Kaitlynn Winters

Tomorrow is the day to “Watch it Happen!”

Posted on by Kaitlynn Winters

Did you know?

The Virtual Rehab Telethon is TOMORROW, Saturday – February 5th from 11am-8pm on WMFD! You can watch it on TV or stream it on your device by going to wmfd.com!

Stories of Hope

Click the image above to hear the story of Bradley, who had struggled with his mental health since he was 11 years old. Through Catalyst and the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program, Bradley was able to get the help he needed and deserved.

Click the image above to hear the story of Coryanna, a single mother of 3 children. Catalyst and Job and Family Services met her where she was at to provide the help she desperately needed.

All donations received from the Catalyst Rehab Telethon will go toward providing services to clients like Bradley and Coryanna.

If you would like to give today click HERE

The Telethon in the News!

Click the image above to hear from Melissa Drozda, the Director of Marketing and Development at Catalyst. She speaks to the importance and need for the services of Catalyst such as the newest services offered – the Behavioral Health Urgent Care.

Since August 2nd 2021, the Behavioral Health Urgent Care has seen over 500 people, many who simply could not have waited to get the help they needed.

The Catalyst Rehab Telethon raises funds for the much needed help, support and services for the community. Thank you to ALL who give to this event!

“Over the course of the Telethon’s 30 years, the agency has raised more than $2.6 million with 300 volunteers making the annual event a success, Drozda said. The first Telethon in 1992 raised $44, 924.

The lineup includes community guests, entertainment, success stories, and more.

Community guests include Jodie Perry of the Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber/Economic Development; entertainment by Huckster Driver band; Donna and Jeff Heck of 33 Forever; Zach Paradis, singer/musician, and Laura Montgomery, CEO of Catalyst Life Services.”

Click HERE to read the full article!

“‘As we approach the 31st Catalyst Rehab Telethon, I am reminded of the outpouring of support and unwavering compassion that is shown by our community,’ said Laura Montgomery, CEO of Catalyst Life Services. ‘For this, I am truly grateful. We continue to live in unprecedented time and individuals in Richland County need our services more than ever. Each dollar donated to the Catalyst Rehab Telethon goes towards providing lifesaving services each day.’

Each year at the Telethon, Catalyst tries to exceed the previous year. Last year the telethon raised over $120,000.”

To read the full article click HERE!

Thank you to this year’s Telethon Hourly Sponsors!

The success of the Telethon is largely due to our amazing hourly sponsors! We simply could not reach our yearly fundraising goal without their generosity!

Thank you for your continued support throughout the years!

January News

Posted on by Kaitlynn Winters

Did you know?

The Virtual Catalyst Rehab Telethon is only 1 month away!

To get involved call us at 419-774-6710

Click HERE To Support The Telethon TODAY!

Panda Express Telethon Fundraiser

Catalyst Life Services will be hosting a fundraising event at Panda Express on January 10th!

To participate place an order through Panda Express in Ontario on January 10th, 2022 and be sure to bring in a flyer that is either printed out or digital. While you’re placing your order be sure to let them know you are ordering for the Catalyst Life Services Fundraising event!

20% of proceeds from customers that bring in this flyer, will be donated to the Catalyst Rehab Telethon!
Click HERE To Print Your Flyer

Chipotle Telethon Fundraiser

Catalyst Life Services will be hosting a fundraising event at Chipotle on January 19th!

To participate place an order through Chipotle at the Ontario location on January 19th, 2022. While you’re placing your order be sure to let them know you are ordering for the Catalyst Life Services Fundraising Event!

All proceeds from customers that bring in a flyer or say they are ordering for Catalyst, will be donated to the Catalyst Rehab Telethon!
Click HERE To Print Your Flyer

Congratulations on Your Retirement 

We congratulate Donna Stout on her retirement after 27 years, as well as Candy Rush after 23 years!

They will both be greatly missed! Catalyst wishes them the very best of luck on this exciting milestone!

Community Support

Catalyst Life Services is so grateful for 33 Forever’s generous Christmas contribution.

33 Forever was able to gift our clients, who were unable to be with their families over the holidays, with a Christmas dinner and gifts to help spread holiday cheer!

Thank you 33 Forever for your continued support in our effort to serve the community.

Catalyst Life Services would like to thank NAMI for their generosity in giving back to those in our Oasis Peer Center over the holidays!

NAMI was able to give back to those in recovery by spreading Christmas joy and offering a smiling face to our community.

Thank you NAMI for all you do for Catalyst Life Services and our community!

December News

Posted on by Kaitlynn Winters

Did you know?

Only 8 more weeks until the Catalyst Virtual Telethon!

And there are many ways to get involved!

1. Create a Facebook Fundraising Page

2. Join a Phone Bank

3. Businesses can have a dress down day

4. Businesses can set out a change jar or have a ’round up’ option for customers

To get involved call us at 419-774-6710!

CLICK HERE to support the Telethon TODAY!

