Black Diamond Collision Center is a sparkling diamond in our community! " Invest inthe human soul Who-knows, it might be a diamond nthe ro gha JD Mary Mcleod Bethune- In 1997, Connections staff and members met Kenny Boyce and the spirited Ella Barringer through a Transitional Employment placement at Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet. Twenty-onc years later, we continue to share a special relationship with Kenny and Ella through Black Diamond Collision Center. We want to express our thanks to Kenny, Ella, and the Black Diamond staff for their years of support for our program a well as support for our community Connections is focused on helping people with a severe mental illness overcome obsta-cles...obstacles to going back to work, going back to school, or maybe just getting up in the morn-ing. Over and over again, Black Diamond is quick to respond to the needs of our program mem- bers such as: Black Diamond has employed 5 Connections members through the Connections Employment program. Black Diamond staff participate in our fundraising efforts annually Black Diamond assists with our community outreach by sharing information about Connec-tions in the community and advocating for Connections members. They graciously offered I year of ad space in the Observer News Enterprise for Connections Thank you, Ella, Kenny, and the Black Diamond staff for your hearts of gold and your acts of kindness. Black diamond is truly a precious ge to Connections. THANK YOU! Connections is a Clubhouse model program of Catawba Valley Behavioral Healthcare for adults (18 and over) with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness. Located in Newton, NC, Connections was established in 1990 in response to the need to offer supports in the local community to individu als in mental health recovery. Connections provides opportunities to assist individuals with a mental illness attain education, employment, hous- ing, wellness, and friendships. Our standing commitment is to provide a sense of belonging and self worth, a place of hope, a place of respect and dignity, and a place of opportunity for individuals living with a mental illnos Ad courtesy of Black Diamond Collision