Dear friends;

“What does, then, change the world? Love. Love and stories.”
—Kate DiCamillo, Raymie Nightingale

I’ve been holding on to a story my dad recently shared with me, and I’ve been telling it everywhere I can, trusting that DiCamillo is right.

A couple of Sundays ago, after the parishioners of Trinity Church in Torrington had finished their service and gathered in the parish hall for coffee hour, the choir returned to the sanctuary for rehearsal. An older woman in a wheelchair made her way up the ramp and into the church. She asked if she might sit and listen to the music for a while.

After some time, she found my dad—who serves on the vestry—and told him how grateful she was for the church: for the soup kitchen, for the cold-weather overflow shelter, for the many ways the parish cares for the community. She said she wanted to give back. Then she reached into her purse and offered everything she had: two quarters and a penny.

Lately, I’ve been hearing a growing narrative about the rising number of unhoused people in our communities—a narrative that suggests individuals are solely responsible for their circumstances. The idea goes something like this: if people suffer enough, they will “learn,” find better-paying jobs, and stop being a burden on hardworking taxpayers and philanthropists.

My friends, this story misses the mark on many levels.

The reality is that large systemic forces are driving this crisis, and understanding those forces is essential if we hope to create effective solutions. (To learn more, visit endhomelessness.org/overview)

Decades of evidence from “housing first” programs show that when people are given stable housing, their sense of psychological safety rises. With that foundation, they are far more able to access medical care, engage with emotional supports, and rebuild their lives—often becoming contributing members of safer, stronger communities. And importantly, housing people is far less expensive than leaving them outside, where the consequences often lead to criminalization and incarceration. (More here: usich.gov/news-events/news/homelessness-prevention-series-spotlight-jail-homelessness-pipeline)

During the period when SNAP benefits were frozen, I witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of love and care. Many people who might themselves be labeled “needy” showed up in the most generous ways for their neighbors. They weren’t burdens—they were part of the solution. In my experience, those who know what it is to be cold, hungry, lonely, or lost often have the greatest capacity for compassion when given the chance. Their care becomes a way forward for all of us.

Every one of us has something to contribute. It’s foundational to our dignity and self-worth. A coffee commitment at a 12-step meeting. Volunteering at a food bank. Sitting beside a friend during a chemo appointment. Offering everything in your purse to say thank you.

These are our stories. And yes—they are filled with love. I’m hopeful they’ll help change the world.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Maria

Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW

President and CEO

Almost everyone will admit that the current cultural climate is unusually disconcerting. There just seems to be more hostility in the air than we’ve seen before. “There are forces right now, power structures that are actually doing significant harm to particularly vulnerable populations,” observes Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, McCall’s President and CEO. “We're getting messages to be afraid or to be angry at others.”

During times like these, it seems easier to be callous and somewhat self-protective. It’s a way for some individuals to feel safe.

Open your heart.

“Our hearts are elastic,” Maria says reassuringly. “We can stretch and recognize the humanity in one another. We can also see that there are injustices happening and we can push against those things, rather than turning on each other and placing blame and shame on our neighbors.”

Maria’s insights couldn’t be more relevant: “It starts with this idea that someone who is hungry or homeless or suffering in any way is somehow cutting in front of us in line and taking something from a person who has worked hard and deserved it. I think we have to challenge that narrative.”

It begins with compassion.

People want to share a sense of community and to be contributing members of society. Maria poses this question, “Are we creating pathways in our hearts, in our minds, and in our structures so that we’re all part of a community?”

If you find that it’s hard to recognize the humanity in those around you and you’re angry or lonely or you lack an understanding of others or maybe you feel that you’ve done things that have caused harm and you simply can’t forgive yourself, that’s where McCall can meet you. That’s where therapy can help.

“We can sit with folks and help define that space, that grace, that self-compassion, so that we can recognize the humanity in one another,” Maria adds. “If you’re in a dark place, or you're lonely, or you're really worried about somebody else, we'll meet you there.”

Connect with compassionate support by reaching out to McCall today. We have a wide range of services and programs that provide hope and healing. Click here to see our website. Or call us at 860.496.2100.

