Press & Media

June 2021 Staff Spotlight

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR JUNE SPOTLIGHT RECIPIENTS! Staff Spotlights 2021 2

Christopher Porcher, Director II

At this years' 100 Men of Color Awards Gala, there was only one Chris Porcher - and several CMHA supporters! In recognition of his outstanding community contributions and dedication to all the people he serves in his capacity at CMHA, Porcher was presented with an official declaration from the State of Connecticut. Congratulations Chris!

Amy Moylan, CCFS Recovery Specialist

In June especially, Amy Moylan has represented CMHA at numerous community events, educating people about our services, domestic violence awareness, and the importance of behavioral health. She has furthered CMHA's standing among area organizations and consistently goes above and beyond when engaging with the community. Thank you Amy!

The Events Committee

The Events Committee certainly set a new standard with our new and improved company picnic: The Staff Appreciation Summer BBQ! Held at the Tunxis Country Club Pavilion, it was a fun, relaxed event that celebrated everything CMHA's dedicated staff have achieved and overcome in this past year. Everyone enjoyed the music, raffle baskets, games, & superlatives - and we already can't wait for next year!

Mental Health Awareness 2021

There are always going to be things in life that are out of our control, but what we can do is focus on the things that are within our ability to change. That is why, throughout Mental Health Awareness month, CMHA focused on #Hope, #Resilience, #Growth, and #Recovery. As part of this, we made sure to plan a variety of little activities and events for staff, clients, and our community!

Early on in May, our Waterbury offices hosted a Virtual Game Night for children and their families. Parents and Guardians were welcome to stay for a special session at the end which focused on addressing their own needs, the importance of self-care, and how to practice mindfulness with their kids.

In New Britain, CMHA Ambassadors helped run a pop-up "Compliments Table" outside the agency's 233 Main Street headquarters to spread some positivity and kindness. Staff gave out motivational stickers, agency information, and 'free' compliments to people walking in the downtown - and even received some in return!

"This is amazing - I love seeing you all out here in the downtown, it's really meaningful and just wonderful!"

Members of the Team Time Social Club helped us get into the spirit of Mental Health Awareness month by designing and painting a wonderful canvas that is up in the display windows of 233 Main Street. Their messages and illustrations on Hope, Recovery, and Wellness are truly a one-of-a-kind piece, and we look forward to displaying their project permanently at the Team TIme Social Club!

We also made sure to show our appreciation for the true heroes at CMHA - our dedicated, compassionate staff! All Residential locations received gift baskets, put together by the Events Committee, which included all sorts of snacks, candy, gourmet tea and coffee from local shops, as well as gift cards for individual staff, across shifts to treat themselves.

Every location at CMHA was also surprised with a visit from the Ice Cream truck! A special thanks to CMHA staff member Travone Franklin, Residential Monitor and his wife Jennifer for helping to coordinate these visits and give all our staff a nice, cool treat!

Overall, we're very grateful for the numerous individuals that helped to coordinate the special events and surprises we held for Mental Health Awareness month. Every day, our staff go above and beyond to make sure that those individuals in need of our services receive the quality care they deserve, and the least we can do is give our thanks and show our appreciation!

April 2021 Staff Spotlight

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR APRIL SPOTLIGHT RECIPIENTS! Staff Spotlights 2021

Terrica Drummond, Jail Diversion

Terrica recently requested that customers of her Jawned Collection clothing store donate gently used items to participate in her stores' Give Back Gala. Thanks to her generosity, we had a variety of items for staff to distribute to clients! Thank you Terrica for your generosity and for thinking of CMHA!

Diego Peralta, Adult Outpatient Program

CMHA makes a difference to those we serve because our people are compassionate, dedicated, and connected to the community. Diego, a first-generation graduate of CCSU and multi-year recipient of the Robert T. Kenney Scholarship, is being featured by the American Savings Foundation as they celebrate their 25th Anniversary this year! Congrats Diego!

Benefits & Wellness Committee

Between Zoom meetings and the day-to-day hustle and bustle, it can be difficult to step back and check in with yourself or your colleagues. That's why the Walking Groups initiated by the Benefits & Wellness Committee are so nice: take a walk, have a chat, and enjoy a break! A big thanks to everyone coordinating these ongoing walking groups (any day you can, all sites), and we look forward to joining you!

