Essie Calhoun the CEO of Opal's House, a shelter for women and families of domestic violence announces the contract award to Opal's House by the Veteran's Administration.
This contract will enable Opal's House to reach out and aid female veterans and their families who are homeless and in need of shelter, love and learning opportunities focused on successful reentry into everyday life and employment. Skills training, psycho-social support and life skills training as well as parenting and self-care are some of the therapeutic strategies used by Essie and her volunteer staff.
Opal's House serves a very fortunate population as it is the only shelter for female homeless veterans in a 500 mile radius of the St.Louis metropolitan area.
Spring will bring about fresh starts and beginnings to women served by Opal's House.
I have een working with Essie of Opal's House on a couple of projects. We are meeting tomorrow to do some planning and prioritization. ...More to come!
Visited OPal's House today and reviewed requirements from the VA for the shelter related to medical and healthcare issue management, policies and med administration and documentation. Plan created to develop policies, procedures and documentation platform for all residents (including children) related to med administration. Work to commence this Friday.
We have been busy at Opal's House since the VA contract was signed. To date, all the medical records are up to date and filed with the new file maintainence system.
We are looking for a donor to underwrite the cost of a drug cabinet ($350) so that all the resident's medications are in a locked cabinet in the administrative offices.
I was able to set up a corporate account for Opla's House with Quest Labs, so that whenever the need for a drug screen is identified, the protocol , standing order and automatic billing can occur. This should help in keeping security and order at the House in place.
One of the residents (HC) is in desparate need for dental care. Her teeth are mere erosions into the gums from malnutrition and meth use. She has been sober for three months and is doing very well. She has goals, and a plan. I know that having her teeth fixed would mean so much to her, but resources (providers) for dental care are non-existent for the uninsured. The wait list for dental at the VA is approx 4-6 months. I encouraged her to get on the list...it is a place to begin. If another resource comes up, great, if not, she hasn't lost any time.
July 10th we hosted 8 youth from Ohio who came to the area to do service work. What a delightful group of young people. They cleaned up the yard, pulled weeds and re-did the area around the playground to make it cleaner and safer. They did a great job.
They also helped with planting a tree in honor of all the families that have been served at Opal's House.
The golf tournament was a success. It is one of the fund raising events that supports Opal's House. The goal of the fundraiser was met and exceeded... Thanks to all who helped to support the cause.
There is always something to be accomplished at Opal's House. Just ask Essie, what needs to get done....there is always that list!
We hosted Congressman Bill Enyart to Opal's House for a meeting and tour of the facilities and programs we offer. Mr. Enyart met with the ladies currently living at OPal's as well as the staff and volunteers. He talked with the vets for two hours! His wife, Judge Eckert (retired) also made the visit and was also impressed with what Opal's House is doing for our female vets.
The vets themselves were so amazing in their telling of life stories both in and out of the military. We have no idea of what these ladies have done, given up or suffered with in order to keep our country free.
One lady spoke of her anger, rage and depression from serving, being sexually assaulted by the same commanding officer for over 2 years. She further related how she was punished and discharged for filing a complaint back in 1989. Her story was chilling to hear.
Judge Eckert spoke of a program that she started before her retirement. It was a court specific to vets who became embroiled in the legal system. After talking with the ladies at Opal's House, she assured the one lady that she would follow up with her on seeing if there was any additional amendment to her military status that could be changed based on the new sexual assault guidelines.
Mr Enyart lost the election but vowed to continue to work with the new Congressman (Mr.Bost). He will continue in promoting and supporting Opal's House and the service that they provide.
Follow up to previous post: we found a dentist for our ladies! One of my students told me of her dentist who donates dental care for vets. Essie made Ms D an appointment with the dentist...now we pray that her bone erosion isn't too far gone from the abscess so she can heal faster.
And here is your posting on your fall work at Opal's House. It is apparent that you are hearing heart breaking stories there. As you reflect upon these experiences, how do you see that you are making an impact with this service to your community? Thanks...Barbara
Opal's House is experiencing some financial issues related to the delayed and very late payments made by the VA. I am working with Ms Essie on reforming her board of directors. I am also working on getting her some student nurse volunteers to help with the clinical duties that need to be maintained.
The female vets are so incredibly vulnerable. The majority are responsive and ready to take the necessary steps to rebuilding their lives. The minority though are so fragile and in need of mental health services and substance abuse recovery programs that are just not in place within the VA or in the reach within the community.
Essie Calhoun the CEO of Opal's House, a shelter for women and families of domestic violence announces the contract award to Opal's House by the Veteran's Administration.
