Stay Updated on Latest News from the Well Community
Well Wishers Circle: Life-giving Anchor
“Ho. Ho. Ho,” are three of Ricky Lawson’s favorite words, and he repeats them over and over each year as he portrays Santa for the Well Community’s annual holiday party. “Those times when I’m Santa, every single member comes and sits down next to me, and I get to put my arm around them and hug them. They tell me what’s happening in their lives […]
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Hope Cultivated in Community
Hope can be elusive for those dealing with serious mental illnesses—people like members of the Well Community. Believing that life can be better and that they can take steps toward stability can seem immensely difficult or nearly impossible amid diseases with no cures and stigma that discriminates and demeans. But when our members are together, what appears out of reach becomes possible. As they come […]
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Celebrating the Holidays
Our members enjoyed a wonderful holiday celebration this year thanks to many generous friends of the Well Community! The Global Affairs and Journey Sunday school classes from Cliff Temple Baptist Church provided a delicious traditional Christmas feast, and the church’s senior pastor, Gannon Simms, gave the message for our worship service. Kessler Park United Methodist Church blessed us with music, as well as with desserts […]
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Five Gifts to Help Those Living With Mental Illness Navigate the Holidays
Amid the carols in the air and the homes and businesses decked out with lights, it’s important to remember that mental illnesses don’t take holidays off. For some who live with mental health conditions, the Christmas season can be an especially challenging time as extra social situations, changes in routines and expectations of merriment and cheer add additional hurdles on top of everyday struggles. However, […]
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Retreat and Relax
Once again, our Fall Spiritual Retreat was a great time to rest and reflect. From gathering fall leaves for making a pumpkin collage, to roasting marshmallows, to our traditional hayride and bonfire, members of the Well Community enjoyed the autumn temperatures and warm fellowship. They also played basketball and went on walks. Bingo and movie night with popcorn and snacks were big hits! Special thanks […]
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Four Myths About Co-Occurring Disorders
Those who live with mental illnesses don’t deal with them in a vacuum. Challenges such as housing, poverty, poor physical health and discrimination add layers of difficulty to pursuing stability. And one of these challenges, substance use, can have a particularly profound impact. The combination of mental illness and substance use disorder is known as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis, and it’s relatively common. According […]
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A Well World: Oak Cliff and Beyond
It’s not so much that the Well Community chose to locate in the Oak Cliff area. Actually, Oak Cliff chose us. When Joel Pulis and others first envisioned a place where adults living with severe mental illnesses could worship, grow and belong, he was serving as the associate pastor of Cliff Temple Baptist Church, so the first outreaches grew from that location. However, over our […]
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Jeremiah Loeffler: Cultivating Community Support Through Fun
“I like bringing people together in a positive way, trying to help people,” says Jeremiah Loeffler. “To me, it doesn’t take that much time to connect people together. You never know where those connections lead.” At the Well Community, we’re thankful that for several years, the connections Jeremiah has fostered have resulted in a fun-filled evening at our annual fundraising party. His ability to bring […]
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Chris Schwegmann: Creating Deeper Connections in the Oak Cliff Community
“I think what we’re all looking for is that broader sense of family, that broader sense that the community’s there to help us all when we find ourselves in need,” says Chris Schwegman. And, for him, his wife, Shelbi, and their three children, this community is Oak Cliff.
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A Well World: September 2024
September has been a busy and important month for the Well Community. In addition to our regular activities, Bible studies, case management, shared meals and fellowship opportunities, we also recognized September as Suicide Prevention Month. Many of our members are vulnerable to depression, so we make every effort to be sure they are surrounded by caring people (other members, volunteers, staff) who reassure them often […]
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