Welcome to Transition House, Inc.

In August 2006, I asked clients to write some brief comments that would be included in the Annual Report FY'06 Narrative.  Here are there comments on Transition House, Inc.:

·     I appreciate how the staff makes the most out of available resources.  Beyond the regular group meetings, the recreation activities (museum trips, movies, cookouts) make one feel normal again.

·     As a mental health consumer, I feel that I use to be so out of touch with self, but have learned to interact with people and in group.

·     Transition House, Inc., is the Lord’s gift!  It has given me a great chance to change my life with no strings attached.  My life has changed 180 degrees, for which I am thankful.  It is my “home.”

·     Transition House has given me the opportunity to clear my head and get it halfway straight.  Now I can see better brighter to where I’m going in life.  Transition House is a great opportunity for people struggling with mental illness and drug abuse.

·     (To the Staff) So often it is so easy to walk by and do nothing to help someone and worry about your own problem.  You have spent a lot of time helping others and I know you have been blessed by it.  May you find always those who are in need and they themselves learn to help.  The tomorrow will be a better place.  Thank you.

·     Homeless!  That’s where I would be if it weren’t for Transition House.  Coming out of Griffin, I had run out of options for places to go.  I usually could turn to my sister for a place, but she was starting to practice her “tough love” theory.  I am grateful for the staff at Transition House.  They have given me so much hope and love.  They will never be forgotten.

·     Transition House has given me the opportunity and assistance to break out of a deadly cycle of treatment/relapse, and to work on my own individual recovery as never before.

·     Transition House is an amazing place.  Bonnie’s dedication to keeping this place for people like me is even more amazing.  All the staff go out of their way to help individuals and to assist them in getting to a place in their lives to help themselves.  Without TH, I personally do not know where I would be today.  Without TH and their support and the support I receive at Mental Health, I would most definitely not be as well as I am today.

·     On the most basic level, they treat clients like valuable human beings. That, I think, is the foundation that underlies everything else. The thing is, no matter how severe our problems, we ARE human and we are still potential contributing members of society. Sometimes we just need a better-than-even chance to get there… Transition House is different. Pretty much nothing is wasted. They take a more holistic approach, which in my opinion is the only sensible way to do it. In this world, everything affects everything else. Mental health and substance abuse issues do not exist in a vacuum, and you cannot try to treat them as separate entities removed from everything else. Well, you CAN, a lot of people DO, but an approach like that just keeps all the drawers in the morgue filled. Nothing disappears into black budgets or mysterious "overhead" expenses. Every dime they get can be accounted for, and pretty quickly too. Every single day, somebody benefits from what they do here, whether it is concrete or intangible. They maintain relationships with clients who move out into the community and continue to offer such help as they can. I don't know of any other agency that does that. Recovery from mental illness does not take place magically at the end of a one-year period; it is a lifelong process, and one that requires nurturing or else you might as well not bother. And the best stuff, the actual CARING, you get for free. They take time, they take trouble, they don't give up. And sometimes that is all a person really needs. In short then, if you can find a better place than Transition House to give money to, for God's sake tell me where it is. I'll believe it when I see it.

In March of 2006, Clients were asked the following question in preparing for our United Way site visit - "Why Should People Give Money to Transition House, Inc."  Below are their responses.

Being mentally/emotionally disabled can be described best as a hermitage in the crowd.  You can’t belong no matter how you try to play the game.  Transition House has brought to me an environment in which I can belong and feel enabled to deal with or correct my problem of my illness.  My future is better when I am enabled as a person and for my part, Transition House environment creates for me a home which before I did not have. (B)

After a failed suicide attempt, treatment at Griffin and completion of Rehab at NADTC, I was taking antidepressants and working a 12 Step Program.  It was very difficult for me to maintain continuous sobriety.  I relapsed three times the first two years I worked a 12 Step Program.  Since my association with Transition House, where I receive regular therapy here, as well as therapy at Mental Health, I have compiled 16 moths of continuous sobriety.  My therapist and caseworker at Transition House work with the personnel at Mental Health and they both support my ongoing 12 Step involvement {AA}.

