News – Page 8 – McClendon Center

McClendon Center Appoints Anthony O. Boswell as President and Chief Executive Officer

June 2, 2021/by McClendon Center

A proven, compassionate leader and advocate, Boswell will lead McClendon Center’s efforts to support and empower District of Columbia residents living with mental illness

WASHINGTON — McClendon Center, a nonprofit mental health services provider that has served the District’s residents for more than 40 years, and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony O. Boswell as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2021.

Boswell is a proven and compassionate leader and advocate for the marginalized with a three-decade track record of successfully working with and to the benefit of underserved communities in the healthcare, human services, education, legal, government, and nonprofit sectors.

He is McClendon Center’s first President and CEO and the first person of color to lead the organization since its founding in 1980. Boswell succeeds longtime Executive Director Dennis Hobb, who retired earlier this year following a 17-year tenure at the Center. He will build upon a strong foundation established during Hobb’s tenure, which has seen the Center recognized on multiple occasions by the Department of Behavioral Health as the city’s highest-rated provider.

“We are excited for Tony to continue and build upon McClendon’s long history of providing high-quality, compassionate, and innovative care for those in our community living with mental illness,” said Steve Lucas, Chair of McClendon Center’s Board of Directors. “Tony is a highly respected leader and coalition builder who the Board believes can lead McClendon into a bold new era while maintaining our reputation as a top-rated, client-centered agency. With Tony as our new CEO, we can meet the ever-evolving needs and challenges facing the District.”

Throughout his career, whether in a legal, compliance, or business leadership role, Boswell’s unique ability to build and sustain critical partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders has proven to be a difference-maker.

Boswell began his career as a healthcare attorney before serving in various leadership roles spanning corporate and government service, and the international and not-for-profit business sectors. He brings extensive experience advocating for vulnerable populations, including youth living in poverty and marginalized people with behavioral health needs.

Most recently, Boswell served as Executive Director for a national mental health provider overseeing providers in Springfield/Worcester, Massachusetts, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C.

“I am tremendously humbled and honored to join the McClendon Center and carry on its rich history of providing life-changing care and support to the greater Washington community,” said Boswell. “We are in the midst of a mental and behavioral health crisis exacerbated by COVID-19. We need to continue to ensure the most vulnerable among us get the help they need. I believe strongly in the Center’s people and purpose, and I am confident in its ability to meet the current challenges and help our communities emerge from this period stronger, safer, and more confident than ever before.”

Drawing upon a successful national track record and deep local expertise, Boswell is well positioned to advance the Center’s vision of growing into the region’s preeminent provider of behavioral and mental health services.

Since 2019, Boswell has served as Chair of the District of Columbia Behavioral Health Association’s Board of Directors. He has been a member of the DCBHA Board for each of the past three years, previously serving as Board Treasurer from 2018-2019.

“On behalf of the DCBHA, we could not be any more pleased to learn about Tony’s appointment as the new President and CEO of the McClendon Center,” remarked Mark LeVota, Executive Director of the District of Columbia Behavioral Health Association. “As the current President of the Board of Directors of the Association, Tony is well-known to our membership and his many strengths as a leader have been on full display amid the many challenges we have all faced over this past year. The Center has been a member of the Association since its earliest days, and we are grateful to see it take this important step in its next chapter of growth.”

Among his many aims, Boswell will seek to spearhead a systematic expansion of McClendon’s services and impact to additional populations, such as children and youth, as well as those with substance use challenges.

“In our ever-changing healthcare environment, it is essential that we always continue to innovate and strive to find new ways of effectively caring for those in our community,” added Boswell. “As a highly-respected industry leader, I believe the Center has a tremendous opportunity to build upon its client-first culture, expand its footprint, and deliver solutions to the significant community health need across our region. I am grateful to join such a dedicated staff and look forward to getting started.”

Boswell earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law and holds a Master of Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as his bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University. Boswell and his wife Kay-Ann have two children.

