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Over the winter we've had a lot of exciting things happening at S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. The tiny homes have been placed at our farm property located in the country and construction has begun at our second apartment building at 1515 Knox Street in Ogdensburg. 

This winter our Executive Director, Dave Bayne, connected with Kearney Coupland, a professor at St. Lawrence University. They were able to collaborate on an exciting project with  Environmental Psych and Design students at St. Lawrence University. The students created landscape designs for Knox Street as well as the SBS Farm. 

The students generated ideas for designs that would not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also provide gathering spaces for the tenants and community members. They focused on themes such as horticulture therapy, artistic expression, and privacy. They had many ideas like gardens, amphitheaters, cooking areas, libraries, fire pits, fences, and natural barriers. 

In today's episode, Dave and Carrie first chat with Kearney about her background, how they connected, and the importance of immersing the students in the community with real-life projects; followed by the students' presentations describing their interesting and exciting designs. The students put a lot of thought and research into their projects, and we are very grateful for all their ideas! 

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In this episode Carrie and Dave meet with Gayle Morrissey, who is the Education Coordinator for the adult mental health unit at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. Gayle's job focuses on topics such as educating people about their diagnosis, self-regulation, self-care, coping skills, and becoming more self-aware. Gayle's job changes from person to person and day to day as she provides person-centered, individualized care as she helps provide people with tools to be successful in their lives. In today's episode Gayle explores one of the recent topics that she has been people learn more about - how nutrition can help improve your mental health. Gayle discusses foods that can help, foods to stay away from, tips to stay on track, and moderation. 

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We are excited to finally announce our collaboration with the three BOCES locations in St. Lawrence County. Together we are constructing tiny homes built by the students at BOCES that will be transported to S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc.'s garden and greenhouse property, which will begin the development of our social farming community. Each house is a duplex and will provide homes for six separate individuals that are in need of housing in our county, with more on the way next year. 

This collaboration has been in progress for the last year, and as the houses finally near completion Dave and Carrie sit down with Nicki O'Donnell, the principal at BOCES Seaway Career and Technical Center located in Norwood, New York. Join us as we discuss how the project originated, the social farming model, the obstacles to get it up and running, the benefits that are provided to both S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. and the BOCES programs, and some of the incredible experiences along the way. 

Join Dave and Carrie as they visit with Nicki at BOCES to discuss the project.

Visit our website to check out photos! 

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"He loves to grow things, and he is very proud of what he does. Brian worked at the greenhouse and he loved it. He had a purpose, he felt good about himself and like he was contributing. He was so proud to be a part of something, accepted, and to be praised for the work that he did." 
~ Barbara Briggs Ward

Dave and Carrie talk with Barb Ward, a local author and self-taught illustrator. Barb also has a long history with Dave and S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. She not only sits on our Board of Directors, but has collaborated with Dave as an advocate for mental health for many years. She has been a long-time advocate on a systems level, but Barb also relates to the topic on a very personal level - as a mother. Barb shares her son Brian’s journey with Schizophrenia and discusses how the Garden and Greenhouse Project improved her son's quality of life. Dave and Barb also discuss their history and how their collaboration led to the Garden and Greenhouse Project at S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. and the many years of advocating that it took to get there. 

If you would like to check out some of Barb’s work you can find her at barbarabriggsward.com . Barb and her son, Brian, also recently visited our greenhouse as we are getting it up and running this year. If you’d like to check out some of her photos you can visit our blog us at stepbystepinc.org . 

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We are very grateful to be receiving so much support, and we regularly receive messages from our community members asking how they can help. S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. will be hosting an event on Thursday, January 25th called Homeless No More, and we need your help - we need your voice! With your participation we can help reduce homelessness in our community. This is how you can become involved and help us advocate for housing in county.

If you can’t be there, but would like to provide a monetary donation to help support our cause, then you can follow the link below. 

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stepbystepinc

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Welcome back to a new season of Beyond the Box! We know that you are working to make 2024 your best year yet, so whether you are looking to improve your health and fitness or financial health, volunteer in your community, learn strategies to manage stress and anxiety, or improve your nutrition then join Dave and Carrie as they review some of the beneficial resources that our community has to offer to assist you as you embark on your journey. 

We also know how difficult the new year can be for many of us, and if you are in need of help with housing, or need someone to reach out to - maybe even just to talk - then we have resources out there for that too. 

Visit our blog at stepbystepinc.org to find more details about accessing the resources available  in our community. 

We wish you much health and happiness in 2024! 

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It has taken Brittanie Kelso fifteen years to be able to share her story, and after hearing it I have even more respect for the strong, resilient, and caring woman that she has become. Britt has a message for the wives, mothers, children, family, and friends that are left behind when someone ends their own life. She shares what it was like to deal with the guilt, judgement, and blame that she felt over the years, and how she overcame all of those things to become the wife, mother, and friend that she is today. 

Thank you Brittanie for having the courage to share your story. 

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This Week Dave and Carrie sit down with Aida Arias to discuss how she incorporates Chinese Medicine into her Massage Therapy practice. Aida approaches each. massage from a holistic point of view, and uses the ancient practice of Chinese Medicine to help her see the whole picture. 

To schedule a massage with Aida you can contact her at:
914-312-5120
609 Canton Street in Ogdensburg, New York

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This week Dave and Carrie interviewed the Director of REACHOUT of St. Lawrence County - Karen Easter. Karen is truly a pioneer in the field of crisis hotline and mobil crisis intervention. Karen answers questions such as what REACHOUT is, what to expect when you call Reachout, how they train their crisis and intervention team, and what to do if you or someone we know is in crisis. Karen talks about how many of us have been affected by suicide in our lives, and it turns out that we were no exception. 

REACHOUT of St. Lawrence County - 315-265-2422 - a free, confidential, non-judgmental crisis and information hotline serving residents of St. Lawrence County that focuses on crisis services and supportive listening. After hours and weekend emergencies.

You can also visit the St. Lawrence County Government website to find a list of local Mental Health Service Providers including:=

Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient Treatment 
Vocational Services
Peer Support Services/Psychosocial Clubs
Residential Services
Children’s Respite Services
Addiction Services

https://stlawco.org/Departments/CommunityServices/MHSProviders 

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In this week's episode Carrie and Davie interviewed Dennis, who has been a member of S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. for over a year now, and shared his story for the first time with us. Dennis's story begins with a dark time in his life when he was on suicide watch, but he shares with us everything that helped him cope. Dennis's experiences have motivated him to begin work as a mental health advocate, and in today's episode he shares some of the things that help him get through his most difficult days. 

If you or a loved one are struggling or having suicidal thoughts you can visit the St. Lawrence County Government website to find a list of local Mental Health Service Providers including:

Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient Treatment
Vocational Services
Peer Support Services/Psychosocial Clubs
Residential Services
Children’s Respite Services
Addiction Services

https://stlawco.org/Departments/CommunityServices/MHSProviders 

You can also dial 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline, which offers 24/7 free and confidential support 

REACHOUT of St. Lawrence County - 315-265-2422 - a free, confidential, non-judgmental crisis and information hotline serving residents of St. Lawrence County that focuses on crisis services and supportive listening. After hours and weekend emergencies.

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