Did you miss the interview?

Don't worry, we've got you covered! Visit our pressroom to hear Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, McCall’s President and CEO, share her personal insights about the importance of recognizing the humanity in others. Click on the image to listen to the full FM 97.3 WZBG interview.

How to Create a Healthier Holiday.

When you have a loved one in recovery or struggling with substance use, navigating the holidays can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. McCall Family Recovery Coach Farrah McCullough shares simple ways to create a calmer, healthier season for everyone.

Our “Contribute to Compassion” Annual Appeal Has Begun!

Starting now through December 31, your compassionate gift can open the door to recovery for someone struggling with substance use and mental health challenges.

Every day, people arrive at McCall carrying fear, stress, and uncertainty. They are met with skilled, compassionate care and a commitment to ensure no one is ever turned away.

The need for these services continues to grow. Your gift helps keep care within reach and offers hope, healing, and a path forward for everyone who walks through our doors.

Help McCall Win $10,000!

McCall has a chance to receive a $10,000 grant through the Hearst CT Media Group’s “Connecticut Gives” Contest — and we need your help to get us there! The ten nonprofits with the most votes will each receive a grant, and every single vote makes a difference.

Show your McCall spirit and vote for us once a day (or as often as you can!) from November 24 through December 26.

Standing Up and Speaking Out for Housing.

On November 13, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced policy changes that will significantly reduce funding for their Continuum of Care permanent housing program supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Our President and CEO, Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, joined Senator Blumenthal and a group of local advocates and lawmakers to voice urgent concerns about the policy changes, highlighting the essential role permanent housing plays in the health, stability, and dignity of community members experiencing homelessness. Watch the full press conference here. (Maria comes on at the 11:58 mark.)

McCall Board Member, Gabby Bernstein, hosted an uplifting event on November 7 at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, CT. Among McCall staff members in attendance were Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, Marisa Mittelstaedt, MBA, and Roxanne Zamkovsky. “So thankful for Gabby Bernstein,” said Rozanne, “forever encouraging joy and manifesting our dreams.”

A Feast of Gratitude.

Staff and clients enjoyed a warm celebration of gratitude at last week’s Wisdom Lunch Support Group Thanksgiving Feast, where gratitude—an essential ingredient in lasting recovery—was on full display. The event featured a delicious meal prepared by James Carpenter and our kitchen staff and brought our community together at the Wellness Center for an afternoon of connection and appreciation.

Innovation Hits Nashville.

Earlier this month, our team — Shalyn Sheldon, MSW, Senior Director of Administration and Accreditation; Jamie Calvano, LADC, ADS, Senior Director of Quality and Compliance; Kelsey Dlugozima, LCSW, Director of Outpatient Services; and Craig Everitt, IT Systems Specialist — represented us at the annual healthcare technology conference in Nashville sponsored by NextGen Healthcare. They engaged in breakout sessions covering AI, practice efficiency, interoperability, patient experience, and more, gaining fresh insights to enhance our behavioral health operations and fuel innovation in our work.

A Wellness Event for Those in Need.

At the New England Rural Health Association Conference, our team from the McCall Behavioral Health Network presented “Mental Health Outreach in a Rural Community: Challenges and Partnerships for Success,” a session focused on our grant-funded mental health and suicide-prevention training initiative in rural Litchfield County. The interactive presentation reviewed the hurdles in reaching target populations, highlighted innovative community partnerships that boosted program reach and effectiveness, and showcased preliminary data demonstrating meaningful improvements in participant knowledge and satisfaction.

Coming Together for Overdose Prevention.

On November 7, members of McCall met up with our community partners at the Overdose Prevention Strategies Conference, hosted by DHMAS and the Connecticut Women's Consortium, in Bristol, CT.

Pictured, from left: Lauren Pristo, MPH, McCall; Courtney Dollar, Liberation Programs; Stephen Murray, SafeSpot; Taylor Edelman from NHRC; Kyle Fitzmaurice, McCall; and Cameron Breen, Liberation Programs.

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