“You were given this life, because you are strong enough to live it.” Unknown Monday’s Mental Health Moment is focused on one woman’s motivation, dedication, and courage to change. Cheyanne Skelton, a Health Choices Caseworker in Bell’s Supported Housing program, said, “I grew up being labeled with a mental health diagnosis, and therefore it pushed […]
Sometime before Halloween, Kevin Traister, Bell’s director of human resources, starts reaching out to business contacts asking them to provide contributions for a special fund. It started in 2012, when he thought to himself that he could do more for the Bell programs during the holidays. He came up with the idea to hold his […]
Anyone connected to Bell Socialization Services between 1977 and 2017 likely knew Ike Hileman. Not long after his early days running mental health programs and transporting participants from Harrisburg State Hospital, Ike was selected to be Bell’s executive director. During his 40-year tenure he guided the organization through much growth, including the addition of mental […]
What’s for lunch on Thursday? Could be taco salad or a BLT. Could be turkey and mashed potatoes with stuffing on the side. Could be empanadillas and refried beans. And you can count on a sweet treat for dessert. Drink (iced tea, punch, maybe lemonade) optional. Before the onset of the Spring 2020 coronavirus outbreak, […]
Sometime this past Tuesday morning, cheerful messages mysteriously began appearing on the sidewalks outside some of Bell’s mental health program locations. As the day advanced, staff and residents were delighted to open the door and step outside to see yellow suns, rainbows, flowers, and balloons drawn with sidewalk chalk. As word spread from one residential […]
Working at Bell is more than a means to a paycheck. Our “work family” is caring and supportive, and dedicated to Empowering lives. Every. Day. no matter the type of work we do, especially during the current pandemic. Many of our individuals rely on social activities throughout the week to help them live more independently. […]
When a large part of a program’s mission and daily process is connecting in person with service users, an isolation/quarantine situation is far from ideal. Bell’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team is finding ways to adapt in order to continue their strong commitment to being there for the people they serve. April 8: Kris Stroup […]
Some people who are involved with Bell’s social rehabilitation programming also live in one of the agency’s mental health residential programs (CHIPP, CRAS, Supported Housing, etc.), but some do not. For people who live independently, regular participation in the New Beginnings and Sendero programs, and the socialization they receive through this interaction, is a big […]
The internet and news stations are flooded with updates on the coronavirus pandemic. Alongside the concerning reports, there are also stories of people all around the world who are showing up in heroic and everyday ways, helping one another and getting creative with ways to stay connected. Bell employees, too, are helping. While our day […]
Una conversación con Sara Serrano **English Version Below** Vine por primera vez al programa Sendero * como voluntaria. Me gustaba estar cerca de otras personas que hablan español y especialmente disfruté ayudando con actividades creativas. Pronto me di cuenta de que podría ayudarme a asistir al programa como participante. Esa decisión cambió mi vida. Existe […]