ReplyDeleteThis contract will enable Opal's House to reach out and aid female veterans and their families who are homeless and in need of shelter, love and learning opportunities focused on successful reentry into everyday life and employment. Skills training, psycho-social support and life skills training as well as parenting and self-care are some of the therapeutic strategies used by Essie and her volunteer staff.
Opal's House serves a very fortunate population as it is the only shelter for female homeless veterans in a 500 mile radius of the St.Louis metropolitan area.
Spring will bring about fresh starts and beginnings to women served by Opal's House.
Good to learn about this non-profit group.
ReplyDeleteI have een working with Essie of Opal's House on a couple of projects. We are meeting tomorrow to do some planning and prioritization. ...More to come!
ReplyDeleteVisited OPal's House today and reviewed requirements from the VA for the shelter related to medical and healthcare issue management, policies and med administration and documentation. Plan created to develop policies, procedures and documentation platform for all residents (including children) related to med administration. Work to commence this Friday.
ReplyDeleteWe have been busy at Opal's House since the VA contract was signed.
ReplyDeleteTo date, all the medical records are up to date and filed with the new file maintainence system.
We are looking for a donor to underwrite the cost of a drug cabinet ($350) so that all the resident's medications are in a locked cabinet in the administrative offices.
I was able to set up a corporate account for Opla's House with Quest Labs, so that whenever the need for a drug screen is identified, the protocol , standing order and automatic billing can occur. This should help in keeping security and order at the House in place.
One of the residents (HC) is in desparate need for dental care. Her teeth are mere erosions into the gums from malnutrition and meth use. She has been sober for three months and is doing very well. She has goals, and a plan. I know that having her teeth fixed would mean so much to her, but resources (providers) for dental care are non-existent for the uninsured. The wait list for dental at the VA is approx 4-6 months. I encouraged her to get on the list...it is a place to begin. If another resource comes up, great, if not, she hasn't lost any time.
July 10th we hosted 8 youth from Ohio who came to the area to do service work. What a delightful group of young people. They cleaned up the yard, pulled weeds and re-did the area around the playground to make it cleaner and safer. They did a great job.
They also helped with planting a tree in honor of all the families that have been served at Opal's House.
The golf tournament was a success. It is one of the fund raising events that supports Opal's House. The goal of the fundraiser was met and exceeded... Thanks to all who helped to support the cause.
There is always something to be accomplished at Opal's House. Just ask Essie, what needs to get done....there is always that list!
We hosted Congressman Bill Enyart to Opal's House for a meeting and tour of the facilities and programs we offer. Mr. Enyart met with the ladies currently living at OPal's as well as the staff and volunteers. He talked with the vets for two hours! His wife, Judge Eckert (retired) also made the visit and was also impressed with what Opal's House is doing for our female vets.
ReplyDeleteThe vets themselves were so amazing in their telling of life stories both in and out of the military. We have no idea of what these ladies have done, given up or suffered with in order to keep our country free.
One lady spoke of her anger, rage and depression from serving, being sexually assaulted by the same commanding officer for over 2 years. She further related how she was punished and discharged for filing a complaint back in 1989. Her story was chilling to hear.
Judge Eckert spoke of a program that she started before her retirement. It was a court specific to vets who became embroiled in the legal system. After talking with the ladies at Opal's House, she assured the one lady that she would follow up with her on seeing if there was any additional amendment to her military status that could be changed based on the new sexual assault guidelines.
Mr Enyart lost the election but vowed to continue to work with the new Congressman (Mr.Bost). He will continue in promoting and supporting Opal's House and the service that they provide.
Follow up to previous post: we found a dentist for our ladies! One of my students told me of her dentist who donates dental care for vets. Essie made Ms D an appointment with the dentist...now we pray that her bone erosion isn't too far gone from the abscess so she can heal faster.
And here is your posting on your fall work at Opal's House. It is apparent that you are hearing heart breaking stories there. As you reflect upon these experiences, how do you see that you are making an impact with this service to your community? Thanks...Barbara
ReplyDeleteOpal's House is experiencing some financial issues related to the delayed and very late payments made by the VA. I am working with Ms Essie on reforming her board of directors. I am also working on getting her some student nurse volunteers to help with the clinical duties that need to be maintained.
ReplyDeleteThe female vets are so incredibly vulnerable. The majority are responsive and ready to take the necessary steps to rebuilding their lives. The minority though are so fragile and in need of mental health services and substance abuse recovery programs that are just not in place within the VA or in the reach within the community.