Touched Twice United Goes to Washington

    by Andrea Polnaszek Feb 12, 2010

    I have struggled to put words to my most recent experiences. Touched Twice United was invited to

    send a representative to the Faith-Based Cluster for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Ad-

    ministration (SAMSA) in Maryland last week. I want to share some highlights from my experi-

    ence. For the first time in a long time I felt like God had perfectly equipped and educated me for this

    meeting. I was one of many licensed clinical social workers, pastoral counselors, hospital mental

    health administrators and community mental health directors from all over the country. I asked

    for your prayers, and felt at home immediately when I walked into the room. The “peace” that

    passes understanding what granted to me by God and through your petitions and prayers for me. Thank you!

     

    In a nut shell, the goal of the two day meeting was to increase partnerships between community or-

    ganizations and faith-based organizations. The facts indicate that most people in need of mental

    health and substance abuse treatment do not seek mental health providers first - instead they seek

    the help of their pastors or church members. SAMSA has created and tested some quick assessment

    tools which can be used to equip pastors and lay people to deal with the front door needs of commu-

    nity members. All the conference participants were asked to serve on a cluster work group for the

    next year. I agreed to represent TTU in this way for a minimum of one calendar year.

     

    The entire experience was orchestrated by God in an incredible way. Milagro Grullon (our TTU

    partner from Lawrence, MA) was asked to present what she was doing within city government. She

    presented the TTU model and shared how it was instrumental in the success of reaching her citi-

    zens. Following her presentation I was approached by a many conference participants who asked

    for marketing packets and expressed interest in doing clinics through their churches or ministries.

    On Wednesday night, Milagro and I attended a dinner with 15 of the conference participants. The

    Senior Advisor on Children, Youth and Families for SAMSA, Larke, sat across from us. She asked

    us to share about Touched Twice United. For the next 45 minutes she listened, asked questions and

    was amazed by the work we are doing across the country. At the conclusion of our dinner she asked

    for a marketing packet and suggested an interest in funding our organization.

     

    The two day conference ended with an unusual and amazing opportunity. When I arrived at Rea-

    gan National Airport I was informed that our plane was delayed for 2 hours. As God would have it

    the woman who facilitated our meetings, Suganya, was on my flight. We shared luggage watching

    responsibilities for one another and then finally settled down to chat. She began the conversation:

    “I was wondering, how do you wake up and decide to transform health care through the church.” I

    began to share about stumbling on the need after we hosted our first “health fair” in Louisville.

    Then she asked about the name. After sharing the divine origins of Touched Twice (Mark 8) she

    had tears in her eyes and said: “Thank you so much for sharing that with me.” Suganya had re-

    cently moved to Eagle River, Minnesota. She and her husband live there for the summer and snow-

    bird in Nevada. She shared that she was looking for a way to serve in her community. She re-

    minded me that we would be in touch all year - as she would continue to facilitate my work group.

    She wondered if TTU might be a way she could connect and give-back to her community next

    spring.

     

    Sometimes I wonder if what we do makes a difference when I plod along - sending newsletters, sup-

    porting new clinic coordinators and training church members. Last week, I was reminded and en-

    couraged that the work TTU is doing to equip church members to serve and satisfy the needs of our

    communities is making national ripples. TTU was hailed as one of the most creative models for

    ministry and community impact on the nation. The grassroots, viral movement allows it to spread

    without great infrastructure or funds. Surprise - the Federal Government is out of money. TTU

    allows needs to be met, Christ to be exalted and it takes time rather than millions of dollars. I be-

    lieve you will hear more from me in the coming months as this cluster forms and completes its

    tasks.

     

    Thank you for your prayer support.