Friday, December 19, 2014
 
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Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois Sets Goal for Holiday Fundraising Appeal
Funds will help services such as Logan-Mason Rehab

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[December 19, 2014]  LINCOLN – Ann Rademaker (foreground left), a client of the Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln, inspires others to take important steps to improve their health.

Rademaker of Lincoln leads Health Matters, a peer-to-peer program focused on improving the health of people with developmental disabilities.

While 33 percent of all American adults are obese, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a higher chance of being overweight. In her class, Rademaker shares information about healthier food options, exercise and goal-setting.

“In class, we talk about different ways to exercise and how it’s important to find something that you like doing and keep doing it,” Rademaker said. “You can bike or walk or if it’s too hot or raining, use a DVD exercise tape. I also remind everyone to drink water, not soda, and to exercise at least three times a week.”

The Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln is a program of Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, which launched its annual holiday fundraiser this month to help the people it serves who struggle with mental illness or with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The nonprofit agency, one of seven affiliates of Memorial Health System, has set a $10,000 fundraising goal for its appeal, which runs through the end of the year. The theme of the campaign is “Lend a Hand. Heal a Heart.” Interested donors can visit MHCCI.org or call 217-525-1064 for more information.

“Our community has been so supportive of our work to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people from central Illinois who are dealing with behavioral health issues or developmental disabilities,” said Jan Gambach, president of Mental Health Centers and administrator of behavioral health for Memorial Health System. “This campaign highlights several stories of success and how their continued support helps people to regain wellness and independence in their lives.”

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Through the services at Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center, Rademaker has been inspired by the messages of wellness and independence that she teaches throughout the program. She has made a lifelong commitment to being healthy and plans to continue sharing her personal lessons with her peers and friends in the community.

Rademaker has become a great health coach who loves to encourage others and celebrate results. And she is celebrating her own personal health results. Since the program started, Rademaker has lost more than 30 pounds.

“I feel better and have lost a lot of weight because of all of the things I’ve learned in the class. Some of my friends have lost weight too. They tell me that they really like the class and that I inspire them.”

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois is one of the largest providers of behavioral health services in central Illinois, serving more than 9,000 individuals each year in Logan, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott counties.

Established in 1947, Mental Health Centers has more than six decades of experience caring for children, adolescents and adults and has six sites of care in Springfield, Lincoln and Jacksonville.

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