Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
(Publication Archives)

Community Connections, Spring 2003

Helping to Build Dreams
By Patricia S. Cumiskey, Secretary, Child and Adolescent Service, CDPC

Home ownership is such an important part of the American dream; in fact, it's part of the universal human dream. Unfortunately for many who suffer from mental illness that is all that it is: a dream, one without the means to transform itself into a brick and mortar reality. For Amy Spellos, who has worked at the Capital District Psychiatric Center (CDPC) in Albany for over a quarter century, this has been a burning issue. Working with Habitat for Humanity, CDPC and volunteers from other nonprofits, the immediate goal is to build a house (or two, with hopes and tentative plans to go on from there). But, as fund raising and other planning got under full steam, other ideas emerged-- specifically, that this would be a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the greater community, to talk about mental illness and to invite people into the facility. The first major fundraiser was a fashion show ("Helping to Build Dreams") in April. For many of those attending, it was their first time venturing inside a psychiatric facility, a fact that reinforced the need to continue to work toward educating the public and eliminating the stigma which people living with mental illness must endure.

To date, a site has been secured, and two families are being considered as candidates. Both families consist of a single parent (one male, one female) with children. Both families have one or more members with a mental health diagnosis. Major fund raising efforts and volunteer recruitment are ongoing. Opportunities for financial support, as well as hands-on activities, offer a way for anyone interested to be a part of this project.

Come join us, in spirit and perhaps as a volunteer, as we enthusiastically break new ground and become modern-day magicians by turning the dream of home ownership into a reality for a family with mental illness.

For additional information, please contact Amy Spellos, Patricia Giglio, or Pat Cumiskey at (518) 447-9611.

posted 6/13/03