Alyssum, Incorporated recently appointed its first Executive Director. Gloria van den Berg of Rochester, Vermont will take the leadership role of the newly organized non-profit. Alyssum has been formed to assist Vermont residents who are experiencing emotional crisis. It is an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization and will provide a safe, mutually supportive, non-judgmental, educational and self-empowering environment.
Alyssum was organized and incorporated in September 2010. It grew out of a development project of the Vermont Psychiatric Survivors (VPS), an independent, statewide, psychiatric survivor-run organization based in Rutland, which promotes respectful relationships among its members. The goal of the project, funded by the Department of Mental Health, is to establish an independent, private non profit organization that will operate a two bed community-based “crisis alternative” program for people in emotional crisis. Alyssum is the result of that project.
Before coming to Alyssum, Ms Van den berg was clerking for the Vermont bar exam. She has experience in a number of entrepreneurial endeavors. She developed an artists living/work space in a warehouse in Port Chester, New York and recently was the co-owner of Vermont Organic Pork.
Mary Anderson, of Bethel, the President of the Alyssum Board, said, “Alyssum conducted an extensive search for our first Executive Director .We reviewed many candidates and are very pleased to have found Gloria. Her combination of life skills, personality and lived experience make her ideal for this position.”
She further stated “Now that an Executive Director has been hired and we are close to signing a lease on a house, we are focusing on hiring the rest of the staff, and alerting the community that we will soon be ready for guests. “
Alyssum hopes to open its doors in Central Vermont sometime this summer. It will be governed and staffed by peers who have a lived experience with the mental health system. These staff will be trained in the philosophy and techniques of peer support. This includes believing that what is commonly called mental illness does not have to be a chronic, disabling condition. The house will be available for short term respite stays by Vermonters who are experiencing an emotional crisis
Alyssum will be a “home-like” facility, with individual rooms and privacy. In addition, there will be community spaces, including a kitchen, dining room and living room.
