In this episode of "On the Road with Paul Ward," Paul welcomes Josh Carsman, Director of the Mental Wellness Festival of Ventura County presented by the Turning Point Foundation. Josh shares that this is the second annual festival, set to take place on the grass lawn at Ventura County Harbor Village. He discusses the festival's vision and explains the role of the Turning Point Foundation, detailing its various programs and wellness centers. Josh highlights additional services offered by Turning Point, including a Veteran House. Listeners learn what to expect at the festival, including resources for those in need, participation from the Ronald McDonald House, Camp Good Time, and Ventura County Behavioral Health. Josh emphasizes the significance of these collaborations and provides guidance on seeking help even if one cannot attend the festival.
Watch the full episode HERE:
What you will learn in this episode:
0:00 Welcome to On the Road with Paul Ward and introduction of our guest, Direct of the Mental Wellness Festival of Ventura County presented by Turning Point, Josh Carsman
0:50 Josh Carsman tells us that this is the Second Annual Festival and will be held on the grass lawn at Ventura County Harbor Village
1:51 Find out about the whole vision of the Festival
2:33 What is The Turning Point Foundation that spearheads the Festival?
2:59 Find out what the Turning Point programs encompass
3:16 What is a wellness center?
4:33 Josh tells us about a Veteran House and other programs that Turning Point also offers
5:44 What can folks expect to see at the Wellness Festival and more about its participants
8:28 Anyone that needs help or has someone in their life that may need help can find resources at the Wellness Festival
9:00 The Ronald McDonald House and Camp Good Time will be present at the festival
10:13 Also included is Ventura County Behavioral Health. Josh tells us the importance of their work in conjunction with Turning Point
11:13 Find out how to seek help if you cannot attend the festival itself.
12:41 Thank you to our Sponsor, Opus Escrow
Related Episodes:
Breaking Barriers: Inside the Wellness Center
Growth Beyond Challenges: Cultivating Mental Health
Mental Wellness Festival of Ventura County:
Mental Wellness Festival Ventura Event June 1st 2024
turningpointfoundation.org
1736 S Lewis Rd, Camarillo, Ca 93012
(805) 586-9900
Contact Paul Ward:
805-479-5004
paul@homeandranchteam.com
Have ideas for future episodes? We'd love to answer your questions - leave a comment! For any home buying or home selling needs in the Ventura County area of California, please reach out to Paul@HomeAndRanchTeam.com or visit www.HomeAndRanchTeam.com
A special THANK YOU to our sponsor, OPUS ESCROW! Farm Talk with Paul Ward would not be possible without the support of our sponsor Opus Escrow. Supporting our sponsor ensures Farm Talk can provide listeners with the best possible episodes.
(upbeat music) - Hi friends, it's Paul Ward here. Welcome to On the Road. We're here in Oxnard, California at the Wellness Center and we're talking about the upcoming Mental Wellness Festival, which is scheduled to be in June. And who better to talk to us about that than the director of the event, Josh Carsman. Josh, welcome to On the Road. Thanks for having me, Paul. - Absolutely. And of course, we wanna thank our sponsor, Opus Escrow. I wanted to have you on today, Josh, because the second annual Wellness Festival is coming up in Ventura real soon. And you've been spearheading that and it's a new entity. This is the second event of its kind. And I don't know anywhere else that's doing something like this, so I thought it was a good opportunity to talk to you about it. - Great, yeah, thank you for the opportunity to do so. Yeah, this again is the second Mental Wellness Festival of Ventura County. We're thrilled to be able to be back to do this again. We tried something new last year and now there's even more community support and love flowing in and understanding and there's such a need behind this whole event that we're back. So we're gonna be partnering again with Ventura Harbor Village out on that grass lawn and look forward to something special once again. With even more involvement, we actually sold out of exhibitor spaces. - Oh, really? - Well, before the event is going to happen, so that's just a real sign that people want to have something like this again and come out and enjoy it. - Sure, and what was the whole idea around this? I mean, this is the second event of its kind, right? You did it last year, you decided to do it again this year. Whose idea was this and kind of what was the whole vision behind it? Well, Mental Health Awareness Month is in May and it's something very important for all of us, I think, to be aware of. It's that time for exposure and awareness and the importance of understanding mental health, understanding it's okay not to be okay, understanding it's okay to get help, understanding it's okay to talk to somebody. I think COVID taught us many of us a lesson on those levels as well. So there really was a presence and a need for it and becoming a part of Turning Point Foundation was honestly a perfect platform to really bring something like this to light. And for folks that don't know, again, we're talking about the festival, but spearheaded and organized by Turning Point, what is Turning Point Foundation? Turning Point Foundation has been around over 35 years in Ventura County. It has now over 100 employees, supports over 3,000 folks who need help with their mental health and so on and has 11 locations and 17 programs in three different cities. Right now in Oxnard, in Camarillo, and Ventura. And what are those programs in Compass? I mean, there's different focuses of mental health, there's different types of programs, people have different needs, what are kind of some of the programs that include it? Yeah, some of those programs and locations