Community Support

Catalyst Deaf Services Partners with MPD

Posted on by Grace Riegel

Lt. Robert Skropits from the Mansfield City Policy Department contacted us about teaching an American Sign Language class to a group of their officers from different shifts and departments. The goal of the class was to teach basic American Sign Language so that officers could communicate with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in the community until an interpreter was able to arrive on the scene. The class began on October 27th and was a 20-hour class over five weeks. We had 7 officers complete the course.

The officers learned how to:

  • describe people
  • describe houses
  • ask if someone is injured
  • talk about food
  • talk about the weather
  • ask basic questions
  • talk about places in the community
  • talk about people
  • talk about feelings
  • the alphabet
  • numbers
  • Miranda Warning

“This training is important to our community because access to information when it comes to interactions with law enforcement is vital to reducing wrongful arrests and maintaining the safety of all involved.” said, Tanya Haga, M.Ed., MBA, NIC, Director of Deaf Services at Catalyst Life Services.

Community and family American Sign Language classes are available at Catalyst Life Services. For more information or to add yourself to the waiting/mailing list contact Catalyst Deaf Services at (419) 774-2232.

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!

Snow Trails “Will Tube for Food”!

Posted on by Annabelle Coffman

The 15th annual “Will Tube for Food” event to benefit Catalyst Life Services, was held at Snow Trails Vertical Descent Tubing Park during Glow Tubing on Wednesday, Jan. 20th.

Every person who participated in this event donated a non-perishable food item at check-in. Snow Trails also donated $5 from each tubing ticket purchased to further benefit Catalyst Life Services.

“We are excited to once again welcome families to Snow Trails for this great benefit,” said Nate Wolleson Marketing Manager. “We began this event back in 2006 when the Tubing Park first opened and really enjoy providing families a fun night out, while also making a charitable donation to give back to our local community,” he added.

The “Will Tube for Food” Annual Benefit was sold out quickly with a total of 400 tubers in 2-hour increments. Tubers had a fun-filled evening, boxes of non-perishable food items were contributed, and $2,000 was donated by Snow Trails to Catalyst Life Services. We are so grateful to Snow Trails for continuing to host this event and helping us to serve our community.

The Power of a Purse

Posted on by Annabelle Coffman

Ronni Gaines visited the New Beginnings women’s residential treatment facility, with the goal of blessing others. The women there were recipients of items and products that most people take for granted, as well as the knowledge that they are loved, and others care for them.

Ronni donated 18 beautiful purses filled to the brim with hygiene items, toiletries, and dental products. This idea came to her one day as she was reading a women’s magazine and saw a lady who had donated over 6,000 purses to individuals in need. Ronni wanted to be the difference and started to ask those around her if they would be able to help gather items. She put her idea up on Facebook and was met with enthusiasm and generosity as support started to pour in.  

“I want to thank Dr. Marissa Miller, DDS from Shelby who donated all the dental hygiene items. The Avon lady, Connie Roub, donated some purses. Thank you to Theresa Cronenwett at Kuttin Korner, Jeanine Friebel at Dream Huge Realty, Jodie Friebel Gumbert at K & S Bent N Dent and Kathy Couts who also donated items.” Ronni said gratefully.

Many individuals collaborated to get these items to New Beginnings including ladies at a garage sale who heard what Ronni was doing and donated boxes of toothbrushes. So many individuals stepped up when the need was presented.

“It all started with my niece, Ashley Gaines who passed away from her heroin addiction. She was so young at age 22,” Ronni shares. “She was living on the street even though she had a home to live in. It’s hard to think of people who are struggling that way. I just want to do what I can.”

Ronni continues to find healing in helping others and even practices self-care by doing what she can for those in need. She admits that she feels the best, both physically and emotionally, when she is able to do things for others.

Elaine Surber, Executive Vice President & Director of Substance Use Disorder Services, is Ronni’s life-long friend. The preciousness of Ronni’s gift was even more impactful to Elaine as her and Ronni were able to reconnect after Ronnie reached out via social media to ask how she could help New Beginnings.