About McClendon Center
Founded in 1980, McClendon Center is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based health provider in the heart of Washington, DC. For over 40 years, it has provided critical programs and services to District residents with mental and behavioral health challenges, empowering them to live more independently and enjoy an increased quality of life. McClendon Center is certified as both a Core Services Agency and a provider of Rehabilitation/Day Services. It has been accredited by the Joint Commission since 1999, a prestigious credential not shared by any other behavioral health provider in the District. McClendon Center provided life-changing services and care to more than 5,200 DC residents who turned to it for help in 2020.

Object Relations: Theatrical Fundraiser

March 24, 2021/by McClendon Center

The Dennis Hobb Meet the Need Funds

February 2, 2021/by McClendon Center

Thank You 2020

January 5, 2021/by McClendon Center

You Make it Possible – We Make it Happen

December 29, 2020/by McClendon Center

In many ways Tiombe is just like you and me. Her life was moving along and then a few challenges came up that created an imbalance. First, in 2015 her mom passed and before she had fully healed from her mother’s death she began a difficult divorce. We all handle and process stress differently and for Tiombe her stress manifested physically. It proved debilitating for her and quickly she found herself nearly immobile. Her 2018 diagnosis included stress induced catatonia. Tiombe found it difficult to walk on her own and became reliant on her son and daughter for nearly everything. Day to day living had become not only a mental struggle but a physical struggle too.

Things began to turn around when she found the McClendon Center. In 2019 she began attending the Day Program and found new ways of handling her stress and managing her life. She just needed some caring people to trust in while she found her way. Slowly her physical strength grew as she began working with MCC counselors. She credits MCC staffer “Mr. Woody” with helping her with his kind and consistent guidance. Once she was strong enough she began painting with Tyler Strusowski in the art therapy sessions. She found a natural talent for creating and expressing herself through art. Her confidence grew as her art flourished, and life began to feel manageable again. She also began to think about the future which include aspirations of attending the University of Maryland’s art program one day.

In the early days of the pandemic Tiombe continued to create and keep in contact with her MCC support team. She also joined the online MCC art therapy sessions. Two of her pieces were part of our recent online art show and both sold! She was grateful for the extra money the art sale generated and said she planned on using it to buy Christmas dinner for her family. Interested in the art sale? Click here

Whatever Tiombe’s goals include MCC will be here for her, supporting and assisting her to improve the quality of her life to the fullest potential. Thank you to our donors who make this happen, we really couldn’t do it without you.

For 40 years we have been making a difference for those recovering from mental illness. Kindness and compassion are not billable services – but that doesn’t stop us from providing them. It is dedicated donors like you that bridge the financial gap and make what we do even more meaningful. Thank you!

Operation Elves

December 22, 2020/by McClendon Center

Have you ever wondered where your donation goes when you give?

Like many other families this year the holidays at MCC will be different. Unable to have an in person celebration like in the past Operation Elves was launched.

Last week Aisha Shabazz rounded up her staff and got to work. Nearly all the Day Program staff came to the New York avenue location and assembled gift bags for clients. Day Program staffer Rachelle Mosley took on the enormous task of purchasing all the materials for the gift bags. Deliveries to clients began Friday and will continue this week until every bag is distributed.

In the bags the items varied – with one exception: warm hats, gloves, and socks were on everyone’s list this year. Some found body wash, tooth paste and other toiletries in their bags, while others opened their gift to find colored pencils and a pad of paper. For many of our clients this is the only gift they’ll receive. At least 90 clients will receive a gift bag – because of generous supporters like you. Thank you.

Additionally, Dennis sent out an email to all MCC staff two weeks ago with an attachment. It was a simple form- for any client in need. Staff could nominate a client by simply filling out the short one page form. The response was overwhelming as so many are in need. The forms were collected and 150 Target and Walmart gift cards were purchased. Clients that are struggling this year can use the gift cards to buy food for Christmas dinner, a winter coat, or a toy for a deserving child. And again, this type of unexpected kindness is only possible because of our donors. Thank you for being part of this, your community, and the MCC family.

