Pieces: In My Own Voice http://piecesinmyownvoice.com Mental Health: If you don't talk about it...it still exists. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:39:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Watch the Trailer http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/booking-information/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/booking-information/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:13:17 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/wordpress/?p=14 Through drama, dance, and music this thought provoking theatrical production depicts the lives of those living with a mental health diagnosis. Experience the darkness of stigma and the light of recovery.
The video below was created to introduce the concept of using theater to increase awareness of mental health issues in our communities.

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/booking-information/feed/ 0 Meet the Director http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/meet-the-director/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/meet-the-director/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:03:01 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/wordpress/?p=5

In response to troubling signs of growing mental health challenges in the African American community, in 2007 Brenda Wesley developed an African American Outreach Program; ASK (Access, Support & Knowledge). To lead her program she reached out and formed a partnership with NAMI Greater Milwaukee (National Alliance on Mental Illness). ASK is designed to educate the community and work to provide access to care for those who need it the most.

Brenda, a trained mental health education facilitator, has conducted numerous ASK presentations throughout Milwaukee.  Brenda’s unique perspective is based in first-hand experience: two of her closest family members live with mental illness. She has become an advocate for those without a voice and has been hired by NAMI as their Outreach and Education Coordinator.

       Wesley continues to live and work in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her family. She continues to devote her time and energy by educating the community.   She sits on various community committees as part of her advocacy work. She is part of The Mosaic Milwaukee Partnership Program, which engages leaders of various cultures and backgrounds to build trust, friendship and communication. Brenda is a 2009 graduate of the Emerge Wisconsin Program, which trains Democratic women candidates. Because of her advocacy work she was awarded the 2007 TLS (Transitional Living Services Advocate of the Year Award.)

      Brenda does public speaking and has done many presentations and workshops as part of her community work, speaking on behalf of those with Mental Illness.  She has presented for the Wisconsin Kidney Foundation Women of the World Series, Milwaukee Medical College, Milwaukee Public Schools and many civic groups, parents groups, churches, etc.  She is the Author and Director of Pieces: In My Own Voice.

Pieces, is her fourth work, other works include:

What If? which asks the questions- What If Jesus never died? What If we did not have grace?What If He decided to come down off the cross? Have you ever wondered what life would be like without Him? Experience the agony and pain Jesus endured upon his death for man. See the tragedy of man’s continual sins committed in the light and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Behind the Veil: Encountering Jesus - Through worship, praise dance, song, and spoken word  this stage play draws believers and non-believers into the presence of God. The revelation of the character and person of Christ and the many prophecies which are experienced behind the veil.

The Closet: Journey through the life of a little girl and watch as she develops into a woman.
Scattered along her way are the trials of betrayal, abuse, illness and many hardships
and heartbreaks. Retreating to the safest place she knows, her closet, it becomes the
place for peace, contentment and love.

“I understand the stigma attached to mental illness in our community, however, early intervention can save families an untold amount of unnecessary anguish. All it takes is a willingness to step up and ask for help. My hope is that people will be moved and stirred to make a decision to begin, or continue, to support those diagnosed with this illness. Sometimes all people need to see is that glimmer of hope through the darkness.”

-Brenda Wesley

 

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/meet-the-director/feed/ 0 Our 2011-2012 Season http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/our-2012-season/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/our-2012-season/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:59:52 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/wordpress/?p=183 The next performance of “Pieces: In My Own Voice” will be held at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee Campus on February 15th.  Both Performances are free to attend and open to the public. Please check back frequently as we are always adding new dates. For booking information click here. 

  • WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2012

UW Milwaukee

2200 East Kenwood Blvd.

 Milwaukee, WI

Matinee: 1:30 pm

Evening: 7:00 pm

Free Admission/ Open to the Public

  • SATURDAY OCTOBER 8TH, 2011

UW Baraboo/Sauk County

R.G. Brown Theatre

1006 Connie Road

Baraboo, WI

CURTAIN: 6PM

  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5TH 2011

Reuther Central High School

913 57th Street, Kenosha, WI

Hosted by NAMI Kenosha

Free Admission; $5 Donation suggested

Curtain: 6pm

  • Tuesday, September 20th 2011

WCTC-Waukesha County Technical College

800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI

Free Admission

Curtain: 3pm

  •  THURSDAY, AUGUST 18TH, 2011

Martin Luther King Center

1531 W. Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI

Sponsored by: The Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin

Free Admission

Curtain: 3pm

Light lunch provided immediately following the performance.

www.bhcw.org

 

 

 

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/our-2012-season/feed/ 0 Booking Information http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/booking-information-2/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/booking-information-2/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:09:13 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/wordpress/?p=93 The production of “Pieces: In My Own Voice” is accepting bookings through the end of 2013. With each performance we are able to bring understanding and awareness to those suffering with a mental health diagnosis. It is our goal to come along side those who have loved ones and family members struggling with mental health issues and offer support and encouragement.

With mental health diagnosis steeply on the rise in our communities we have a need for this information more than ever before. Too many are suffering in silence, or worse; living in open rejection from families and friends. It is time to stop viewing the person in the shadow of the illness. With the proper skills and resources it is possible to take away the shame and to see that person for who they are apart from their illness.

