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Writing Helps

“Cats Rule,” proclaims the bold Comic Sans headline. The small, pixelated picture of a wide-eyed kitten stares up at you from the white printer paper. The artrcle underneath might possibly be the most enthusiastic three paragraph description of the virtues of felines to be put to print outside Cat Fancier Magazine. The writer describes how cats like to be brushed, and shares their observation that they do not enjoy “cool air from the fan.”

The artrcle is one of many that can be found in the August issue of the Community Access Co-op Newsletter. The newsletter is put out by the Metro Community Housing Association (MCHA), a non profit organization in Halifax that provides housing to people who have experienced some kind of mental health crisis. But instead of having MCHA staff write the newsletter, it is written entirely by those the organization is helping.

The August issue of the newsletter consists of five sheets of regular printer paper, double-sided, with two or three articles on each page, and a liberal amount of clip art scattered throughout. The topics covered are diverse: a review of a Ramones Greatest Hits album, some religious poetry and even a news article about the disappearance of Cecilia Zhang.

The editor, Adam Pelley, single-handedly makes the whole publication come together and is not picky about topics.

The MCHA has been operating since the 1970s. They started out with a single group home. Today, the organization runs four group homes, as well as other housing options with varying levels of staffing. Their goal is to help clients achreve as much independence as possible.
Pelley was diagnosed with schizophrenia 10 years ago and has been in charge of the newsletter for two and a half years. During that time the MCHA has put new emphasis on their already decade-old publication and has seen the amount of writers for it increase 50 per cent.
Pelley understands how Important participating in the newsletter can be, even if it only goes out to MCHA’s 150 clients. The newsletter isn’t meant to raise awareness in the general public; it exists for the benefit of the clients.
“It helps them get out of the house, and gives them more confidence more in what they do,” he says. “I think it helps give me more confidence, as well. It’s that confidence that will help MCHA’s clients go out and engage in the larger community despite their illnesses. The newsletter falls under the umbrella of the MCHAS Community Acces Co-op program. Other activities in this program are things like a monthly movie night, concert field trips and other special events. It also incorporates skills building, such as a literacy program they’re hoping to re-start next year.
This article was originally published in issue 142-04 on Oct. 2, 2009.
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