Improving health literacy for families in treatment

Earlier this month, Odyssey House clinical staff conducted a Health Literacy seminar for our Family Center clients. Nearly three dozen mothers and fathers participated in the event, which served as the final component of the Aetna Foundation-funded Health Education and Literacy Program (OH HELPS).

During the seminar, learning was reinforced through practical and interactive exercises in taking temperatures, dosing medication, and seeking medical help. Each participant received an OH HELPS goodie bag that included a cold kit, a digital thermometer, and a first aid kit. The day closed with an entertaining version of "Baby Talk" Jeopardy that enabled the participants to demonstrate their newly improved levels of health literacy.

OH HELPS was developed with funding from Aetna. Odyssey House partnered with the Community Pediatrics Department at Columbia University Medical Center to develop and deliver the initial curriculum that focused on basic health care topics, including: "When and How to Use an Emergency Room," "Treating Colds and Flus," "Immunization," and "Basic Home Health Procedures." These sessions were delivered over the course of the year by second year pediatric inters from Columbia University Medical Center and Odyssey House staff.

The final half-day seminar served as a means to strengthen our clients' family-focused and practical health literacy, and to celebrate the successful implementation of the OH HELPS program into our Family Centers. Odyssey House will continue to conduct these seminars on a quarterly basis.

Celebrating recovery in New York

Last Saturday, thousands of recovery supporters and treatment programs from across the state joined Odyssey House to celebrate recovery at the 5th Annual Run for Your Life 5K, part of the 3rd Annual New York Recovery Rally.

More photos and videos to come, but in the meantime check out this clip from WABC-TV Eyewitness News on the day's events.



Thank you to all of our sponsors, participants and volunteers for making our 5th race such a success! Your support makes a real difference in the lives of families struggling to get back on their feet; teenagers working towards a brighter future; and senior citizens determined to live a dignified drug-free life. See you next September!

Make your bid to support Odyssey House

The online portion of the Odyssey House Run for Your Life 2010 auction is now open and will run through September 25th, with the live event taking place at our 5K race at Icahn Stadium. Auction items range from vacation getaways to sports memorabilia to luxurious spa services, all guaranteed to delight and surprise.

Now is your chance to not only get all the great items you want, but to do it knowing you are helping support our organization and mission. Proceeds from the auction support our programs that provide a safe, supportive residential community with an emphasis on beginning drug-free lives, family reunification, and educational and vocational training.

Place your bid
Whether you're looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you're sure to find something in our auction. Every bid helps support our cause.

Tell your friends
The success of this online auction depends on spreading the word to as many people as possible. We need your help. Please Refer a Friend and encourage them to participate so they don't miss a single moment of the fun and excitement!

Register for the Run for Your Life 5K
This FREE fun-filled community event will include children's activities, free t-shirts, refreshments and entertainment. Bring your family and friends!

Monkey bars and spiral slides: a new playground for the Manor

The kids at the Odyssey House Manor will soon be getting a state-of-the-art playground to call their own. Partnering with Kraft Foods Foundation and the New York Academy of Medicine, KaBOOM! has selected Odyssey House as one of their community partners once again.

To get the project started, we held a Design Day on August 19, where the kids had the opportunity to draw their dream playground. Elements from their drawings will be incorporated into the design of the playground. Check out the video and slideshow below to see some of the kids' ideas.

On Saturday, October 9th, volunteers from Odyssey House, Kraft Foods, New York Academy of Medicine and the community will build the playground in one day. If you're interested in volunteering, please send an email to info@odysseyhouseinc.org.