CooperRiis began its fifth year of operation on June 16, 2007 and that time we had served 203 residents from 35 states.  Although the 36 spaces in our healing farm setting are generally filled, most new applicants are able to move in quickly, because residents moving beyond the ‘farm’ (which feels like a small college campus) are increasingly using our Graduate Programs in either Mill Spring/Tryon or Asheville.  As we add supported homes or apartments, the capacity of our Graduate Programs is constantly growing.  CooperRiis now has over 60 staff members assisting residents through four levels of recovery programming, initially at our core facility and, then, through three levels of Graduate Programs.  Note: Our residents are 18 and above.

We are excited to welcome Bob Sawers and his wife Karen, and their six wonderful children to CooperRiis.  Bob started as our new Executive Director on August 27th, 2007.  We will always be indebted to Virgil and Lis Stucker who decided to return to their home to Massachusetts after serving as our Executive Director team for our first four (formative) years to be closer to their children and grandchildren. 

Dr. Ken Kallenbach joined us on September 1^st as our new Psychiatrist and replaces Dr. Pam Lowe who has given us such great support for the past three plus years.   

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You may also view a sample invitation to the Family Education Weekend by clicking this link.

More People News

Matt Snyder has joined from Boulder, Colorado and is our new Family Liaison Coordinator.

Congratulations to Lodge Advisor Rebecca “Becca” Smith who became a bride on September 14^th, 2007.

Steve van Zandt and Abby Brown are graciously serving us with their time and talents through the Brethren Volunteer Services. http://www.brethrenvolunteerservice.org/

CooperRiis welcomes into the world two beautiful baby girls: 

Carolina Harmony, born to Ken and Brittany Dean and Mara Zetta, daughter of Ellen Rogers.

Lisa and Josh Schactman are “expecting” their second child (rumors has it, it is a boy).  He will become little brother to Lilly.

Growth of Wellness Team and Activities

Growth of Wellness Team and Activities: As you know, research has recently shown that one out of five individuals with mental illness has diabetes and the chances of this proportion increasing are high.  Curbing this risk has become part of our program.  We have hired a Wellness Coordinator, as a personal trainer for each resident, who is also coordinating five exercise sessions a week.  These sessions have been incorporated into our morning routine from 9 AM to 9:30 AM for residents AND staff.  Each person has 5 types of exercise to choose from, including Strength Training, Chi Gong, Yoga, Walking/Jogging, and use of our Fitness Center.  Each resident also receives personal counseling from our Nutritionist and portion control is practiced in the dining room with a strong emphasis on nutritional and delicious meals.  We rejoice as a group when we tally the number of lost pounds on a monthly basis.  (Of course, the program is modified for individuals who are underweight.)  Another Wellness Target is decreased use of nicotine.  We urge our smokers toward cessation with a variety of interventions, including use of nicotine replacement patches.  Our Staff serve as role models and the few who have smoked are ceasing or smoking only off-site.

Need for Donations Increases:

Scholarships topped $1.5 Million for our last Fiscal Year, which ended June 30, 2007. 

After residents and their families have paid for the first two months of services at CooperRiis, we offer to lower their monthly payments, if they cannot afford our standard rate from their resources.  In practice, about 50% of our families need to seek a rate reduction.  We are seeking help through donations because it is very important to us to provide access to CooperRiis for those who cannot afford our standard rate.  You may make your donation by going to our online donation page or by emailing us info@CooperRiis.org