CSX’s Generous Gift Goes Long Way to Healing

Military families are benefiting greatly thanks to a generous gift from CSX.  The rail-based freight transportation company recognized the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone’s commitment to supporting our nation’s heroes by graciously donating to the clinic’s free community support efforts, bringing hope and healing to those in need.

The Cohen Clinic at Centerstone in Jacksonville, FL has utilized CSX’s generous gift to provide care to military families coping with the death of a loved one, couples wishing to strengthen their bonds and more.

“We are now collaborating with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to facilitate a virtual peer-led support group.  During this time of COVID-19, the use of video technology is allowing us to engage families in groups that were previously not accessible either due to distance or availability,” Jessie Eisenmann-Klamar, Cohen Clinic fellow and TAPS co-facilitator said. “This generous gift has allowed us to reach military families throughout the community in new ways.”

The group is led by a TAPS peer mentor and co-facilitated by one of Centerstone’s military-focused clinical professionals.  The co-facilitator is also available to provide immediate crisis intervention and therapeutic support if someone is struggling.

In a similar capacity, the Cohen Clinics at Centerstone have also broadened their reach to military couples by hosting a free 8-week, virtual marriage workshop based on the book Hold Me Tight written by world-renowned clinical psychologist, couples therapist and author, Sue Johnson. The goal of the workshop is to assist couples in creating secure attachment and developing new patterns of meaningful behaviors.

“We are seeing amazing results from this program,” lead clinician at the Cohen Clinic at Centerstone, Julie Adams, LCSW said. “Nineteen couples from across Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Texas attended our first session this time around. The engagement and excitement have been heartwarming.  We are so grateful to now be able to offer this support to so many.”

Once in-clinic/in-person activities are able to resume, the groups will continue both in-person and with video technology to allow continued growth of already established supportive relationships.

Additionally, as groups and workshops are added and new community room programs established, there will be an increased need for materials such as:  books, art supplies, catering, decorations for themed events (e.g. “dinner and dancing”), mats for yoga and other health/wellness focused activities, licensing fees for movies to show at monthly family movie nights, workbooks for Mental Health First Aid participants, and items for self-care workshops – all of these needs will be partially covered thanks to CSX’s generosity.

“CSX’s gift really has gone a long way to enhancing our military family support programs,” Lisa Eggebeen, Regional Director of the Cohen Clinics at Centerstone said. “Enrichment activities and support groups are an essential part of the care we strive to provide for our community.  We’re simply grateful to now be able to do so on a grander scale.”

For more information on programs and services offered at the Cohen Clinics at Centerstone log on to their website at centerstone.org/cohen.