Secret Santas needed

As the holiday season rushes in, we will find new opportunities to share the holiday spirit with those around us.

For the last 29 years I have worked to care for adults with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders at our licensed limited mental health assisted living facility located in Hilliard. During this time, I have cared for over 3,200 individuals on a 24/7 basis. It is a mission for me to find ways to improve the lives of those who struggle with mental illness.

While my facility is family-owned, we embrace a public mission and provide services to adults with schizophrenia all through the year now headed into our 30th year. We provide a homeless diversion program and a clothing closet at no charge, and we offer assistance to families that need help navigating the mental health system, the managed care system and benefits.

Often we are asked to get engaged during the clinical phase of the service planning process. This is when the person is struggling with a serious array of symptoms and is at risk of hospitalization or incarceration as a result. The team of clinicians and staff work to find the right regimen of medications and daily living routines, and create an umbrella of support and encouragement that allows them to migrate to the recovery phase of their service plan.

Once we get into the recovery phase of the service plan, it is critical that we create that connection with people around them. The effects of mental illness disconnect people from the social fabric of the world around them, the steps needed to sew that back together is complex and intricate. One of those ways we reconnect people to the social fabric is through the annual Dayspring Village Secret Santa Program. The program is simple. We have asked each of our clients for three wishes. These wishes (can be) quite simple: a 12-pack of cola, a jacket or CD.

To get involved, you simply call Ashley Turner or Kyla Grayson at (904) 845-7501 or email at ashleyt@dayspringvillage.org. You will be given the name of a resident and their wishes. All you need to do is select the items you want to give and have them wrapped and back to us by Dec. 23.

We also are looking for people who have musical talents they can share or those that have baking talents that would like to prepare homemade baked items for an evening snack. These are all ways that you help create that sense of well-being and reconnect these individuals back to the community.

I can share with you that this is a powerful program; and what is important about this program is not the "stuff" but the people side of the equation and how you impact the lives of these Americans who struggle with schizophrenia.

So far we have about 20 of the 120 residents adopted for the holidays. As you can see, there is a long way to go to meet the need. This is an entirely volunteer effort, and we are grateful for all those who have participated in the past.

If you are unable to do the shopping and would like our staff to be your "elf" and do the work for you, we have set up a GoFundMe account at www.gofundme.com/secretsanta16.

What I know is that no problem can be solved alone. We are all tied together and must work together to be part of the solution. So this year, I would ask that you help improve the lives of the your time and treasure, you can help change lives and forever craft a new normal in their life.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter, I appreciate those that have supported these residents and would invite you to get engaged in 2016. If I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, do not hesitate to call upon me at (904) 583-0134 (cell) or at doug@dayspringvillage.org. Merry Christmas.

Douglas D. Adkins Executive Director

Dayspring Village