“Pieces” will enrich your community with hope, backed by the latest research in the field of mental health. It can be used as a tool to educate college communities, churches, and high schools about mental health. The production is available to come to your event, your campus, your community center, your child’s school, your church, or your theater. It is our goal to spread a message of hope, help, and healing.

For more information and to book your date, please contact:

N.A.M.I  of Greater Milwaukee: (414) 344-0447

 

 

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/booking-information-2/feed/ 0 “Pieces” partners with MPS http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/pieces-partners-with-mps/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/pieces-partners-with-mps/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:44:22 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/?p=352 We are excited to announce that “Pieces” has partnered with the Milwaukee Public School district to create a Jr. company made up of Milwaukee’s youth to tour the public schools in the city. The cast for this production was carefully chosen through an audition process conducted by our Writer/Director Brenda Wesley.

With mental health issues affecting our youth in epidemic proportions it is vital that we equip our young people to effectively deal with the challenges that lie before them especially in regards to mental health. “Pieces” will carry a message of hope from students to students.

It is our desire that as these youth watch the production they would realize they are not alone in their struggle, that healing is possible, and that struggling with mental health is not shameful. We also aim to educate youth with powerful facts which will tear down stigma and negativity that have kept mental health issues hidden in the dark for so long. Now, more than ever in our schools it is time to take away the shame. It is time to teach our youth to stand up and support one another. It is time to empower our youth with the information they need to be instruments of healing in themselves and in their communities.

Schools and tour dates will be posted soon. We hope you will come support our youth cast as they shed light on this important issue.

 

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/pieces-partners-with-mps/feed/ 0 About NAMI-National Alliance on Mental Illness http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/about-n-a-m-i/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/about-n-a-m-i/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:13:16 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/?p=421 Our Mission:
NAMI Greater Milwaukee is a community-based, self-help, support, education and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of those with mental illness, their families and those touched by mental illness.
Our History:

On February 26, 1979, Mrs. Roz Libman along with a small group of Milwaukee area families formed the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Greater Milwaukee, Inc., in response to their shared problem of trying and failing to get help for their children with severe and persistent mental illnesses.  The goals and objectives set forth in the Articles of Incorporation in 1979 were in part: “To survey and critically rate all public and private mental health facilities, services, programs, individuals and their operating budgets; to provide information and referral….; to institute an active and aggressive program of mental health education; to …support research….; to participate in mental health planning;…”

NAMI of Greater Milwaukee was an outgrowth of the 1970’s consumer movement.  The families of mentally ill persons were tired of being made to feel responsible for their family member’s mental illness.  Families, they said, were as much victims of the illness as is the person who has the brain disorder. They felt victimized by mental health professionals who seemed to blame them and at the same time refused to respond to their pleas for treatment for their family member.  The families wanted to be seen in a fair and accurate light and began to assert their needs, just as other devalued groups were doing.

The organization revised its mission in 1991 to include the offering of direct services to consumers.  It added a minority service access program, and a helpline and upgraded its newsletter to be a conduit for information on education, advocacy, legislation and research.  NAMI GM founded “The Consumer Satisfaction Team” and “Our Space,” a consumer club.

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/about-n-a-m-i/feed/ 0 The “Pieces: In My Own Voice Project” http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/announcing-the-pieces-in-my-own-voice-project/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/announcing-the-pieces-in-my-own-voice-project/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:06:25 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/?p=407 The Pieces:In My Own Voice Project is an effort to encourage those who are battling mental illness to step out of the darkness and help us drive down the stigma and negativity that has kept these illnesses in the dark for so long.

To join us, upload your video to youtube.com or any other video hosting site and post the link here or to our blog at www.piecesinmyownvoice.blogspot.com. Add your voice to ours as we start conversations about mental health.

Recovery is possible…recovery happens! Let’s start a conversation.

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/announcing-the-pieces-in-my-own-voice-project/feed/ 0 Photo Gallery http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/photo-gallery/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/photo-gallery/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:35:23 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/wordpress/?p=218 Captivating moments from rehearsal to performance.

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/photo-gallery/feed/ 0 Partnership with the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Campus http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/partnership-with-the-university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee-campus/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/partnership-with-the-university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee-campus/#comments Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:37:00 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/wordpress/?p=108 We are proud to announce that we have entered into a partnership with UWM making the production part of their required curriculum for Nursing Students, Psychology and Social Work majors!!! This is a very exciting accomplishment for “Pieces” and will open more doors for us on campuses throughout Wisconsin.Our first performances at UWM will be held on February 15th at 1:30pm and 7:00pm, the public is always welcome!!! We hope to see you there!

]]> http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/partnership-with-the-university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee-campus/feed/ 0 Mental Health in the Local News… http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/mental-health-in-the-local-news/ http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/mental-health-in-the-local-news/#comments Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:48:00 +0000 balletbennett http://piecesinmyownvoice.com/wordpress/?p=109 http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/law-creates-barriers-to-getting-care-for-mentally-ill-135387808.html

As I read the article in the Journal, I think the reporter did some justice in raising awareness about the challenges of individuals living with a mental illness. However, the front page distrubed me. If you did not open it to read the entire article you would be left with the idea that all people living with a mental illness are dangerous/violent. This is not true, stigma still exists! We have to be pro-active in discussing the topic of this brain disorder. Recovery is possible, but first we have to start a conversation! We have to put the topic in the forefront just like Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, etc. I have made this my life’s work. Come on folks, lets talk about it!!!!!

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