Starting a Private Practice involves a lot of new things and a few different strategies to get your name out there. One of the strategies that we used at Twin Cities Psychological Services, Ltd. was to send introduction letters with our brochures and business cards. One of our targets was to find organizations and community agencies that work with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender individuals, as this is a specialty area for both of us at TCPS. The letter went out to many people and it is unknown of how it was received or if there will be any connection. That is not the case for all of the letters sent.
One of the letters made it to the desk of a case manager at The Aliveness Project and she contacted us to come down and visit. Dr. Kim and I did not know what to expect, and scheduled a trip down to the center located in South Minneapolis. We both left there very impressed and very excited about the work that is being done in the Minneapolis area. I'm not sure what makes things happen, but I am very thankful that we sent a letter to the Aliveness Project, as I think it is an agency that changes peoples lives and that I am ecstatic to be connected to.
So what was it that impressed me about our visit. The first thing that stood out to me was the beautiful facility. It had so much light and so much space that was all designed for their members. We checked in at the front desk and immediately felt welcomed. The staff was all so friendly. We were also excited to have the case manager that arranged our visit to take us around to meet all the staff, see the whole facility, and meet with the case managers to discuss how our practice could be helpful to them and how they could refer their members to us.
So the members of The Aliveness Project is anyone that presents that has a diagnosis of HIV/Aids. The members have access to so many services all within one building. We learned about the use of their library and computers, the lunch and dinner that is provided Monday - Friday, the food shelf that offers non-perishable foods as well dairy and refrigerated items. Then we went upstairs and found a space dedicated to massage and acupuncture, met with a nutritionist that helps members understand how their nutrition and their medication interact, and met the staff that is involved in outreach to the community. There was so much going on in one building, and all focused on a community that may often be stigmatized or isolated. It was inspiring and left me thinking of ways that I could let people know about this wonderful agency and how they can help....which led me to this blog post.
Dr. Kim and I are excited to be working together to provide two different staff developments in the next couple of months for the staff of the Aliveness Project. We look forward to going back and spending and getting to know the staff even more. We also were informed of some of the fundraisers that are put on by the Aliveness Project. There is information about ways to volunteer and also about their events that help them fund all their great work. Some exciting upcoming events include their annual Holiday Basket drive and A Taste for Life. Check them out and see how you can get connected with the Aliveness Project.
Wrapping this post up, I think it is important to share the strong commitment that Dr. Kim and I both have to social justice and working to help build community in the broadest sense. Psychologists have a responsibility to help their clients, but also have a responsibility to work to strengthen communities. It is exciting that as Dr. Kim and I get to know the resources of the Minneapolis area that we will continue to find ways to help make Minneapolis a better place for all of us to live, as it is apparent that there are people all over our community doing this as their daily work!
No comments:
Post a Comment