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Felix Founds LFoA at Darlington
Darlington is flagship facility -
Caroline Carver Begins Employment With LFoA
In this edition of the Staff Spotlight:
A valuable member of our team at the Darlington facility,
Caroline Carver, Psychiatrist
Caroline has been with the Darlington LFOA facility since our founding and was part of the creation of LFoA itself. A Baltimore native, Caroline holds two degrees, a doctorate in psychiatry from the University of Maryland and a master’s in art therapy from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Influenced by her work with Baltimore’s at-risk youth... -
Darlington Facility Opens
Darlington Facility Opens and LFoA is formed. -
Jacob Nilson Begins With LFoA
Jacob begins as a volunteer and shortly later becomes an inspector for LFoA -
George Madson Becomes VP of LFoA
George Madson came to Listening Friends of America 15 years ago as an unproven energetic young man who believed whole-heartedly in the mission of the organisation. George proved himself quite early on to be a leader and a true friend to all of our staff and patients. He rose quickly among the ranks of LFoA and the position of Vice President was created specifically for him so he could cut through bureaucratic tape more easily and efficiently at Darlington. -
Aaron de Vaille Begins As Custodian Darlington Facility
Starts at Darlington and then transfers to Colorado Springs Facility to head up new custodial department. -
Frank Doland Admitted as Patient to Ashland, OR Facility
Frank was a patient at the Ashland, OR branch, entering the program in 2006. Just two years later, we invited Frank back to visit. It was then we knew we had found our new music director. Frank is precise, hardworking, and dedicated, spending hours with each patient, teaching basic guitar, drums, brass, lyric writing, composition, and even recording techniques. Time with Frank is so popular, we have to have a signup sheet two weeks out! -
Frank Doland Comes Back As Music Director Ashland, OR Facility
Frank was a patient at the Ashland, OR branch, entering the program in 2006. Just two years later, we invited Frank back to visit. It was then we knew we had found our new music director. Frank is precise, hardworking, and dedicated, spending hours with each patient, teaching basic guitar, drums, brass, lyric writing, composition, and even recording techniques. Time with Frank is so popular, we have to have a signup sheet two weeks out! -
Linda Gilderman Starts Employment
Starts at San Diego facility in 2011. Has many drawings and poems taped around her desk from patients. Graduated nursing program UC Santa Cruz. Engaged to long time partner, Daniel, branch manager at local credit union. -
LFoA Facebook Page Begins
Hello, Everyone! Welcome to our Listening Friends of America Facebook page! As we continue to expand into this decade, we finally have a digital format where our members and our volunteers ― as well as any curious onlookers ― may indulge in a deeper glimpse of our community. We will focus our Spotlight on the various people and places that make up our organization, and tell the stories that may not otherwise be heard. Our aim, as always, is to bring people together. In doing... Felix -
Ft. Worth Facility Opening
We are proud to announce that the newest LFoA facility is opening tomorrow in Fort Worth, TX! Great job to our new Texas family, come and volunteer with us anytime! -
Spotlight On Facebook of Lloyd McGowan
We’d like to spotlight one of our patients at Darlington. Lloyd M. has no Listening Friend, but we believe everyone deserves a chance to have their story told.
