Walk-In Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Nearly 200 Walk-In volunteers, supporters and friends gathered on Friday,
October 9, to mark Walk-In Counseling Center’s 40th anniversary. Those attending shared memories of their Walk-in connections while enjoying delicious food and wine.

The reunion event showcased four decades of leadership and service through a video created for the event, personal reflections and story telling.  Executive Director Gary Schoener, Linda Sue Anderson, former office coordinator,  and Jeanette Milgrom, former director of  consultation and training, shared experiences.  Myra Barrett and Harry Brull, long-time Walk-In supporters, presented Walk-In’s vision for the future and asked attendees to donate to Walk-In’s important mission.  Board Chair Bruce Bobbit brought greetings from the board of directors.

Gary Schoener and Bruce Bobbit extended a heartfelt thanks to the organizing committee - Phil Oxman, Carol Mollner, Carrie D’Andrea, Deborah Luther, Linda Valerian and Martha Hughes – for their very hard work and contributions of time and talent.

Also recognized were those who made the event possible with their financial support. Sponsors: CVS/Minute Clinic, OptumHealth, Roberts and more, Shotsie Forsythe, Scott McKenzie Catering, Gary Schoener and V. Katherine Gray.  Hosts: FirstTech Computer, St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Connie Archbald, Minnesota CIT Officers Association, Photobooth Memories, Phil Oxman, Carol Mollner, Martha Hughes and Mike Ryss.  Contributors: Tom Carrillo, Dick’s Metropolitan Carpet, Portico Healthnet, The Insurance Mart/Karen Hawkinson and Tuthill’s Balloon Emporium

Phil Oxman, event co-chair, said it best, “The celebration demonstrates to everyone that we are strong and looking to the future.”

Walk-In elects new directors

Two new directors have been elected to the Walk-In Board of Directors, Howard Bolter and Steve Wickelgren.  Howard is an attorney with Borkon, Ramstead, Mariani, Fishman and Carp. Steve is with the Minneapolis Police Department in its Police Assistance Program.

Continued improvements at Walk-In

Following the total renovation of the first floor bathroom, a number of offices have been repainted and soundproofing is complete in the team room. Design work is underway to renovate the team room and waiting room. Walk-In is also creating a new sign for the front of the building. The stoop in front of the backdoor to the center has been replaced. Thanks to Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation and Walk-In volunteer Sue Bennett for the financial assistance to make all this possible. 

Recent presentations

Walk-In's executive director, Gary Schoener, recently made two presentations at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco. Together with Australian psychiatrist Carolyn Quadrio, MD, he presented Phantoms of the Mind: the Role of Narcissism in Therapist Boundary Crossing. He was also a faculty member for a continuing education program, Creative Use of Boundary Crossings in Therapy. The course director for this program was Gail Robinson, MD, a Toronto psychiatrist. Other participants included plaintiff's attorney Linda Jorgenson from Cambridge, Mass. and Howard Book, MD, another psychiatrist from Toronto.

Out and about

Walk-In will have a display table at the annual convention of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers on June 4 and 5. Executive director, Gary Schoener, will staff the table on June 4 and clinic director, Jim Ayers, will staff it on June 5. This will provide for a good opportunity to reconnect with the many hundreds of social workers who have been Walk-In volunteers and also to provide visibility for Walk-In's recruitment efforts.

Council of Mental Health Programs in Hennepin County

The council is a loose affiliation of mental health service providers who have some connection with Hennepin county's mental health system. It is chaired by Walk-In's executive director, Gary Schoener, and meets the third Tuesday of every month at Tubman-Chrysalis from 9 - 11 a.m.  Service providers wishing to be on the mailing list for the council should contact Gary Schoener. This past meeting involved a discussion of the Minnesota Council of Churches effort to provide mental health services for refugees.