My point is that before I received any mental health treatment, sobriety, for me, was overwhelmingly difficult.  Only after I began to address my issues with mental health as diligently as I did my issues with recovery have I been able to both maintain my sobriety, but progress in my recovery program.  My life overall is healthier, happier, and much more productive and saner!  All of my relationships {family, friends, co-workers} have greatly improved as a direct result of the treatment, counseling and directives I have received here at Transition House.  The positive influence and support I receive from the staff here cannot be overstated.  Quite simply Transition House, and my participation in their program is the single most positive thing I have ever done for myself. (M)

The Transition House has given me a life!  While in treatment at NADTC, I was worried about the future.  I had no home, job, and not much hope.  Being a 60 year old alcoholic with mental problems, the future did not look bright.  My counselor made an appointment to visit Transition House.  I came to two interviews, met the staff and clients, visited the Drop-In Center and apartments.  I was given a Client Handbook that I read.

I thought that there must be a “catch,” but there wasn’t.  Here is a place that puts no pressure on me, wanted me to get comfortable, with surroundings and self.  That stressed being honest about alcoholic and mental problems and take action.  They also asked that we get involved in the community.  It makes me feel part of the community!  We went to the State Capitol on “Mental Health Awareness Day.”  Over a thousand people there.  This is probably the first time in my life that I feel a part of “something.”  The Transition House has given me a life!  Thank You! (R)

It kept me from being on the streets of Oklahoma City.  I had a warm bed and new bed sheets, covers and socks, gloves and hats in the winter.  It’s made difference because it brought me to better socialize and live with other people than past places and friends you already know.  You have a chance to meet new friends. (D)

Because Transition House has helped rebuild a lot of shattered lives.  They have brought hope where there wasn’t any.  In general, Transition House has saved a lot of souls, have provided a home for the homeless.  They have kept a lot of people off the streets. (S)

People should give money to Transition House because instead of having to worry about getting right and money, we just have to worry about getting right.  We don’t have to relinquish and dwell with the past. (W)

Transition House is unique among programs of this general kind, pretty much sui generis as far as I know. The approach they take is largely based on plain old common sense, which probably explains why nobody else is doing it. There's nothing arcane about what goes on here, nothing complex or tricky or difficult to fathom. On the most basic level, they treat clients like valuable human beings. That, I think, is the foundation that underlies everything else. If your self-esteem is not in tatters by the time you get here, you're probably just too sick to perceive what's going on. And poor self-image is what keeps 90 percent of us trapped in our personal hells. (That is a totally made-up statistic, by the way, but if you wanna pay to get a survey done, I bet it wouldn't be far off the mark.) There's not a lot of preaching, not a lot of drilling buzzwords and platitudes by rote into a person's head. There IS an acknowledgement of every person's dignity and the right to a more pleasant life. The staff is always mindful of this, and they seldom miss an opportunity to give someone the opportunity to feel a bit better about themselves. This is such a simple thing, but very few people in this field have any grasp of it. And without that basis, all the medicine and mind-games and 12 steps in the world amount to little more than trying to bail water out of a rapidly-sinking boat with a teaspoon. Good money for bad is the rule rather than the exception. Money disappears into a black hole and is never seen or heard from again.

Transition House is different. Pretty much nothing is wasted. They take a more holistic approach, which in my opinion is the only sensible way to do it. In this world, everything affects everything else. Mental health and substance abuse issues do not exist in a vacuum, and you cannot try to treat them as separate entities removed from everything else. Well, you CAN, a lot of people DO, but an approach like that just keeps all the drawers in the morgue filled. Nothing disappears into black budgets or mysterious "overhead" expenses. Every dime they get can be accounted for, and pretty quickly too. Every single day, somebody benefits from what they do here, whether it is concrete or intangible. They maintain relationships with clients who move out into the community and continue to offer such help as they can. I don't know of any other agency that does that. Recovery from mental illness does not take place magically at the end of a one-year period; it is a lifelong process, and one that requires nurturing or else you might as well not bother. And the best stuff, the actual CARING, you get for free. They take time, they take trouble, they don't give up. And sometimes that is all a person really needs.

