gov and Smokefree.gov.

If you need extra motivation to quit, consider those around you: Breathing other people’s smoke, called secondhand smoke, is dangerous. Many adult nonsmokers die of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke.

Manage stress

Reducing stress helps your heart health. Set goals with a friend or family member to do a relaxing activity every day, like walking, yoga, or meditation, or participate in an online stress-management program together. Physical activity also helps reduce stress.Talk to a qualified mental health provider or someone else you trust.

Get better sleep

Sleeping 7–8 hours a night helps to improve heart health. De-stressing will help you sleep, as does getting a 30-minute daily dose of sunlight. Take a walk instead of a late afternoon nap, turn off your screens and stick to a regular bedtime.Instead of looking at your phone or the TV before bed, relax by listening to music, reading, or taking a bath.

October 20, 2022

It was 15 months ago that I first met Tory Cosich, Managing Partner at ProvenIT, and invited him to attend a scaled back version of our annual gala event in September 2021. Not only did Tory graciously attend our event, but after learning more about the work that Aunt Martha’s does, he decided he wanted to support us in a bigger way.

If you are lucky enough to know Tory and his family, you know that they are immensely philanthropic. They passionately support causes they believe in and Aunt Martha’s has been honored to be one of those causes over the past year.

Tory has become a true ambassador of Aunt Martha’s over the past year. Not only did he join my President’s Leadership Council, host a successful stakeholder event for us over the summer, and bring in donations for our annual gala event in September, but…

Last weekend he did something absolutely incredible – he ran 50 miles to raise $50,000 for Aunt Martha’s!

Tory successfully completed the Des Plaines River Trail Race – 50 Miler and the Aunt Martha’s team was there to cheer him on. The amount of dedication and strength Tory showed was nothing short of amazing.

We are so very proud of Tory for this superhuman accomplishment.

We are also immensely proud to call him our friend.

On October 15, 2022, Tory Cosich ran 50 miles to raise $50,000 for Aunt Martha’s!

And now for something completely different

Gary Leofanti came to the Village of Park Forest in 1972 because something was different there. It always had been. Of course, always is a relative term.

A youth(ful) movement

Park Forest had youth on its side. Literally.

It’s Youth Commission was a motivated and politically savvy group of young people and civic-minded adults. And, in Leofanti, it now had a Youth Worker with exactly the experience their community needed.

But it also had the figurative advantage of being a youthful community, still less than 25 years old in 1972. People literally could not say, “Because that’s how we’ve always done it.” Something was indeed different.

And with its new Youth Worker on board, nothing would ever be the same. Today, Aunt Martha’s board members, volunteers and employees share their memories of Gary.

Thank you for the memories, Gary!

John Annis is a longtime member of Aunt Martha's board of directors with many fond memories of Gary Leofanti

He’s just an unbelievable person.

– John Annis, Aunt Martha’s Board of Directors

A Vision for Social Change

25-year old Gary Leofanti had just wrapped up his first official meeting as Park Forest’s new youth worker when he was asked about the relevance of his background in business and economics. That background, he said was an asset.

“Economic planning is a big consideration in implementing social change,” Leofanti said, according to the Park Forest Star on Sunday, March 5, 1972.

“If one can create a big enough demand for something, eventually it will get implemented.”

Gary's Vision tells the story of Aunt Martha's founder

September 2, 2022

Raul Garza talks to Gary Leofanti

So after you graduated from Wayne State, how did you end up coming to Park Forest?

Well, after graduation, my field placement turned into a job, and I stayed there for about five, six months. Then I responded to an ad for a youth worker in Park Forest. And I interviewed for the job. And I liked the community and that, that’s the story there.

But you were you were originally committed to going back out east. So you had to pay back your salary [at a job in Massachusetts] in order to take the job in Park Forest and move to Park Forest?

Right. I paid back the salary.

How much was the salary you had to pay back?

September 23, 2022

“Aunt Martha” considered as name for couseling center

According to the July 9, 1972 edition of the Park Forest Star, more than 100 runaway cases had been reported to Park Forest Police in 1971. In most communities, the police department was the only agency actively involved with the runaway problem.

Mrs. Janice Greenberg chaired the Park Forest Youth Commission’s analysis of national data on teenage runaways, a frightening issue that was hitting closer and closer to home in south suburban Cook County in the summer of 1972.

Seeking incorporation of facility for youths

By the evening of Wednesday, July 5, Mrs. Greenberg’s ad hoc committee had finished its study. The idea to develop a youth service facility to deal directly with the challenges of keeping young people from leaving home, which the politically-savvy committee knew had significant public support, became its official recommendation to the Village.

