Barclay Place & Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc.
Title: Growing Independence: The Barclay Greenhouse Project
Student Interns:
Rachael Kopec
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Fatima Mubarik
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Academic Preceptor:
Jennifer Cummings, DO
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Mary Haus, MD
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Victoria Hrach, PhD
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Community Preceptor:
Dana Slezak
Program Director, Barclay Place
Matt Tutay
Executive Director, Barclay Place
Community Site:
Barclay Place is a person-centered residential facility that provides 24-hour personal care assistance to individuals with a mental health diagnosis. The primary diagnoses are schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, delusional disorder, and dissociative identity disorder. Residents range in age from 39 to 79. The facility promotes the health, independence, and socialization of its residents through numerous structured activities such as cooking classes, attending movies, getting out into nature, and going out for lunch/dinner.
Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. (WEDAC) helps individuals with substance use disorders find treatment facilities that best suit their needs. Clients are supported in establishing a lifelong recovery plan through personalized services, access to appropriate care, and community help. WEDAC provides case management services to connect individuals with prevention education, detox services, and inpatient and outpatient programs.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns focused on enhancing the independence of the Barclay Place residents. Cooking and laundry are the two activities the residents do not do themselves; therefore, to encourage responsibility, decision making, independence, and healthy eating, the Bridging the Gaps student interns designed and established a greenhouse on-site. The interns delivered a workshop on healthy eating habits and proper plant care and developed a greenhouse care guide for the staff to use throughout the seasons. The interns also provided WEDAC with a garden care guide to share with interested clients who need a place to start.
Reflections
“I had an incredible experience working alongside the staff at Barclay Place. I have never met a group of people who truly care and are passionate about what they do and for the individuals they provide for. It was also a privilege for the residents to allow us inside their home and collaborate with them on our project. I really got to know some of the residents and their stories, which allowed me to further understand and want to advocate for individuals who struggle with mental health. Throughout the past eight weeks, the importance of listening and patience has really stuck with me. Sometimes, the only thing a client or patient might want from a provider is for someone to just listen. Lessons as such are only learned or emphasized in the field, which I hope to carry with me throughout the rest of my career.”
Rachael Kopec
“Working at Barclay Place this summer was incredibly rewarding and an experience I will truly never forget. From day one, the residents welcomed me with kindness, and I had the opportunity to connect with many of them on a personal level. Through these conversations, I got to hear their unique stories, which allowed me to better understand the challenges they face and gave me a new perspective on mental health. I was also really inspired by the dedication of the staff as they were patient, understanding and always committed to the residents. During my weeks here, I learned that sometimes the best thing you can do is simply take time to listen, show up, and to treat people with respect and dignity. This experience has further strengthened my decision to pursue a career in healthcare, and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my career.”
Fatima Mubarik