Noise For the Needy purchased the right to post on Slog for a week in Strangercrombie, our annual charity auction. More info about our charity auction here.
Thanks to 2009's Strangercrombie gift auction, Noise for the Needy has purchased 14 Slog posts, letting the staff of NFTN loose to talk about all the things we think you should know, like last year's beneficiary Transitional Resources. Festival-goers helped NFTN raise over $20,000 for Transitional Resources, an agency that offers a full spectrum of optimistic and respectful mental health services to adults with major mental illnesses. By keeping their caseloads small, they are able give each client the attention needed to make recovery a success. Transitional Resources' CEO, Darcell Slovek-Walker, tells about the experience with Noise for the Needy:
“[I]t is important to help people understand that mental illness isn’t anyone’s fault and that people can and do get better when they have treatment and a safe place to live. NFTN gave TR the opportunity to share our clients’ stories of recovery and to have a great time doing it-we truly enjoyed working with them. Although we know how hard everyone worked to make the five-day event a huge success, you could never tell it from their endless positive energy and enthusiasm for what they were doing.”
And NFTN gets really, really happy when we hear success stories such as this one:
Only 23 years old, Elree has been through a lot in his short years. He has survived a kidney transplant, homelessness, and time in the juvenile justice system. After spending a year in TR’s residential program, Elree has recently moved into his own apartment for the first time ever. His future is looking bright and he appears to be thriving. When asked what he wanted others to know about mental illness, Elree stated 'There is always hope for us. Everyone can learn from their mistakes and move on.'
So what did TR do with the loot? Slovek-Walker tells us that “The funds raised by NFTN went to keeping critical services and programs in place. With help from NFTN, we were able to continue serving the most vulnerable individuals living in our community, providing them with affordable housing and case management."
Transitional Resources’ Garden Party in early June is a great opportunity to see their fabulous organic garden (the smallest certified organic farm in the area) and to learn more about how you can help those affected by mental illness. The produce is grown in the garden by TR clients, and they donate much of it to a local food bank, providing clients the chance to give back to the community, as well as to experience the benefits of fresh produce themselves. Amazing local chefs do cooking demonstrations, making yummy food with the produce grown right there! TR would love to show off the facilities, their wonderful clients and hard-working staff, so take a moment to drop by to see for yourself!
Don't these guys sound awesome? Do you want to help them out? Spending too much time on the internets? That wad of cash burning a hole in your bank account? Get involved with Transitional Resources. You can volunteer by yourself or in groups to help maintain the facilities or even, dare I say it, stuff envelopes. And I know you Sloggers love to stuff things in other things! Or if you prefer a more monetary method, you can donate online. For a full version of our interview with TR visit our website.
- NFTN staffers Stephanie Perry and Sophie Tiffany with David Schmader, NFTN 2009 VIP Party
TR VIDEO
NFTN 2010 TICKET GIVEAWAY!Be the first to answer correctly in the comments and win two free tickets to any show at the Comet during the 2010 festival.
What supergroup comprised of members of The Maldives, Moondoggies and Shim made their debut at the Noise for the Needy Festival 2009 @ Conor Byrne?
The winner will be announced in tomorrow's post.
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