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A Well World: The Blessing of Friendship
I have been blessed to have had dear friends all my life. You know, the kind of friends who are there to celebrate the victories and there to share the tears. I’m not exactly sure how I would have survived the ups and downs of life without them. It’s amazing to me how we can continue to maintain friendships over the years, but also add […]
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Every Day is Thanksgiving
“Every day at the Well is Thanksgiving Day,” Joel Pulis reminded members at the Thursday Night Life dinner and worship service. In his message, based on the Bible passages John 13:1-15; 34-35, Joel pointed out how Jesus is the one who serves his disciples by washing the dirty places of their lives. He is the example of how to care for others. “The reason the […]
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Serving Since the Beginning: The Lasting Impact of Volunteering as a Family
In January 2002, four couples began meeting in the Cliff Temple Baptist parking lot, praying for a new way to serve. Along with Joel and Laura Pulis were Scott and Kristi Coleman. The Colemans had been involved in numerous ministries over the years: Scott had served as a pastor in South America, and the couple had a house church in their home for a decade. […]
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A Well World: Truly Cared For
Over the years I have had many opportunities to interact with families of Well members. Some stay in close contact with their loved ones, making sure they have housing and keep up with doctors’ appointments. Others live far away but call me from time to time to check on how things are going for their mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter. The most recent […]
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Bearing the Weight of Caregiving: Six Insights
Family members who care for individuals living with mental illness shoulder a massive load. While numerous studies have shed light on the ways these family caregivers go above and beyond, it’s through listening to their stories that we truly understand the weight they bear. The Burden of Sympathy by David A. Karp provides an opportunity to do just that. Published in 2002 (the same year […]
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The Beginnings of the Well Community
The Well Community is celebrating its 20th year of service to our neighbors who live with chronic and major mental health conditions. In this video, Founder Joel Pulis shares about the beginnings of the Well.
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A Well World: Disgrace, Shame, Stain, Reproach
I have a friend who constantly forces me to “unpack” the meaning of words I use. She says we get so used to speaking in jargon or catch-words that we don’t stop and consider the depth of their meanings. She calls me out when I talk about “impact,” for example, or “support.” Her challenge to me is to dig deeper into the richness of such […]
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A Matter of Justice: Why Mental Health is Everyone’s Issue
Mental health is often viewed as something that impacts individuals. But mental illnesses and the stigma surrounding them don’t exist in a vacuum. Numerous societal factors color the experience of those living with mental health challenges, and disparities beyond an individual’s control can determine their ability to pursue stability. Issues such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, inadequate access to health care and racial discrimination […]
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The Relentless Sting of Stigma
Mental illnesses are twice as common as diabetes. Yet, even though these conditions affect one in five people in a year, they’re shrouded in stigma. This stigma hurts millions of people every day—people like members of the Well Community. It tries to define them by their diseases, denies their dignity and deems them unworthy of respect. It perpetuates prejudice and shame. As a result, it stands […]
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A Well World: Backward and Forward
As 2021 comes to an end, I want to remind you of some incredible highlights from our year and mention tremendously exciting things we look forward to in the year ahead. First, a look backward … We were able to keep Jacob’s House residents and most of our members healthy through COVID-19. Our staff was recognized by the State of Texas for their extraordinary efforts […]
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