“This is the second time Ronni made a donation.” Elaine explains. “The first time she brought in beautiful clothes that brought great joy.” Elaine saw the effect of Ronni’s generous spirit first-hand as resident’s faces lit up when the gorgeous, professional clothing was distributed. 

Mandi Whitlatch, Supervisor of Substance Use Disorder Residential Services shared, “Many times, New Beginnings is an afterthought and people give leftovers or unwanted items. Donations that are meaningful and are actually clothes they would choose to wear are very impactful.”

Mandi stated that the women liked these clothes so much, they even shared some outfits and had certain days assigned to wear them. These women were so excited for the opportunity to have something nice and something they were proud of. The clothes, purses, and the hygiene items made many women very happy and they have Ronni Gaines to thank for that.

Embroidery & Print Shop

Posted on by Annabelle Coffman

Progress Industries meets embroidery and print shop needs for companies in a variety of ways. Below you can see 4 main categories of services: uniforms, employee gifts, signs and promotional items. Progress Industries creates professional products that meets the needs of the client and also impacts the community. When a product is purchased from Progress Industries, work is created for Catalyst clients who find enrichment, pride and fulfillment through their work in the Embroidery and Print Shop.

Uniforms

From print screening to embroidery, uniforms can be custom made to fit your needs. Click here to look through our catalog.

“The Print & Embroidery Shop at Catalyst is Nanogate’s go to place to order apparel for our employees. It’s nice to have a place where we can order items and get them embroidered with our Logo and at a reasonable price. The employees in the Embroidery Department are friendly, efficient, and very helpful. I would highly recommend The Center for your one-stop shop for apparel and embroidery.“

– Karen Hagerman, Executive Assistant

Nanogate North America, LLC

Employee Gifts

Are you an employer looking for a creative idea for employee appreciation or holiday gifts? Give us a call at 419-774-2267 and we can talk through the options.

“Over the years, Progress Industries have provided high quality, custom fleece jackets that we give to our employees for years of service awards.  We have also used their services for custom t-shirts.  They have been very easy to work with and have a variety of products to choose from. Having a local contact to work with has been wonderful!“

– Angie Myers

Administrative Assistant to the Vice President

Jay Industries Incorporated

Signage

Printed signage is available for special events, personal and promotional needs and commercial and public displays.

“Progress Industries is by far the most reliable and consistent company for your printing needs. Ms. Laura and her staff do an amazing job communicating before, during, and after each print job is complete. They are always on time, and the quality is second to none. Five Stars. 10/10. National Championship Service!“

– Roy W. Hall, Executive Director

Driven Foundation & Former Ohio State & NFL Receiver

Promotional Items

Promotional items are an incredible way to create or continue brand awareness. There are unlimited items to create with your own signature look.

“I have been purchasing merchandise and point-of-sale for the Ohio Lottery for 20 years.  In that time, Progress Industries has proved that they are committed to providing efficient, creative printing and embroidery services for their customers.  The quality branding on our products and point-of-sale is impressive, customer support is on point, timelines are met, pricing is reasonable, and the quality control aspect for each order eases my mind.  I recommend Progress Industries as a vendor, and enjoy my working relationship with them.“

– Irene Pagonis, Purchasing Agent

Ohio Lottery

Give us a call at 419-774-2267 or email Laura Zimmer, Embroidery & Print Supervisor, at zimmerl@catalystlifeservices.org.

View our catalog for apparel here.

You can view our pen catalog here.

Richland County Court Systems Support Recovery

Posted on by Melissa Drozda

Below you will learn about the different courts and hear from some of the judges and probation officers that help impact the lives of many through these important programs.

