A $30,000 grant from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation has been awarded to Hope Alive, a Christian nonprofit organization based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The funding will be used to support mental health treatment for homeless women and low-income residents in Allen County. The grant will be used to continue offering affordable counseling services through the Community Counseling Program and provide temporary housing, mental health treatment, and life skills training through the Residential Program.
In a press release on Wednesday, Hope Alive announced the funding and emphasized their commitment to providing counseling and mental health support to individuals who cannot afford these services. With this grant, Hope Alive can continue to offer accessible mental health services to those in need, particularly homeless women facing mental health challenges. According to Mental Health America, 22% of adult Indiana residents experienced mental illness in 2023. Indiana has the highest rate in the country of adults with untreated mental health needs and an above-average suicide rate. Recognizing the significance of this issue, Dawn Etzel, the executive director of Hope Alive, highlighted the importance of providing access to mental health services for everyone in need. She expressed her organization’s commitment to breaking down financial barriers by offering affordable mental health services and housing for women in crisis.
The grant from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation is seen as a blessing that will contribute significantly to addressing mental health challenges faced by homeless individuals in the community. The funding will have a positive impact on the community, especially on homeless women who require mental health treatment.
Hope Alive’s Community Counseling Program offers low-cost counseling services that aim at helping people overcome their struggles with anxiety, depression, trauma or other issues related with their mental health. It also offers group therapy sessions that focus on specific topics such as stress management or anger management.
The Residential Program provides temporary housing for women facing crisis situations such as homelessness or domestic violence while they receive mental health treatment and life skills training.
Overall this grant will enable Hope Alive to continue its mission of providing hope and healing for those in need while creating awareness about the importance of accessibility to mental healthcare for all members of our community.