In fact, that evening the ad hoc committee announced it had already taken steps and was in the process of incorporating a youth services facility to be located in the Village. The center would be located initially in the basement of a co-op rental office.

Robert Mondlock, Youth Commission chair, said the facility will be located in Park Forest but “there will be no geographical boundaries” to its services.

“There aren’t too many Aunt Marthas anymore”

After the Commission meeting, Mrs. Greenberg shared a discussion she had with Park Forest Police Chief William Hamby. He remarked that fewer and fewer kids had family nearby who they could talk to when they were upset with their parents.

“I made the comment that there aren’t too many Aunt Marthas anymore,” Mrs. Greenberg said.

The name stuck. See it on YouTube!

Who’s Aunt Martha?

The name Aunt Martha’s came from one of the founders who really wanted this organizatio to create an environment where a young person can go, if they don’t feel comfortable going to their parents, and talk about whatever life challenges they were facing.

I picture Aunt Martha to be this caring individual that, you know, if you wanted cookies and warm milk at night, Aunt Martha would do that for you.

But I also see Aunt Martha being tough as hell. She’s not going to let anybody mess with her.

Aunt Martha has the ability to cover the range of what needs to be covered, to do the right thing for people. If you had to dissect Aunt Martha, you’d find thousands of people in that makeup.

Raul Garza, President and CEO

Gary’s Vision was first shown at last week’s 50th Anniversary Gala. At the event, it was actually shown before the video we shared last week. In this context, it serves as a nice bookend to Part One of Raul’s interview with Gary, which we posted a few weeks back.

This video tells the story of Gary Leofanti’s vision for Aunt Martha’s. It’s a vision he helped to plant – thankfully – in so many of our brains.

A Vision for Social Change

“Economic planning is a big consideration in implementing social change,” Leofanti said, according to the Park Forest Star on Sunday, March 5, 1972.

“If one can create a big enough demand for something, eventually it will get implemented.”

Gary’s Vision

An Experienced Change-Maker

Mr. Leofanti didn’t come to Park Forest with vision and education alone. He knew the kind of opportunity he was looking for. He found it and was willing to pay handsomely to move on it. In Park Forest he found a, “a community that was ready to do some things.”

It was his expeience, in fact, that made Gary attractive to Park Forest. He was the director of a youth-oriented hotline and drop-in center in suburban Detroit. He earned that experience at Crossroads crisis information center in River Rouge, MI.

Ultimately, the young social worker’s business background would be as important as his on-the-ground experience. And in a way, he laid the earliest foundation for the concept of value-based social work. He told the Park Forest Star another similarity between business and social work is that the main goal of business is a monetary profit while social work projects aim for profit in a sense too.

“Better service to the people or as in the case of Crossroads, better service to youth,” is the type of profit that social workers seek, he said.

Gary's vision and impact are described by Dr. Pat Robey, a former volunteer worker at Aunt Martha's

Aunt Martha’s is what it is today because of the vision of Gary but all the people who worked with him and who have followed him.

– Dr. Pat Robey, Former Volunteer

Fresh from its debut at our 50th Anniversary Gala, we’re excited to share the latest video from our 50 Years, 50 Stories series. It blends archival footage with stories told by the people who shaped Aunt Martha’s. We hear from Gary Leofanti and Raul Garza. But we also hear from a dozen of our partners, board members, employees and volunteers. We look from their perspectives at the people who are the soul of Aunt Martha’s. What’s clear – from every perspective – is that Aunt Martha’s really does have a soul. And an infinite future.

The Soul of Leader

I’ve been watching Aunt Martha’s for decades, and I’ve watched them grow. I’ve watched them change lives. I’ve watched them develop leaders. I’ve watched them become a very powerful force.

– Shawn Jeffers, Executive Director at Little City and Aunt Martha’s Partner

Leading for the Future

The future of Aunt Martha’s is hopefully bright and one that’s going to continue to grow and continue to take on more and more responsibility to the community.

– John Dvorak, President at Wintrust Commercial Banking and Aunt Martha’s Partner

September 9, 2022

A collage of photos from our 50th Anniversary Gala. September 7, 2022.

Favorite photos from our 50th Anniversary Gala

These are a few of our favorite photos from our 50th anniversary gala. You can enjoy the all the pictures our photographer captured that night in Aunt Martha’s Facebook photo album.

Please Like, Comment, Share and, of course, enjoy!