Because of a sold-out benefit concert and a Tennessee community foundation, the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is distributing grants in a neighboring Texas county to benefit access to mental health services.
Some of music’s biggest stars performed at the Nashville concert last November that raised more than $4 million for the 2017 hurricane and Las Vegas shooting victims. Performers included Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Keith Urban, Jon Pardi and Garth Brooks. Click here to see some video clips of the performers from the Country Rising benefit concert, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-dOCVPmE1M
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee was looking for ways to ensure that its concert funds reach the people directly and they found the perfect partner with Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. The Southwest Louisiana Flood Fund was established to help hurricane recovery efforts in both Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. It’s a story of community foundations in Tennessee and Louisiana coming together to help their neighbors in need in southeast Texas, specifically the hard-hit area of Orange County.
“We are honored to be able to link the people of Orange County impacted by Harvey with the people in Tennessee who cared and responded with their gifts and generosity,” said Sara Judson, CEO of the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. “With the connection among community foundations across the country, Middle Tennessee reached out to our foundation in Southwest Louisiana for recommendations on local needs, enabling them to strategically deploy their funds to help restore lives in devastated communities.”
Care for the psychological health of survivors is important long after the initial crisis subsides, and many are still struggling as the anniversary of Hurricane Harvey approaches. Rebuilding has been a long process, with a series of ups and downs. For many, stressors, such as financial issues, employment challenges or problems finding permanent housing, are continuing to linger. Domestic problems and substance use (tobacco, alcohol, drugs) can increase. In the year following a disaster, experts advise of the critical need for the availability of mental and behavioral health counseling.
With this $105,000 grant, Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas will be able to open its Orange office full-time, as well as host a support group in the community. Currently, Samaritan’s office at 1502 Strickland Drive is only open a few days a week, and counseling appointments are booked several weeks out.
“Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas is committed to serving the community giving hope to those needing support. With funds given so selflessly by those who see mental health and recovery as a vital part of life, Samaritan will be able to provide services to those in greatest need of healing,” said Robin McCutcheon, M.Ed., Executive Director of Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas.
Creating a guide specifically for the residents of Orange County can make it easier to find local services. With its $10,000 grant, Mental Health America of Southeast Texas will begin compiling the directory information that will become the Orange County resource guide for mental and behavioral health services.
“Mental Health America of Southeast Texas is thrilled and grateful to receive grant funding from our neighbors in Louisiana. Due to the generosity of the Community Foundations of Southwest Louisiana and Middle Tennessee, we will be able to create, print, and distribute a mental health resource guide specifically designed for Orange County residents,” said Kim Phelan, President of Mental Health America of Southeast Texas and local attorney. “We must educate and empower individuals and families with critical life-saving information, not only now as we recover from Harvey, but in order to be mentally and physically prepared for the next hurricane or any future disaster.”
MHA of Southeast Texas created a similar resource guide in 2017 listing all the mental health resources in Jefferson County. The guide was part of the “Okay to Say” campaign in Southeast Texas aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging people to open up about mental health issues and seek treatment. The Jefferson County guide has been incredibly popular and difficult to keep in print.
Phelan added, “The Jefferson County Guide has been a huge success and continues to be in high demand. Educators, law enforcement officers, local service providers, doctors, ministers and many other area leaders have found the user-friendly guide to be an effective way to share critical information about available community resources.”
Above: Pictured from left to right: Rev. Mike Umbenhaur, First Presbyterian Church of Orange; Robin McCutcheon, M.Ed., Executive Director of Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas; Sara Judson, Community Foundation SWLA CEO; Nora Popillion, Board Member for the Community Foundation SWLA and Entertainment/Public Relations Director for Delta Downs.
Pictured from left to right: Rev. Mike Umbenhaur, First Presbyterian Church of Orange; Regina Rogers, Mental Health America of Southeast Texas Board Member; Kim Phelan, President of Mental Health America of Southeast Texas; Sara Judson, Community Foundation SWLA CEO; Nora Popillion, Board Member for the Community Foundation SWLA and Entertainment/Public Relations Director for Delta Downs.
About the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana
The Community Foundation promotes and facilitates giving in Southwest Louisiana. It accepts gifts of any size and empowers individuals, families, companies, nonprofits and communities to respond to needs and opportunities that matter. Since starting up in 2008, the donors of the Community Foundation have granted over $12 million dollars to nonprofits and facilitated a variety of civic initiatives.
About Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas
Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas is a non-profit counseling organization that uses the concept of mind, body and spirit to promote the healing and growth of people and the reconciliation of couples, families and organizations. This integration of behavioral sciences and faith traditions is our foundational base for counseling. Learn more at www.sccset.org. For an appointment, call 727-6400.
About Mental Health America of Southeast Texas
Mental Health America of Southeast Texas, the Behavioral and Mental Health Consortium of Southeast Texas and Okay to Say are helping to change the conversation and perceptions around mental illness. Learn more at www.facebook.com/mhasetx.
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