The delicate, long-lived, hardy daffodil was chosen for the Mountain Shadows New Beginnings logo as it symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings. It is one of the first perennials to bloom in spring, following the winter’s frost. |
by Sheryl Wilde HOPE: The Heart of the Hero’s Journey Mountain Shadows New Beginnings |
MSNB client, Manuel, says Aloha! |
There are firefighters who run towards the flames. Warriors who charge into battle. Heroes all. And yet, at Mountain Shadows New Beginnings, we believe there is another type of hero. They are the everyday, unsung heroes, who face daunting personal challenges and conquer overwhelming fears in the quest to transform their lives, and live to their highest potential.
And at the heart of their Hero’s Journey lies their steadfast ability to maintain hope through it all.
“I’ve learned from the clients at New Beginnings – hope. A lot of hope. Our clients have so many conditions physically and mentally, and they still get up every morning. They’re still happy. They’re still doing their best – they still have hope. It’s incredible to see that.”
~Shannen O’Donnell, MSNB |
MSNB clients and friends, Joseph, and Johns. |
“New Beginnings started in 2019 as the state-run institutions were being shutdown,” says Heathcliffe Moore, Program Director, MSNB. “The clients enrolled in our program were some of the last individuals transferred out of those state institutions. “It’s hard to sum up what we do here in one or two sentences, because there is a lot that we do here. Our clients are all dual-diagnosis, which means they have intellectual disabilities, combined withe extreme behavioral challenges.
“Extreme behavior can range from physical aggression, such as hitting, kicking, grabbing, throwing staff against the wall, to self-injurious behavior, such as banging their head against the wall, to property destruction. I just had a client rip a whiteboard off the wall today. There is also elopement, where clients will try to run away from the facility. These are things that create barriers for them to be in a less restrictive program.
“All of our clients also have intellectual disabilities. Some are on the autism spectrum, some have ADHD, anti-social personality disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, multiple personality disorders, explosive personality disorders.”
“We give them a chance they may never have received before.”
“Ultimately, we come in every day and think of different ways to help those individuals who the system has failed in one way or another. And we’re seeing progress in these clients when they are given the chance, the opportunity, that they otherwise would not have had.” |
MSNB cient, Manuel, helps with recycling |
Adds Melissa Gross, MSNB, “We work with individuals who have had many failed placements. We teach them how to advocate for themselves, how to socialize, how to cope when they become angry, frustrated, upset, anxious.
“There can be property destruction, aggression, but this is what they are used to doing to get their point across. If they are upset, feeling frustrated, need to scream, we are trying to help them shape new, more acceptable behaviors.”
“This is a very, very rewarding job. I love it here. It’s rewarding to come in every single day and think, “Wow! What change, what difference am I going to make today in someone’s life?”
“I think it’s important for people to know that the people we serve are human beings,” says Serena Romeo, MSNB. “I empathize with our clients. One of our clients is about the same age as me, 25 years old. It’s upsetting to me to see the challenges he has to deal with, but, you know, he has a lot of potential. I want to treat our clients like I want to be treated. We help give them the opportunity to be part of society, to be more independent.
“What we do, it can sound a little scary, but all of my co-workers, we have each other’s backs. I love working here and I enjoy it a lot. I like working with the clients, helping them with their behaviors, dealing with things head-on. It’s challenging, but rewarding.” |
MSNB client, John, and staff, Robert |
“We are trying to help our clients get to a place where they are feeling like they have their purpose met in life” says Shannen. “What we do is multifaceted. We keep them safe. We help them cope with their behaviors. We help build their skills. We are helping them in many, many, many ways. “We’re working with individuals who haven’t necessarily been given a lot of chances. They were transitioned from mental health facilities, lock down facilities, and just thrown out into the world. They need a lot of care, patience and understanding.” “There’s no one beyond helping and saving.
I think that’s the most important thing to understand.”
“Our clients are so unique. They are so beautiful. They have wonderful personalities. We get to see that because we are with them day in and day out. We really get to know our clients, and regardless of how challenging it might be, it’s all about, ‘What can I do to help you?’
“I like being there as a positive person in their life. I like to, hopefully, be a good role model. I want to be somebody they know, ‘Hey, I’m safe with you. I know you’re going to help me.’ That makes me happy. I like to affect change in others.” | MSNB client, Darren, in the transportation van |
“We serve clients of all ages, from 24 to 71 years old,” says Heath. “We currently have nine clients, with 10 on a waiting list. We have a computer lab, an arts and crafts room, a sensory room, a multipurpose room. We even have a hypoallergenic cat cafe. And we have a very nice garden area, with succulents and outdoor exercise equipment.
“We have 15 staff members. All care staff are behavior technicians, and have expectations of receiving their Registered Behavior Technician certification. I’m very appreciative of the staff that come in here every day, knowing the challenges that can arise on a day-to-day basis. It’s just amazing what they have been able to do.
“There’s a lot of potential in our clients if they are given the right supports. Our clients, you know, they’re people – just people with disabilities.” |
MSNB client, Darren, and staff, Brandon, enjoying the outdoors |
“My little brother is autistic,” says Melissa. “I have friends and other family members on the spectrum. It’s more common than you think. I do this work thinking, if this was my family member, I’d want them to receive services with the same compassion, respect, and dignity that I’m giving our clients. “It’s challenging. There are those days when it’s frustrating because there’s behavior after behavior after behavior. But I want to see that change in them. I know I’m making a difference in their lives. “Six years ago, I started working with a client. He was aggressive towards me. I was only two or three months into the job. He, at the time, was the most challenging client we had. He would get extremely agitated when things weren’t going his way.
