At SERV we share our experience, support and guidance with children, adults and families as they work to
recover from and cope with mental illness, addictions,
challenging behaviors, and developmental disabilities
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Recovery is sheer poetry
“SERV: A Poem of Thanksgiving”
You took me in
You’ve nurtured me
You gave me a voice
I hope that in
Shanna-Rae M. loves to write poetry.
“Give me a subject and five minutes and I could come up with
one,” says Shanna-Rae, 47, a consumer with
There is hope and encouragement
In every word you speak
You have become
A champion for the weak
Shanna-Rae, who has had over 30 hospitalizations since 1977
before coming to SERV in February 2006 through
Because Shanna-Rae is stable on her bipolar medication, has
been sober for more than two years and has not felt the need to cut herself for
the last 3½ years, she has graduated from an A-level apartment to more
independent living with two roommates in a B- level apartment. She is now
responsible for monitoring her own medications, cooking, cleaning, grocery
shopping and taking care of her transportation to get to the pharmacy and
elsewhere. “Shanna-Rae is living independently with some staff
support,” says her Residential Program Manager Kara Fitzgerald. That support includes making sure Shanna-Rae
is on the right track with her medications, reviewing coping skills with her,
and encouraging her creative expression through writing and arts and crafts in
SERV- Passaic’s Adapt day program for adults. Shanna-Rae is inspiring to both
staff and other residents, says her RPM. “She is a role model for her peers by her participation and dedication
and getting others to participate in activities.” Her activities include writing for the resident newsletter
and serving on the Steering Committee for SERV’s 7th annual Recovery
NJ Conference in the spring. The event is attended by more than 400 SERV
consumers, their families and healthcare professionals from the eight counties
where SERV has operations.
Taking part in activities in the Adapt program offers
Shanna-Rae the peer support she has come to enjoy. She welcomes hearing other residents’ success
stories because it offers “the realization that I’m not alone. Others have
attained success and I look up to them. (And I think), maybe I don’t have to cut myself.” You have helped those who’ve fallen
To find a higher ground
And when we hear you callin’
It’s such as blessed sound
Before coming to SERV, Shanna-Rae worried that she wouldn’t
fit in. But, in the last three years,
she has seen a change in herself. “I had
been in other programs and wasn’t successful. With the support of peers and SERV staff, I am part of a link in a chain
of success stories,” she says. “SERV facilitated the hope that was already in
me.” “Some places treat you like a patient first. SERV treated me like a person first, a
patient second.” She cites how SERV
Centers’ staff members greet her when she walks in for the day program and is interested
in hearing about her weekend activities. “SERV is interested in every aspect of my life – roommates, eating well,
achieving a goal of wellness and continuing on the path of recovery. Kim (DeRosa) always tells me her door is
open.” What makes the difference for
Shanna-Rae is the relationships she has had with SERV staff and her RPM because
of “their willingness to care. They’ll
stop (and say) ‘What’s going on? Do you need to talk? I’m here to listen.’ I feel I can go to any one of them.” You speak to us of dignity
Encouragement and hope
And your gentle ways of helping us
Gives us the tools we need to cope
When asked of her goals, Shanna-Rae is ready with an
immediate answer: So as we work together
To find recovery
Any storm that comes we’ll weather
As our spirits are set free!
Shanna-Rae would like people who are still struggling with severe
mental illness to know that at SERV, “you’ll get your needs met. They serve the entire person – help you
physically, mentally, spiritually. SERV
taught me how to have a belief system. I
never thought I could live a day without intrusive thoughts coming into my
mind. With help, I am learning how to
cope.” “SERV helps you to be the best YOU that you can be.” “Recovery”
When I think about recovery I think of a new start, Changes of the mind and changes of the heart.
It’s all about beginnings and trying something new, Taking off the blinders and having a different point of view.
I know change is hard but you’ll find it’s worth the while Your self esteem will grow and you’ll find your smile.
So let peace be your guide and together we will fly, Above the pain and sorrow if you’ll give it one more try!
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