Lloyd was born in 1941 in New York. He was committed to the O’Brien Asylum in 1967 where he unfortunately endured harsh treatment under the supervision of a staff who lacked the knowledge we have today to understand patients like him. He lived out thirty years at that asylum, heavily medicated and mostly sedentary. -
Spotlight On Facebook About Sioux Falls, SD Facility
We’d like to highlight the amazing work that our staff and volunteers are doing at our Sioux Falls facility. They have been working on a great new project, helping patients skill-share with one another. Just this week, they were able to match two patients, a musician who wanted to learn to draw, and an artist who wanted to learn to play guitar. They have been working hard helping one another learn a new art form! Great work everyone over at Sioux Falls! -
Spotlight On Facebook of George Madson
In this edition of the Staff Spotlight:
George Madson, VP at Darlington
George Madson came to Listening Friends of America 15 years ago as an unproven energetic young man who believed whole-heartedly in the mission of the organization. With an extensive education in psychology and psychopharmacology, George helped to establish Darlington at the forefront of cutting-edge treatments for our patients. Many of these treatments are continually in use at our facilities nationwide. -
Announcement On Facebook of 25 Facilities Nation Wide
A big announcement for LFoA! As of today, we have twenty five facilities open all over the country. Here's to 25 more and beyond! -
Athens, GA Facility Opens
We are happy to announce that our new facility in beautiful Athens, GA is now open! We hope to serve those in need in the greater Georgia area. -
Spotlight On Facebook of Linda Gilderman
Starts at San Diego facility in 2011. Has many drawings and poems taped around her desk from patients. Graduated nursing program UC Santa Cruz. Engaged to long time partner, Daniel, branch manager at local credit union. -
Announcement On Facebook LFoA Caring For 750 Patients
Big news out of LFoA! We are now caring for 750 patients nationwide. We are grateful for each one, and look forward to continuing our dedication to healing through communication! -
Post On Facebook About Winston-Salem, NC Facility
A fun day was had yesterday by patients and staff at our Winston-Salem, NC facility. Our staff was able to organize a pizza party for the whole facility, including a movie night voted on by patients. The winning film? Homeward Bound. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! But there was A LOT of pizza. -
Post On Facebook Of Self Portrait Of Patients - Tina R.
Check out these self-portraits from our Santa Fe facility! Nice work Tina R., Matthew L., and Ronnie W.! -
Post On Facebook Of Self Portraits Of Patients - Ronnie W.
Check out these self-portraits from our Santa Fe facility! Nice work Tina R., Matthew L., and Ronnie W.! -
Post On Facebook Of Self Portraits Of Patients - Matthew L.
Check out these self-portraits from our Santa Fe facility! Nice work Tina R., Matthew L., and Ronnie W.! -
Post On Facebook Patient Testimonial - Joshua S.
A LFoA patient testimonial:
My Friend is someone who has become very special to me. I don’t have much family, and my friends all died or moved on a long time ago. It means a lot to me to have someone just to talk to. I feel accepted by my Friend, and that’s the most important feeling in the world. I sometimes feel like nothing in this world, but when you have a Friend, you know that you are at least good enough for someone to care about you. Thanks LFOA! Friends will save the world. -
Post On Facebook Celebrating Reaching 2,000 Volunteers
Wow!!! We have just reached 2,000 volunteers! We are so humbled by your interest in the lives of our patients, and we can tell you first hand, we see the difference you make everyday! Thank you so much, and we always encourage new people to volunteer with us and make a new Friend. -
Spotlight On Facebook of Aiofe O'Sullivan
Aoife O'Sullivan
Inspector
Ashland, Oregon Facility
Aiofe is LFoA's ultimate encourager. She always pushes patients to express themselves to their Friends in new and different ways and always takes the times to talk with her patients about their letters, poems, and art. Patients often can't wait to show Aoife what they have made. Always maintaining an interest in art and expression, Aoife applied to her current position at the Ashland, OR facility, a very different job than she was used to. -
Spotlight On Facebook Of Caroline Carver
In this edition of the Staff Spotlight:
A valuable member of our team at the Darlington facility,
Caroline Carver, Psychiatrist
Caroline has been with the Darlington LFOA facility since our founding and was part of the creation of LFoA itself. A Baltimore native, Caroline holds two degrees, a doctorate in psychiatry from the University of Maryland and a master’s in art therapy from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Influenced by her work with Baltimore’s at-risk youth... -
Post On Facebook About San Diego, CA Facility
A hot day at the LFoA San Diego facility! A local grocery store donated a ton of freezie-pops for patients and staff: blue, red, green, and purple tongues for all! -
Boise, I'd Facility Opens
A very warm welcome to our new facility in Boise, ID! We will do our very best to serve the Idaho community. Sign up to be a volunteer anytime, we could all use more Friends! -
Post On Facebook About Athens, GA Facility
Our facility over in Athens, GA has spent the last three months working on their stage performance of Grease, the musical chosen by patient votes. The play was performed for all our staff, volunteers, and guests invited by patients. What an amazing night! Congratulations to all to worked so hard to make this performance extra special.