 

Richland County Court of Common Pleas: Felony Drug Court

Drug Court provides non-violent offenders whose criminal behavior arises from addiction with intensive supervision and proven substance abuse treatment programs to help them overcome their addiction. Drug Court protects the public, saves taxpayer dollars when compared to incarceration, and reduces recidivism rates. Drug court participants may enter the program as a diversion in lieu of conviction, while on probation after conviction, or as re-entry into the community following incarceration. The intervention program lasts a minimum of 18 months during which time participants receive intensive supervision from the Richland County Adult Probation Department and the Adult Parole Authority.

Interview with Judge Robinson:

“Drug Court is important because it gives low level felony substance abuse offenders the opportunity to overcome their substance abuse issues to become employed,  to learn how to maintain their sobriety and finally, how to become productive, happy and healthy citizens of this community.  Another important benefit of Drug Court is if the offenders are able to successfully complete the Drug Court program and graduate, their criminal case will be dismissed and the arrest record is sealed. This leaves the graduate free of a felony record.  Also, Drug Court graduates are much less likely to be arrested on new criminal charges then non-graduates.  Finally, Drug Court is important because it reduces overdoses and saves lives.

Drug Court graduation is one of the most satisfying experiences I have ever had as a Judge.  To see a person who once was down and out and struggling with life then, with hard work and dedication over time, they overcome those challenges to become a respectable, responsible and sober person is wonderful.

To see the graduate happy, healthy, and confident brings happiness to me.  To hear the graduate express excitement about their future plans and goals is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been a part of.” – Judge Robinson

 

Interview with JJ Bittinger, Chief Probation Officer:

“I have been involved in the Criminal Justice field for over 26 years. During that time I have been involved in uniformed law enforcement, specialty teams on both a state and federal level and for the last 18 years, as a probation officer for the Richland County Court Services. I have found that during my time rising through the ranks in the probation department to my current position as Chief that this part of the criminal justice system allows you the closest, hands on, participation in the changing of someone’s life. I have been through the “lock ’em up” phases and now into the more hands-on “behavioral changes” phase of community corrections. A person has to have a passion for this type of work because it does not come easy. You watch an offender try to change their lives over and over, with no success because they have not totally invested into the changes that need to be made. And rather than give up on these individuals, you continue to work with them, hoping that someday the changes take hold and they truly turn their lives around. When this happens, that is the reward for all of your hard work and dedication to helping others. 

I feel that the treatment and recovery part of changing an offender’s outcome is one of the most important parts of their success. If they are going to change, they need the tools to do it. It needs to be swift. Just as punishment needs to be swift to be effective, so does treatment and recovery. Being able to partner with Catalyst and utilize all of the programs they offer, allows us (Richland County Court Services) to be able to get our offenders the help they need, quickly and efficiently, which will only help in their recovery and treatment. Not every offender has the same needs as the next and being able to rely on our community partners to provide the treatment at the levels needed, is a great resource and contributes to the overall success of the offender and our programs here at the court. Combining all of these resources helps us reach our common goal and that is to increase the safety and security of our community and the residents of Richland County.” – JJ Bittinger

Alyse Schoeder, Catalyst Life Services gives a presentation to the probation officers about the new detox / withdrawal management facility.

Mansfield Municipal Court – Misdemeanor Treatment Court

Treatment Court is a specialty court that helps decrease the cycle and chance of recidivism, promotes treatment, and reduces stigma in regards to substance use. Treatment Court is beneficial because it  links individuals to needed treatment services instead of serving time in jail and can assist in promoting an individual out of the justice system and into a life of recovery. Participants currently meet twice a month with the Judge, have scheduled office visits with their probation officer, submit to random drug tests, and attend regular treatment sessions as recommended from their assessment.

Interview with Judge Ault

“I feel treatment court is essential for a number of reasons. Communication between the court, probation officers, and the treatment providers keeps everyone up to date on the progress of the people in treatment court, so that non-compliance can be addressed swiftly if necessary. Studies have shown this process will have much better outcomes than incarceration alone. It’s getting to the root of the problem, which is more effective. Treatment court holds all to a very high standard and provides more structure over all, which is beneficial for accountability and success in changing behaviors. Treatment court reduces recidivism, which not only helps the individual, but our community as a whole.