“He would flip furniture, scream for hours. This was just his way of getting his aggression out. One time he slapped me, open hand, on my back. I lost my breath for a minute. I didn’t expect that. But now he’s 360. He’s able to express his feelings in an acceptable way. He’s helping with shredding, doing attendance, and restocking. He’s completely changed.” “I think the most important message is that these are humans too.”
She continues with emotion, “There’s a lot of trauma in the histories of the individuals we serve. It’s sad. It’s really sad. But they are humans too. This could be your family member. This could be your next door neighbor. They need to be treated with the same respect and care any other individual would receive. “New Beginnings is a great program. We have a great team – and I’m so happy to be a part of this team!” |
MSNB client, Estrellita, doing Zumba with staff |
“We focus on the small victories here,” adds Heath. “For example, one of our clients was able to get on the transportation van today! Yes!!! We’d been working on it for months and months.
“We started offering community outings several months ago. One of our clients started going on them, but then quickly just stopped altogether. We noticed there was an issue with the transportation van. So, we developed a goal last December to just get that client into the van. And we had days, weeks, months of attempts to get the client into the van.
“Then about two months ago, the client would take a first step, onto the first step of the van – but then they’d quickly turn away. But, just this week, the staff brought them out to the van – and the client got up into the van! And sat in it for two minutes! Two minutes!!! Everyone was like, ‘How did that happen?’ And the client was like, ‘Oh, it’s nothing really.’ But I’m like, ‘No! It’s something!’ It’s small, but it’s huge!!!”
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MSNB client, Darren, and staff, Brenda |
Kimberly Lo has been a Behavioral Consultant at MSNB since the program opened.
“My role is to create behavioral plans for the clients. Then I train the staff how to behaviorally work with the clients in a proactive and safe manner using applied behavioral analysis techniques.
“We’ve seen positive change with the clients, and in the ability of the staff to really show they care for the clients. We’ve seen dramatic change in a lot of the clients’ behaviors. We’re seeing clients meet goals.
“We’re looking at progress now, because we’ve now expanded to bring our clients out into the community with our staff. They are able to go to local parks and public libraries, so we’re really helping them apply their leisure and independent skills in these community settings.
“It takes a certain heart to be in this field for so long. To want to stay in this field, there has to be a sense of compassion, a drive to make a change in someone’s life. The staff at Mountain Shadows has really dedicated their heart to this program.”
“Mountain Shadows is one of a kind. New Beginnings is the leader of modeling a program for this population. We’re giving these people a chance, and not everyone wants to give them a chance. There isn’t another program like this for this type of adult population.”
“Some clients make little leaps and bounds. Hearing the staff say, ‘You know, so and so said this to me today, and we were told that person was nonverbal for years. And now they are talking!’ That shows the staff really makes change. That’s why I’ve stayed in this field so long, and why I’ve stayed dedicated to being a behavioral consultant for Mountain Shadows. “I think New Beginnings is just the start for a lot of these clients, and I’m looking forward to seeing them grow and expand.” |
MSNB client, Manuel, and staff, Melissa – Nā hoa ke Ohana! |
“It’s kind of a safety net we’ve created here for our clients.”
“I’ve been happily here at New Beginnings for four years,” says Heath. “Every day presents its own unique challenges. But it’s rewarding being able to establish a program that gives our clients a chance at success. We’re making a difference in their lives. And the staff – coming back here each day, despite the challenges – that’s evidence something’s going right here.”
“We are on the Hero’s Journey when we submit to the deep processes of life and allow them to affect us and bore their necessities into us. We are the hero when we take on the challenges and go through our initiations and transformations, enduring loss and gain, feeling happy and sad, making progress and falling back. The hero may not look heroic from the outside but may go through powerful developments in a quiet way – and through this process the hero becomes more and more what he or she is destined to be.”
~Thomas Moore
Yes, with hope held close in their hearts, heroes all at Mountain Shadows New Beginnings. |
JOIN US AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS! |
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The Mountain Shadows Foundation –
Because We CARE |
The Mountain Shadows CARE program provides recreational and social experiences to residents and participants adding meaning and richness to their lives.
It’s easy for you to help us continue to provide activities like this – activities that improve the quality of our residents’ lives in fulfillment of their dreams. Here are some ways you can help ensure these crucial activities can continue for years to come: -
Make a one-time donation today by clicking on the donate button below.
- Make a monthly or annual contribution.
- Leave a Legacy Gift.
To learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society, to include us in your estate plan, or to let us know if you have already designated Mountain Shadows to receive a legacy gift, please contact Mandy Huiras, Director of Development at: mhuiras@mtnshadows.org, or visit our website by clicking here:
Learn More About the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society Please share this story with your family, friends and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family!
To learn more about Mountain Shadows volunteer opportunities, please click below:
Learn about Mountain Shadows Volunteer Opportunities Here
Please email comments about this story to Sheryl Wilde at: swilde@mtnshadows.org. |
Mandy Huiras Mountain Shadows Foundation
Director of Development
Contact Mandy today to learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation and how you can continue to make a difference in the lives of our residents:
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org |
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