Mental health support is a critical issue in Fort Wayne, Indiana and across the state. Hope Alive, a Christian nonprofit organization, has recently received a $30,000 grant from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation to address this issue head-on. The funding is specifically designated for mental health treatment for homeless women and low-income residents in Allen County.
The grant will support Hope Alive’s Community Counseling Program, which offers affordable counseling services to those in need. It will also assist in funding the organization’s Residential Program, which provides temporary housing, mental health treatment, and life skills training to homeless women.
Dawn Etzel, the executive director of Hope Alive, expressed gratitude for the grant and highlighted its impact on the community. She emphasized the importance of providing mental health treatment to homeless women who are struggling with mental health challenges.
According to Mental Health America, 22% of adult Indiana residents experienced mental illness in 2023. This is the highest rate in the country of adults whose mental health needs are left untreated. Additionally, Indiana has an above-average suicide rate.
Etzel believes that everyone deserves access to hope and that Hope Alive is committed to providing professional mental health services at low costs and offering affordable housing for women in crisis.
This grant from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation will make a significant impact on the community by providing much-needed support for individuals struggling with mental health challenges who may not be able to afford treatment elsewhere.
Hope Alive is a shining light of hope for those who need it most in Fort Wayne and beyond.