2022 Catalyst Rehab Telethon Chair

We are excited to announce that Doc Stumbo is joining the Catalyst Rehab Telethon Committee as Chair. Doc has a long history with Catalyst Life Services. He was on the board at The Center for Individuals & Family Services, Inc. for 18 years when they merged with The Rehab Center to form Catalyst Life Services. While he worked at GM, he would help connect employees and their families to counseling services at our agency. Doc has been involved in helping raise funds since the first Telethon and helped facilitate companies and unions working together for this special event. Doc believes deeply in the mission of Catalyst and says, “You really don’t know when you need help, but when you do, Catalyst is always there for you.”

Doc Stumbo was born in Mingo County, West Virgina. After serving in Vietnam, he moved to Ohio and has been a resident of Richland County for more than 60 years. He retired from General Motors, serving as Public Relations liaison for both the plant and the United Auto Workers in the Mansfield area. Doc recently retired from Graham Auto Mall in Public Relations. He has served on more than 20 boards, including: The Salvation Army, CACY, Toy Time, United Way, Richland County Home, The Center, Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, Richland County Health Department, the Richland County Mental Health Board, and many others. Stumbo is instramental in organizing the Make a Difference Food Drive every year for area food pantries, and has helped organize the Dash to the Goal in partnership with United Way.

Welcome Doc — We are honored to have you spearhead this initiative!

Agents of Change

Click the image above to hear Alyse Schroeder, SUD Residential Supervisor and Detox Referral Manager. Alyse shares how the holiday season can be the hardest season of the year for many people.

Linda Linn’s Retirement 

We congratulate Linda Linn on her retirement after 49 years!


Although she will be helping us as needed, she will be greatly missed! We wish her the very best of luck on this exciting milestone.

Richland Gives

We are so grateful to our community!

We received a total of $2,551 for Richland Gives which will go toward helping us continue our life-saving services!

Simone Biles & The Olympics: The Mental Health Issue Not Being Discussed

Posted on by Kaitlynn Winters

Erin Schaefer, PCC-S, IMFT-S

When I first heard about Simone Biles removing herself from the gymnastic competition due to a “medical issue”, I was concerned about whether she had hurt her leg or sprained something, a devastating injury for an Olympic athlete. Once word came out that, in fact, she had removed herself due to mental health issues, I said, “oh of course, that makes perfect sense!”  However, the reaction on social media and the internet was swift and ran the gamut from, “She is so strong and so brave” to “How could she let down her teammates and the country?  She should have just pushed through it!”

To be clear, I am not a gymnast, no matter how much my younger self tried to make that happen in my front yard in the summer. However, I am a licensed therapist and counselor, so I understand the field of mental health. What I know about USA Gymnastics is more related to my field of knowledge:  prior to the Olympics, I had read a lot about the horrible sexual abuse scandal, revealed just a few of years ago. Larry Nassar, former Team USA Gymnastics doctor, had been convicted and imprisoned for sexually abusing hundreds of female gymnasts over his many years as the team doctor.  The scandal was exposed in 2016; he was convicted in 2017.  This is the first Olympics since all the information has come forth.

When I heard about Simone removing herself for mental health issues, I immediately thought of trauma. Trauma embeds itself in our brains, our bodies, and our minds.  It infects all our senses and imprints on us when an event occurs. Trauma can also linger, hovering underneath, waiting to surface without warning. When a person experiences trauma, that person can be triggered by memories of that trauma by almost anything:  a noise, a smell, a similar scene, or even a repetition of a similar experience. Sometimes, trauma reappears in the form of a flashback of the original event. In some cases, the trauma can be triggered and manifest itself in ways that do not even seem to be connected to the original traumatic event. For instance, someone who experienced trauma as a very young child might not have any memory of the actual abuse, but when returning to the location where previous abuse had occurred, the person might experience a sleep disturbance and not even know why. This physical manifestation of the trauma is part of the body’s “memory” of the event and the cues of what happened there. However, the body “knows” and the brain “remembers” even when the conscious mind does not.

To me, Simone’s case could easily be connected to the trauma she has experienced. Being back in a high-pressure competitive situation, the first Olympics since the scandal was brought to light, can be very “triggering”. Even though it might not be conscious for her, it is quite possible her body and mind are reacting to that stimulus and trying to make sense of it. Obviously, I am not her therapist, her counselor, or her doctor; I am merely an outsider, looking in. For me, the most important thing is that she is listening to her body AND her mind, as both are telling her, “Something is not right here.” Slowing down to listen, adjusting as she goes, and giving herself space and time is absolutely essential for her as an elite athlete – and a great lesson for the rest of us. Let her example be a reminder to us all to be patient with ourselves and to look out for each other. 

