Letter from Steven B . Schnee , Ph . D . - Chief Executive Officer of The Harris Center
Dear Friends :
Happy 2017 ! I hope that you and your loved ones had a lovely holiday season and that the new year is treating you well .
The Harris Center is embarking on its 52nd year of service to individuals in Harris County who are living with mental illness and / or intellectual and developmental disabilities . I invite you to read through this edition of Transforming Lives to learn about the latest news related to the unique work of The Harris Center in our community . From our exciting renovation of the space dedicated to children and adolescents at our Psychiatric Emergency Service at the NeuroPsychiatric Center to the fun adventures of our consumers from the Gessner Day Habilitation Program , The Harris Center is constantly working to improve the lives of the individuals we serve .
While we at The Harris Center have much to celebrate , we also experienced a profoundly sad loss at the end of 2016 . As some of you are aware , The Harris Center lost one of its champions with the passing of Robert “ Bob ” Whitten , Jr ., in November . While Mr . Whitten was on the Board of Trustees for only two years , you would have guessed it was much longer given his contributions to the Agency . I know I speak for the entire Board of Trustees and staff when I say that Mr . Whitten will be missed by all of us . We are truly grateful for the time and effort he dedicated to the Agency to help make us a more efficient and effective organization , as well as the opportunity to have known him on a personal basis .
As always , thank you for your interest in The Harris Center and your support of our efforts to continue Transforming Lives .
Sincerely ,
Steven B . Schnee , Ph . D . Chief Executive Officer
To
watch a slideshow with more photos , please go to bit . ly / gessnerkemah Thank you , Ms . Winningham !
A Field Trip to Kemah - Gessner Day Habilitation participants make memories for a lifetime
The participants of the Gessner Day Habilitation program , which provides services tailored to the varied needs of individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in an effort to help them better integrate into the community , recently went to the Kemah Boardwalk for a day full of fun activities . The day trip was specifically designed to support the needs of each participant while also providing activities for a great time .
Lily Pan is the department director of the Texas Home Living Services program , which includes the Gessner Day Habilitation program .
“ Our program provides training for personal growth , community integration , relationship building and opportunity for independence ,” Pan said . “ The trip accomplished all of these great qualities in a fun and exciting atmosphere .”
Patrina Anthony is a program coordinator for the Gessner Day Habilitation program . According to her , taking the group to Kemah was a unique opportunity because funding for activities like this are not covered by Medicaid , the program ’ s funding source .
Ms . Dawniel Patterson Winningham of Wealthy Sisters
Network and Simply Winning Coaching generously donated the full amount needed to cover all the expenses for the 65 participants . These included transportation , t-shirts , admission to the park , lunch and rides .
“ I was compelled to sponsor the organization and their annual trip by the passion I heard from Patrina ,” Ms . Winningham said . “ I heard the pain in her voice at the fact that they needed funding for this annual event , and decided to step in and help .”
“ You don ’ t have to be rich to make a difference ,” Ms . Winningham said .
Pan described the joy the participants expressed .
“ When asked about their favorite part of the trip most of them mentioned that they enjoyed riding a charter bus and dining during the boat ride . They felt it was so special .
“ It was a therapeutic adventure ,” Pan said . “ The psychological benefits of the Kemah trip were undeniable . It allowed the participants to become immersed in new experiences and re-live the memories for years to come .”