Margaret (Mag) Casarez's Page

In what City & State do you live?

Cincinnati, Ohio

What is your Neighborhood?

Walnut Hills

Although A Small Group is currently based in Cincinnati, Ohio, we have friends and fellow community members in Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis and many other places. Regardless of your location, we invite you to join us. Please tell us a little about your community (or country, for that matter!).

My community is diverse and urban, yet rich with historical architectural beauty. Although there is crime (and what neighborhood is immune to this?) I find myself quite comfortable and secure. I am just a short walk to Eden Park which contains theatre, a museum, water features, river vistas, city vistas, and even a conservatory! I can combine culture with exercise!

What is your work? -- NOTE: all of these Q's may be updated any time and may be as brief or as long as you wish.

My monetary compensation work is in the area of mental health or "wellness". I serve members of a "drop-in recovery" center in Clermont County, Ohio. We are self-organized to support recovery and deliver our gifts into the community. We are a movement in our own right. Our intention is to serve, of course, but just as important is our work to shift people's thinking about mental illness and recovery. It is our belief that there are only two populations in the world, those diagnosed and those undiagnosed with a mental illness or disorder. Our center is the "Phoenix Place". Come out and meet us, bring your questions!

My non-monetary, compensated work is in the areas of myself, my family, my community (found wherever I find myself at!). I love people and appreciate a rich conversation. When we can emerge ways to be helpful to one another - I love that best. I love contributing to developing partnerships and helping people find their combined synergies and ways to deliver gifts such as these into communities.

What originally brought you to A Small Group? What brought you to this ASG site?

I am a very fortunate soul. I live "on purpose" which creates opportunities for me to live in my passion (community service). I was walking through the park one day, quite literally, just in Peter Block's path. Kismet! He was just embarking on this whole "thing" and I was generously invited to "show up", which I gladly did.

With what organizations or groups do you work today?

The Phoenix Place, www.thephoenixplace.org ; The Partnership for Mental Health, Invest in Neighborhoods, A Small Group, Cincinnati.

ASG Questions: Select one to answer below, if you like (or pass - that's always ok):

What Possibility is stirring in your heart today?

Your current answer to the selected question (you may update this and other profile items any time):

The possibility of emerging a process by which all persons in recovery from mental "unwellness", or wishing to be, can either discover or rediscover their gifts and share them in the world. I believe that when this happens, the world view about this group will be forever changed and they will be openly embraced for the beautiful souls that they are.

And another possibility of shifting the thinking around mental wellness. I believe that we need to embrace the responsibility around our mental wellness in addition to working on our physical and spiritual selves. I see the area of mental wellness as having the capacity to shift human-kind to a new way of being in the world (namely helpful and generouse vs. protective and surviving).

I think that both of these goals can only be accomplished through a "community effort".

Do you have a suggestion for a great question of your own?

What can you do today that contributes to your wholeness?

Anything else you'd like to share about yourself?

Talk to me - I love it. Talk changes things.

LAST QUESTION -- First, a closing note: Thank you for your interest in A SMALL GROUP. Membership is free and open. We do, however, review each new member to be sure that the site is not being abused by spam posters. The more complete your profile, the easier it will be to verify. Your membership will be activated as soon as a moderator can review it. THANKS AGAIN! ------ On to the final item: WHAT IS YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS?

http://www.margaretcasarez.com