“I loved playing Rizzo, I always felt like she was someone that understood what it was like to hurt, but she kept going anyway, even though people... -
Spotlight On Facebook Of Gabrielle Velasquez
No date for employment or birth. Is a nurse but also manages poetry showcase and art show. Has master's degree from UT Austin in art therapy. Bio posted on LFoA website. -
Colorado Springs, CO Facility Opens
We are excited to announce a new facility opening in Colorado Springs, CO. We are dedicated to serving the Colorado area and are always looking for new volunteers! Great work everyone! -
Spotlight On Facebook Of Aaron de Vaille
In this edition of the Staff Spotlight:
A valuable member of our team at the Colorado Springs facility, Aaron de Vaille, custodial manager
Aaron has been with us since 2004, and has never missed a single day of work. Starting as a custodian in Darlington, Aaron was recognized immediately for his positive attitude and helpful nature, always showing up 15 minutes early to assess all the tasks that need completion. Aaron never leaves a task unfinished, and he brings great care to everything... -
Post On Facebook About Colorado Springs, CO Facility
Everything is going great over at the LFoA Colorado Springs facility! This week, staff and volunteers cleaned up the lot behind the main building, trucking in loads of soil and working hard on the new the facility's new organic garden. Staff hopes to create one meal per week from the garden’s bounty, engaging patients in the both the gardening and cooking processes. We applaud your dedication to health and well-being! -
Post On Facebook About Ft. Worth, TX Facility Anniversary
Congratulations to our Fort Worth, TX facility that is celebrating their four year anniversary today! Staff, volunteers, and patients worked hard to plan a party for all to attend with cake, games, music, and yes, even karaoke! We hope you all have a blast!! -
Olympia, WA Facility Opens
We are happy to announce the opening of our new west coast LFoA facility in Olympia, WA! We hope to continue to expand our scope to help connect more and more volunteers with those in need. -
Selena Johnson Begins Employment With LFoA
Selena is a new inspector, which means that she will be working with patients and volunteers to ensure that both feel comfortable, safe, and excited to communicate with their new Friend! Selena is from Mexico City originally, and moved to California to be with her husband in 2013, who is in the Army Reserves. Selena has a degree in psychology from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and hopes to further her learning through direct contact with our patients at LFoA. -
Post On Facebook Announcing Opening Of Slidell, LA Facility
Happy to announce that we will be officially opening our Slidell, LA facility (just outside New Orleans) next year! Stay tuned, and we are looking forward to getting to know the greater community. We hear GREAT things! -
Spotlight On Facebook Of Jacob Nilson
In this edition of the Staff Spotlight:
A valuable member of our team at the Darlington facility,
Jacob Nilson
Jacob has been indispensable over the better part of two decades working here at our main facility. He has been an inspector for most of that time, but he began his relationship with LFoA as a part-time volunteer back when we would hold bake sales and that sort of thing.
Jacob has always been a man of the community, and has often gone above and beyond his... -
Post On Facebook Patient Testimony - Janelle M.
LFoA Patient Testimony:
LFoA lets me share my art with someone. It makes me feel like I can make a difference. I send drawings of things I love like wild horses and roses. I am good at roses even though they are hard to draw. They are complicated. I hope my Friend likes the roses I draw. It is nice to know that someone keeps my drawings somewhere special. Thanks LFoA, I love my Friend and I love having someone to share my drawings of horses and roses with!
-Janelle M.
Fort Worth Facility -
Janelle M. At Ft. Worth, TX Facility
LFoA Patient Testimony:
LFoA lets me share my art with someone. It makes me feel like I can make a difference. I send drawings of things I love like wild horses and roses. I am good at roses even though they are hard to draw. They are complicated. I hope my Friend likes the roses I draw. It is nice to know that someone keeps my drawings somewhere special. Thanks LFoA, I love my Friend and I love having someone to share my drawings of horses and roses with!
-Janelle M.
