Five mental health programs receive grants from Winneshiek Medical Center Foundation

(Clockwise from front left): Decorah High School principal Kim Sheppard, Helping Services of NE Iowa representative Kathleen Davis,NE Iowa Behavioral Health representative Marsha Oltrogge, NE Iowa Peace and Justice Center representative Julie Fisher; Alternative Treatment Associates representative Sue Mueller, NE Iowa Behavioral Health representative Judy Holthaus, Families First Counseling Services representatives Bethany Ellingson and Brita Carbonell and Helping Services of NE Iowa representatives Karen Misseldine and Deb Jacobi.

The Winneshiek Medical Center Foundation has awarded five grants to local organizations working to improve the mental health of the region:

•    $3,500 to Decorah High School to expand their student support services for students who face mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
•    $5,000 to Helping Services of Northeast Iowa to pilot a new therapeutic program for DARC (Domestic Abuse Resource Center) staff, clients, and their children.
•    $5,000 to Northeast Iowa Peace & Justice Center and Families First Counseling Services to organize and support a local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliate.
•    $2,173 to Alternative Treatment Associates to further train staff and purchase therapeutic items for students.
•    $1,300 to Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health, Inc., to improve the physical health of individuals with mental health and co-occurring issues.

The chief donor to the Community Mental Health Fund was Decorah's Mildred Jacobson, who gave $10,000, following the example set by her ancestor William H. Smith, who was the first hospital's chief donor.   

The Commemorative Fund for Community Mental Health was created to support mental health initiatives within Winneshiek Medical Center's service area through a grant process.