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May 2007
Welcome to the second issue of CONNECTIONS from the
KARLA SMITH FOUNDATION. The purpose of this periodic message is to
inform people about activities related to KSF, particularly the recent past and the
near future. Feel free to forward these notes to anyone on your e-mail list you
think might be interested.
The primary service we currently sponsor are two support groups, one for the
family and friends of someone with mental health problems and a second group
for people who lost a loved one to suicide. Both groups are very solid, with any
where from 7 to 20 people participating at each session. The mental health group
meets on the first and third Thursday of each month and the suicide survivor
group meets on the second and fourth Thursday. We continue to be grateful to
Mount Carmel Cemetery for the use of their Peace Chapel for our meetings.
On Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3, KSF is co-sponsoring a two day
conference to help “Erase the Stigma” of mental health problems and suicide at
the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL. The conference is also
sponsored by the Shrine and the Apostolic Office of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and the St. Clair County Mental Health Board are joining
us in the planning and conducting of the conference. Two national speakers,
Terry Wise and Fr. Joseph Nassal, CPPS, will be our keynote presenters, with
other valuable sessions throughout both days. Anyone who knows someone with
mental health problems will benefit from the conference. You can attend either
one day or both days. For more information or to register, call 618-397-6700 Ext.
6272 or 314-241-3400 Ext. 6272.
The first annual KSF Dinner/Auction will be June 30 at the Shrine of Our Lady
of the Snows, beginning at 5:30. This event is our primary fund raiser, with the
proceeds used to finance our services for 2008. The KSF Fundraising Committee
has been working very hard to make this evening enjoyable and memorable.
Steve Jankowski will be our special guest, and there will be many wonderful
items for both a silent and oral auction. Gather some friends, join us for a
delightful evening, and help us “Erase the Stigma” of mental illness and suicide!
For more information and to register, contact Sharon Smith at 618-234-6445.
One of the services the Dinner/Auction will help finance is a Financial Aid
Counseling program KSF initiated this past winter. Many times, the family and
friends of someone with mental health problems could receive great help from
counseling since coping with mental illness is extremely difficult. But counseling
can be expensive and insurance companies don’t always cover the family and
friends or it is very limited coverage. KSF has made arrangements with two local
counselors who reduced their fee for KSF to pay for this private counseling.
Contact KSF for eligibility requirements and more information: 1-888-KSFHOPE,
local phone is 618-624-5771, or e-mail KSF@KarlaSmithFoundation.org.
KSF recently received the 2007 Region VII (Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois)
National Catholic Family Life Ministry Award. The award recognizes the
need for emotional and spiritual support for the families and friends of people
with mental health problems and for suicide survivors. Tom and Fran will also be
panelists on June 27 at the National Conference for Catholic Family Life
Ministers in Denver and share the message and hope of KSF with a national
audience.
The publisher of our book “The Tattered Tapestry” has decided to initiate
another edition. The sales level and comments about the book have reached a
level that warrants this new edition. We are pleased, of course, because it means
that our story and the mission of KSF are reaching more people. If you have not
yet read The Tattered Tapestry, you can order it on-line at www.Amazon.com or
www.barnesandnoble.com.
On a personal note: for those of you who may not know, Kevin married Emily Sherbert on April 14 in St. Louis. It was, and remains, a glorious and wonderful
event. But there is also a connection with KSF. Emily was Karla’s best
childhood friend in our old neighborhood in Broken Arrow, OK. Since Karla and
Emily went to different high schools, colleges, and lived in different cities, their
relationship became marginal. When Karla died, Emily heard about it and drove
from Kansas City to Belleville to attend the wake service. Kevin and Emily remet
briefly in the reception line. Four years later they are married, literally
brought together by Karla’s death.
We want to thank all of you for your interest and support of KSF. In particular,
we are grateful for the KSF Advisory Council and the four hard working,
dedicated, and talented committees. If you have any questions or comments about
our mission, services, or goals, please contact us at the numbers or e-mail above.
There are many needs related to our mission to “provide hope for a balanced life
to family and friends of anyone with a mental illness or who lost a loved one to
suicide.” Little by little and with your help, we plan to meet those needs. |
