Care and Crisis

When life throws us curve balls...

Sometimes life is hard and it can sometimes help to talk about it to someone who will listen.  The current parish clergy (full-time priest, the volunteer deacon and assisting priests) at Holy Trinity are not trained in pastoral care, but are happy to listen, try to help you sort out what's going on, and connect you with people or resources that might offer some help.  Feel free to make a confidential call to the Rector, the Rev. John Beddingfield, at 212-289-4100, x 204. 

In addition, below are some resources that might be helpful to explore.

Addiction

StartYourRecovery.org is a free, confidential resource developed with the input of leading clinicians, experts from SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and people in recovery themselves. The website helps individuals take steps toward a healthy relationship with drugs and alcohol. Here, visitors can learn about the experiences of people like them and find the answers they need for recognizing and dealing with substance use issues.

Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church is an independent, nationwide network of Episcopal laity and clergy, dioceses and parishes, schools, agencies, and other institutions - all with a common commitment to address the effects of addiction, in all its forms, in relation to the church's mission.

Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholism is a disease that ruins lives and ravages families. Lack of control over drinking often has social, medical, legal and psychological repercussions. There are many models of successful interventions, and one is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a fellowship of people who have a desire to stop drinking. That desire is the ONLY requirement to attend meetings. AA is a 12-step program based on certain psychological and spiritual principles. AA, which has no dues or officers or constitution, welcomes into its peer groups anyone with a drinking problem who wants to stop. The basic unit is the local group: Holy Trinity has been the locale of such a group for many years. To find a group and/or literature about alcoholism, please visit the website: http://www.nyintergroup.org/ or call 212-647-1680. Al-Anon is a separate yet similar self-help support group for family and friends of problem drinkers.

Smart Recovery
Smart Recovery NYC is a program that helps people recover from all types of addictive behavior, including alcoholism, drug use and other substance abuse. Some who do not respond to the 12-step (Alcoholics Anonymous, etc.) approach do respond to the cognitive behavioral methods employed in this program. It is free; they pass the hat to meet expenses. For a list of meetings, please visit www.smartrecovery.org.

Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer’s is a disease that attacks the brain and results in difficulties in memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s is always progressive, though the rate of deterioration varies greatly person to person. There is no cure, yet medication can ease symptoms. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can only be done by licensed professionals. The Alzheimer’s Association, New York City chapter, has a wide range of services and programs, including support groups, educational meetings and recreational activities for patients, their families and caregivers. Contact their 24/7 hotline, 800-272-3900 or the city office directly, 646-744-2900. The website is www.alznyc.org.

The Compassionate Friends
This nationally recognised organization serves the psychological and emotional needs of people whose children have died, at any age, for any reason. The Compassionate Friends (CF), which provides excellent information on the mourning process, is chiefly known for its small supportive groups of people who are working through their grief. While no one ever "gets over" the death of a son or daughter, parents can move beyond a grief that paralyzes or overwhelms. Visit www.compassionatefriends.org or call 877-969-0010, to find a nearby support group for you.

New York State Unemployment Benefits
Under law, New York State must provide unemployment insurance to workers who are involuntarily unemployed, yet who are able to work and are actively seeking employment. Funds are paid from taxes levied on employers. To receive benefits, you must have worked previously. The New York State Department of Labor administers the benefits and also determines whether an unemployed worker qualifies. Partial benefits may be available for persons who work three days or less in a given week. To file an initial claim, call the Tel-Claim Center, an interactive voice response system that serves as the local unemployment insurance center: 814-8144 from any New York City area code. Or visit dol.ny.gov.

Communicating with New York City
New York City has been atthe forefront in utilizing technology to provide information and enhance communication with city residents. The City official website, www.nyc.gov, and its 311 telephone system can be extremely helpful tools. 

www.nyc.gov
The City's official website, www.nyc.gov, contains a information on all sorts of matters from current traffic conditions to how to pay a parking ticket, how to lodge a noise complaint, how to secure home-delivered meals for a homebound person, and how to find a counseling clinic. The website also provides a screening tool to help you find out if you’re eligible for certain public benefits. You'll also find tons of cultural information. Check it out!

311
If you’d prefer to speak with a live person rather than visit a website, the 311 telephone system offers the same huge array of information. This telephone system operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in multiple languages. Trained operators can answer questions about both city and human/social services and even take your complaints! Just dial 311.