Fort Worth Facility -
Cindy Whills Begins Employment At LFoA
Cindy will be our new social media manager, so expect to be hearing a lot from her! Cindy graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a degree in communications. She has since worked for several other nonprofits, matching her expertise in online platforms with her hope of helping those in need. Cindy will be working to share more of what we do here at LFoA, filling you in on new projects, new people, and special highlights from LFoA facilities across the country. -
Spotlight On Facebook Of Frank Doland
In this edition of the Staff Spotlight: A valuable member of our team at the Ashland, OR facility,
Frank Doland, Music Director
Frank came to us through unusual means. First a patient with us, Frank proved to be an asset to LFoA, even before being an employee! Frank was a patient at the Ashland, OR branch, entering the program in 2006. While a patient with LFoA, Frank spent almost all his time in the music room, composing multi-instrument songs in all different genres. One day he would... -
Spotlight On Facebook About Jonah Freeman
In this edition of the Staff Spotlight:
A valuable member of our team at the Athens, GA facility,
Jonah Freeman, security
Jonah comes in for his 11:00pm shift every weekday with a giant coffee in hand. While everyone else is asleep, Jonah is hard at work ensuring the safety of all our Athens patients. As our nightshift security manager, he is responsible for the safety and comfort of our patients when they need it most. Our patients see Jonah as a kind of protector, and he lives up to that... -
Slidell, LA Facility Opens
Welcoming our staff, volunteers, and patients at our new Slidell, LA facility! We hope you will open your hearts to us Louisiana, and volunteer with us anytime! -
Post On Facebook About Boise, ID Facility
We want to take a moment to honor the accomplishments of patients at our Boise facility.
Together these patients worked on a beautiful new mural for the outside of the building. Tanya V. created the design over several weeks, working hard to express her idea of unity and hope. Then five other patients collaborated on the painting of the mural itself. Beautiful work Tanya V., Sammy L., Micah P., Juan H., Tamera R., and Gordon M.! Our building looks so much more welcoming now! -
Post On Facebook Celebrating LFoA 25 Year Anniversary
We’d like to take a moment to acknowledge all of our staff, volunteers, and patients that have been with us over the last 25 years. That’s right! It is the 25th Anniversary of LFoA, and we are all so proud of what this modest idea was able to become.
LFoA has helped thousands of people connect through the sharing of letters and items, art and stories. We have long believed in the unique way that listening itself can promote healing and growth. We have thousands of volunteers across the count... -
Post On Facebook Announcing Poetry Contest Winner - Frank's Poem
We are proud to announce the winners of our nation wide LFoA poetry contest! We are amazed at the talent of our patients, and hope that you enjoy reading these beautiful poems about Childhood. Congratulations to Frank X., Jill N., and Lee S.! -
Post On Facebook Announcing Poetry Contest Winner - Lee's Poem
We are proud to announce the winners of our nation wide LFoA poetry contest! We are amazed at the talent of our patients, and hope that you enjoy reading these beautiful poems about Childhood. Congratulations to Frank X., Jill N., and Lee S.! -
Post On Facebook Announcing Poetry Contest Winners - Jill's Poem
We are proud to announce the winners of our nation wide LFoA poetry contest! We are amazed at the talent of our patients, and hope that you enjoy reading these beautiful poems about Childhood. Congratulations to Frank X., Jill N., and Lee S.! -
Post On Facebook About Colorado Springs Facility
A shout out to our Colorado Springs facility! Last year, patients and staff worked together to clean up a lot behind their facility, creating a garden for patients to grow their own food and flowers! This June has seen a harvest of beautiful strawberry and rhubarb, which our patients and staff will be using this week to bake pies! The rest of us are very jealous. Enjoy those delicious desserts! -
Spotlight On Facebook About John Blaine
We’d like to take a moment to spotlight another one of our employees who has proven himself instrumental to the Listening Friends of America family.
John Blaine is the Listening Friends of America Corporate Controller, and he works out of our Colorado Springs facility. Under his guidance LFoA has enjoyed a fiscal stability that enabled us to grow and flourish in our mission of providing emotional release for all of those under our care.
John, 49, graduated from the University of Denver twice... -
Post On Facebook About Inspectors Notes Database
Hello Listening Friends!
In efforts to promote privacy and security we have suspended our Getting Closer email campaign, and now present an Inspector Notes Database!
You can find the database at listeningfriendsofamerica.org — just click “Inspector Notes Database” in the top navigation bar and follow the instructions.
We believe there is great value in allowing our residents to fully express themselves and to be understood by you: our amazing Listening Friend volunteers!
Thank you for your... -
Spotlight On Facebook About Will F.
Patient Spotlight! Will F. We’d like to spotlight a patient who has made a world of difference at our St. Paul, MN facility: Will F. After a rocky beginning, Will has quickly become a model patient, delighting staff and peers with his musical ability. When he’s not strumming his guitar, Will stays busy as the head of the Star-gazing and Puzzle Clubs. Thank you Will for all that you do. You Rock!