More Than One Way to Give

November 26, 2020/by McClendon Center

This year we are thankful we are still serving our clients despite Covid19 difficulties. We are thankful for our resourceful staff. And we are incredibly grateful to our donors that have stood by us this year.

Many of our clients are food insecure. As part of our virtual Day Program we always provide lunch delivery. However this year we made sure they were able to enjoy a special thanksgiving meal on Wednesday. Over lunch an important discussion began; was pumpkin or sweet potato pie was better? In the end, sweet potato came out the winner. If you are looking for ways to support MCC and important programs like this, we have included a few creative ideas below.

If you’re shopping virtually this year you may be visiting Amazon. Amazon Smile is a program where they give a small percentage to the charity of your choice. Simply sign up on Amazon and MCC will benefit! For details click here: Amazon Smile

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. If you’re going to give on Giving Tuesday consider giving locally – to MCC. Whether it’s a large gift or small gift anything that’s meaningful to you is meaningful to us.

If a donation isn’t an option right now you can support us by joining us online on December 9th at 6:30 pm for a free virtual event. Click for more info and signup Art of Appreciation

Did you know the new CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act allows taxpayers to take a charitable deduction of up to $300 ($600 for married couples) for those who take the standard deduction? For those who do itemize their deductions, the new law allows for cash contributions to qualified charities such as McClendon Center to be deducted up to 100% of your adjusted gross income for the 2020 calendar year.

Art of Appreciation

November 17, 2020/by McClendon Center

2020 is rapidly, and thankfully, coming to an end. I’m hopeful that 2021 will be a far better year for everyone than we have experienced during many of the last few months. In light of new beginnings, I want to share with you the news of my retirement. I will retire January 4, 2021. Coming to this decision was not easy. Being a part of McClendon Center for 17 years has been a terrific time in my life. I have been privileged to work with so many wonderful clients and staff members. I have seen positive changes in the lives of so many of our clients. As I’ve told the Board of Directors, I feel like I have been the luckiest of Executive Directors. However, it’s time to move on to the next phase of my life. As I make that transition, McClendon Center will be in Shean Dyson’s very capable hands. Shean was appointed by the Board of Directors as the Interim CEO of the McClendon Center, with all legal authority for the agency to be conveyed to her on January 4th. It is a relief to me that Shean has agreed to do this, and I have full confidence in her to shepherd the agency until the new President and CEO is in place in early 2021. Candidates for the permanent position are currently being reviewed, and interviews will likely begin just after the holidays. The Board of Directors expects someone to be in the position around April 1st next year.

Once the pandemic is under control, we will have some sort of celebration of our time together. However I encourage you to join us for the Art of Appreciation, a virtual event, on December 9th at 6:30 pm. It will be an uplifting night that will include an art therapy demo, games, and prizes. This free event is our way to say thank you to you- our supporters. You have stood by MCC and our clients and we want to show you our appreciation. More information and details can be found here Art of Appreciation

As many of you know once you’re part of the MCC family you’re always a part of the family. So I will continue to support MCC and I hope you will do the same. The mission to prepare those recovering from mental illness to improve their quality of life continues. I may be moving on but our clients will still need our care and support.

Hope to see you at the December event.

With much gratitude,

Dennis Hobb
Executive Director

Got Something to Celebrate?