In short then, if you can find a better place than Transition House to give money to, for God's sake tell me where it is. I'll believe it when I see it. (C)

If you'd like to read some "life stories" written by some of our client's, click on the icon's above that have a person's name followed by "Story."  These are important stories written by the clients.  Each shares a little about where they came from and their experiences with mental illness - and each reminds us that with care and support - people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness can move past that illness and live a happy life as a contributing member of our community!

In Morning Meetings on January 30 & 31, 2006, clients provided the following input and comments about Transition House, Inc.  Each person in the group agreed that Transition House, Inc., has helped them in their recovery process from mental illness, and for many with substance abuse as well.  Here are some of their comments:

o         There is enough time and opportunity to realize that mental illness is part of the problem.  Substance abuse was seen as the ‘problem.’  After working to get better through substance abuse treatment, and never feeling better, there was a frustration and desire to give up hope – nothing seemed to get better.  While at Transition House, Inc., there is time to talk and think.  There is also time and opportunity to develop a sense of trust in the staff so honesty is possible.

o         This is the first time after 6 times in treatment that sobriety has been maintained after leaving treatment.  In the past – the day of discharge from treatment was the day of relapse.  Having time and opportunity to talk with the staff, not only during scheduled times, but whenever is needed, has made the difference.

o         This place offers freedom with structure. 

o         Having enough time to really work on problems is important. 

o         There is a feeling of warmth and comfort – not so institutional – in the Drop-In Center, offices and apartments.

o         It’s not a dictatorship!

o         You don’t preach to us.

o         Always know someone is there when needed.

o         Clients are offered a higher standard of living, treatment, and a home.

o         Intensive treatment is available from well-trained, experienced staff who really care.

o         Assistance here can open the door for other services and provides help in accessing services.

o         Quality services are available for everyone.  It doesn’t matter whether you have income and benefits – and services don’t stop because insurance or money runs out.

When asked if there was anything that we needed to do better or differently:

o        The one comment was that a larger food allowance was needed for clients when they first come into the program.  They are allowed a $10 charge for 6 times, plus all clients have access to the Foodroom.  This is to supplement before food stamps are secured.  Clients all stated that $10 may have been enough before, but it really isn’t now when someone doesn’t have anything.

The Transition House has given me a lot.  A place to live in a sober environment helps me with a lot of mental issues and a lot of my personal issues too.  It kept me sober after I got out of treatment because I would have had to go back to the same place that got me here.  It gave me a chance to be around a variety of different kinds of people – some worse and some just like me.  I have learned a lot here about my disease and other diseases.  They give me people to talk to when I need help or just to talk.  It’s helping me get back on track the best I can and I’m still sober. – Glen

Transition House has been a pillar of stability for me, aside from the shelter they provide, the counseling has been the greatest aspect of this program.  The staff are a wonderful support group and seem to have my best interest in mind and have pointed and guided me in all the right directions including a chance to attend the University of Oklahoma among other things.  There is no way to truly explain on paper how wonderful this program truly is. – Steve

The Transition House has a great staff who are willing to help any situation they can.  It’s helped me a lot with staying sober.  They really care and are very helpful.

Transition House has taught me the things I need to know to cope with my depression so I can get out of bed everyday and have a life. – Jewels

To live life for God and me.

We have a place to stay off the streets and a place to cook food and stay warm in the wintertime. – Michael T

I have been here 8 months and it has helped me in many ways.  I’ve been able to stay sober a year and stay on my med’s.  I have grown spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.  The groups and sessions are very helpful.  It has been great to have a safe place to live and get better.  I would not have made it without this place.  Thanks for your help. – Mike M.

The past few years have been a bit rough for me. I had a pretty serious breakdown during 2001 & 2002. A lifetime of dealing with serious depression and anxiety, along with a powerful alcohol dependence, sort of came to a head during that time, and came very close to finishing me off. Between then and now, I have been involved in a number of programs and plans, but nothing has done me as much good as Transition House. It would be no exaggeration to say that Transition House helped save my life.  At the very least, it has helped put it back into a pleasant and tolerable shape! - Chuck