[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E915-E916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATION OF ST. LUKE'S HOUSE 40 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2011

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate 
``40 Years of Excellence'' by St. Luke's House (SLH) in Bethesda, 
Maryland, which I am honored to have located in Maryland's Eighth 
Congressional District. SLH empowers individuals with mental illness 
who have been released from psychiatric hospitals to live, learn, work 
and participate successfully in the community by offering integrated 
mental health services and access to community resources.
  St. Luke's House was founded in 1971 by members of St. Luke's 
Episcopal Church. The programs offered by SLH include supported living, 
life skills training and vocational rehabilitation, as well as 24-hour 
crisis care and services for youth with serious emotional disabilities. 
SLH currently provides care for over 2,000 youth and adults annually. 
To accomplish its mission, SLH owns and operates 31 group homes in the 
community. It has helped thousands of individuals return to active 
community life.
  SLH provides four basic programs for its clients. The Psychiatric 
Rehabilitation Program offers individuals supported living 
opportunities, residential rehabilitation assistance, back-to-work 
skills, and a life skills program. The

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SLH Mental Health Clinic provides mental health services to the public 
and clients in other SLH programs. Its Fenton-McAuliffe Crisis House is 
a voluntary community-based residential alternative to inpatient 
hospitalization. The Career Transition Program is a joint endeavor 
between SLH and Montgomery County Public Schools that helps high school 
students with serious emotional disabilities receive counseling and 
vocational training.
  SLH's efforts have raised public awareness about important mental 
health issues. Its continued success is due to the hard work of SLH 
staff and volunteers who give thousands of hours to make this program 
effective for SLH residents and beneficial for the larger community. 
St. Luke's House is fortunate to have the leadership of Ms. Cindy 
Ostrowski as President and CEO as it moves ahead in meeting the needs 
of people in the 20 century. Our community is enriched by the dedicated 
work of St. Luke's House.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commending the staff 
and volunteers of St. Luke's House on forty years of extraordinary work 
and in wishing them continued success in their service to the residents 
of our community.

                          ____________________