July Newsletter

Jul 01, 2025

Closed for 4th of July

The Salem and Mac offices will be closed on Friday, July 4th in honor of the 4th of July holiday. This closure does not apply to the ABLE House respite home, which is open 24/7 everyday of the year.

Book Club

Project ABLE has partnered with the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health to host a monthly Mental Fitness Book Club! It takes place the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm at The Book Bin in Salem. This month's meeting is on July 16th. We will be discussing What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo. Books can also be purchased at The Book Bin.

Special Holidays

What's the best way to save all the good, corny dad jokes? In a dadda-base!

July 23rd is National Tell a Joke Day! Laughter is good for our physical and mental health. A good belly laugh can help relieve tension and in some cases can stop the flight-fight-freeze response. Take some time to share a laugh with someone close to you.

Check out our monthly activity calendars for some other daily holidays!

Special Event

Let's go swimming! Join us for a trip to a natural watering hole on Friday, July 25th! Contact the reception desk in Salem or Mac for more details. You can also sign up for rides there, too! Transportation spots are limited and honored on a first sign up, first serve basis. For this trip, come prepared with an appropriate bathing suit, towel, change of clothes, sunscreen, and a sack lunch or snacks. Please note, food will not be provided for this event.

Please note that the Volunteer Picnic has been pushed back to August. See more below.

What's New

Music with Peers is an exciting new group in Mac! This group meets on Thursdays from 10-11am starting in July. Bring an instrument or join the percussion section to learn a song!

New Volunteer Orientation

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer peer support with Project ABLE, join us at our Mac office on July 11th for an orientation with our wonderful Peer Support Coordinator, Tracy Love! The orientation will take place between 10am and noon.

A Heads Up on Parking

Starting July 10th, street parking in downtown Salem will require payment. You can still park for FREE at the parkade on Chemeketa and Court, which is only a block away from the Salem Project ABLE location. The handicapped parking spot in the staff parking lot is available for anyone participant, peer, or visitor who has the appropriate parking pass.

Awareness this Month & Every Month

Did you know that July is National Anti-Boredom Month? Get out and try something new! Maybe join a group at Project ABLE like Sew Amazing, Sci-Fi Imagined, Craft Corner, Wellness Through Art, Dungeons & Dragons, Spanish, Yoga...there are so many options!

Work Anniversaries

July 1st -- Cindy Steadman -- 11 years

Knit for Mental Fitness Fundraiser

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, filmed at the Oregon State Hospital, the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health is proud to announce Knit For Mental Fitness, a 2025 community initiative supporting mental fitness awareness and benefiting both the Museum and Project ABLE. The Museum, along with the Salem Millstream Knitting Guild, and Wild Knits invites the public to join in knitting iconic “watch cap” style hats, inspired by the ones worn by Jack Nicholson’s character, Randall P. McMurphy, in the film. Click here to learn more!

Look What's Coming Up

Our volunteer appreciation picnic will be pushed back to the end of August. We want to make sure that there is enough time to prepare for and honor our volunteers. Please stay tuned for more information!

Highlighting Our People

Nick Rowling is one of our amazing volunteers at Project ABLE. He volunteers not only as a Peer Support Specialist but also as a facilitator, running our Addiction Support Group in Salem, which meets on Tuesdays from 11am-12pm. Nick has had the opportunity recently to visit the local prison to share his testimony, his story, about how he has walked the road of recovery. Nick, we applaud your courage and your dedication to heal not only yourself but our community! Thank you for being you!

ABLE House

Since opening in March 2025, ABLE House—a peer-run respite house—has supported 16 guests, offering tools for resiliency, self-determination, and recovery.

We are proud to have received positive feedback from both guests and community partners.

Some comments from the community, guests, and staff.

“This place has saved my life.”

“The work we do is tough yet is invaluable to our community.”

“I wish your program was around years ago.”

“My stay had a family vibe, very inviting and welcoming. It was a really nice change from the hectic normality of everyday life.”

One of many success stories from ABLE House!

A past guest has received enough skills and support to land their first ever paid job! With continuing peer support from ABLE House staff, the guest now has more hope, confidence, and independence.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a compassionate, home-like environment while navigating a mental health crisis, please reach out.

Contact ABLE House at (541) 764-1190 or [email protected] to learn more.

Upcoming Trainings

July Trainings:

July 14th-18th from 9am-5pm in Salem
July 28th-August 1st from 9am-5pm Online

July CEU:

July 11th from 1-3pm in Salem and Zoom - Cultural Humility

August Trainings:

August 11th-15th from 9am-5pm in Salem
August 25th-29th from 9am-5pm Online

August CEUs:

August 1st from 1-3pm in Salem and Zoom - Anger Management Strategies
August 8th from 1-3pm in Salem and Zoom - Systemic Shame

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