Mental health impacts the entire community, and with its new clinic, Redeemer Church is planning a holistic and collaborative approach to the problem.
The Olga Neighborhood Association, named after a woman who cooked in the church kitchen for years, is offering a walk-in mental health clinic and kitchen that will serve meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
"I believe every congregation must find its calling and mission," said John Jacobs, the Vice Chair of the Capital Campaign for the project.
Five years ago, the congregation found itself face-to-face with mental illness. Johnny Smith, a man who struggled with mental illness himself, was killed on the church's doorstep by another mentally ill person.
Johnny Smith's tragic death galvanized the church to better serve the community with a "wrap-around approach." Olga Neighborhood Wellness Services will coordinate with the local mental health groups and ministries that will offer services in the fully renovated west wing.
Prior to the renovation, this site provided 324 stays as an emergency Red Cross overnight shelter site over the past 18 months and is a central location for Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups.
This renovation includes building a clinical space for mental health, substance use disorder, and social work services. A new, private shower and laundry facility will also provide dignity for people when they need it most. It also includes a renovated event space and a new kitchen to share three hot meals each week.
A Holistic Approach to Wellness
"It's going to span a group of services that feed and nourish mind, body, and soul," said church member Kendra Stea.
The new kitchen will offer space for volunteers to serve a larger portion of the community.
"We're gonna go from one meal a week to three meals a week," said Randy Sikkema. Sikkema has been cooking for the community at the church for three years, sometimes even from his own home.
He emphasizes the community's desperate need.
"The need for food is extreme. They need more than a meal, and when they come in here, they have comfort. We do a lot of hugging, a lot of handshakes. We make them feel welcome," Sikkema added.
Project Completion and Fundraising
The $4.4 million project is set to be completed in January and will begin offering services to residents immediately. The upgrade to the church will mark a new chapter in the church's revived commitment to service.
"Our hope by offering a drop-in center for the uninsured and underinsured is to be able to touch the lives of more people and get them referred to the services they so desperately need," said Stea.
An anonymous donor has issued a matching challenge of up to $500,000 for all donations made through August 31. The fundraising goal will be met with $1.7 million in additional gifts.
For more information or to donate to the project, click here.
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