The Richmond Mental Health Center has had a wonderful tradition of providing a holiday party for all of the consumers of Outreach Services during the holiday season. This peer support event allows our consumers to meet peers from other counties, re-establish bonds with old friends and celebrate the holiday season. They enjoy a catered meal and entertainment to add to the fun of the evening. For many of our consumers, they do not have family nearby or, in some cases, do not have family at all; in fact, this may be their only holiday celebration and has been for a number of years. We were very concerned that due to financial crisis The Richmond Center has undergone over the past year, we would have to stop this long standing tradition and disappoint those who look so forward to this event every year. It was with great humility and hope that we turn to others for support. The Richmond Mental Health Center applied for and was awarded a $150 grant from the United Way of Story County.

The Richmond Mental Health Center’s mission is to provide high-quality, community-based mental health services for all people in the counties we serve, regardless of ability to pay. Although we serve persons from all socioeconomic backgrounds, we are proud to be one of the few mental health providers serving people who utilize Medicaid and Medicare funding. We serve those with limited ability to pay because everyone deserves access to high quality mental health services. For this reason, we turn to the community for support. The United Way of Story County has been a tremendous support to The Richmond Center and believes in our mission. They found it in their hearts to give the gift of hope and fun to those who attended our peer support event.

On behalf of our consumers, The Richmond Mental Center thanks all of you who contribute to the United Way of Story County.

Cari McPartland

Mental Health Center

and outreach services coordinator

The Richmond Mental Health Center