I believe recovery is a journey that encompasses a person’s whole life. Recovery is to attain and continue to live a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically” – Judge Ault

 

Interview with Taylor Godfrey & Lindsey Barth, Probation Officers:

“We enjoy making a difference in the lives of those who are struggling with addiction while involved in the criminal justice system.  It is a great feeling to see defendants who entered the system addicted, homeless, unemployed, and lost custody of their children transform into productive members of the community who have now obtained employment, obtained housing, are succeeding in their recovery, and regaining custody of their children.

Drug Courts increase accountability for defendants. We focus on the treatment and rehabilitation needs of each defendant while ensuring public safety and reducing recidivism. We work closely with treatment providers to develop the best plan of action for each person. Treatment plans are individualized; what works for one person, may not work for another.

When a defendant graduates the program or even when they opt to sit their jail time, we encourage them to reach out for help if they are ever struggling. I have had many defendants reach out for help, which allowed us to connect them with services before they entered the criminal judges system again.” – Taylor Godfrey & Lindsey Barth

Deanna Roberts, Catalyst Life Services with probation officers from the Mansfield Municipal Court.

Progress Industries Annual Business Appreciation Breakfast

Posted on by Melissa Drozda

Catalyst Life Services is giving thanks to its business partners who employ participants of the CCMEP (Comprehensive Case Management Employment Program) and Success Unlimited programs. The businesses contracting with these programs were recognized at Catalyst’s annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday September 25 in the lower level of Catalyst’s Rehab Center.

Across its various programs and partnerships, Catalyst serves approximately 300 youth and adult participants in as many as 80 paid work sites at any given time, with peak numbers seen in the summer while school is not in session.

These programs assist individuals with barriers to their employment and educational goals to gain experience in their desired employment sector. These individuals start at out at entry-level positions and receive on the job training and mentorship from their worksite supervisors and support from their employment specialists to ensure long-term participant success.

Program Director, Mitch Jacobsen, stated, “This breakfast serves a dual purpose for these programs, as we have the opportunity to give thanks to our business partners and further spread the message of our successes from the participant perspective.”

One such success is Coryanna Fraley, a self-described single mother who arrived in need of assistance and who has leveraged that into her status as a full time college student and part-time employee at Parent Aide through this program.

“Coryanna is what this program is all about” said Jacobsen, “She embodies what we would like to see from all of our participants and we couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments.”

While the program has nearly doubled in size from the previous year, Catalyst is excited for what’s to come over the next year, and looks forward to the opportunity to engage even more businesses in the future.

For more coverage on this event, please visit: https://www.wmfd.com/news/single.asp?story=79927&fbclid=IwAR3a6UzicFtBudaM5aZk9KKmGYLf1Wz5IJRcAV5W1cSP1MsnxnCGiRGrvVU

For more information about these programs and how to partner, visit www.catalystlifeservices.org/vocational-services/

Golf For A Great Cause!

Posted on by Chelsea Porter

Catalyst Life Services is excited to announce a golf outing, hosted by the Mid-Ohio Area Labor Council on June 14th at Oak Tree Golf Club!

All proceeds from this event will benefit the New Beginnings Detox/Withdrawal Management facility currently being built. Catalyst Life Services is always developing and growing to meet the needs of our community. Richland County is in the midst of an unprecedented opioid epidemic. The impact of this is far reaching: the child that grows up parentless, the employer who has lost time and money to a struggling workforce, the community that has had to redirect resources in response to a climbing death toll. This does not account for the losses of the individuals themselves: friends, siblings, neighbors, all of whom will never share their unique gifts due to the inherent challenges of addiction. Catalyst Life Services sees this as an opportunity to provide a comprehensive plan addressing the crisis of addiction holding back our community’s ability to grow and prosper.

Continue Reading