Oakland County Residents Receive 2014 OCCMHA Achievement Awards

Seven Oakland County residents were presented 2014 Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) Achievement Awards during a special celebration recognizing people who receive services through the public mental health system and the service provider agencies who offer assistance to them. The winners represent residents from Farmington Hills, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Troy, and Waterford.

The prestigious Achievement Awards honor the successes and accomplishments of individuals who have disabilities, including people with developmental disabilities, adults with mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbances, and individuals with substance use disorders.

Stigma Buster Award Winner: Farmington Hills resident, Deshaun Jones - Deshaun Jones’ personal mission is to motivate and empower boys and girls by sharing his personal experiences of being in foster care, bullied, abused, and losing his mother. He encourages young people to express themselves, not to be ashamed of whom they are, and to have a positive attitude about their future. In his powerful, anti-stigma messages, Deshaun ensures that youth who hear him speak, believe in their ability to set and reach their goals and dreams, regardless of what others may believe.

Dan Moran, Rights and Advocacy Award Winner: Pleasant Ridge resident, Sherry Gerbi - Sherry Gerbi possesses admirable personal characteristics that exemplify tireless and passionate efforts to advocate for persons with disabilities, instilling hope that all dreams are possible. Sherry began her recovery at Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse where she has been instrumental in creating an education program that helps between 25 and 30 people each month study for their GED, improve their reading, and develop valuable computer skills. Sherry has been the chairperson of the Empowerment Group for several years; is the co-leader of the Begin Ending Stigma Today workgroup; a Mental Health First Aid instructor; and given many testimonies to legislators about the needs of individuals with disabilities. Sherry has a deep understanding about and commitment to protect and promote the rights of people served through the public mental health system.

Helping Hands Award Winner: Rochester Hills resident, Emily Monroe - Behind Emily Monroe’s soft-spoken voice, is a strong young lady with big plans for the future. Emily’s love for photography led to the establishment of her successful micro-enterprise business, “The Photography Chick.” She helps Community Living Services by volunteering to take pictures at its “Evening With Friends” fundraising event. The Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards was so impressed with her work that they hired “The Photography Chick” to take pictures at its 2012 spring conference. When she’s not busy behind the camera, she can be found at Oakland University’s Lowry Center where she cares for young children by reading books and helping them on the playground. Her gentle and kind character makes her perfect for this kind of work and more than worthy of the Helping Hands Award.

My Life Award Winners: Troy resident, Carson Alexander and Royal Oak resident, Cole Gluklick:

Alexander - According to Teri Donaldson, who nominated Carson Alexander for the My Life Achievement Award, Carson “is living proof that miracles are very real.” In her opinion, Carson has the courage of a warrior, the pureness of grace, the desire to share quiet wisdom, and the strength to heal brokenness within and beyond. Despite numerous challenges, Carson continues to inspire others by leading a rich and full life and working to ensuring that all people are valued by society. She is an inspirational speaker who recently was contracted at the 2014 Arts, Beats, & Eats Autism Day. She will also share the stage at the Futures Foundation Annual Gala with actor Joey Travolta. And if she didn’t have enough going on in her busy life, Carson is also pursuing her dream to be an Occupational Therapy Aide. Carson’s disabilities are not a barrier; they provide her with the motivation to succeed in living the life she chooses.

Gluklick - Those closest to Cole Gluklick say that his enthusiasm for life and positive outlook are contagious. He is famous for his “thumbs up” hand gestures and “It’s all good,” remarks. Cole relocated to Royal Oak from Clare Michigan two years ago, where he had been living with relatives since losing his parents as a child. Although nervous about living alone, Cole refused to let his fears hold him back from achieving his independence. Cole is a Speechcraft graduate, employed at Yad Ezra food bank, and a newly enrolled student at Oakland Community College. Cole also has a gift for making people laugh and is working on honing this skill by taking acting and stand-up comedy classes.

Director’s Award Winners: Waterford resident, Ashley Barber and Rochester Hills resident, Jennifer Dishner-Ladd.

Barber - Ashley Barber has a tremendous willingness to make time for others. Some people talk about putting people first, but Ashley lives it. While her nomination described her high standards and kind and compassionate disposition, it first and foremost gave example after example of Ashley’s willingness to put the needs of others first. From accompanying people to doctor’s appointments, writing letters, to advocating for a peer’s service needs. She is a past Program Coordinator and Peer Trainer at Peer Choices and is currently a Certified Peer Support Specialist, working as a Customer Service Representative at Community Network Services. In all that she does, Ashley makes herself available whenever and wherever her support is needed.

Dishner-Ladd - Despite the challenges she faced along her recovery from a co-occurring disorder, Jennifer has and continues to prevail in her goal to fight stigma, help others, serve as a role model, and lead a successful career in the mental health field. Jennifer gained her independence from the community mental health system and now gives back to her community through volunteerism, and working as a Crisis Interventionst 1 for Common Ground’s OCIRT team.

About OCCMHA
Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority is a public mental health system that provides services and supports to approximately 23,000 Oakland County residents, including adults and children with developmental disabilities, adults with serious mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, and individuals with substance use disorders. .

OCCMHA’s network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Housing Network, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easter Seals Michigan, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Oakland Family Services, and Training and Treatments Innovations. For more information about OCCMHA call (800) 341-2003 or visit www.occmha.org.

Photo Caption

Congratulations to the 2014 OCCMHA Achievement Award winners. Pictured from L to R: Jennifer Dishner-Ladd, Deshaun Jones, Sherry Gerbi, OCCMHA Executive Director/CEO Willie Brooks, Carson Alexander, Ashley Barber, Emily Monroe (in front), and Cole GlukLick.