involve wellness centers, like the one way we're actually interviewing in today. And what is a wellness center? A wellness center is where folks can go and get help with their mental health, with mental wellness. They can talk to peer support specialists, we have program managers there, it's somewhere that's open door, it's a walk-in, it's a very unique program. We have one in particular that is open five days a week and doesn't require any barrier of entry or anything that could intimidate somebody from just taking that first step. And it could just walk in and talk to folks. I won't get too much more into that program. Beyond that, we have rehabilitation centers. We help people that are dealing with homelessness, with substance abuse, and with mental illness. I say severe mental illness, but we help folks with mild, and you know, all across the spectrum. Sure. Other programs we have, we have an exceptional program, which is our nursery called Groley Works. It's a horticultural therapy program. And you've done a wonderful episode on that. Thank you with Jen Rodriguez. There'll be another coming with the Wellness Center that we're actually at now. Thank you, Paul, for being able to put a spotlight there. We also have a veteran house. We have transitional housing for our veterans. We work with the VA on that, and the VA refers folks. They can stay up to six months and beyond if needed, and it's there to just give folks a place who have served our country somewhere to go to get help when they need it most. Wonderful. Yes. And so, in terms of the festival itself, what can folks expect to see and do there? Yes, let me back up really quick. Sure. I just want to talk about a couple other programs we have that are worth mentioning. We do have a 24-hour walk-in emergency shelter in Ventura, which is really what I call ground zero. It's where anybody who's homeless on the street who needs a place to go 24 hours a day, it's open, and they can go there to get help as well. We have temporary housing there. We have beds there. We have a kitchen there of food, sanitary kits, sleeping bags, jackets, socks, whatever we can do to help. That's a very special one to mention as well. Sure. But so, back to the Mental Wellness Festival. Your question again? What can folks expect to see and do there? Okay. This year, it's going to be even bigger and better. We have some incredible support from various parts of our community. I'll go through a few of them. One is meditation mount. They're up and oh high. They're actually a nonprofit. And they're going to be coming down the mountain and providing meditation, sound bathing, and yoga sessions all day long on the beautiful lawn and Ventura Arbor Village. So that'll be nice to have that back. There'll be six sessions available that people can now register for online in this year. Then we have a mental health arts area that will be setting up an exhibit. And that is actually going to be beautiful because many of the members/clients that are in our programs will be creating their art and contributing to this event. And we'll be showcasing that and putting it on display. We'll even have some folks out there to talk about their art and explain what the message is behind it. And also address some of that stigma and just knowing that we're all human, we're all people. It's isolating and treating others in a way that may make them feel lonely or beyond. Doesn't help if we can help each other. That means the most. It's a beautiful thing when it all comes together. So we also have growing works will be there, which is again, a horticultural therapy program. They're going to be out there with the whole exhibit of a wide variety of native plants that, and you can talk to folks there that know all about gardening professionals, purchase some of these plants. It'll all be set up there for people to come into joy. And that's actually cultivating mental health. So that's all client cultivated plants. Like folks do this as part of their recovery. It's part of their therapy. So it's another beautiful exhibit worth coming out to see. We'll have Orchard Bluegrass Band there. They're a well-known band. I believe probably seven or eight of the guys will be there playing bluegrass for three, four hours. So that'll be wonderful to have the live music. What else is there? We'll have lots of community support, lots of nonprofit organizations and vendors that all work in the mental health wellness world. Yes, that do fall under the meaning and the theme of what this event's about. Yeah, with mental wellness, mental health. So folks that either feel they need help or folks that maybe have a family member that they think needs help but maybe hasn't quite gotten the right fit. They could come out to this festival and talk to folks that work in this world and hopefully find the help they need, absolutely. This is somewhat of a resource event, resource fair. These organizations, they dedicate themselves like Turning Point to having programs and services and just exploring various pathways that help us dealing with our mental health in our own ways and our wellness. It's kind of amazing to me that this topic of mental wellness and mental illness was kind of out of sight, out of mind. It was swept under the rug and now there's a whole festival about it. There is, there is. And that's the premise of what this is about. I wanna mention two others that are really a big part of this as well. One is, for the first time, we're gonna have Brono McDonald house charities there with Camp Good Times. And they're gonna be running an activity all day long for families to come out and do at the event. Like our narts and crafts related activity. I just wanna say Camp Good Times is a special camp that is for kids with cancer and their families. They're welcome up to the camp. It's up at Night of Wild for overnight sessions. And they have sessions that are