The Well A Communtiy Service For The Mentally Ill
57Saturday Night Life
The Well is a place where the mentally ill can go and be themselves. Like I said in my profile we have Church on Saturday and through the week we have a place to go so we don't have to stay shut in at home or on the streets maybe getting in trouble.
The club house runs Monday through Thursday. We have devotion in the morning and then we have a meeting to see who is there for the different departments. We have at this time two departments one is membership service and business. The membership we deal with the different things like run the cafe, food pantry and clothes closet. They also check the members in, because some need to be able to show that they were there not some where else. The business part takes care of money, answering the phone, sending out thank you cards and also checking on different members to find out why they have not been in for a while.
We have lunch that different members know about and serve. Some times people bring in food or donate food. We have a cafe where they can buy coffee and sodas and snack food. Reasonable because most of the ones who come to the Well get a monthly check.
In the afternoons they have different classes that help them to live in the community. They learn how to take care of themselves through cooking, grooming,hygiene and how to pay for their bills. They also have classes that teach them about their illnesses and their drug and alcohol problems.
Saturday evening we have Church and dinner. Different organizations and churches come and serve us dinner. We have worship and then we have a sermon. A month ago we started a choir which is called the Well Singers. Which I belong to as well. My fiance also sings in the choir. It is one of the many things we do together.
But the one great thing is no one looks at you funny or think bad things. Its a place where we can be ourselves and not worry that some one is going to laugh or yell at us. We all need a chance to worship the Lord. Even the mentally challenged deserve to communicate with the Lord.
At the Well everyone is welcome and not turned away. They just ask you to have respect for other people who are there. If there is a problem the pastor will take you aside and help you correct the problem and maybe ask you to leave for maybe you are having a problem that can't be resolved at that time.
They also provide housing for some of the mentally challenged who really don't have a place they can call home. They pay their rent and other things just like you and I do.
What do you think? Do you think people with mental challenges should have a place to worship the Lord and then to serve the Lord when they have the understanding.
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i have a religion, but i have to say that people who do not have this problem really do not understand. I asked the doctor to send me to a mental health clinic last year, as i knew i was not functioning too well..... the first person i saw was sooooooo nice, he listened to me for about 2 hours and asked me to go back 5 weeks later when he was there. When i got there however a different person was there, and said i was not mentally ill had no right to be there, and because after post natal depression 20 some years i wasn't actually suicidle, she just marched me out the door. i think they thought i was after money, as there is no health service here. I work now, but have some very bad days, my job is difficult emotionally but i need to work...... it is nice to talk to people who care actually, that helps a lot
Hello, I'm sorry that you had a bad experience, some just don't understand. They judge before they talk to us, which is not fair. But you should try another place, because all places aren't the same. I hope we can be friends, I would like to add you to my fan club if that is ok with you.
the well email
- THE WELL, engaging people with mental illness in a life-giving community of peace, love and hope
The Well Community Serivce Center
Well Singers
The Well or Saturday Night Life decided to start a choir. At first we were just singing in church, then we got invited to sing at a revival. Then from there we did a fund raiser for the Well community and then a concert in the main church (Cliff Temple Baptist Church).
We sing at our Saturday night life service and we practice on Mondays and Thursday and some times early on Saturday.
We don't do for the attention but a way of worshipping our Savior. Karen Edwards is our leader and our director Josh helps us to.
Some of us know how to sing solos and do when we have the opportunity.
You can learn more about us and the Well on our web site www.wellcommunity.com
christalluna1124 2 years ago
Sue, Thanks for a great article. Welcome to hubpages.
Christal Luna