The Jodi House Journal

November 2023

Jodi House member, Heather Fiore, shares her story at An Evening to Explore Jodi House on October 26th

Message from the Executive Director

On October 26th, Jodi House hosted An Evening to Explore Jodi House at Santa Barbara's MOXI Museum. This special event brought together Jodi House members, supporters, family and friends to unite in our work.

With more than 200 community members in attendance, we were overwhelmed with gratitude for this show of support. It was a unique opportunity to share what happens inside Jodi House's walls each day.

There was a genuine and heartfelt togetherness in the evening that reflects what I have always found so remarkable about Jodi House.

I thank our community for the value and appreciation you place in our work. It means much to me but even more to our members.

Warmly,

Lindsey Black

Executive Director

Introducing Jodi House's Women's Support Group!

We are excited to introduce our new monthly Women's Group for all woman-identifying Jodi House members! The intent of this group is to provide a safe, supportive space to share about the challenges and successes related to living with a brain injury. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 15th at 9 AM via Zoom. For more information, please contact info@jodihouse.org.

Event Recap: An Evening to Explore Jodi House at MOXI

Thank you to all who attended and supported our October 26th An Evening to Explore Jodi House at MOXI Museum. With your generous contributions, we raised $62,205 to fund Jodi House's programs. This support will ensure that no one in our community has to face brain injury alone, regardless of the ability to pay. View the event photos:

https://www.an-evening-to-explor.luredigital.com

Board member Kerry Kelly and Board President Adriana Mezic, event co-chairs.

Board member Dr. Ryan Rogers, Jenna Rogers, Executive Director Lindsey Black, and Board member ElizaBeth Alexander.

Jodi House member, peer advocate, and event speaker Heather Fiore.

Welcome, Zoe Felesina, Program Specialist!

Zoe Felesina, Jodi House Program Specialist

Zoe Felesina joined the Jodi House team as Program Specialist this month! She is a recent graduate of UC Santa Barbara where she earned a B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences.

Zoe has a great passion for working with individuals with cognitive impairments, especially in the senior community. Through previous positions in the healthcare field at Cottage Hospital, she has worked with people experiencing a variety of brain injuries and physical impairments. This experience fostered her compassion and motivation to help people navigate through trauma in their lives.

Zoe is excited to join the Jodi House team and support their members in their recoveries.

Spotlight on Case Management Services

New members are often interested in learning about Jodi House's one-on-one case management services that can help support them in achieving their individual recovery goals. Here are a few recent examples of how Jodi House case management has supported members:

• Helped a member apply for disability through their previous work as a teacher, including contacting their physicians and financial representatives to submit a comprehensive application.
• Helped a member select the best Medicare prescription drug plan for their individual needs.
• Helped a member develop study habits through an online course and schedule their Certified Personal Trainer exam.

Cottage Neuroscience Saving the Brain Symposium

Jodi House was thrilled to be an exhibitor at Cottage Neuroscience Institute's 15th Annual Saving the Brain Neuroscience Symposium on November 3rd.

This annual event educates healthcare professionals about the latest advances in neuroscience and features a full schedule of lectures given by leading experts in the field. The opportunity to connect with so many healthcare and neuroscience professionals about the work of Jodi House was so valuable and we were grateful to be part of such an incredible event again this year.

Jodi House Presents to Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital

Jodi House's Program Director, Gabby Chambers, and Peer Advocate, Heather Fiore, presented to the staff at Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital on October 25th about Jodi House's services.

Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital is a valued partner in providing care for brain injury survivors in our community. We are grateful to collaborate with the rehabilitation professionals who work directly with survivors during a critical period of their recovery journey.

Instructor Highlight: Diane Makovsky

Diane Makovsky, O.T. Interventions Instructor

Occupational Therapist (OT) Diane Makovsky has been teaching Jodi House’s OT Interventions class since 2015. At that time, the Jodi House Board of Directors had been seeking an OT to increase rehabilitation and compensatory strategies for members.

An OT uses everyday life activities, or occupations, to promote health and well-being, and to improve an individual’s ability to participate in the activities in their life that are important to them. Occupational Therapy addresses any meaningful activity that a person wants to accomplish or needs to do. The scope of practice involves physical, cognitive, and mental health strategies to support a person’s quality of life.

Diane’s intervention classes aim to provide fun experiences while enabling members to develop, recapture, or maintain skills. She is always working with members’ varying abilities, identifying changes between individual and group skills, and helping to provide the right level of challenge.

"Halloween Hullabaloo" Party

We hope you enjoy these photos from our Halloween Hullabaloo potluck and party that was hosted at Jodi House on October 31st. Thanks to the spirited group who came together for this annual community event!

MARCUS BOUTIQUE - Friday, Dec. 1st Donation Day

MARCUS Boutique in Montecito

On Friday, December 1st, shop MARCUS Boutique in Montecito and mention Jodi House. MARCUS will donate 10% of your sale back to our program! This is a full-day event during store hours from 10am-7pm.

MARCUS Boutique is located at 1155 Coast Village Road, Montecito, CA 93108. For more information, call 805-845-2858.

Jodi House's exterior painting project is complete! Thank you to the generous donor that made this project possible, and thank you to Intuitive Painting Company for the incredible work they did to restore and enhance the beauty of our historic house.