for the patients to attend and enjoy. They have sessions for the patients and siblings. They even have family camp. So everyone can be together and experience the beauty of it together, especially when you're going through a tough time physically and mentally. And when a fam just brings so much magic and light to that. So they're part of this event this year. We're not last year. No, and we're thrilled to have them involved. And they're gonna have a beautiful area set up for this arts and crafts activity. And it's very exciting. This is just, it's so nice to see this kind. Who are some of the other organizations that are involved? Yes, another Ventura County behavioral health. They are gonna, there are many, many of our programs. We depend on them for referrals. They will refer clients to us who can then enter, have entry into our programs, and we can do what we can to take it from there. So, so thrilled. They're gonna actually be leading an activity as well on arts and crafts project of painting seashells. So they'll have an whole, a whole area there. Beyond that, I mean, some of the other organizations that will be present is the Autism Society of Ventura County. Oh my gosh, the list is endless, honestly. And you can go to mentalwellnessfest.com to see the list of everyone involved, everything involved, and how much fun it'll be. So, wonderful. And how can folks who otherwise maybe can't attend the festival and feel they need help or have a family member that needs help, how can they reach out to Turning Point and seek? Yeah, seek assistance. Turningpointfoundation.org is our website. There we have all of our programs and services lifted. Highly recommend visiting. Again, we have 11 locations and 17 programs that we can offer help to. For folks that we call transitional age youth, which are 18 to 25 and beyond, all the way up to senior, 65 and over. So we cover that whole range with many of our programs. Another program we have that is actually very helpful for seniors who have severe mental illness is we have two boarding cares. That house between 30 to 40 folks permanently, permanent housing for people. So we do try to run the gamut and cover the whole spectrum of program services as much as possible for that age range. Wonderful. Yeah, we also have on our social media, we have our Facebook page. So Turning Point Foundation on Facebook, you can find us, like us, follow us, we love that. You can keep up with all the great things we're doing and events we're having and fundraisers and so on. We have Instagram and we're also on LinkedIn. So we're active on all three of those, Instagram, same thing, Turning Point Foundation. Wonderful. Well, Josh Karsman, we will definitely be at the Wellness Festival and check it out. We'll definitely cover the ground there and we appreciate you being on this episode of On the Road. Thank you, Paul. We wanna thank our sponsor, Opus Escrow. Thank you for tuning in and be sure to join us next time for On the Road. (upbeat music) (upbeat music)
In this episode of "On the Road with Paul Ward," Paul welcomes Josh Carsman, Director of the Mental Wellness Festival of Ventura County presented by the Turning Point Foundation. Josh shares that this is the second annual festival, set to take place on the grass lawn at Ventura County Harbor Village. He discusses the festival's vision and explains the role of the Turning Point Foundation, detailing its various programs and wellness centers. Josh highlights additional services offered by Turning Point, including a Veteran House. Listeners learn what to expect at the festival, including resources for those in need, participation from the Ronald McDonald House, Camp Good Time, and Ventura County Behavioral Health. Josh emphasizes the significance of these collaborations and provides guidance on seeking help even if one cannot attend the festival.
Watch the full episode HERE:
What you will learn in this episode:
0:00 Welcome to On the Road with Paul Ward and introduction of our guest, Direct of the Mental Wellness Festival of Ventura County presented by Turning Point, Josh Carsman
0:50 Josh Carsman tells us that this is the Second Annual Festival and will be held on the grass lawn at Ventura County Harbor Village
1:51 Find out about the whole vision of the Festival
2:33 What is The Turning Point Foundation that spearheads the Festival?
2:59 Find out what the Turning Point programs encompass
3:16 What is a wellness center?
4:33 Josh tells us about a Veteran House and other programs that Turning Point also offers
5:44 What can folks expect to see at the Wellness Festival and more about its participants
8:28 Anyone that needs help or has someone in their life that may need help can find resources at the Wellness Festival
9:00 The Ronald McDonald House and Camp Good Time will be present at the festival
10:13 Also included is Ventura County Behavioral Health. Josh tells us the importance of their work in conjunction with Turning Point
11:13 Find out how to seek help if you cannot attend the festival itself.
12:41 Thank you to our Sponsor, Opus Escrow
Related Episodes:
Breaking Barriers: Inside the Wellness Center
Growth Beyond Challenges: Cultivating Mental Health
Mental Wellness Festival of Ventura County:Mental Wellness Festival Ventura Event June 1st 2024turningpointfoundation.org1736 S Lewis Rd, Camarillo, Ca 93012(805) 586-9900
Contact Paul Ward:805-479-5004paul@homeandranchteam.com
Have ideas for future episodes? We'd love to answer your questions - leave a comment! For any home buying or home selling needs in the Ventura County area of California, please reach out to Paul@HomeAndRanchTeam.com or visit www.HomeAndRanchTeam.com
A special THANK YOU to our sponsor, OPUS ESCROW! Farm Talk with Paul Ward would not be possible without the support of our sponsor Opus Escrow. Supporting our sponsor ensures Farm Talk can provide listeners with the best possible episodes.