November 10, 2020/by McClendon Center

As a thank you to everyone who has been supporting us throughout the year we are hosting the Art of Appreciation. We would like to invite all our supporters to join us for a night of fun and games – couldn’t we all use that? There will be an interactive art therapy* demo lead by our art therapist Tyler Strusowski, a chance to win two JetBlue tickets to anywhere they fly, and the opportunity to purchase client art online – something we’ve never offered before. Join us December 9^th at 6:30 pm. This is a free event, though we are suggesting a $40 donation in honor of our 40 years serving the District. Details and sign up is available online at mcclendoncenter.org

*What is Art Therapy? Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy where art is used as a communication tool. One way to understand this is to consider that we all experience internal imagery as thoughts, memories, the imagination, or sensations and impressions. The only way another person can peek inside someone’s head to see this internal imagery is if it is made into art. Art therapists assist their clients with understanding, interpreting, and exploring the meaning of the imagery communicated through the art created within the context of art therapy. The process of creating art is a multisensory experience. It involves the use of various parts of the brain, such as the visual and tactile systems, as well as brain areas involved with movement and problem-solving. Activating these various parts of the brain can reveal preverbal sensory information, which can come forth as stored unconscious information. Thus, art therapy can potentially bypass a client’s defense mechanisms in a way that is non-threatening broadening self-insight and understanding.

There have been some troubling trends in the news lately. Nationally from January to September 2020, there was a 62% increase on the number of depression screens over 2019 data. While rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation are increasing for people of all races and ethnicities, there are notable differences in those changes over time. Black or African American screeners have had the highest average percent change over time for anxiety and depression. Over 85% of MCC clients are African American and we can see these national statistics bear out in DC.

At MCC we have seen a disturbing trend in client deaths this year. None are directly attributed to Covid19 – though one client, who was not tested for the virus, passed of “respiratory failure”, though he had no known history of respiratory problems. While we cannot pinpoint the increase in deaths to one cause or causes we know it mirrors nationwide statistics. There is a 30% increase in national death rates not attributed to Covid19. In DC, many of our clients have competing health issues and, fearful of the virus, have been less apt to seek medical care for those issues. For others the isolation caused by the pandemic exacerbates their condition. Last week we saw an increase in Major Unusual Incidents (MUI’s) at MCC. This is when a client needs immediate care for a crisis situation. Normally we would have one or two MUI’s per week. We can speculate on reasons, however, we do know one thing for certain – our services are more necessary now than they ever were.

As a follower of our work you know the unique kind of care we provide. We know our clients. We know more than just their names – we know their stories, their particular needs or individual likes and dislikes, and what works for them and what doesn’t. We see them as individuals, as real people, and that is what makes us who we are. Thank you for being a part of this and for your ongoing support! We hope to see you at the Art of Appreciation.

Silver Linings During COVID-19

September 8, 2020/by McClendon Center

We are going out into the community more often, slowly increasing our in person contact with our clients. We continue to follow all health and safety guidelines and offer gloves, masks and barriers for cars for transporting clients when necessary. We know that as the pandemic is prolonged our work is needed more than ever. Loneliness and isolation are difficult for everyone – but for our clients it is more difficult, and in some cases can even be life threatening. For some we are their only lifeline, and there is no substitute for person to person contact. So with safety in mind, we continue to meet client’s needs.

We also look for the good things that come from adversity. As we have been reporting the Day Program has been expanding since it went online in May. Out of necessity we formed several daily programs virtually – many in local group homes. As the word spread so did our outreach. But something wonderful and unexpected happened too. There were residents, which for various reasons, would not have been able to attend the in person Day Program in the past. For some, mobility due to illness or age would have been an obstacle. But that is no longer the case. This week we served two clients that are both receiving chemotherapy treatments for cancer. They are weakened by their treatments but able to come and spend time in our virtual Day Program and enjoy the community and care provided there. In the past they would not have been able to get in a van and travel to our in person Day Program. It simply would have been too much for them physically. The need to maintain this virtual service is clear. We will advocate for the ability to hold these groups in the future – even after we are able to return in person. Offering both in person and virtual Day Programs will allow us to serve multiple clients in the way most effective for each of them. Meeting the need often means meeting people where they are –both figuratively and literally.

Thank you for your continued support – and for being part of the McClendon Center community. We are grateful you are!