The Spott Unlimited & CMHA Join Forces

CMHA is proud to announce a new collaboration with The Spott Unlimited, Inc. (The Spott) to provide Recovery Support Services for Greater New Britain residents struggling with behavioral health or substance use disorders.

The Spott Unlimited, Inc. is a nonprofit recovery-based service operating out of The Spottswood African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in New Britain. This community-oriented collaboration will include the placement of 8-10 Recovery Assistants at The Spott. Trained in community trauma response and suicide prevention by the New Britain EMS Citizens Academy and Amplify’s Congregational Assistance Program (CAP), the Recovery Assistants will be overseen by a Certified Recovery Coach who is already part of The Spott Unlimited community.

Together, they will provide individuals at The Spott with one-on-one support and linkages to services and resources such as housing, clothing, toiletries, and food. The Recovery Coach and Assistants will connect individuals to outpatient or inpatient care for their substance use or behavioral health concerns, with CMHA available to conduct assessments and accept referrals if needed. As always, any individual ready to begin their path to Recovery is welcome at CMHA.

Describing the church’s mission and sense of purpose, Reverend Samuel C. Blanks said “It’s a matter of heart for us, the people who’ve been working in the trenches. We can reach people where they are, we’ve got the approach for it, and we can serve the community in a way that is needed, but not always addressed.”

Dr. Marie M. Spivey and Michele Stewart Copes of System for Education, Equity, & Transition (SEET LLC), have partnered with CMHA on several previous initiatives and will provide oversight, clinical supervision, and administrative reporting for this innovative project.

“I don’t believe anyone else is doing this,” said Stewart Copes, “I really think what we are doing here in New Britain, [partnering with faith-based organizations], is groundbreaking.”

To learn more about CMHA's services, from therapy and support groups to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), please contact the agency at 860.224.8192 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

small Chairmans Award 2019

The Valuing Diversity Committee

On what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King's 92nd Birthday, CMHA's Valuing Diversity Committee hosted its first-ever Diversity Discussion, welcoming staff from across the agency to participate and share "What MLK Day Means to Me."

With a variety of participants, from one who recalls the first time they saw the Civil Rights Leader on television as a child to another who speaks of seeing MLK's global impact first hand, this discussion brought together multiple perspectives all while underscoring Dr. King's lasting impact across generations.

CMHA looks forward to sharing more of these conversations with you and seeing how together we can continuously strive to make this a better world for all. Watch the full discussion here on YouTube.

Later in February, CMHA's Valuing Diversity Committee shared the following message with our staff, clients, and supporters at the start of the month: "As an organization, we are proud to continue the celebration and recognition of Black History in our country. We often say that our culture is a differentiating factor that contributes to our success and makes CMHA unique. One key piece of our culture is our commitment to creating an inclusive environment..."

In honor of Black History Month, the Diversity Committee invited employees to share their personal stories to help others understand what this month represents, as well as the vital importance of inclusivity. The results were a staff-led educational and creative display on both social media and in the windows of our 233 Main Street, New Britain headquarters.

Additionally, The Waterbury Spirit Committee from our 255 Bank Street offices hosted a "Coffee & Vibe" zoom event for staff across the agency to share and discuss poetry, literature, and other forms of creative expression by African Americans and Black artists. From Langston Hughes' Let America Be America Again to an interview of Angela Davis discussing Civil Rights, the discussion covered many topics related to Race, Identity, Intersectionality, and the need to self-educate.

Overall, the takeaways from these events and initiatives were the same: Black History is American History, and it needs to be celebrated beyond the 28 days of February.

News, Events & Press

June 2021 Staff Spotlight

Mental Health Awareness 2021

April 2021 Staff Spotlight

The Spott Unlimited & CMHA Join Forces

The Valuing Diversity Committee

Location

233 MAIN STREET
NEW BRITAIN, CT 06051

Quick links

Terms & Conditions

News, Events & Press

June 2021 Staff Spotlight

Mental Health Awareness 2021

April 2021 Staff Spotlight

The Spott Unlimited & CMHA Join Forces

The Valuing Diversity Committee

Location

233 MAIN STREET NEW BRITAIN, CT 06051

Quick links

Terms & Conditions

233 MAIN STREET
NEW BRITAIN, CT 06051