The Author: Erin Schaefer, PCC-S, IMFT-S, is the Executive Vice President/Executive Director at Catalyst Life Services.  She received a masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University in 1997 and a masters in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling in 2002 from the University of Akron.  Erin has worked in community mental health for over 20 years.  She was also director of Ashland Parenting Plus, a small nonprofit agency focused on teen pregnancy prevention, juvenile diversion, and parent education.  She served on the board and as president of the Ohio Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and also on the board of directors of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy from 2011-2013, and is currently the Treasurer. She has been a member of AAMFT since 1997 and is a Clinical Fellow.  Erin is a catalyst for Empathy.

July News

Posted on by Kaitlynn Winters

Did you know?

Minority groups in the U.S. are less likely to receive quality care.

Poor mental health care access contributes to poor mental health outcomes among minority populations.

For mental health support call our 24/7 Helpline 419-522-HELP (4357)

Click HERE to watch a video about National Minority Mental Health Month

Sparking the Conversation

Click HERE to watch Elaine Surber and Erin Schaefer as they represent Catalyst Life Services on the show Sparking the Conversation.

Learn More About WIOA

WIOA stands for Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act and it is giving individuals ages 18-24 so many new resources and opportunities to make their way into the workforce. If you or someone you know is interested in this WIOA program please contact Stephanie Jakubick at 419-774-2250!

Click HERE to read an article and learn more about the option offered for transitional youth support!

Behavioral Health Urgent Care

Catalyst is preparing to welcome the new Behavioral Health Urgent Care on August 2nd!

Check out the flexible hours offered for those seeking help in the community!

Catalyst at the Carrousel

Click HERE to learn more about our community event at the Carrousel on August 6th! Stop by and visit our team members to learn more about all of the services Catalyst has to offer and enjoy a night of fun!

Oasis is Reopening

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER

LAST CALL! Today is your last opportunity to register for the Catalyst Life Services Golf Scrammble that is hosted by Mid-Ohio Area CLC!

Click HERE to lock in your spot and register now!

June News

Posted on by Kaitlynn Winters

Did You Know?

Progress Industries has been serving the community since 1964 providing employment opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment. Chan Stevens was integral in the start of this workshop 57 years ago and has had a huge impact ever since.

Click HERE to read a recent article about Chan Stevens and Progress Industries!

Photo provided by Mansfield News Journal.

Chan Stevens – Catalyst Hall of Fame
On Tuesday June 15th, Chan Stevens was the inaugural inductee into the newly formed Catalyst Life Services Hall Of Fame. Chan Stevens began his lifetime of exceptional work at the age of 16 by transporting children with disabilities to and from their treatment appointments. Chan has provided dedicated service and efforts where they count most, by chairing two successful capital campaigns benefiting much needed new and updated facilities. Chan has been giving to his community for most of his life and has served as an integral member of the Board of Trustees for 57 years. His virtue and wisdom will leave an indelible imprint on Catalyst Life Services and the many we serve in our community. 

Click HERE to learn more about Chan’s life and successes!

Golf Scramble

The Golf Scramble is hosted by Mid-Ohio Area CLC

Register by filling out a registration form and bringing it into Catalyst OR register online by clicking below!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE GOLF OUTING

SAVE THE DATE

Join us at the Richland Carrousel  on August 6th from 6PM to 8PM to get the chance to learn more about the services offered at Catalyst while enjoying free snacks, beverages, carrousel rides, face paint, balloons, and more!

Coming Soon

Stay tuned to learn more about the Behavioral Health Urgent Care services that will be available at Catalyst in the following months. The Behavioral Health Urgent Care will allow for immediate access for initial assessments and brief, solution-focused counseling Monday through Saturday and two evenings per week, on a walk-in basis.

A Message From the CEO

Catalyst would like to thank you for your continued partnership and support of the agency. We are grateful for the trust you have given us to support the community in such critical ways. We wanted to inform you that last week, our agency completed a 3-day survey facilitated by the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF). CARF is an international gold standard accreditation, in which our program standards are reviewed by professionals who determine if the agency is meeting over 3,000 key standards.

These standards look at many areas, including: Finance, Human Resources, IT, Health/Safety, Leadership, Governance,  Vocational Services, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services and programming, Audiology and several other areas.  We are proud to share that Catalyst received zero findings during this review, and were found to be 100 percent compliant with all standards. Our lead surveyor shared the rarity of an organization having zero findings, stating that “it is almost unheard of.” Our CARF surveyors stated “Staff at Catalyst are professional, caring, competent and take pride in their work.”  The CARF surveyors referred to Catalyst as “the flagship organization in our area.”  We are proud of our results and the quality services we provide to the community and so we felt it important to share this success with our partners, stake holders, and funding sources. We look forward to another year of serving the community.

What does CARF accreditation mean for the public? 

For those being served, CARF accreditation means that the CARF-accredited service provider is committed to reducing risk, addressing health and safety concerns, respecting preferences of individuals (cultural or otherwise), and providing the best quality of care possible.  It also shows that the accredited organization values the feedback and input of their clients and is accountable to the community.  Accreditation demonstrates that a CARF-accredited service provider has made a specific commitment to put the needs of their residents at the center of everything they do and that they respect the rights and individuality of its clients.